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.
2008 Honda PilotProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 133 owner complaints about the 2008 Honda Pilot, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 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 August 14, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Honda Pilot has problems
133 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
32Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
16Structure1 crash/fire/injury
11Power train1 crash/fire/injury
10Engine2 crash/fire/injury
9Electrical system
9Exterior lighting
8Seats
8Suspension
8Steering
4715 other systems10 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 32 | 4 |
| Structure | 16 | 1 |
| Power train | 11 | 1 |
| Engine | 10 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 1 |
| Seats | 8 | 0 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 47 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2008 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 3 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…
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
2008 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
2008 Honda Pilot safety ratings
2008 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Honda Pilot, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Pilot owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.
2008 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR IT WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO PAY TO HAVE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONSUMER…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE…
Own a 2008 Pilot?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.