2006 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 8th of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 268; 38 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 15.5; 148,147 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.48×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 89; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 8
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2005 Pilot 2007 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2006 Honda Pilot?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2006 Honda Pilot is 77 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 8th of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is the stability control, mostly the system acting on its own (22 of 268 complaints). Owners also complain about the frame and body structure and unintended acceleration. 89 of the 268 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 8 recalls. For comparison, the 2005 scores 62 and the 2007 scores 74.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 77
About half the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Stability control (VSA): the system acting on its own22 complaints
Frame or structure: parts breaking or coming apart19 complaints
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)17 complaints

How the 2006 Pilot Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.48×	−11
Everyday problems	0.48×	−4
Recalls	1.9×	−8
Score		77

What Owners Report

We read all 268 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Stability control (VSA): the system acting on its own
22 complaints (8%)
The system acting on its own, warning lights and locking up. 12 of these 22 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 154,000 miles.
Frame or structure: parts breaking or coming apart
19 complaints (7%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and rust or corrosion. 9 of these 19 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 188,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
17 complaints (6%)
Sudden acceleration and loss of braking. 14 of these 17 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 55,000 miles.
Brakes: locking up
13 complaints (5%)
Locking up, loss of braking and a failure that needed a new part. 6 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
12 complaints (4%)
A feature that stopped working, extremely dim and insufficient illumination. 2 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 152,000 miles.
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
10 complaints (4%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and discoloration. In 4 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 153,000 miles.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, overheating and a fire. 2 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 120,000 miles.
Tires: pulling or wandering
8 complaints (3%)
Pulling or wandering, early wear and cannot balance. 2 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 14,000 miles.
ABS: the system acting on its own
7 complaints (3%)
The system acting on its own, loss of braking and locking up. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Seat belts: not releasing
7 complaints (3%)
Not releasing, the system not working when needed and parts breaking or coming apart. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.
Steering: vibration or shudder
7 complaints (3%)
Vibration or shudder, sticking or stiffness and pulling or wandering. 2 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 108,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
6 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash and chemical burn. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Cooling system: overheating
6 complaints (2%)
Overheating, a failure and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
6 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
6 complaints (2%)
Deployment with no crash, no deployment in a crash and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 135,000 miles.

Show 26 more problems

Screen and audio: unusual noises
6 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises and problems that come and go.
Vibration (cause not stated)
6 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 53,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
5 complaints (2%)
Deployment with no crash, occupant trapped during deployment and no deployment in a crash. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 96,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
5 complaints (2%)
Failure or loss of drive, stalling and harsh or delayed shifts. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 121,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
4 complaints (1%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 16,000 miles.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
4 complaints (1%)
A failure that needed a new part, damage and a stored fault code. Median mileage when it started: about 144,000 miles.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, damage and a failure. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 101,000 miles.
Power windows or regulator: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 106,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (1%)
Stalling. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and rust or corrosion. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 175,000 miles.
Cylinder head gasket failure
3 complaints (1%)
A failure. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and not closing or latching. Median mileage when it started: about 120,000 miles.
Engine: a fire
3 complaints (1%)
A fire and rough running or misfires. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Engine failure: shattering or cracking
3 complaints (1%)
Shattering or cracking, failure or loss of drive and a loss of power. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (1%)
Sticking or stiffness and a feature that stopped working.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises.
Piston rings: early wear
3 complaints (1%)
Early wear and a failure. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Engine sensors or computer: stalling
2 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Exterior trim: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (under 1%)
Rust or corrosion.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
2 complaints (under 1%)
Wrong readings and a feature that stopped working.
Cruise control: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and sudden acceleration. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.
Fuel tank: sloshing moves vehicle
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sloshing moves vehicle and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Paint and rust: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage.
Timing belt failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and damage.

Reported Once (32)

Show the 32 problems reported once

12V battery: damage
A/C condenser: damage
AWD or rear differential: warning lights
Airbag warning light
Alternator or charging: a fire
Control arm bushings: parts breaking or coming apart
Control module (unspecified) failure
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
Engine air intake: parts breaking or coming apart
Exterior lights: stopped working
Fuel economy: high fuel use
Fuel gauge or level sensor: stopped working
Fuel injector failure
Key fob failure
Child safety seat latch strap: not closing or latching
Dashboard switch illumination: stopped working
Door weatherstrip: unusual noises
Liftgate body: shattering or cracking
Rear suspension: rust or corrosion
Spare tire retaining cable: parts breaking or coming apart
Suspension: rust or corrosion
Tire valve stem: parts breaking or coming apart
Transmission cooler: a leak
Transmission cooling system: damage
Parking brake: loss of braking
Phone and navigation: the system acting on its own
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
Torque converter: damage
Transmission fluid leak
Valve train failure
Warning lights (cause not stated)
Wiring, fuses or body control module: stopped working

How the 2006 Honda Pilot Compares With Other Years

The other Pilot years of the 1st generation, 2003 to 2008, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2009	Good	78	0.34×	13.6	9	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	79	0.33×	12.6	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2007	Good	74	0.39×	14.3	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2006 This year	Good	77	0.48×	15.5	8	Stability control (VSA): the system acting on its own
2005	Caution	62	1.5×	44.7	13	Stability control (VSA): hard braking with nothing ahead
2004	Caution	66	1.1×	36.0	12	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2003	Caution	61	1.7×	52.2	13	Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts

See every Pilot year

2006 Honda Pilot Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V029000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V344000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 23, 2016. By the third quarter of 2017, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 2 more recalls

Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
NHTSA 06V270000Issued Jul 26, 2006.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Customer support programHonda 18-053 and 20-015
Front passenger's airbag inflator
2 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-053: Covered until January 31, 2027.
20-015: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-053 (PDF)Bulletin 20-015 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-010
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-047Ended
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-050Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2026.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2006 Pilot no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2006 Pilot ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2006 Pilot, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V499000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V501000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V182000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 17V029000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 8 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Stability control
Frame and body structure
Unintended acceleration
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Pilot Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.