CarComplaints.com Notes: Previously we had awarded the 2009 Pilot "Seal of Pretty Good", but have since removed that honor due to all the continuing complaints about excessive oil consumption.

This Honda Pilot oil consumption defect was subject to a class action lawsuit in 2013. However not all 2009 Honda Pilots were covered by the settlement & by now the warranty extension has expired. The oil consumption complaints keep coming in.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,443 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.

2009 Honda Pilot suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #18

Jul 302020

Pilot

  • 159,510 miles

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

On July 29, 2020 I purchased a vehicle from crown Nissan of greenville. They stated that the vehicle had a safety inspection and that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and all that needed was a new ac compressor that they would replace at their expense. They were not transparent about other problems that surfaced within the first quarter tank of gas of owning the vehicle. The brakes were not installed correctly and was causing errors which is a safety concern. Both low control arms and struts were completely worn and not safe for vehicle operation. The front windshield had a crack in it. There were also faulty engine misfiring. There inspection did not animate any of these issues and said the only thing wrong was the ac compressor, which was a lie. The left strut was also was not operational and has made the car unsafe to drive. The vehicle has been driven less than 100 miles and has caused nothing but problems and a safety concern for the driver. I used the dealers service department twice and they were not transparent about issues concerning the vehicle. They did not care and both times said everything was fine which was not true there was a lot wrong with the vehicle that they weren't disclosing. I asked the dealership exactly what was wrong because I needed to know and they assured me the safety inspection was done and there was nothing wrong. The Honda mechanic from fishers garage claims the car has signs of being in a rough accident with underneath repairs, however the dealer assured there was no accidents and the car fax was clear of any defects. Which also turns out to be a lie.

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #17

Sep 182019

Pilot

  • miles
I was informed by dealer that my compliance bushings were leaking and needed repair. Found there's was a bulletin put out by Honda, but I was never contacted. Spoke to a Honda rep that said they are under no obligation to inform owners about bulletins. Since the vehicle is out of warranty they want me to pay for the cost of replacement.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #16

Sep 262015

Pilot

  • 72,563 miles
At 72,563 miles I experienced vibration and a growling noise from the right front of the vehicle at all speeds. The right front wheel bearing was replaced to fix the problem.

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #15

Aug 052015

Pilot

  • miles

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

August 2015 I received the letter about defective compliance bushings. I had mine repaired by my local Honda dealer. I immediately sent in my repair bill and requested information. That was August 2015 and I have not heard one word back from Honda and we are now in December. There once was a time that Honda quality was amazing, but I suppose that even Honda buys inferior products from china and tries to pass them off as quality leaving the consumer holding the bag. Remember when the customer was always right!! - R.I.P.

- Hampton Bays, NY, USA

problem #14

Aug 052015

Pilot

  • 0 miles
There was a vehicle safety letter sent to me about my cv joints I took the car to culver city Honda in September yet have they or any Honda repaired my car. With the letter and noise the car is making ive yet to get repaired. When I turn the wheels knock clicking noise

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 212015

Pilot

  • 77,495 miles
After reading the dreaded compliance bushing issue on a few Honda Pilot owner's forums as well as safercar.gov, I thought about checking my vehicle to see if I have the same problem. Sure enough, the bushings on both sides of the vehicle have leaked. Just like similar experiences from other owners, the front end of the vehicle vibrates excessively during braking.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

problem #12

Mar 112015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 115,000 miles

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

The compliance bushings on my Pilot needs to be replaced. It is my understanding that Honda is aware of this issue. The old part was replaced to replace the defective bushings. Shaking of steering wheel when braking. Also, smell of burning grease due to leaking entering air circulation. However, the consumer bears the burden of replacing the bushings. This defect can lead to a safety issue if defective and not repaired.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #11

Feb 212012

Pilot

  • 71,312 miles
Took my 2009 Honda Pilot in to the Honda dealer for maintenance schedule and front brake pad replacement and was told that 1. front lower control arm bushing & brackets $750 + tax the bushings inside the bracket are cracking. Just purchased the car from ourisman Honda in laurel, md in November 2011. Did not replace due to not being able to afford the cost. Considering replacement in 2/2015 due to the violent shaking that I experience when braking or driving over 60mph. I should not have had to incur this expense especially since Honda was aware of this malfunction.

