I just purchased a 2006 honda pilot 4 wheel drive....i did not get under the suv to look at the frame structure, i had the differential fluid changed, the suv was put on a lift and noticed there is extreme rusting going on under the vehicle. in reading some complaint from previous owners, the possibility of the frame separating from the body is a possibility, in addition to other parts doing the same thing, this presents a severe safety issue for me and my family. IF HONDA did not protect the under carriage with the proper rust prevention inhibitors, this might cause the under parts to fall apart.... I THINK HONDA NEEDS TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE RUST AND COAT THE NECESSARY PARTS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE RUSTING, COULD HAVE PEOPLE KILLED IN GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS LOOKS LIKE A TREMENDOUS LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR NOT PROPERLY INSULATING THE METAL TO AVOID THE RUSTING.. THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY THE HONDA CORP TO AVOID FUTURE LAWSUITS............................................................... PLEASE EXPEDITE THIS COMPLAINT TO THE PROPER HONDA PERSONNEL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM............................................................................................................................. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP... THANK YOU, [XXX], [XXX], MY CELL [XXX] TODAY IS MARCH 16TH 2024.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Duncanville, TX, USA

Dave at Beard Auto Repair in downers grove, Il told me: Whole rear subframe rotted away from the main frame Shock support rotted away Suspension completely detached - not safe to drive AT ALL. Not even for 5 minutes. Subframe holds all your suspension One severe bump could make wheels fall off and roll away Im thinking the recall on the older CRVs should probably be extended to Pilots as well since I'm having similar issues as listed in this recall article. [XXX] Honda Corportate told me to bring to nearest dealership and have them inspect and provide diagnosis so they can assess what they can do for me. They-??ve have it for 2.5 months. I-??ve called and emailed 30 times and still have not been given an answer. I see online that tons of people in rust belt states are having the exact same problem with this exact same model and year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

The car's rear subframe has rusted to the point where the suspension no longer correctly mounts to the frame causing an unstable ride and handling issues. Yes, the car can be inspected. This is a safety issue because other parts of the suspension system or brake system could become loose or break off or otherwise be negatively affected by this corrosion. It could also cause me to be unable to control the vehicle properly if it gets worse. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by both a dealer and an independent mechanic. The Honda dealership has inspected it. There is a very similar problem with some of Honda's other models from this era including the Ridgeline and the CRV that have recently been recalled and I think this vehicle should be recalled for this issue as well.

- Richmond, KY, USA

The left rear frame of the vehicle is rusted out where the rear drive line bolts to the body or frame. Causing the rear drive line to have the ability of failing to stay attached to the vehicle. The rear suspension also connects at the same area. Just a huge rotted out hole at the moment.

- Berry, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, there was an abnormal clunking sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the cradle mount detached from the rear axle and was hanging down. The local dealer and manufacturer were no contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 149,000.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot, there was an abnormal booming noise was detected, and the front passenger's side of vehicle lowered to ground. The contact placed the vehicle in park and noticed the front passenger wheel was not inline with vehicle but in an abnormal position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front bushing, ball joint, control arm, and axle were fractured. The vehicle was towed to washtenaw auto care center (3090 washtenaw ave, ypsilanti, mi 48197 (734)434-4000) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a mechanical failure of the front compliance bushing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was referred to fisher Honda (15 E Michigan ave, ypsilanti, mi 48198 (734) 483-0323) for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,840.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

I was pulling away from my parking space when I heard a large thunk. Vtm-4, vsa, ABS, and [!] lights all went on and the vehicle was making an odd noise. After getting home and noticing that the rear was sitting lower, I looked at the undercarriage and saw that the trailing arms had completely come detached from the sub frame and the rear suspension was being kept in position by the exhaust. This was a monumental fail and I can't imagine that Honda wouldn't consider this a major safety issue. The much loved 2006 Honda Pilot goes to the dealer tomorrow.

- Washburn, WI, USA

We were leaving the driveway on christmas eve, we suddenly heard a loud thunk followed by a grinding noise from beneath the vehicle. We stopped immediately and exited the vehicle to see what had happened. I expected to find that we had run over a bicycle but instead found the entire rear axle hanging from the springs. Both rear suspension mounts had catastrophically failed pulling completely out of the subframe. The subframe crossmember and a number of components were found to be heavily rusted and severely structurally compromised. We had planned to drive about 80 (predominantly freeway) miles each way that day to visit family for the holiday. It is a small miracle that these failed in the driveway and not on the freeway at 70 miles per hour. A catastrophic failure like this at freeway speeds could be deadly! a quick google search revealed this to be a relatively common problem with this vehicle and should warrant a recall. Please don't wait until someone is killed by this obvious design flaw.

- Newark, OH, USA

I started to notice the rear of my vehicle making clunking noise and occasional metal on metal ticking noises at lower speeds and over bumps. I just assumed my rear shocks were going out. I then later realize the rear of my vehicle is sitting a lot lower especially the driver side. About a week later I took my car in for brakes and while on the hoist lifted up I see that both of the 'trailing arms" right/left sides have completely detached from the sub frame. Now knowing the real issue at hand and doing my share of research online this doesn't seem to be addressed by the manufacture at all, possibly knowing the potential of having one of the main components for keeping your rear axle intact with the whole vehicle fail that easily!!!

