2005 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 7%of 679 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Honda Pilot, 7% of the 679 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 9-9-15, our 2005 Honda Pilot abruptly stopped on emerald parkway - police assisted. Leaking fluid was clumpy red/brown and vehicle hot. Shop today says radiator and transmission and possibly engine need replaced and instructed us to contact a Honda dealer. This is our second safety complaint on this vehicle - 1st was dangerous phantom braking or inadvertant application on brakes in 2012, which Honda subsequently recalled in 2013. …”
NHTSA complaint #10762599, filed 2015-09, 140,000 miles“This is a 2005 Honda Pilot we bought in 2009. The dealer called me to say that the radiator burst and the antifreeze got mixed in with the transmission fluid causing the transmission to fail. He is now quoting a $5,000 bill to replace the radiator and the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10664339, filed 2014-12, 95,000 miles“I started noticing a vibration at 34 to 45 MPH. It was definitely caused by a malfunction under the hood. It causes my 2005 Honda Pilot to vibrate, shudder and hesitate at that speed. I have to take my foot off of the accelerator pedal before it will stop. It happens continuously at that speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10467934, filed 2012-07, 90,000 miles“For the second time this week my 2005 Honda Pilot suddenly loses all power and dies, both times I was in a dangerous intersections. It scared me 2 death.”
NHTSA complaint #11343810, filed 2020-08, 161,000 miles“I was driving my Honda RPM started going up and down vehicle started violently started to shake. I luckily made it home. The transmission fluid and coolant had mixed. I bought a new radiator, extensive transmission flush 15 qts. Now 2 months later the vehicle is shifting hard, shaking at 35-40 MPH and have been informed I need a new transmission. I have read numerous comments and reports of this Honda should be notified and a recall put in place.”
NHTSA complaint #10648962, filed 2014-10, 126,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10052477May 1, 2013Honda: 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…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 | 36 | 21% |
| 2021 | 112 | 25% |
| 2020 | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 | 240 | 26% |
| 2018 | 157 | 36% |
| 2017 | 476 | 51% |
| 2016 | 778 | 45% |
| 2015 | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 | 31 | 27% |
| 2013 | 79 | 29% |
| 2012 | 35 | 20% |
| 2011 | 31 | 11% |
| 2010 | 28 | 25% |
| 2009 | 35 | 26% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 48 | 7% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Pilot
176 complaintsBrakes
134 complaintsAir bags
120 complaintsElectronic stability control
97 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsVehicle speed control
46 complaintsEngine cooling
43 complaintsSuspension
38 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology