Vehicles / Honda / Pilot / 2008

2008 Honda PilotUNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

133 federal complaints (166 component records) · 7 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 34 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 24 model years of the Honda Pilot →
Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
FWD
EPA economy
16 city / 22 hwy
Federal complaints
133
Recall campaigns
7
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Air bags
32
Engine & cooling
17
Body & structure
16
Power train
11
Lighting
10
Electrical system
10
Seats
9
Suspension
8
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 10 complaints01 years old: 5 complaints2 years old: 10 complaints3 years old: 3 complaints4 years old: 9 complaints5 years old: 5 complaints56 years old: 12 complaints7 years old: 15 complaints8 years old: 20 complaints9 years old: 5 complaints10 years old: 9 complaints1011 years old: 6 complaints12 years old: 4 complaints13 years old: 4 complaints14 years old: 2 complaints15 years old: 6 complaints1516 years old: 4 complaints17 years old: 2 complaints18 years old: 2 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 133 of 133 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 8 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 3 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 7 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 11 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 12 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 9 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 3 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 7 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 6 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 2 complaints200,000+ miles: 1 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 69 of 133 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Air bags

32 complaint records4 crash reports
"WAS IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT GOING 30 MPH AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE PERAON I TBONED ALL OF HIS DEPLOYED. NONE OF MINE WENT OFF...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

17 complaint records2 fire reports2 crash reports
"RADIATOR CORE FAILURE IN 2008 HONDA PILOT EX-L. OEM RADIATOR FAILED DUE TO LEAK AT CRIMP BETWEEN PLASTIC CAP AND CORE. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Body & structure

16 complaint records1 fire report
"When in the service garage for a noise, our independent service mechanic confirmed that the body of the Pilot has rusted from the frame...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA21002
opened Sep 2021
OPENAir BagsDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
19V501000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element,...Normally free
19V499000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011...Normally free
19V182000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and...Normally free
18V268000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012...Normally free
17V029000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit...Normally free
16V344000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011...Normally free
15V320000Air BagsHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008...Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2019117
2019-03-07
Airbag83,977Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, pieces could be propelled toward the occupants.
2017009
2017-01-10
Airbag428,641On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
2015225
2015-05-27
Airbag704,770On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment.
2014567
2014-12-15
Airbag704,770Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Honda will replace the driver's inflator on affected vehicles.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
A18-050
Jun 2026
Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
A21120A
Jun 2023
Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover occurred on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time.
A20-015
May 2022
Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
A21-019
Mar 2022
StructureService Bulletin - Corrosion of the frame rail that supports the rear subframe may occur on some vehicles that are commonly driven in harsh environments.
A21120A
Jan 2022
Electrical SystemServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time.
Show 29 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
A07-030
Jan 2021
Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
DOR-M3J3F-07
Jun 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
DOR-M9J4S-07
Jun 2020
Engine And Engine CoolingThese SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
A20-010
Mar 2020
Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
A20-015
Mar 2020
Air BagsService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
A18-053
Jun 2018
Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
A18-050
Jun 2018
Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
A18-047
May 2018
EquipmentService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
A05-032
Nov 2016
EquipmentSERVICE BULLETIN - NAVIGATION SYSTEM INFORMATION.
A02-053
Oct 2016
Electrical SystemSERVICE BULLETIN - ALL OF THE LISTED VEHICLES HAVE A TYPE 4 IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE UNLESS A PROGRAMMED IGNITION KEY IS USED.
TAKATA_HAWAII PO
Sep 2016
EquipmentPOSTERS SENT TO HAWAIIAN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITIES, AUTOMOTIVE PART STORES, CAR WASHES, AND GAS STATIONS TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
TAKATA_FLORIDA D
Aug 2016
EquipmentLETTER SENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT TO REMIND FLORIDA OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
TAKATA_TEXT MESS
Aug 2016
EquipmentTEXT MESSAGES SENT TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
TAKATA_HAWAII NE
Aug 2016
EquipmentADVERTISEMENT IN HAWAIIAN NEWSPAPERS TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT THEIR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE.
A15-040
Dec 2015
Air Bags"SERVICE BULLETIN - AMERICAN HONDA CONSOLIDATED THE PREVIOUS AIRBAG INFLATOR CAMPAIGNS INTO THIS CURRENT BULLETIN BASED ON DECISIONS MADE BY NHTSA.
HONDA - AIRBAG R
Dec 2015
Air BagsPOSTER OF LISTED HONDA VEHICLES AFFECTED BY AN AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL - ENGLISH.
A15-040
Sep 2015
Air Bags"SERVICE BULLETIN - IN CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE DRIVER’S (FRONT) AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. IF AN AFFECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR CASING TO RUPTURE.
A15-022
Jun 2015
Air Bags"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN IS REPLACED BY S/B 15-040, RECALL: DRIVER’S AIRBAG INFLATOR CAN BE OVER-PRESSURIZED IF YOU DID SERVICE BULLETIN 15-022 ON OR BEFORE JUNE 8, 2015. MAKE SURE TO USE WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION PROVIDED"
SERVICE BULLETIN
Jun 2015
Air Bags"SERVICE BULLETIN - AMERICAN HONDA CONSOLIDATED THE PREVIOUS AIRBAG INFLATOR CAMPAIGNS INTO THIS CURRENT BULLETIN BASED ON DECISIONS MADE BY NHTSA. DO AN IN VIN STATUS INQUIRY AND, IF INDICATED, REPAIR THE VEHICLE EVEN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN.
A15-040
Jun 2015
Air Bags"SERVICE BULLETIN - AMERICAN HONDA CONSOLIDATED THE PREVIOUS AIRBAG INFLATOR CAMPAIGNS INTO THIS CURRENT BULLETIN BASED ON DECISIONS MADE BY NHTSA. DO AN IN VIN STATUS INQUIRY AND, IF INDICATED, REPAIR THE VEHICLE EVEN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN.
Service Bulletin
Apr 2015
Air BagsService bulletin - Certain Honda vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity and high heat may contain a driver's airbag that, over time, may be affected by exposure to the humidity, which could produce excessive internal pressure upon deployment.
Service Bulletin
Mar 2015
Air BagsService bulletin - Certain Honda vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity and high heat may contain a driver's airbag that, over time, may be affected by exposure to the humidity, which could produce excessive internal pressure upon deployment.
Service Bulletin
Dec 2014
TiresService bulletin - For any TPMS-related warranty repairs, all recorded DTCs must now be entered into the warranty claim. Make sure your repair order includes those DTCs.
DLR MSG - Honda
Aug 2014
Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
DLR MSG - Stop S
Jul 2014
Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ?
HSN-1305
May 2013
EngineHONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY.
SB-12-002
Jan 2012
Electrical SystemHONDA: ON SOME MODEL VEHICLES, THERE IS AN ALTERNATOR/STARTER TESTER (AST) MODULE CAPABLE OF TESTING ALTERNATORS, INSTALLED ON GR8 DIAGNOSTIC BATTERY STATION. *PE
SB-09-090
Jul 2011
Electrical SystemHONDA: MIL COMES ON WITH DTC P0300 AND ONE OR MORE OF DTCS P0301 THRU P0306. RANDOM CYLINDER (1 THRU 6) MISFIRE DETECTED. THE PGM-F1 SOFTWARE MISINTERPRETS INPUTS, CAUSING THE DTCS TO SET. ADJUST THE VALVE CLEARANCE, AND UPDATE THE PGM-F1 SOFTWARE WITH THE HDS.
08-040
May 2008
EquipmentLOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL HONDA VEHICLES. *PE

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
  2. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  3. Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 7 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Honda Pilot →