2008 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

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

Good

Ranks 3rd of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 133; 21 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 12.6; 88,697 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.33×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 33; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2007 Pilot 2009 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2008 Honda Pilot?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2008 Honda Pilot is 79 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 3rd of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is seats, mostly parts breaking or coming apart (8 of 133 complaints). Owners also complain about the frame and body structure and the stability control. 33 of the 133 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. For comparison, 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 79
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Seats: parts breaking or coming apart8 complaints
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion7 complaints
Stability control (VSA): warning lights7 complaints

How the 2008 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	0.28×	−4
Everyday problems	0.43×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.57×	−7
Recalls	1.5×	−7
Score		79

What Owners Report

We read all 133 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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
8 complaints (6%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, the system acting on its own and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 120,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
7 complaints (5%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Stability control (VSA): warning lights
7 complaints (5%)
Warning lights, the system acting on its own and a failure. 3 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden braking.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
7 complaints (5%)
Sudden acceleration. 6 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 94,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
4 complaints (3%)
Warning lights.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
4 complaints (3%)
Water leaking in. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Brakes: damage
4 complaints (3%)
Damage, loss of braking and problems that come and go. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 46,000 miles.
Engine: a leak
4 complaints (3%)
A leak, smoke or a burning smell and a fire. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
4 complaints (3%)
A feature that stopped working. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 82,000 miles.
Steering: smoke or a burning smell
4 complaints (3%)
Smoke or a burning smell, unusual noises and vibration or shudder.
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (3%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, loss of traction and shattering or cracking. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
4 complaints (3%)
The car rolling away and not releasing. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
3 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
A loss of power. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Noise (cause not stated)
3 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises.

Show 11 more problems

Power windows or regulator: stopped working
3 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part.
Transmission failure
3 complaints (2%)
A failure, vibration or shudder and the car rolling away. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 142,000 miles.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Exhaust or catalytic converter failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Horn: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Taillights or brake lights: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and parts breaking or coming apart.
Torque converter: vibration or shudder
2 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder and a stored fault code.
Vibration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: stopped working
2 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and damage.

Reported Once (30)

Show the 30 problems reported once

ABS: vibration or shudder
EVAP system: fault code
Uneven tire wear: pulling or wandering
Climate controls: stopped working
Cooling system: a leak
Door latches: not closing or latching
CV axles: a leak
Engine failure
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
Fuel system: warning lights
Heater: stopped working
Hood latch: stopped working
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
Child seat base latch: not releasing
Cylinder heads failure
Door check (door stop) failure
Fuel cutoff: the system not working when needed
Suspension: unstable
Turn signal switch: the system acting on its own
Vehicle jack: parts breaking or coming apart
Yaw rate sensor failure
Paint and rust: peeling / fading
Piston rings: damage
Seat belts: stopped working
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
Windshield wipers: not shutting off

How the 2008 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 This year	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	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

2008 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.

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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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

Look for water stains or damp carpet, and test the sunroof.

Ask the Seller

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

Seats
Frame and body structure
Stability control
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.