Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2005 Honda PilotRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 679 owner complaints for the 2005 Honda Pilot. Most complaints involve power train (176) and air bags (120). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
15campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
679
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

15 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

679 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2005 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train176
  2. Air bags120
  3. Service brakes98
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)96
  5. Electrical system57
  6. Engine48
  7. Vehicle speed control46
  8. Engine and engine cooling43
  9. Suspension38

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Pilot model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003746
2004544
2005679
2006268
2007211
2008133
2009134
2010111
2011293
2012172
2013272
2014116
2015109
20161,725
2017937
2018442
2019927
2020493
2021452
2022172
2023148
2024117
2025216
202629
Crashes reported
42
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
46
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

176 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a cranking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that several unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the shocks, control arms, drive train and other unknown components needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure); however, neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2023Suspension, Power trainODI 11519514

Air bags

120 reports22 crashes
“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the air bag deployment, the air was deflated, causing the driver's head to contact the steering wheel. Also, the contact indicated that metal fragments were present during the air bag deployment. The contact sustained a lacerated left wrist and lacerations to the chest area. The driver also sustained contusions and bruised to the head, ankles, and legs, along with neck and back stiffness, which will all require medical treatment. No other injuries were known regarding the second vehicle occupants. A Police Report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2025Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11695419

Service brakes

98 reports9 crashes
“2005 PILOT WAS REPAIRED UNDER VSA RECALL IN 2013. AS OF THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, AGAIN I EXPERIENCED SAME EXACT VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUES PRIOR TO REPAIR. THIS PAST WEEK WHILE I HAD MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR, WE ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES. A SEMI DRIVER INSTEAD RISKED HIS OWN LIVES TO KEEP FROM SLAMMING IN THE BACK OF US. WE TOOK OUR PILOT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP THAT HAS SERVICED OUR VEHICLE OVER THE YEARS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE ISSUE AND INSTEAD POINT TO THE SAME THING I AM NOW READING HERE ONLINE. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATES IT IS THE YAW SENSOR AS THE ISSUE, NOT FAULTY REPAIR. IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT PILOT OWNERS ARE NOW ONCE AGAIN ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES ALL OVER AGAIN. HOW MANY LIVES WILL BE LOST OR CHANGED FOR THE WORST BEFORE HONDA IS FORCED TO RECKON WITH THIS ISSUE? THIS IS WRONG AND UNACCEPTABLE. THERE ARE OTHER POOR DESIGN FLAWS THAT WE THINK ALSO MAY HAVE COST US SO MUCH MORE MONEY, SUCH AS THE VVT ISSUES. HOWEVER, THE VSA REPAIR ISSUE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE OVERLOOKED AND MUST BE DEALT WITH NOW. SPECIFICALLY, MY EXPERIENCE MOSTLY ON FLAT SURFACES WITH EXCEPTION OF ONE TIME ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AT A STOP LIGHT.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2020Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11373626
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pilot 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
  • Pilot 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Honda Pilot as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1600
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Pilot questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Pilot have?

15 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners filed 679 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (176), air bags (120), service brakes (98). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Honda Pilot get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Honda Pilot at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026