Car Yearsto Avoid

2009 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners have reported about the 2009 Honda Pilot, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2009 Honda Pilot a good year?

It's one of the better years for the Pilot. Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA, the 13th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, airbags and suspension.

134 complaints 9 recalls, 1 crash risk 13th worst of 18 Pilot years

Top 2009 Honda Pilot problems

1

Engine problems

38 complaints (28%) name the engine, most often the engine.

Complaints 38 · Usually at 80,000–140,000 miles

2

Airbag problems

29 complaints (22%) name the airbags, most often the frontal.

Complaints 29 · Usually at 57,000–166,000 miles · Recall 19V502000, 19V378000, 18V268000, 18V042000, 17V545000, 17V030000, 16V346000, 13V016000

3

Suspension problems

19 complaints (14%) name the suspension, most often the lower arm.

Complaints 19 · Usually at 46,000–76,000 miles

4

Brake problems

14 complaints (10%) name the brakes, most often the antilock.

Complaints 14 · Usually at 41,000–76,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 28%
Airbags 22%
Suspension 14%
Brakes 10%
Steering 10%
Transmission 9%
Seats 5%
Body 5%
Electrical 4%
Seat Belts 4%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (81 of 134). The amber line is the middle value, about 71,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2009 Honda Pilot recalls

Inflator module

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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Recall 19V502000 · Jun 2019

Inflator module

Can stall

The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Recall 19V378000 · May 2019

Inflator module

Can stall

The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

Recall 18V268000 · Apr 2018

Inflator module

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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

Recall 18V042000 · Jan 2018

Inflator module

Can stall

One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators. 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.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

Recall 17V545000 · Aug 2017

Inflator module

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. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

Recall 17V030000 · Jan 2017

Inflator module

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. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Recall 16V346000 · May 2016

Airbags

One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing. 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 13V016000 · Jan 2013

Seatbelt stitching may be incomplete or missing

Crash risk

The stitching that holds the end of the driver and front passenger lap belts may be incomplete or missing. If so, the belt can detach from its anchor webbing, raising the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Honda dealers will inspect the driver and front passenger seatbelts and replace them if needed, free of charge.

Recall 11V468000 · Sep 2011
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2009 Honda Pilot gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2009 Honda Pilot, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Pilot years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Honda Pilot a reliable year?

It's one of the better years for the Pilot. Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA, the 13th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, airbags and suspension.

What are the most common 2009 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners most often report problems with the engine, airbags, suspension and brakes. 38 complaints (28%) name the engine, most often the engine.

At what mileage do 2009 Honda Pilot engine problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 80,000–140,000 miles, with a middle value near 90,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Pilot have?

9. Inflator module (19V502000); Inflator module (19V378000); Inflator module (18V268000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2009 Honda Pilot?

Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2015, 2010 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.