The Lemon Index2012 Honda Pilot.
The 2012 Honda Pilot is better than average by owner complaints: 83 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 64, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 20 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 171 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Pilot year. 2012 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 6K to 70K miles on the car (127 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 1K–47K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 15K–51K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–20K 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
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- 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 2013
One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
- fuel system, gasoline 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 PILOT 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 62 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- On certain vehicles, engine does not start after cranking, or will stumbles before idling, or…
- Engineering request for an investigation due to a noise, like moaning, or humming, or droning
- An investigation on some vehicles regarding an oil leak at the engine's b-cap side bolts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda Pilot SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle shudders/vibrates when vcm (eco) engages/disengages. Shuddering/vibrating is very pronounced. Transmission 'clunks' during engage/disengage of vcm.
2012 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10564783
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 64; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (23%), transmission & drivetrain (18%) and brakes (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 Honda Pilot get?
20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Honda Pilot safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 6,700 and 70,000 miles. The middle report was at 36,000 miles, from 127 complaints.
Does the 2012 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2012?
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