Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Honda Pilot problems
Owners filed 679 complaints about the 2005 Honda Pilot with NHTSA between Mar 2005 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is power train (176).
Complaints
679
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
42
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
46
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
20
9
14
11
27
54
57
100
90
77
59
47
27
32
15
12
10
3
7
4
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 20 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2010 | 54 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2012 | 100 |
| 2013 | 90 |
| 2014 | 77 |
| 2015 | 59 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 27 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
Air bags
120 reports22 crashes9 related recalls
“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.”
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.…”
Electronic stability control (esc)
96 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle slowed down unexpectedly, and the brake pedal was hard and slow to respond when depressed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling to the left, and it was difficult to correct the steering wheel. The vehicle was difficult to control. The VSA light was illuminated. There was a triangle with an exclamation mark symbol displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the VSA module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,273.”
Electrical system
57 reports4 fires
“Was traveling down the road, had an electrical burning smell coming from my dash and around steering wheel. Low beams then shut off going down road pulled over but still had high beams but no low beams.”
Engine
48 reports1 crash1 fire
“The Honda Pilots Engine Mounts are constantly having to be replaced prematurely than any other vehicle I have ever owned. This is an extremely dangerous part failure and an expensive cost to have. This dealership explained this is a known issue with these Hondas, yet no help or solutions from the manufacturer. There has to be some form of help or accountability for this type of negligence.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.