2009 Honda Pilot

▲ Better than typical
2009 Honda Pilot
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:25.904Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Pilot Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2006: 266 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 132 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 291 complaints 2012: 170 complaints 2012 2013: 270 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 107 complaints 2015 2016: 1660 complaints 2017: 899 complaints 2018: 425 complaints 2018 2019: 859 complaints 2020: 465 complaints 2021: 400 complaints 2021 2022: 129 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 99 complaints 2024 2025: 156 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2009: 134 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006266
2007211
2008132
2009134
2010111
2011291
2012170
2013270
2014116
2015107
20161660
2017899
2018425
2019859
2020465
2021400
2022129
2023113
202499
2025156
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 26%

26% of complaints: engine — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WE PURCHASED THE 2009 HONDA PILOT FROM IN MID-SEPTEMBER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - ONE PREVIOUS OWNER, SERVICED REGULARLY, TIMING BELT REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID REPLACED AT 100,00 MILES.IN NOVEMBER 2018,AS AGREED UPON WHEN WE PURCHASED THE...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190401

PULLED 2009 PILOT INTO MY SLOPPING DRIVEWAY I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND ENGINE RUNNING. NOTING REAR CAMERA WAS DISENGAGED. MY HUSBAD AND INFANT IN HIS ARMS WERE 5 FEET AWAY FROM THE REAR SUV.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130518

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI report, 20240411

AIR BAGS 21%

21% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE AIR BAGS SHARDS OF METAL AT PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN WRECK

NHTSA ODI report, 20171212

HONDA 2009 PILOT MVA 4/10/2010 REPORTED PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURY OCCURRED TO STERNUM AND RIBS. NOTED RECALL OF HONDA FOR AIRBAG IN NEWPAPER AND INTERNET. CALLED 1-800-999-1009 #7 PRODUCT CONCERN DEPT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130411

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 18 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL WINDING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE STEERING COLUMN YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100803

SERVICE BRAKES 10%

10% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal failed to operate as needed upon depression as his wife crashed a vehicle that stopped at the light. The airbags deployed upon impact.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220224

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20111005 — seat belts

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

Remedy: HONDA DEALERS WILL CONDUCT A SPECIALIZED INSPECTION OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELTS, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SEATBELTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 5, 2011.

Campaign 11V468000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130314 — 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 m

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began o

Campaign 13V016000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161115 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Campaign 16V346000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170222 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

Campaign 17V030000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171030 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 17V545000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180216 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

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...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190705 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: 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. The recall began July 5, 2019.

Campaign 19V378000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

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,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V502000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 11V468000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V016000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V346000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V030000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V545000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V042000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V378000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V502000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 Honda Pilot reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Honda Pilot is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Pilot?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Pilot have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.