Illustrationcheck engine light manufacturer control
2009 Honda Pilot
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Pilot do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 239.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pilot years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
1925–50K
1250–75K
1575–100K
12100–150K
11150K+
83 reports with mileage · 51 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
5 reportsTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP BUT IT KEPT COMING ON...SO I TOOK IT IN TO LEARN THAT I HAD LITTLE, IF ANY OIL. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE HONDA DEALER LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING! NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON TO SAY THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND NOTED THAT SIMILAR HO…
Read full complaint
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP BUT IT KEPT COMING ON...SO I TOOK IT IN TO LEARN THAT I HAD LITTLE, IF ANY OIL. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT THE HONDA DEALER LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING! NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON TO SAY THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. I DID RESEARCH ONLINE AND NOTED THAT SIMILAR HONDA OWNERS WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THE OIL IS LEAKING AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE. SO I GOT THE OIL REPLACED. NOW, 2 MONTHS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON DUE TO LOW OIL LEVELS, WHICH WERE JUST REPLACED. THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE OIL STAYING IN THE VEHICLE, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE! *TR
THE CHANGE OIL INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO AN AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE CHECKED. IT WAS A CODE P3497. THAT WAS A SATURDAY, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. THEY WERE ABOUT TO LET ME DRIVE AWAY WITH NO OIL BECAUSE THE CODE WAS CLEARED. I INSISTED THEY CHECK INTO IT DUE TO A…
Read full complaint
THE CHANGE OIL INDICATOR NEVER CAME ON AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO AN AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE CODE CHECKED. IT WAS A CODE P3497. THAT WAS A SATURDAY, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY. THEY WERE ABOUT TO LET ME DRIVE AWAY WITH NO OIL BECAUSE THE CODE WAS CLEARED. I INSISTED THEY CHECK INTO IT DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH SAME PROBLEM AND IT BEING THE COMPUTER LETTING TO CAR USE ALL THE OIL QUICKLY. IT TURNS OUT I HAD NO OIL, AND I HAD JUST CHANGED THE OIL PROFESSIONALLY AND USED THE BEST SYNTHETIC IN MY CAR. WHICH SHOULD LAST LONGER. VERY DANGEROUS. ENGINE COULD OF LOCKED UP ON A HIGH SPEED ROAD WITH MY THREE KIDS AND WE COULD BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE RECALL THE COMPUTER PROBLEM AND PARTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROX…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
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 A…
Read full complaint
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 SENSOR WIRE COMES UP THE MIDDLE OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SPLITS OUT TO BOTH REAR WHEELS WHERE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED. THE WIRES ARE "UNPROTECTED." THEY SHOULD BE ENCASED IN A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT OF SOME TYPE. SINCE THIS IS A 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE AND MAY GO IN ROUGH TERRAIN, IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING, ROCK, BRANCH, ETC. COULD CUT INTO WIRE SINCE IT IS UNPROTECTED. THE WIRE AND SENSOR IS ONE PIECE AND MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE UNIT. SHOULD BE SEPARATE SO THE CUSTOMER JUST NEEDS TO PURCHASE THE WIRE OR THE SENSOR. HONDA SAID WHEN THE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING, I DID NOT HAVE ABS OR THE OTHER FEATURES. BUT, SENT ME HOME WITH THE CAR SAYING IT WAS SAFE; NOT SURE THIS WAS TRUE. MUST BE A REASON THAT ABS WAS INSTALLED AS A SAFETY FEATURE! *TR
Official recalls
919V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 27, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 16, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
18V268000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Apr 26, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
18V042000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
17V545000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Aug 31, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
17V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
16V346000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 24, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
13V016000 · Air Bags
Jan 18, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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 on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
11V468000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing
Sep 9, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE STITCHING IS INCOMPLETE OR MISSING, THE SEATBELT MAY DETACH FROM THE ANCHOR WEBBING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN A CRASH.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.