2009 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 26%of 134 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Honda Pilot, 26% of the 134 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Excessive oil consumption. 170k miles on this vehicle. Noticed approximately 30k miles ago that I needed to add oil between oil changes, which I always get every 3500-4000 miles. Usually takes less than 1 quart. Most recently, took 2+ quarts. Honda advises this is not unusual and no repair is necessary - just continue to add oil as needed. Seems absurd.”
NHTSA complaint #10854881, filed 2016-04, 170,000 miles“About a year and a half ago the engine started burning a tremendous amount of oil. I have to constantly check the oil to make sure that the engine won't seize on me. There has already been a class action lawsuit against Honda about this. Being that I am the second owner of this car and it was never disclosed to me and am now tasked with finding out if Honda will fix it. Just wanted to put this problem out there.”
NHTSA complaint #11081375, filed 2018-03, 160,000 miles“Excessive oil consumption, engine hesitation, misfire, multiple engine lights. When I changed the oil my mechanic told me that the engine did not have a drop of oil and he is not sure if that damaged the engine. He asked me to drive the car and report any problem. A couple of days later I noticed the above symptoms.”
NHTSA complaint #10555911, filed 2013-12, 99,000 miles“Driving home at a speed approximately 20 to 25 MPH. Began to smell smoke thought it was another vehicle until, I noticed smoke coming from engine compartment. Pulled off the road and opened the hood and flames shot out and it through me back away from the vehicle, the hood slammed shut. Called 911 immediately for police and fire the car continued to intensify and exploded. Luckily there were no injuries. But the vehicle is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10586823, filed 2014-05, 71,873 miles“Pulled 2009 Pilot into my slopping driveway I put the car into park and engine running. Noting rear camera was disengaged. My husbad and infant in his arms were 5 feet away from the rear SUV. Once the reverse light came off he went walked behind the to front of passenger door. I opened the door of the car and spoke to my husband who was standing infront of driver side door. I opened driver side door and we spoke briefly while door was open and car inpar engine on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10512676, filed 2013-05, 53,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152434Dec 20, 2018"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10087402Oct 19, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084330Jun 28, 2016Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light acceleration, does the engine intermittently rattle or runs rough with the mil blinking?…
- 10083965May 17, 2016Service bulletin - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. Spark plug fouling may reuslt in rough engine idle and/or…
- 10099310Sep 5, 2015"service bulletin - american honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, soto et al.v. American honda motor co…
- 10099105Sep 5, 2015Service bulletin - warranty extension: mil comes on with dtcs p0301 thru p0304 - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling…
- 10053786Oct 8, 2013Honda: on certain vehicles, piston rings for certain cylinders rotate and align and can lead to fouling spark plug and a powertrain warranty extension has been issued. Model…
- 10053762Oct 8, 2013Honda: vehicles with multimodel vcm2 would experience misfire due to engine misfire of a fouled plug and a warranty extension has been issued to cover repairs. Model 2008-2013…
- 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 2009 Honda Pilot
29 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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