2005 Honda Pilot Reliability
The 2005 Honda Pilot has 679 owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and service brakes. Compared with nearby Pilot model years (2003–2007), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Pilot's typical year, while the 2007 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
679
NHTSA owner complaints
15
Recall campaigns
42
Complaints citing a crash
8
Complaints citing a fire
2005 Honda Pilot complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 model year, filed between 2005 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 176 | 26% |
| Service brakes | 134 | 20% |
| Air bags | 120 | 18% |
| Stability control | 97 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 57 | 8% |
| Engine | 48 | 7% |
| Speed control / throttle | 46 | 7% |
| Engine & cooling | 43 | 6% |
2005 Honda Pilot recalls
15 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2005 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V541000 | Nov 18, 2004 | Fuel system — storage / tank assembly | On certain sport utility vehicles, some fuel tanks were improperly manufactured. |
| 05V039000 | Feb 3, 2005 | Steering — column | On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control. |
| 08E013000 | Feb 5, 2008 | Equipment — mechanical / carrier/rack | Honda is recalling 2,032 hitch style bike racks sold as aftermarket for use on my 2003-2007 and some my 2008 Honda Pilot, ridgeline, and acura mdx vehicles. A pinch bolt exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the "hitch" style bicycle… |
| 12V136000 | Mar 30, 2012 | Exterior lighting — headlights / switch | Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 Pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In March 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model… |
| 13V092000 | Mar 14, 2013 | Service brakes — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / control unit/module | Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles… |
| 14V353000 | Jun 20, 2014 | Air bags | American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline… |
| 14V700000 | Nov 4, 2014 | Air bags | American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles… |
| 15V320000 | May 28, 2015 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura… |
| 16V344000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that… |
| 17V029000 | Jan 10, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot… |
| 18V268000 | Apr 26, 2018 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012… |
| 19V182000 | Mar 6, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic,… |
| 19V501000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008… |
| 19V499000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008… |
| 19E068000 | Oct 10, 2019 | Speed control / throttle — accelerator pedal | Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda… |
How the 2005 compares with nearby Pilot years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year Pilot analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 746 | 14 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2004 | 544 | 13 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2005 (this page) | 679 | 15 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2006 | 268 | 10 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2007 | 211 | 9 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2005 Honda Pilot
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 15 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2005 Honda Pilot can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2005 Honda Pilot reliability FAQ
Is the 2005 Honda Pilot reliable?
The 2005 Honda Pilot has 679 owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and service brakes. Compared with nearby Pilot model years (2003–2007), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Pilot's typical year, while the 2007 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2005 Honda Pilot problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2005 Honda Pilot are powertrain / transmission (176), service brakes (134), air bags (120), stability control (97). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2005 Honda Pilot have recalls?
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2005 Honda Pilot, including 04V541000 (fuel system — storage / tank assembly) and 05V039000 (steering — column). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2005 Honda Pilot compare with the 2004 and 2006 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2004 has 544 complaints and 13 recalls (avoid); the 2006 has 268 complaints and 10 recalls (caution). The 2005 has 679 complaints and 15 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2005 Honda Pilot?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Honda Pilot research
Other Honda Pilot model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2005 Pilot, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.