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

2006 Honda Pilot ex mileage: 144,309 I was accelerating from a stop when I felt a jolt coming from the rear of the car. Several warning lights lit up in the dashboard, there was a loud exhaust leak, and the car was no longer accelerating. There was an auto care center 50 yards away so I slowly drove it there for an inspection. The mechanic lifted the vehicle and showed me that the back two rear subframe mounts were detached from the body which made the car inoperable. There was no visible rust on the undercarriage; the subframe mounts rusted from the inside out. My insurance company would not cover the damage as it was a rust issue. The car was irreparable so I had to total the car and received 10% of what the car was worth running from the junk yard. I purchased the Pilot new in Feb. 2006 and performed all the recommended Honda maintenance. I personal performed all oil and break jobs so I was familiar with the undercarriage of the car. I did not see any rust under the car that would have alerted me there was a potentially dangerous issue with the rear subframe. A google search turned up several other Honda Pilot of this generation having the same subframe rust as mine with the same catastrophic failure of the rear mounts. I believe that this is a manufacturing defect in that water was allowed to pool between the layers of steel in the unibody. The car had 144,309 miles on it and was mechanically in great condition until I had this issue.

- St. Charles, IL, USA

While recently driving my 2006 Honda Pilot on the highway, the vehicle seemed a little unsteady when cornering. After arriving home, the rear suspension looked too low and the negative camber of the rear wheels looked excessive. Closer inspection revealed the rear frame crossmember had extreme internal corrosion and both rear suspension mounting bolts had completely broken away from the frame (see included photos). The rear suspension had dropped several inches below the original mounting position and was pressing on the exhaust system. I question the safety of driving the vehicle in this condition and possibly has been and is an accident waiting to happen. Overall, the rest of the vehicle is in really good shape, has been well maintained, never been driven off-road or in harsh conditions and has never pulled heavy loads. The internal frame corrossion seems excessive for a vehicle of this age and perhaps the result of poor design, poor quality and/or inadequate corrosion protection. My local Honda dealer says this problem is unknown to them, is not fixable and there was nothing they can do at this time but refer me to Honda national. Honda national also initially claimed no knowledge of this problem even though numerous identical problems can be found on the NHTSA website as well as other online sources. A complaint and case number has now been registered with Honda for this problem. Unfortunately, this once great vehicle appears to be prematurely destined for the scrap metal pile. Very sad outcome for any modern vehicle and especially one with the reputation for quality and reliability of a Honda vehicle.

- Waconia, MN, USA

While pulling into a parking lot a loud bang happend in our 2006 Honda Pilot. We thought we had bottomed out. It turns out that the rear subframe, suspension, and drive train had fallen out of the rear crossmember. This is due to premature rust and inadequate metal used in the rear subframe. The rear subframe and suspension is only being held in with 2 more rusty bolts. This vehicle is not rusty anywhere else and is in excellent condition. It does have 165,000 miles on it. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. I hate to think what would have happened at 70 mph on the highway with my family. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed immediately. The certified Honda dealer that I took it too says they can't fix it, and the vehicle is junk. The vehicle is in excellent condition in every other aspect. The failure is obviously a manufacture defect. I have E-mailed Honda, but they have not responded to me except for a auto response E-mail. This vehicle is worth about $6000 before this happened.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

On 8/18/18, while driving on a highway at about 50 mph, we heard a loud thud. Then when the accelerator was pushed, the car made a loud noise. I called my mechanic thinking it might be the exhaust. When he looked at it on 8/22/18, he informed me the rear sub frame was pulling out of the body, and the car was not safe to drive. He said this shouldn't have happened to a car that is 12 years old, and in good mechanical condition. He said the only thing holding the rear frame up was my exhaust pipe.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

Rear suspension broken from car frame

- Wexford, PA, USA

Vibration on 2006 Honda Pilot I own a 2006 Honda Pilot AWD. I have made many complaints about vibration on my car to Honda dealer and Honda headquarter, however they claim they do not feel vibration I felt. I have been following what other people are complaining on line and I am not only one. There are so many other owners who has same problem and who been told it is nature of that car. I have changed my tires and add Acura MDX modifications, it improved however vibration still exist. townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F0F0758/0 this is just one site and there are many more. Is there any thing NHTSA can do" or do we have to just live with it"

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

With less than 1000 miles, I began noticing a vibration problem on my '06 Honda Pilot. Vibration felt in seats and steering wheel. Although can be felt at lower speeds, more pronounced @ 55 - 70 mph. May have been there from delivery, but did not have the opportunity to drive any smooth roads here in pa. For first few weeks. Dealership acknowledged problem and worked for two days to eliminate, checking tire balance, drive train components and run-out on rotors. Rear rotors were resurfaced and seemed to lessen the problem although problem still exists. Other dealers and Honda appear not to acknowledge that this problem exists despite numerous complaints as discussed on Honda forum boards. Scheduled another visit to dealership.

- Canonsburgh, PA, USA