2005 Honda Pilot Problems: 11 Known Issues
2005 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005 Honda Pilot has 11 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $1,200. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 11 Known Issues
When Issues Typically Appear
NHTSA Recalls14 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Honda Pilot problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005 Honda Pilot has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Exhaust Front Pipe / Flex Pipe Cracking Causing Leak, Drone, and Fumes, Front Suspension Compliance Bushing and Lower Control Arm Wear Causing Clunks and Tire Wear, Front Brake Rotor Warping and Brake Judder Under Moderate Braking. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Honda Pilot reliable?
The 2005 Honda Pilot has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Honda Pilot problems?
Repair costs for known Honda Pilot issues range from $20 to $1,200, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot Exhaust Front Pipe / Flex Pipe Cracking Causing Leak, Drone, and Fumes?
The braided flex section of the exhaust front pipe develops holes in its mesh and cracks, producing a loud exhaust drone/roar, a rattle, and exhaust odor that can enter the cabin. Failure is accelerated by worn/broken engine mounts that let the engine rock and stress the flex joi… Repairs typically run $200-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot Front Suspension Compliance Bushing and Lower Control Arm Wear Causing Clunks and Tire Wear?
First-generation Pilots commonly develop worn front compliance bushings and lower control arm bushings, leading to clunking over bumps, vague steering feel, braking instability, and uneven front tire wear. This is widely reported by owners and independent shops because the heavy… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2013 Honda Pilot Front Brake Rotor Warping and Brake Judder Under Moderate Braking?
Brake pulsation from front rotor thickness variation is one of the most commonly reported Pilot complaints across both generations. Owners describe steering wheel shake and pedal pulsation during highway-speed braking, often recurring after inexpensive pad-and-rotor jobs if hub r… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot Tailgate/Rear Hatch Wiring Harness Breaks Causing Inoperative Rear Lights, Lock, or Wiper?
On first-generation Pilots, repeated opening and closing of the rear hatch can fatigue and break wires inside the hatch harness near the hinge or rubber boot. Owners report intermittent or failed rear license plate lights, rear wiper, power lock, or tailgate-related electrical fu… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2011 Honda Pilot Power Steering Pump and O-Ring Air Ingestion Causing Whine, Foamy Fluid, and Hard Steering?
A very common Honda V6-era issue is power steering pump noise caused by suction-side air intrusion, often from a hardened inlet O-ring or aging pump seals. Owners report a cold-start groan or whining noise, visible bubbles in the reservoir, intermittent heavy steering, and fluid… Repairs typically run $20-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2013 Honda Pilot Front and Rear Wheel Bearing Failure Causes Humming Noise and ABS/VSA Faults?
Wheel bearing wear is a widely reported Pilot problem across both generations, often showing up as a growling or humming noise that changes with road speed and steering input. On some vehicles, excessive bearing play or damage to the integrated wheel speed sensor tone ring can al… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2013 Honda Pilot Water Intrusion Through Roof Seams or Sunroof Drains Causing Wet Headliner and Electrical Problems?
Owners across both generations report water leaks into the cabin, commonly from clogged sunroof drains, deteriorated roof seam sealer, windshield perimeter leaks, or rear body seam leaks. Symptoms include wet headliners, damp carpets, musty odor, water in the overhead console are… Repairs typically run $100-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2015 Honda Pilot Rear A/C Blows Warm — Clogged Rear Expansion Valve / Evaporator or Stuck Rear Blend Door?
On the Pilot's dual-zone rear A/C system, the front vents blow cold but the rear vents blow warm. Common causes are a clogged or stuck-closed rear expansion valve (starving the rear evaporator of refrigerant), a plugged rear evaporator, or a stuck rear blend-door actuator holding… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot Radiator End Tank Cracking and Coolant Leaks Lead to Overheating?
First-generation Pilots commonly develop coolant leaks from the plastic radiator end tanks or crimp seams as the radiator ages. Owners often notice a sweet smell, coolant residue on the radiator side tanks, or a gradual drop in coolant level before an overheating event. If ignore… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2008 Honda Pilot Front Seat Belt Buckle Switch Failure Triggers Airbag Warning Light?
A common first-generation Pilot issue is failure of the front seat belt buckle switch or related SRS wiring, which turns on the airbag warning light and can affect occupant detection logic. Many owners report repeated SRS lamp illumination even when the belts latch normally. The… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2003-2015 Honda Pilot Second-Row Seat Fold/Tilt Latch and Cable Failure — Seat Won't Fold Flat or Tumble Forward?
The second-row seat's fold/tilt mechanism fails when the release cable comes loose/frays or the plastic tab on the top latch is cut through by its actuating wire. The lever moves but the latch won't release, so the seat won't fold flat for cargo or won't tilt/slide forward for th… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.