CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Honda Pilot is a solid trouble-free model year with no major problems reported, except for a minor trend of window regulator failure. However that's an easy fix of a few hundred dollars -- not a big inconvenience for an older vehicle, all things considered.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,172 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Honda Pilot engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Nov 012022

Pilot

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the vehicle stability assist system, ABS, check engine, and brake system warning lights illuminated. The contacted stated that after pulling over, placing the gear shifter into park(P) and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle was able to restart but was unable to accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact also stated that after coming to a stop at a stop light, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #21

Apr 132022

Pilot

  • 256,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that initially, her check engine light had been illuminated on her instrument panel. She then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced both her fuel injectors and spark plugs. The mechanic then took the vehicle to a dealer since the check engine light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The PCM software was updated by the dealer; however, the light still remained. Upon picking up the vehicle, the contact was informed that her check engine light remained illuminated due to a misfire in cylinder#1. The contact was assured by the mechanic that the vehicle passed the PCM test and that the vehicle was safe to drive. While dropping her child off at school, a cloud of white smoke began to emit from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as the contact exited the vehicle. The authorities were called to the scene and the local fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire and police report were filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 256,000.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #20

Nov 222020

Pilot

  • 190,000 miles
While moving slowly in a private drive and turning steering wheel to the right the car suddenly accelerated to full throttle causing the car to crash into another parked car and a support post of a carport

- Chickamauga, GA, USA

problem #19

Jun 152018

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine continues to misfire no matter what repairs have been done like plugs. Runs rough and unless you restart the engine it will not run properly. Especially when the engine is cold.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #18

Feb 112019

Pilot

  • 113,000 miles
While driving my vehicle on the highway at approximately 60 mph I heard a ticking noise for about 5 seconds then it went away. Shortly thereafter my vtm-4 light came on and shortly after that my check engine light started blinking. This caused my car to stall out at a traffic light in a 4 way intersection at 11pm. With the help of a person who happened to be walking by, the vehicle was pushed into a restaurant parking lot. After getting it towed to a mechanic, I was told that the spark plug in cylinder 2 shot up out of the cylinder, damaged the threads and exploded. I have been seeing this issue on many forums with this same exact problem. Now I am without a vehicle for an issue that has been common with these engines but not addressed as a recall.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #17

Oct 152018

Pilot

  • 115,616 miles
My 2006 Honda Pilot started to show the P0301 error code and had the check engine light and vtm-4 caution light come on suddenly. Both lights came on when I pulled out of my driveway on a Monday morning. The day before I had driven my car about 20 miles on an interstate highway and about 2 miles on city roads. The lights were not on at that time nor were any obstacles hit, such as potholes, and no change in the driving characteristics of the car were experienced. I took the car to a local repair shop which diagnosed the problem as a misfire in the number one cylinder caused by faulty valves. I have since taken it to a shop which reconditions and repairs engines as a specialty. They found the same problem and also found that the intake snorkel was split in two. Looking online it appears there was a recall for 2009 to 2012 Honda Pilot which experienced similar failures which Honda usa settled. I am concerned a similar fault happened in my 2006 Honda Pilot and would like the NHTSA to investigate based on Honda's settlement.

- Pewaukee, WI, USA

problem #16

Aug 262018

Pilot

  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Voice commands shutting radio off putting radio on air on air off asking to repeat.dashboard lights going haywire lost all electrical to dashboard instruments car started vibrating while driving replaced battery and alternator and battery light flashing on and off but battery and alternator testing fine car accelerates on own with cruise set all this happened while I was driving on a city street. Car accelerated on own while I was driving on highwy doing 65 my I had to apply brakes and shut down cruise. Had computer tested to see if anything wrong had computer checked to see whats wrong with engine indicated no codes everything fine. Also while making a turn steering wheel locks up but everything ok with power steering fluids. This is very unsafe I have 4 grandchildren that I pick up from school im afraid to drive my vehicle with them in car even myself I dont want anyone getting hurt or killed because of Honda knowledge of all the problems with electrical system and engine problems that they wont do a recall because to expensive

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #15

Aug 152018

Pilot

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 25 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. Also, the vehicle started to decelerate, the steering and braking ability seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but the lost of acceleration continued. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the camshaft position sensor failed and needed replacement. The contact stated that the vehicle was currently being repaired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Oakdale, CA, USA

problem #14

Jun 062016

Pilot

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. While driving at any speed, the vehicle lost power and shook. The check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2 misfired and oil froze into the head of the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #13

Mar 122016

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles
Check engine light and vtm light both come on sometimes steady sometimes flashing. Told by several garages including Honda dealer that a misfire shows on diagnostic test. Most resent garage check mechanic states probably due to valves needing replaced which could be a $3,200 fix. No recall but no real answers. One google of problem owners states egr valve replaced with kit and lights went off? not ready to put $3,200 into my truck after almost $3,000 in the past two years.

