2009 Honda Pilot problems and complaints

Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Pilot. The most-reported areas: Engine (35), Air Bags (29), Suspension (19).

Key takeaways

  • 134 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 9 involve a crash, 4 a fire, 12 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3526%
Air Bags2922%
Suspension1914%
Service Brakes1511%
Steering1310%
Power Train129%
Seats75%
Structure75%
Seat Belts54%
Electrical System54%
Engine And Engine Cooling43%
Vehicle Speed Control43%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2009 Honda Pilot 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine - filed 2026-01-07

Serpentine belt tensioner bolt keeps snapping and or breaking has been replaced 3 times now. Research shows at least 10 years of part being defective.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2025-10-09

2009 Honda Pilot VIN [XXX] Mileage 128,000 Issue: Transmission shuddering, a KNOWN and ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM Why is there not been a recall for this problem? I have spoken with other Pilot owners and all have experience this problem. The dealership gave me about 3 reasons, all out of pocket costs. I am on fixed in...

Air Bags - filed 2024-10-01

DTC code 12-51 passenger air bag is on OBD. have not gone to dealership. been on for several years.

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More for the 2009 Honda Pilot

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.