The readers of WVDOT Automotive support it. There are affiliate links in this article. I make money from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate.
Given that it is most known for selling SUVs, Honda has a solid reputation. The Honda Pilot is a user-friendly and pleasant vehicle due to its size.
Now, you might be wondering which year of the Honda Pilot is the most dependable and which year the transmission issues occurred.
The Honda Pilot models from 2008 to 2015 are the most dependable. With relation to transmission issues, the 2005 model had the alarming issue and received the most complaints about fluid leaks.
In any case, if you’re interested, here are the best and worst years:
Honda Pilot’s best years:
In This Article...
2008 2011\s\s 2015\s\s 2017\s\s 2020\s\s 2021
Honda Pilot’s worst years:
2003 2005\s\s 2009\s\s 2013\s\s 2016\s\s 2019
Which years of the Honda Pilot are the best?
The second-generation Pilot was produced from 2009 to 2015 and featured a number of extremely significant contemporary conveniences. The latter models had more streamlined and contemporary body lines even if the overall size and shape were similar to that of the first generation. 2015 is regarded as the Honda Pilot’s best year.
Second-generation automobiles still come with the 3.5-liter engine. To increase fuel efficiency, Honda, on the other hand, used cylinder deactivation technology. Depending on how much power is needed, the engine shuts down two or three cylinders at cruising speeds. Reducing the number of cylinders in use increases fuel savings. Because of this technology, the second-generation Pilot boasts much better EPA fuel-efficiency ratings.
Both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions score 20 mpg overall. On the interstate, all-wheel-drive cars earn 24 mpg, while front-wheel-drive models get 25 mpg. Given that second-generation vehicles continue to produce 250 horsepower, this represents a significant improvement over first-generation models.
Like the first-generation Pilot, the second-generation Pilot has experienced many airbag recalls during its entire production run. Early models up to 2011’s seat belt stitching has been recalled owing to faulty or inadequate stitching, which might lead to the seatbelt disengaging from the chassis in the event of an accident.
Due to loose nuts on the front suspension parts, which could result in steering loss, other early models are recalled. Premature piston wear in some Honda Pilot models from the 2013 model year may cause engine failure.
Honda Pilot’s Second-Generation Gets An Offroad Design
Honda was spot on with the second-generation Pilots’ use of current technology, just as it was with the first-generation models. Voice controls and satellite navigation have been added to The Pilot’s GPS game. Beginning with the 2013 model year, all Pilots were required to have a backup camera as standard equipment. Some second-generation vehicles included an XM radio, and the rear-seat DVD system was still available.
Family-friendly features have also become more prevalent. Twelve cupholders in total are included with the second-generation Pilot. The number of 12-volt power outlets was reduced to three due to the loss of one of the original three. However, a 115-volt power outlet with a standard household socket soon became accessible, enabling the family to bring along gadgets like phone chargers and portable game systems. The second-generation Pilots could tow up to 4,500 pounds, much like the first.
The second-generation Pilots may be obtained in earlier versions for less than $10,000, but if you want one with all the bells and whistles, expect to pay more over $10,000. The most appealing models in terms of technology are those from 2013 and later. If you can do without a primary backup camera and make a few other minor changes, buying a model made before 2013 can save you a ton of money. Overall, you can obtain a superb second-generation Pilot for $15,000 or less.
What issues are there with Honda Pilots?
A used car search involves more than just looking for dependability. When looking for a used car, it’s important to find one that has been well maintained by its former owners and can manage high mileage and heavy use.
In light of this, the 2010 Honda Pilot is a good alternative among more established models. It has many of the contemporary conveniences added to the 2009 model, but dependability improvements make it a superior long-term investment.
With regard to more current models, all but the 2016 release would likely be beneficial to you between 2015 and 2020.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The simplest way to purchase a car is using the CoPilot auto shopping app. You may create a customized list of the top car listings in your area by telling us what you’re looking for, and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area.
Just seeking for more recent models? The search engine for virtually new vehicles is CoPilot Compare. only observe recent—five years or less—autos with little mileage. The greatest place to look for off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO vehicles is CoPilot Compare.
What’s best? We have more information on each vehicle than our rivals since CoPilot was developed using the same technologies that dealerships use to acquire and sell their inventories. Since CoPilot doesn’t partner with automakers, there aren’t any sponsored posts or other dubious tactics—just the most information about the best vehicles. To learn more about CoPilot’s operation, see our About Us page.