- Lititz, PA, USA

problem #12

May 152015

Pilot

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. While driving at 65 mph, the vehicle lost power as it jerked. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. All warning lights on the instrument cluster illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the timing belt and engine oil filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the software needed to be upgraded. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 112012

Pilot

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle completely shut down and the vsa light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

- Fresnoc, CA, USA

problem #10

May 312013

Pilot

  • 101,000 miles
Attention!!! all Pilot/oddy/ridgeline/3.5 V6 Honda owners. Check your plugs and coils just wanted to get the word spread around there is a serious issue with the Honda 3.5 V6 engine which can lead to serious damage to the cylinder head and possibly the entire engine. I didn't learn of this until recently, when the spark plug in the #5 cylinder shot out of the head and destroyed the coil, and trashed the threads. I found a bunch of different people this has happened to, and all of the results aren't good. The extended warranty which was through Honda care denied my claim because they said it was damage from the spark plug and they don't cover spark plugs. What a load. If they want to play that game, what the heck would they ever have to cover? sorry sir, there's a short in your electrical system but it's because of the insulation in the wires and we don't cover damage from the insulation... grrrrrr... so I called Honda and we'll see if they can do something for us as loyal Honda customers - I even mentioned that we've got a Honda CRV... sigh... Honda has a duty to manufacture and sell safe vehicles and to fix or pay for safety defects in its vehicles, " "instead, Honda has refused to acknowledge any responsibility for the alleged defect and forced its customers to pay for the repairs out of their own pockets. Like yours truly, engine blown and now I own money on a car that I can not drive. I want to start a class action lawsuit but without a supporting incident I would not be able to do this please responds to this message.

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

problem #9

Apr 082015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 124,000 miles
On the day that the fire occurred, I drove the car approximately 8-10 miles round trip between10:30-10:45 a.M., and then the vehicle was parked in my garage for 3 hours. After that, I drove my car approx. 1 mile, and it was parked outside for a little over an hour. Then, about 30-45 seconds after I began driving my car back home, my son noticed smoke. I didn't see the smoke and thought my window was hazy, so I continued driving. About 1/2-1/4 mile from my home, I saw a little smoke coming from under the hood and my engine began sputtering. It was during this time, I noticed that different indicator lights began displaying. However, my temperature gauge showed normal levels. Because I was so close to home, I decided to continue to drive into my driveway, where I parked and exited the car and noticed additional smoke and flames under the hood. I extinguished the flames with a fire extinguisher. The Honda dealership service office and my insurance company investigated the cause of the fire, which was determined to be an electrical fire caused by the alternator, and the timing belt, battery, alternator and portions of the engine compartment had to be replaced. I was informed there was nothing I could do to prevent this. My insurance paid for the damage. Thankfully, I was close to home when this happened, and could put out the fire on my own, otherwise, the danger to myself and my children and the damage to my vehicle would have been much worse.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #8

May 012014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when driving, an abnormal noise was heard from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine piston was worn and made contact with the cylinder. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V382000 (engine). The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 66,000. Updated 8/19/14 updated 08/24/2017

- Peaks Island , ME, USA

problem #7

Aug 222013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
Overheats when driving less than 30 miles. I changed the radiator and the thermostat. Now, the Honda stopped working on the highway in the middle of the night. Repair man said that the head gasket needs to be replaced for $5,000!!! Honda needs a recall! I googled the problem and other consumers are having the same issue!!

- Meriden, CT, USA

problem #6

Jul 312012

Pilot

  • 100,311 miles
Hello, I have a Honda Pilot 06 I am just going to a bad rap now my car engine had a miss fire on cylinder 2 and 5 and on top of all that my piston is blown but I had a warranty $100000 what are the odds the expire because my engine just hit 100331 they would not honor it they saying it cause by the spark plug for real there something on this engine there are not telling us I made so much research that I was maze with the complain I saw and this is why I am responding to you, and now I have no car and I can not afford a engine right now I am taking them to a small claims and BBB and anything that I can out them out there for selling a car that there is a problem with the engine but there are not admitting to it I need support on this so I can have a legit case.

- Manchester, CT, USA

problem #5

Jul 162013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the engine block was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 9/4/13 the engine block was cracked. However it was replaced at a cost of $ 2,400. The engine cracked also affected the catalytic converter. The engine light illuminated, and a diagnosis revealed the spark plugs were damaged. The consumer paid $500 for a tune-up and replacement of the plugs and hoses. After the vehicle was serviced, it began to overheat. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where they added coolant.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 012012

Pilot

  • 138,000 miles
Engine light started coming on even though vehicle was running ok. Stopped and had a diagnostic check done. It said that all 6 cylinders were misfiring. The light stayed on for 2-3 days then went off. The auto drove fine the whole time. This has been happening off and on ever since. I keep having it checked and same thing... all 6 cylinders misfiring.

- Shallotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Apr 202013

Pilot

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 70 mph, the vehicle began to lose acceleration power. The vehicle was able to be driven with extreme caution to the contact's residence and was later taken to a private mechanic, where it was determined that cylinders 1-6 were misfiring. The contact was also advised that there was a computer failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- San Matto, CA, USA

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