Problems · by component

2005 Honda Pilot engine problems

48 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Honda Pilot cite engine, 7% of all 679 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
48
7% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2021EngineODI 11429969
“MY CHILDREN BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR ME BECAUSE I LOST MY JOB DUE TO COVID AFTEREFFECTS AND I HAD TO RETURN MY KIA SOUL 2014 TO THE CREDITORS.I WAS DELIVERING FOOD BOXES TO THE ELDERLY WHEN THE AT TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LOCKUP I HAD TO PULLOVER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT.IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING SO I COULDN'T GET HOME.I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN TO ME.GOGGLEING THIS HONDA BRAND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL BUT NO HONDA RECALL THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! AND SHOULD BE EITHER RECALLED OR TAKEN OFF THE MARKET AS NTO TO NEVER BE EVER RESOLD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2021Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11399391
“UNFORTUNATELY, OUR EACH VEHICLE HAS BEEN TARGETED AND CAUSED CAR ACCIDENT FROM 2010 TO PRESENT DAY. IN 2012, OUR MAZDA MPV 2006 ENGINE WAS DESTROYED OR REPLACED AT THE WORK PLACE DURING WORKING AT HILTON HOTEL. OUR ACURA MDX 2002 VIN # [XXX] AND CURRENT HONDA PILOT 2005 VIN # [XXX] WERE UNDER CONTROLLED AND INVOLVED CAR ACCIDENT IN 2017 AND 2018 BECAUSE OF TARGETING. I HAVE NOTICED AND REPORTED TO LOCAL POLICE AND INSURANCE BEHALF OF THIS CASES WHICH CAN STOP SUDDENLY OR SLOWLY. ITS DEPEND ON HOW THEY CONTROLLED AND PRE-ARRANGED ACCIDENT TO BE HAPPENED ON A POINTING TIME. SURELY, MANY LIFE AND VEHICLES ARE VERY DANGEROUS. WE DESPERATELY NEED SAFETY CARS AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO AVOID CRUSHING CARS AND PEOPLE FROM NOW AND FUTURE. PLEASE HELP. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2019Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakes, EngineCrash reportedODI 11228941
“TRANSMISSION COOLING MECHANISM IN LOWER PART OF RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR AND MIX WITH COOLANT. INTRODUCTION OF ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED DAMAGE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, HOSES, FLUSH THE ENGINE, ETC. EVEN WITH THIS AMOUNT OF REPAIR, INCREASE FAILURE RATE OF WATER PUMP, HEATER CORE OR ANY RUBBER SEAL OR GASKET EXISTS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH AS WELL AS A SEARCH ON THIS SITE REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH HAS NEVER RESULTS IN A RECALL. MY PILOT HAD JUST UNDER 134,000 MILES AND NOW IS UNDRIVEABLE. THE REPAIRS COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL SO THAT THERE MAY BE SOME RELIEF FOR OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED BY THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2018Power train, EngineODI 11154153
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE AND SRS INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. MUNGENAST SAINT LOUIS HONDA IN SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND MADE UNKNOWN REPLACEMENTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 275,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2018Air bags, EngineODI 11064675
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS NEEDED TO BE TESTED AND THE KNOCK SENSOR AND SUB HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000. UPDATED 05/10/17*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2017Service brakes, EngineODI 10955025

Showing 6 of 48 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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