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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Honda PilotRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 2008 Honda Pilot. Most complaints involve air bags (32) and structure (16). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
133
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 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 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

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
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

133 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2008 – Aug 2026
  1. Air bags32
  2. Structure16
  3. Power train11
  4. Engine10
  5. Electrical system9
  6. Exterior lighting9
  7. Suspension8
  8. Steering8
  9. Seats8

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
11
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
1
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

Air bags

32 reports4 crashes
“2008 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR IT WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO HAVE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2018Air bagsODI 11074851

Structure

16 reports1 fire
“2008 Honda pilot Rear subframe on both sides rotted out! horrible design! Lots of Honda pilots with this issue!! you could've killed my family due to this!! This is a known issue now take care of your buyers!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2022StructureODI 11462419

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 HONDA PILOT AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AN HOUR THERE WAS A TERRIBLE SHUDDER IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT LASTED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS . AT THAT TIME I LOST POWER AND LUCKILY I WASN'T CROSSING OVER AN INTERSECTION , OR ELSE I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO DOCUMENT THIS. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED PROBABLY 6 TIMES A WEEK. THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS I AM . WHY IS HONDA OF AMERICA NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2015Power trainODI 10681645
All 2008 Pilot problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel 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 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Pilot 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
  • Pilot 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Pilot 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 2008 Honda Pilot as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 2411
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

2008 Pilot questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Pilot have?

9 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 2008 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners filed 133 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (32), structure (16), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Honda Pilot get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Honda Pilot at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026