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.
2006 Honda PilotProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 268 owner complaints about the 2006 Honda Pilot, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 8 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 September 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Honda Pilot has problems
268 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
61Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
26Structure2 crash/fire/injury
24Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
22Engine3 crash/fire/injury
22Electronic stability control (ESC)
20Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
18Electrical system
18Suspension
14Exterior lighting
8918 other systems18 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 61 | 12 |
| Structure | 26 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 24 | 1 |
| Engine | 22 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 22 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 3 |
| Suspension | 18 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 89 | 18 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2006 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 4 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…
no report yet
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
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.
Best & worst years
2006 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
2006 Honda Pilot safety ratings
2006 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
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Honda Pilot, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What Pilot owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle rear-ended her vehicle, causing her vehicle to crash into another vehicle from the driver's side front door. The rear bumper and exhaust pipe detached. The driver's side air bag did…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE RADIATOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM SKINNER HONDA (3823 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36303;[PHONE]) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT…
Own a 2006 Pilot?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.