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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Honda PilotRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Pilot. Most complaints involve engine (35) and air bags (29). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
134
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot 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 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported Apr 26, 2018NHTSA 18V268000
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

134 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2008 – Jan 2026
  1. Engine35
  2. Air bags29
  3. Suspension19
  4. Service brakes13
  5. Steering13
  6. Power train12
  7. Seats7
  8. Structure7
  9. Seat belts5

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
9
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
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

Engine

35 reports1 crash4 fires
“My 2009 Honda Pilot has 188,793 miles, I barely drive the vehicle and it need Piston Rings. I'm aware that this is a common problem with the 2009 Honda Pilots. I do not have $3,000. to just give to these people when Honda knows there is a problem with this vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2023EngineODI 11546707

Air bags

29 reports4 crashes
“I bought this car from Nalley Honda. After that I drove back to Birmingham. On my way airbag alarm pops up. Now they says I have to pay for this. But why should I pay for an safety issue as they should make sure its works fine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2024Air bagsODI 11592760

Suspension

19 reports
“ON JULY 29, 2020 I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM CROWN NISSAN OF GREENVILLE. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ALL THAT NEEDED WAS A NEW AC COMPRESSOR THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY WERE NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED WITHIN THE FIRST QUARTER TANK OF GAS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND WAS CAUSING ERRORS WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. BOTH LOW CONTROL ARMS AND STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NOT SAFE FOR VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK IN IT. THERE WERE ALSO FAULTY ENGINE MISFIRING. THERE INSPECTION DID NOT ANIMATE ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND SAID THE ONLY THING WRONG WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR, WHICH WAS A LIE. THE LEFT STRUT WAS ALSO WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND HAS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES AND HAS CAUSED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE DRIVER. I USED THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE AND THEY WERE NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT CARE AND BOTH TIMES SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE WHICH WAS NOT TRUE THERE WAS A LOT WRONG…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2020Suspension, Service brakes, EngineODI 11343816
All 2009 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
172319$3,300468
Pilot 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
  • Pilot 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Pilot 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    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 2009 Honda Pilot as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 5029
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

2009 Pilot questions

How many recalls does the 2009 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 2009 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (35), air bags (29), suspension (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Honda Pilot get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Honda Pilot at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026