- Middle River, MD, USA

problem #10

Aug 012013

Pilot

  • 44,000 miles
When brakes are applied at almost any sped vehicle shakes violently. Took it in for service was advised by dealer that the bushing on a suspension component needs to be replaced as it has cracked. I did a bit of research and was told that Honda was aware of the initial flaw on the design and redesigned it for the replacement part. Consumers should not bear the cost of the replacement part as it is a manufactures defect. This is causing the brakes and rotor to wear out faster.

- Cypress, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 222014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 52,000 miles
The compliance bushings on my Pilot needs to be replaced. It is my understanding that Honda is aware of this issue. The old part was replaced to replace the defective bushings. It should be noted that Honda is aware of this pro kemp and made changes. However, the consumer bares the burden of replacing the bushings. This defect can lead to a safety if defective and not repaired.

- Jackson, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jul 082014

Pilot

  • 70,400 miles

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

Same as many other complaints here. Compliance bushings went out. Shaking when I brake very badly.

- Marvin, NC, USA

problem #7

Dec 102013

Pilot

  • 75,000 miles
2009 Pilot front compliance bushings worn/loose according to Honda dealership. Cost to repair $726. I have read numerous reports of similar problems with varying prices and mileage. This problem seems to be a defect that we are paying to fix.

- Trenton , NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 012013

Pilot 4-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
Constant vibration at 60 mph or above. More prominent on the front side, at the steering wheel as well as the front seats. Does not go away with tire replacements, balancing and rotation and even 4 wheel alignment. Vibration frequency is such that it transmits to drivers' / passengers legs, spine and head, causing distracted and stressful driving conditions that can be a hazard to vehicle occupants and other vehicles on the road. Issue is specific to Honda Pilot and easily felt on any road or highway. Driving for more than 30 minutes caused us head and neck pain due to vibrations and stress induced due to vibrations.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 252013

Pilot

  • 45,000 miles
When to dealer's shop last week and was told that the compliance bushing was leaking and torn. I research the internet and noted that it is common problem for this vehicle. I'm paying a steep money to fix this problem. Is there any investigation going on for this problem?

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

problem #4

Apr 092013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Shaking and vibrating of the steering wheel resulting in damage to rotors. Honda is aware of this issue however they have not done anything about this. Here are more complaints by owners with the exact same issue: townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F186D71/36 #40 of 46 steering wheel shimmie by wiliagby Jan 22, 2013 (1:47 pm) I have a 2010 Pilot purchased new and have less than 23000 miles. The steering wheel has been shaking for a while. It has been more pronounce as time gone on. So I went to the dealer today and was explained it was the rotor being warped. It was explained the manufacturer went to a softer material to eliminate squeaking brake sounds with a harder material. So I told the servicer that this will be a chronic problem since all the rotors will warp even if I replace them or have the current rotors turned. He said warranty expires at 12,000 miles for brake problems and it was my choice. Wow! I ask them to still check it and when the service invoice was printed the writing was perform a complimentary vehicle inspection including inspecting the tire pressure and setting it to factory specification. Nothing written about the steering wheel shimmie. So I pointed it out and the servicer said it was inside the free inspection. They know its a problem and there is a deliberate effort to hide it. I am not satisfy with the answer or service. The technician heard the problem, but this time they dug deeper and agreed that there was something wrong with the power steering rack. They replaced it and my Pilot is like new! hopefully Honda will stand behind their product better in the future -- I had to go through much frustration to get my problem fixed. He gives me a copy of the service bulletin... probably cause of this problem : "front suspension rear lower arm bushing bracket is faulty".

- Bolingbrook, IL, USA

problem #3

Feb 062013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 46,700 miles
I just had to replace the front compliance bushings in this newer vehicle. I have found out that the Honda dealership is aware that this is a very common problem with newer model Pilot like mine. The cost of replacing them is close to $1,000. Would you please look into this issue and make the manufacturer responsible for this defect? my request is to have Honda make a recall on the Pilot and replace the front compliance bushings and refund those of us costumers that have already paid for the replacement causing other issues on the car. Thank you!

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 152013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed the bushing on the lower control arm exhibited excessive wear. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #1

Sep 062011

Pilot

  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the wheels on the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal humming sound and a vibration. The contact stated that the failure would occur when the vehicle had been running for extended periods. The vehicle was taken to the dealer four times to have a front and rear alignment performed, as well as the rotors replaced. The repair would last for a few weeks before the failure would recur. Most recently when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the dealer advised the contact that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and it was performing as designed, which could not be corrected. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 42,000.

- Van Ness, CA, USA

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