The Lemon Index2006 Honda Pilot.
The 2006 Honda Pilot is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 38 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 36, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 268 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Pilot year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 56K to 155K miles on the car (175 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 69K–180K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 86K–186K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 59K–160K miles
Recalls 10
- speed control 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver 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 a…
- airbags 2019
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 …
Show all 10 recalls
- airbags 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- equipment 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.
- equipment 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 63 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine oil leak(s)
- Mil comes on with dtc p0300 and one or more of dtcs p0301 thru p0306
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
My 2006 Pilot came with goodyear integrity tires. Despite wheel balancing and regular rotations, the tires wore out, down to zero tread in 20,000 miles. They are pure garbage and unsafe on this vehicle.
2006 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10224265
More owner reports
Gas mileage for the vehicle is not as advertised. I am getting 20 mpg for mixed use driving (mostly highway). The epa estimates are 20/28.
NHTSA complaint 10145572
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (21%), engine (11%) and seat belts (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Pilot have?
10 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Honda Pilot get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 56,400 and 155,000 miles. The middle report was at 100,000 miles, from 175 complaints.
Does the 2006 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2015 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works