repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2005 Honda PilotProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 679 owner complaints about the 2005 Honda Pilot, most often about the power train. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 15, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Honda Pilot has problems
679 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
176Power train4 crash/fire/injury
120Air bags22 crash/fire/injury
98Service brakes11 crash/fire/injury
96Electronic stability control (ESC)4 crash/fire/injury
57Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
48Engine
46Vehicle speed control
43Engine and engine cooling
38Suspension
20718 other systems23 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 176 | 4 |
| Air bags | 120 | 22 |
| Service brakes | 98 | 11 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 96 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 57 | 6 |
| Engine | 48 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 46 | 7 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 43 | 0 |
| Suspension | 38 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 207 | 23 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
13 recalls
2005 Honda Pilot recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 9 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2016 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2015 Q4
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
no report yet
Headlights: switch
Risk. IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE…
no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
97kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 167 power train complaints. 51% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles86under 100k miles81100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
24 owners mentioned a cost$3,400median
Middle half: $875 – $5,000
Air bags
18 owners mentioned a cost$390median
Middle half: $301 – $470
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Pilot year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Pilot median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Honda Pilot safety ratings
2005 Honda Pilot 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
7 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Honda Pilot, and the recalls they led to.
- Vehicle Stability Assist MalfunctionNo recall
- Low Beam Headlights Stop IlluminatingLed to recall 12V-136
- Vehicle Stability Assist MalfunctionLed to recall 13V-092
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 15V-284
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Vehicle Stability Assist MalfunctionNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-787
In owners' words
What Pilot owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a cranking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…
MY CHILDREN BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR ME BECAUSE I LOST MY JOB DUE TO COVID AFTEREFFECTS AND I HAD TO RETURN MY KIA SOUL 2014 TO THE CREDITORS.I WAS DELIVERING FOOD BOXES TO THE ELDERLY WHEN THE AT TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LOCKUP I HAD TO PULLOVER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS RUNNING…
TRANSMISSION COOLING MECHANISM IN LOWER PART OF RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR AND MIX WITH COOLANT. INTRODUCTION OF ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED DAMAGE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, HOSES, FLUSH THE ENGINE, ETC. EVEN…
Own a 2005 Pilot?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.