2009 Honda PILOT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
70,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 83 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 35 of 134 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 17.2% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 35 |
| Air Bags | 28 |
| Suspension | 18 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
| Steering | 13 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Seats | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
Engine: 35; Air Bags: 28; Suspension: 18; Service Brakes: 13; Steering: 13; Power Train: 10; Seats: 7; Electrical System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 11
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 51 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 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 10; 2011: 7; 2012: 4; 2013: 13; 2014: 15; 2015: 12; 2016: 29; 2017: 7; 2018: 6; 2019: 9; 2020: 4; 2021: 1; 2022: 5; 2023: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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 10325588 · 2010-04-14 (April 14, 2010)
2009 HONDA PILOT WITH 22,191 MILES. VTM-4, VSA, ABS AND TWO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO TESTED AND SAID THE SENSOR TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS BAD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND THEY SAID IT LOOKS LIKE WIRE HAS BEEN CUT. NO ONE EVER UNDER THE CAR EXCEPT FOR HONDA DEALERSHIP. SHOWED ME WIRE AND IT LOOKS LIKE A SLIGHT CUT INTO THE WIRE. HONDA WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. MY LETTER TO AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO TO REGISTER COMPLAINT AND "DESIGN FLAW" WENT TO DEAF EARS. I FEEL IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,191 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328251 · 2010-04-30 (April 30, 2010)
2009 HONDA PILOT HAS A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE CAR CAN'T BE STOP FAST ENOUGH, IT NEEDS A VERY LONG DISTANCE AFTER HITTING THE BRAKE TO STOP. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. I INFORMED HONDA DEALER OF MARTIN MAIN LINE HONDA IN PA OF THE PROBLEM, THE TECHNICIANS TOLD ME THAT ALL PILOT BEHAVES THE SAME, SO IT IS NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE ONLY CAR I NEED TO HAVE A SUCH LONGER DISTANCE FOR A STOP. IT IS NOT NORMAL. IF ALL PILOT ARE SAME, THIS COULD MEAN AN INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED FOR 2009 PILOT. MY CAR IS HAS ABOUT 8,600 MILES NOW. THIS IS TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347108 · 2010-08-03 (August 3, 2010)
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. ON A LATER DATE WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH. ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353016 · 2010-08-31 (August 31, 2010)
2009 HONDA PILOT / 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. 6 MONTHS LATER AGAIN STEERING MORE DIFFICULT STEERING - RETURNED TO DEALER / THIS TIME THEY REPLACED "POWER STEERING PUMP" - CAR NO LONGER COVERED ON WARRANTY - LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY ARE "REVIEWING" MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10353016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253374 · 2008-12-31 (December 31, 2008)
DISCOVERED MASSIVE WEEPING OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE CASE AFTER 3700 MILES. AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 9 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627893 · 2014-08-24 (August 24, 2014)
TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 61,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384493 · 2011-02-25 (February 25, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AS WELL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592511 · 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10281710 · 2009-08-25 (August 25, 2009)
I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 HONDA PILOT TWO MONTH AGO. I HAVE DRIVEN 1350 MILES ON IT. I COULD NOT START MY VEHICLE AFTER A WEEK SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE TO JUMP OR CHARGE THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO GET IT STARTED . THIS HAD HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066708 · 2018-02-02 (February 2, 2018)
WE WERE NORTHBOUND ON A LOCAL ROAD NEAR RETURNING FROM OUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. WITH NO WARNING THE CAR MADE A NOISE, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AS ALL ACCELERATION, STEERING, BRAKING, ET CETERA, CEASED OPERATION. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER BUT WAS STILL IN THE ROAD, WHERE I PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND WITH MY CHILDREN CLIMBED OUT OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AAA TOWED THE PILOT TO THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,109 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142414 · 2018-10-24 (October 24, 2018)
I NOTICED GASOLINE SMELL FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND WHEN IT IS IN PARK AFTER USE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE ENGINE OR UNDER THE CAR THAT WAS LEAKING. THEN ONE DAY, I OPENED THE HOOD AGAIN AND FOUND THAT A MIST OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM A HOLE/CRACK FROM THE FUEL FEED HOSE FITTING AND FUEL FEED LINE THAT RUNS BACK UNDER THE CAR TO THE FUEL TANK. I NOTIFIED MY MECHANIC AT AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT THE GASOLINE MADE ITS WAY THROUGH THE O RING AND INT…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11180296 · 2019-02-15 (February 15, 2019)
I PURCHASED MY PILOT 4 YEARS AGO, IT WAS OWNED BY ONE PERSON PRIOR TO ME. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE IT STARTED SEEING RUSTING BY MY TAILGATE HANDLE AND NOW ITS THE SIZE OF A BASEBALL ON BOTH SIDES. I SEE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS BUT WAS TOLD I DO NOT FALL UNDER THIS DUE TO THE TIME LINE. VERY UPSET THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED WHEN ITS A KNOWN ISSUE THROUGH HONDA! VERY FRUSTRATING BUYING A CAR AND SEEING THE ISSUES AND NO ONE CAN HELP. I CLEARLY GOT THE LEMON PILOT, WITHIN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY PILO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11180296 at NHTSA ↗