Honda Pilots’ level of dependability
Breakdown of the Honda Pilot’s reliability rating. The Honda Pilot has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 13th out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $542 average annual repair cost.
Is a Honda Pilot purchase worthwhile?
The Honda Pilot is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. With three rows of comfortable seats, a sizable load area, and a high-quality cabin, it succeeds on almost all counts. Thanks to a strong base V6 engine and a good balance of handling ability and ride comfort, driving it is also not boring.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
A Honda Pilot should last for how many miles?
Owners of Honda Pilot vehicles have grown to enjoy and value each and every one of the characteristics we just listed over the past 20 years. But the durability attached to Honda Pilots is what people have grown to love and value above all else.
Honda Pilots often have a lifespan of more than 200,000 km. In fact, there are entire message forums on the internet where Honda Pilot owners boast about their vehicles’ 200,000-mile milestones.
And, dare I say it, that’s just the beginning! Many Honda Pilot owners have likewise logged well over 300,000 miles on their vehicles. It’s a major factor in why so many individuals have started to think about purchasing a used Honda Pilot.
When did Honda Pilots begin experiencing transmission issues?
We don’t expect you to go out into the wilderness and try to buy an automobile that is over 20 years old. However, you might find one if you’re looking for a cheap used Honda Pilot. We’re here to advise you not to purchase it under any circumstances. This is by far the worst model year Pilot has ever produced. Users of the NHTSA and Car Complaints have encountered a lot of issues since 2003.
Users have specifically reported issues with the drivetrain, electrical, engine, and airbags. There are a lot more difficulties mentioned, but these are the biggest and most expensive. For instance, the NHTSA received reports of 105 gearbox issues, 123 electrical issues, and 112 drivetrain issues. It’s far simpler to avoid this paradigm given how frequently serious, expensive to fix problems like this occur. If you see a 2003 Pilot laying around, do not purchase it.
Furthermore, same issues reappeared for the 2005 model year a few years later. This one is still best to avoid even though they don’t happen as frequently as the 2003 model did. Even if this is a different model year, we wouldn’t anticipate anyone to be purchasing at the moment.
What Honda Pilot model is the best-of-the-best?
The top-of-the-line Black Edition trim is brand-new for the Honda Pilot lineup for 2020. Based on the Elite trim but featuring unique exterior and interior aesthetic upgrades to set it apart from the competition.
Is Honda Pilot upkeep expensive?
During its first ten years of use, a Honda Pilot will require roughly $7,373 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $1,760 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 21.05% likelihood that a Pilot will need a significant repair within that time. Compared to similar vehicles in this sector, this is 0.45% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
A Quick Comparison:
Only two Acura models, the RLX and NSX supercar, receive a 3/5 in the J.D. Power Reliability ratings. All others receive a 2.5/5.
However, all Honda vehicles receive a reliability rating of 3/5, with the Honda Insight, CR-V, Ridgeline, and Passport receiving a 3.5/5.
Honda was named the car brand with the most dependable engines in 2013 by WarrantyDirect. Two years later, WarrantyDirect and WhatCar carried out a study to identify the most dependable automaker.
Honda was positioned first as a result. With a dependability value of 42, Honda was likewise ranked as the second most reliable vehicle.
Honda cars are so affordable to fix, which is why they are so dependable. Contrarily, Acura cars, like all other luxury brands, require frequent, costly repairs. They are therefore less trustworthy.
What’s next
Honda and NHTSA will carry out their investigations and, if necessary, issue a recall.
The Honda Pilot is a reliable midsize crossover, but no car is impervious to issues, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently looking into whether or not the stop-start technology in these vehicles is a common source of complaints.
The 2016–2020 Honda Pilot is being looked into by the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for a potential problem that prevents the 3.5-liter V6 from starting. It is unknown how many of the country’s about 195,000 examples of these automobiles may be impacted by the issue. NHTSA has so far received 221 reports about this particular ailment. The 3.5-liter V6 engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and stop-start technology featured on Touring and Elite trims are all shared by all the aforementioned vehicles.
The stop-start system, which is designed to reduce fuel consumption by turning off the engine when the car stops, is the source of the problem. The Pilot’s engine may not restart when it should, leaving owners with a seemingly dead car, according to the NHTSA inquiry report. According to the document, some owners need a jump start to get their cars rolling again.