2008 Honda PILOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
87,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 133 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Structure:Body | 11 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Steering | 8 |
| Suspension | 8 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 |
Air Bags: 31; Structure:Body: 11; Engine: 10; Electrical System: 9; Power Train: 9; Steering: 8; Suspension: 8; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 12
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 62 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2008: 7; 2009: 4; 2010: 10; 2011: 3; 2012: 8; 2013: 6; 2014: 11; 2015: 15; 2016: 19; 2017: 8; 2018: 10; 2019: 6; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10260052 · 2009-02-26 (February 26, 2009)
01) VEHICLE SKIDDING UNDER SLIGHTEST WATER AND/OR INCLINE ON ROAD EVEN THOUGH HAS ONLY 20,500 MILES 02) SOUND FROM THAT REAR OF VEHICLE (DEALER DESCRIBES THAT AS SLASHING GAS IN TANK OR BRAKING SOUND). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10260052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296969 · 2009-12-26 (December 26, 2009)
I OWN AN 2008 HONDA PILOT (AUTOMATIC) AND WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS VEHICLE'S INABILITY TO HOLD IN GEAR ON AN INCLINE. THE PILOT WILL ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN IN DRIVE WITHOUT STOPPING ON AN UPHILL INCLINE, AND WILL ROLL FORWARD WHEN IN REVERSE ON A DOWNHILL INCLINE. I LIVE NEAR SAN FRANCISCO AND DRIVING IN THAT AREA IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE IN AN AUTOMATIC THAT WILL NOT HOLD ITS GEAR. IT IS WORSE THAN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE GEAR ENGAGEMENT WITH A CLUTCH. I AM FORCED TO DRIVE WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10312207 · 2010-02-19 (February 19, 2010)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MY 2008 HONDA PILOT ROLLS UNHINDERED DOWN HILL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK. TO DATE, THE FOREGOING HAS ONLY OCCURRED ON SNOW COVERED SURFACES. I POSSESS VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE VEHICLE DOING SO. MOREOVER, A REPRESENTATIVE OF AMERICAN HONDA INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME OCCURRENCE. DESPITE THE FOREGOING, THE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. RATHER, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING UNHINDERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10312207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259731 · 2009-02-24 (February 24, 2009)
DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED IN PARKING LOT, WHILE MAKING A TURN TO THE RIGHT WITH STEERING WHEEL CLOSE TO FULL RIGHT TURN LOCK. KEYS ON KEY RING CAUGHT WITHIN RECESS IN THE BACK OF THE STEERING WHEEL (RECESS IS EXPOSED TO KEYS BECAUSE OF RIGHT TURN), AND LODGED AGAINST CASING THAT CONTAINS THE KEY ASSEMBLY, WITH THE RESULT OF THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKING IN THE RIGHT TURNED POSITION WHILE MOVING, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT ACCIDENT SINCE NO CAR WAS IN THE PARKING SPACES AT THAT TIME. WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260988 · 2009-03-06 (March 6, 2009)
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2008 PILOT EXL IN FEB. 2008 WITH ABOUT 3 ODOMETER MILES. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER A FAINT POPPING NOISE COULD BE HEAR FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS (MORE THAN 3) TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT PINPOINT LOCATION OF NOISE AND CAR WOULD NOT CONSISTENTLY MAKE SOUND. IN DEC. 2008 IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER ORDERED AND REPLACED THE PART FEB. 2009. AFTER REPLACING THE PART THE DEALER TEST DROVE IT AND COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE ANYMORE. I PICKED UP MY CAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11138817 · 2018-10-06 (October 6, 2018)
PILOT LOSES POWER UPON ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING OR STOPING. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS GOING TO STALL WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE ON SHARP LEFT TURNS (EXAMPLE: LEFT TURN AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN). IT HAS ON RARE OCCASION HAD THE ISSUE WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND GOING STRAIGHT OR TURNING RIGHT BUT MOSTLY WHEN LEFT TURNS ARE MADE. PILOT WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE ISSUE ONE TIME WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND U-TURN BUT WERE UNABLE TO GATHER THE ERROR CODE OR IDENTIFY THE EXACT PROBLEM. BASICALLY WE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11138817 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10480122 · 2012-10-15 (October 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR COURTESY MAP LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED A FUSE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AREA HOWEVER, THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT WITHIN THE MAP LIGHT HOUSING WIRING AND ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEFECT WAS COMMON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10480122 at NHTSA ↗