The Lemon Index2008 Honda Pilot.
The 2008 Honda Pilot is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 24 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 23, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 9 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 133 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Pilot year. 2008 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 50K to 130K miles on the car (71 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 9
- 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 9 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.
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 39 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service Bulletin - Corrosion of the frame rail that supports the rear subframe may occur on…
- The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
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
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
2008 Honda Pilot with design quirks. Consumer states that the vehicle was missing two valve caps, rear mud flaps were installed after purchase at her expense, radio/cd/dvd not mp3 capable, roof rails are incomplete.
2008 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10229570
More owner reports
2008 Honda Pilot. The consumer was informed by Honda that there is a label inside the seats that says do not cut.
NHTSA complaint 10313148
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 23; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (17%), body structure (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Honda Pilot have?
9 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 2008 Honda Pilot get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,300 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 87,000 miles, from 71 complaints.
Does the 2008 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2008?
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