2009 HONDA PILOT Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Honda Pilot. This model year has 134 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Honda Pilot Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Suspension Failures
Considering a 2009 Honda Pilot?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Honda Pilot. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 39 | 1 | 4 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 29 | 4 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 19 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 15 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 134 most recent complaints
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.
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, al…
DTC code 12-51 passenger air bag is on OBD. have not gone to dealership. been on for several years.
I bought this car from Nalley Honda. After that I drove back to Birmingham. On my way airbag alarm pops up. Now they says I have to pay for this. But why should I pay for an safety issue as they should make sure its works fine.
See attached document for complaint
My 2009 Honda Pilot has 188,793 miles, I barely drive the vehicle and it need Piston Rings. I'm aware that this is a common problem with the 2009 Honda Pilots. I do not have $3,000. to just give to these people when Honda knows there is a problem with this vehicle.
My driver's side seat belt is constantly releasing as I'm driving.
WE HAVE LEARNED FROM OTHER Honda Pilot OWNERS AS WELL FROM THE DEALER THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY COMMON ISSUE. IT WILL COST OVER $6,000 TO FIX. THAT IS CORRECT, OVER $ 6,000 !!!!!!!! WE HOPE THE US GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ACTION. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY…
In September of 2021 my mechanic noticed low oil. oil consumption and poor mileage. We have to travel from New Mexico to Houston to see our grandchildren and sometimes we bring them back to our home. The risk is that we can get stranded in the middle of the desert. There have …
check engine light manufacturer control
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, there was an odor of burning oil present inside the cabin of the vehicle. In addition, the contact indicated that the vehic…
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. The driver of the other vehicl…
I reclined the drivers seat to nap. After my nap the seat would not recline back into seating position. To get the seat to come forward I had to get out of my car and with one hand operate the knob and the other hand pulled the seat forward. The seat did not come fully upright an…
A VALVE FELL INTO THE ENGINE AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST INTO SAFETY. IT WAS INOPERABLE AFTER THIS EVENT.
ON JULY 29, 2020 I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM CROWN NISSAN OF GREENVILLE. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ALL THAT NEEDED WAS A NEW AC COMPRESSOR THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY WERE NOT TRANS…
I HAD JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, AND ONLY HAD IT 3 DAYS WHEN IT BEGIN TO IDLE HIGH AND IT SEEMED AS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING BUT IT WASN'T. THEN THE D LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT A CAR REPAIR PLACE TURNED THE CAR …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT INDEPENDENTLY UNLATCHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURE…
2009 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PISTON RING FAILURE. *LD *JS
THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT HORIZONTAL POSITION TRACK JAMMED SO THAT THE SEAT COULD ONLY BE MOVED ABOUT 2 INCHES FORWARD/BACKWARD. THIS LOCKED THE DRIVER INTO A POSITION VERY CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND UNABLE TO REACH AUTO CONTROLS, SEAT BELT WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY. HON…
I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT MY COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED REPAIR. FOUND THERE'S WAS A BULLETIN PUT OUT BY HONDA, BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. SPOKE TO A HONDA REP THAT SAID THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INFORM OWNERS ABOUT BULLETINS. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Honda Pilot.
Recalls for 2009 Honda Pilot
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Honda Pilot. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2009 Honda Pilot — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Honda Pilot has 134 NHTSA owner complaints, 9 crash-related, and 9 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (39 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Pilot?▾
#1: Engine Problems (39 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (29 complaints). #3: Suspension Failures (19 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Honda Pilot?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2009 Honda Pilot has 9 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 134 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes — 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Honda Pilot. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2009 Honda Pilot has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Honda Pilot
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.