UsedScore

2009 Honda Pilot: Best bet

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Pilot in its first five years on the road, about 41 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical Pilot year. That's among the fewest of any Pilot year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the air bags (6% of complaints).

Complaint index
0.5×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Pilot year
Rank
4th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
36
first five years; 41 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
9
campaigns
2nd generation, 2009–2015 (first year of the generation; redesign years often run worse) · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2011 Honda Pilot LX

Photo: 2011 Honda Pilot LX · U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Air bags6% · 2 complaints
  2. Steering19% · 7 complaints · median 31,000 miles
  3. Brakes17% · 6 complaints · median 48,000 miles
  4. Engine11% · 4 complaints
  5. Powertrain8% · 3 complaints
  6. Suspension17% · 6 complaints · median 46,000 miles
  7. Speed control8% · 3 complaints
  8. Body and structure11% · 4 complaints
  9. Seats and belts11% · 4 complaints
  10. Wheels and tires6% · 2 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Air bags

Owners of this Pilot mainly describe a Takata-related air bag recall where replacement parts were not available for months, leaving the warning light on or the passenger air bag effectively disabled. A few also report crashes where air bags failed to deploy or deployed with metal fragments, causing injuries.

Warning signs:
Owners report the air bag or side-curtain air bag warning light turning on intermittently or staying on, sometimes with the passenger air bag shown as 'off' even when occupied.
What shops did:
Many owners say a recall part for the air bag inflator was unavailable when they sought repair, leaving the vehicle unrepaired for extended periods; a few say dealers wanted to charge for the repair.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 165,000 miles, among 8 complaints that give it

“Side air bag off... Turns on automatically or blinks various times”

“sometimes the passenger side airbag says it's off although someone is sitting there”

Brakes

Owners of this Pilot commonly describe a shaking or vibrating sensation in the steering wheel or front end when braking, often tied to rotor wear or bushing issues. Repairs such as rotor replacement sometimes resolved it temporarily, but several owners say the vibration returned or was hard for dealers to diagnose.

Warning signs:
Owners report vibration or shaking through the steering wheel and front end when braking, sometimes worsening over time, with a few noting the brake pedal traveling to the floor.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced or resurfaced rotors, and in some cases replaced calipers, master cylinders, or suspension bushings, though a few owners say the shaking recurred or dealers could not duplicate the issue.
Mileage:
most between 40,000 and 120,000 miles, among 13 complaints that give it

“The vehicle would shake violently when the brake pedal was depressed”

“The front end of the vehicle vibrates excessively during braking”

Steering

Owners commonly report steering wheel vibration at higher speeds that persists despite tire, brake, and rotor replacements. Some also describe power steering loss, cracked steering columns, or difficulty turning the wheel, sometimes requiring repeated dealer visits.

Warning signs:
Owners report steering wheel vibration or shaking at highway speeds, difficulty turning the wheel, and knocking or clicking noises when turning.
What shops did:
Dealers replaced steering columns, power steering pumps, brake rotors and pads, or suspension bushings, with some issues persisting afterward.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, among 11 complaints that give it

“Great difficulty in turning steering wheel / after 12 months returned to dealer. I was told that I had a "cracked" steering column and it was replaced under warranty”

“Complete loss of power steering while stopped or at low speeds (trying to pull into a parking space) and front end/steering column shaking while breaking at 60 MPH”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (9)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V502000June 20199,555 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V378000May 201919,138 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V268000April 20181,335 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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.

    Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V042000January 2018691,726 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V545000August 20173,257 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 17V030000January 2017977,708 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V346000May 20162,719,386 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V016000January 2013748,481 vehicles

    Air bags

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

    Risk: The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Fix: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer.

  • NHTSA 11V468000September 2011310,773 vehicles

    Seat belts: front: webbing

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 pilot vehicles manufactured from march 13, 2008, through august 30, 2011. There is a possibility that the stitching that secures the end of the driver and front passenger lap section of the seatbelt may be incomplete or missing.

    Risk: If the stitching is incomplete or missing, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing, increasing the risk of personal injury in a crash.

    Fix: Honda dealers will conduct a specialized inspection of the driver and front passenger seatbelts, and if necessary, replace the seatbelts, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Honda sent NHTSA 73 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2009 Pilot. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • A18-066 · June 2026Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
  • A20-016 · March 2020This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators.
  • A18-115 · May 2019American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall.
  • A18100B · October 2018American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall.
  • A18-055 · June 2018This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators.
  • A18-052 · June 2018This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators.
  • AMV161001 · October 2016Tech2tech video - airbag inflator installation tips.
  • AMV161002 · September 2016Tech2tech video - airbag inflator installation tips.

All 2009 Pilot bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2009 Honda Pilot reliable?
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Pilot in its first five years on the road, about 41 for every 100,000 sold: 0.5× the rate of a typical Pilot year. That's among the fewest of any Pilot year. Ratings compare Pilot years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2009 Pilot problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the air bags (6%), the steering (19%) and the brakes (17%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2009 Honda Pilot been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda Pilot, the most recent in June 2019 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Honda. The 2009 Honda Pilot on NHTSA.gov · How we rate