The Lemon Index2009 Honda Pilot.
The 2009 Honda Pilot is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 26 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 18, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about seats, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 134 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Honda Pilot year. 2009 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 35K to 103K miles on the car (83 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 80K–144K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 45K–76K miles
Recalls 9
- 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 …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
- 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 2013
One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
- seat belts 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 PILOT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 13, 2008, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2011.
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 73 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light…
- "techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the…
- Techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2009 Honda Pilot front seats are loose in the tracks... Reported this issue to the dealer, was told they could not fix this problem.
2009 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10324135
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 18; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (15%), speed control (12%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Pilot have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Honda Pilot get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 103,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,400 miles, from 83 complaints.
Does the 2009 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2009?
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