2007 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 9th of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 211; 37 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 14.3; 122,033 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.39×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 54; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2006 Pilot 2008 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2007 Honda Pilot?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2007 Honda Pilot is 74 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 9th of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is seats, mostly parts breaking or coming apart (13 of 211 complaints). Owners also complain about the headlights and the brakes. 54 of the 211 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. For comparison, the 2006 scores 77 and the 2008 scores 79.

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 74
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

More complaints than average about major systems in the last two years
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart13 complaints
Headlights: stopped working12 complaints
Brakes: loss of braking11 complaints

How the 2007 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	0.34×	−5
Everyday problems	0.49×	−3
Problems in the last two years	1.4×	−11
Recalls	1.6×	−7
Score		74

What Owners Report

We read all 211 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
13 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, loose / rocking and damage. 2 of these 13 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 125,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
12 complaints (6%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of visibility. Median mileage when it started: about 151,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
11 complaints (5%)
Loss of braking, locking up and vibration or shudder. 5 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 3 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Tires: poor traction
11 complaints (5%)
Poor traction, blowout and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 13,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
11 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 9 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 44,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
10 complaints (5%)
Rust or corrosion, parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Stability control (VSA): warning lights
10 complaints (5%)
Warning lights, the system acting on its own and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 117,000 miles.
Climate controls: stopped working
7 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
6 complaints (3%)
A loss of power and reduced power or limp mode. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 124,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
5 complaints (2%)
Warning lights. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Engine: sudden acceleration
5 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration, a fire and stalling. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
5 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and smoke or a burning smell. Median mileage when it started: about 114,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
5 complaints (2%)
Failure or loss of drive, stuck in low gear and moves forward in reverse. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Vibration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 70,000 miles.
Seat heater: overheating
3 complaints (1%)
Overheating and smoke or a burning smell. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 82,000 miles.

Show 17 more problems

Power windows or regulator: parts breaking or coming apart
3 complaints (1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 84,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: works on and off
3 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go, a fire and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
AWD or rear differential failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and unusual noises.
Airbags: injurious deployment
2 complaints (under 1%)
Injurious deployment and delayed deployment.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
2 complaints (under 1%)
Water leaking in.
Cylinder head gasket failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure.
Several warning lights at once
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Door latches: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Ignition or push-button start: the car not starting
2 complaints (under 1%)
The car not starting and sticking or stiffness. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Screen and audio: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises and a feature that stopped working.
Interior trim: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.
Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (under 1%)
Rust or corrosion.
Seat belts: rust or corrosion
2 complaints (under 1%)
Rust or corrosion and not closing or latching.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash.
Stall (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Stalling. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Timing belt: a leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak and unusual noises.
Transmission fluid leak
2 complaints (under 1%)
A leak. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.

Reported Once (44)

Show the 44 problems reported once

A/C: works on and off
A/C compressor: parts breaking or coming apart
A/C condenser: damage
ABS: the system acting on its own
Airbag inflator (rupture risk or Takata): incorrect replacement part
Battery drain: draining the battery
Brake power assist: a hard pedal or less assist
Cabin odor or mold: a bad smell
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Cooling system: shattering or cracking
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
Engine air intake failure
Engine failure: failure or loss of drive
Engine mounts: a leak
Engine oil leak
Exterior lights: stopped working
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
Noise (cause not stated)
Passenger airbag sensor: fault code
Oil pressure failure
VTEC or variable valve timing solenoid failure
Blower motor resistor failure
Brake pedal geometry: pedal interference
Child seat tether strap: parts breaking or coming apart
Cylinder head failure
Heater hose: a leak
Interior lights: works on and off
Jerking (cause not stated)
Side window glass or seals: unusual noises
Spare tire carrier cable: parts breaking or coming apart
Tire valve stem: a leak
Transmission oil cooler: a leak
Unspecified broken or rotten parts (cause not stated)
Vehicle fire (origin not stated) (cause not stated)
Vehicle fire (origin undetermined)
Windshield washer: stopped working
Phone and navigation: stopped working
Piston rings failure
Steering: parts breaking or coming apart
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
Valve train: damage
Windshield failure

How the 2007 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 This year	Good	74	0.39×	14.3	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2006	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

2007 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 1 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.

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 2007 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 2007 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 2007 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 7 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.
Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.

Ask the Seller

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

Seats
Headlights
Brakes
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.