2005 Honda Pilot Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Honda Pilot. Part of Generation 1 — 2003–2008.

20042006
Complaints
954
per 10K Sold
66.5
US Sales
143,355
Crashes
61
Fires
10
Injuries
68
Fatalities
2
Recalls
11

Worst 2005 Honda Pilot Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1133 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:104,995 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#2115 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:170,562 mi
Crash-related:22
#398 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:107,755 mi
Crash-related:9
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2005 Honda Pilot.

Transmission / Drivetrain
133
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
104,995
Airbags
115
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
Avg Miles
170,562
Brakes
98
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
Avg Miles
107,755
Electronic Stability Control
96
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
114,458
Electrical Faults
54
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
117,944
Engine Problems
48
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
133,174
Unintended Acceleration
46
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
112,487
Automatic Transmission
39
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
89,918
Engine & Cooling
35
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
93,624
Steering Defects
35
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
120,950
Suspension Failures
33
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
121,384
Hydraulic Brakes
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
98,116
Headlight/Taillight Failures
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
138,875
Seat-Related Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
135,346
Body Structure
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
126,848
Seat Belt Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
238,065
Wheel Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
85,336
Structural Problems
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
52,304
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,500
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2005 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2005 Honda Pilot

11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~12,837,389 vehicles.

19V501000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,657,752 affected

Honda (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, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V499000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~3,947 affected

Honda (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 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V182000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,101,534 affected

Honda (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 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. 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 containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

18V268000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,335 affected

Honda (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 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

17V029000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~308,884 affected

Honda (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 vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

16V344000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,790,894 affected

Honda (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 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

15V320000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~6,281,043 affected

Honda (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 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. 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 to rupture.

14V700000Airbags
~0 affected

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

14V353000Airbags
~133,207 affected

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

13V092000Traction Control System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~183,576 affected

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.

+ 1 more recalls

Other Honda Pilot Years

2005 Honda Pilot — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2005 Honda Pilot reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2005 Honda Pilot has 954 NHTSA complaints, 61 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 133 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2005 Honda Pilot?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (133 complaints, avg 104,995 mi); Airbags (115 complaints, avg 170,562 mi); Brakes (98 complaints, avg 107,755 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2005 Honda Pilot?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 120,463 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2005 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA complaints for the 2005 Honda Pilot include 61 crash-related reports, 10 fire reports, 68 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2005 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 12,837,389 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2005 Honda Pilot?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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