CarBrief

The 2006 Honda Pilot has 8 recalls on file[1], and 7 of them involve air bags[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Air bags are also the biggest group of owner complaints to NHTSA[9].

268owner complaints[10]
8recalls[1]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[11]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 268 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Pilot[10]. Of those, 23 mention a crash and 7 mention a fire[10]. These are reports from owners and NHTSA does not verify them. One complaint can name more than one part, and the counts are not adjusted for how many Pilots were sold.

Here are the largest component groups:

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. What follows describes that sample only. It does not tell us how common any problem is.

Air bags. In the sample, 3 of 12 texts describe front air bags that did not deploy in a crash or when the car hit something[9]. Another 4 of 12 are about recall notices, with owners saying a repair part was not available or that their car was not covered[9].

Brakes. In the sample, 4 of 12 texts describe the brakes grabbing harder than the pedal pressure called for[12]. Four of the 12 mention the stability (VSA) warning light[12].

Engine. In the sample, 5 of 12 texts describe sudden acceleration, where the engine revs or the vehicle lunges forward without the driver asking for it[13]. Three of the 12 describe a check-engine light with misfires or a head gasket repair, in some cases after several dealer visits[13].

Structure. In the sample, 4 of 12 texts describe water leaking into the cabin and soaking the carpets[14]. Two of the 12 describe the rear subframe separating from the body[14].

Some other groups are worth a look in the numbers. Speed control has 20 complaints, 4 of them mentioning a crash and 2 an injury, with a median mileage at failure of 68,000[16]. Electronic stability control has 22 complaints, none of them mentioning a crash, fire or injury[15].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2006 Pilot[1]. Seven are about air bags. Several cover many Honda and Acura models, and the Pilot is named in each. The air bag recalls are listed newest first.

The eighth recall is not about air bags.

Our data does not show whether a given Pilot has already had these repairs done.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two versions of the 2006 Pilot. Both have a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, Automatic 5-spd, and use regular fuel[11][20].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[11] 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG $3,700
4WD[20] 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG $3,950

The EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

In NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings, the 2006 Pilot (4-door, AWD or FWD) earned 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.9%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA entries list a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine for both versions[11][20]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications[22] for the ES/EX-L 4-door SUV 4WD, converted to inches and pounds[22]. They can differ slightly from US models.

Measure Value
Length[22] 188 in
Width[22] 77 in
Height[22] 70 in
Wheelbase[22] 106 in
Curb weight[22] 4,425 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2003: 720 complaints, 13 recalls20032004: 544 complaints, 12 recalls2005: 679 complaints, 13 recalls2006: 268 complaints, 8 recalls26820062007: 211 complaints, 7 recalls2008: 133 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 134 complaints, 9 recalls20092010: 111 complaints, 10 recalls2011: 293 complaints, 11 recalls2012: 171 complaints, 9 recalls20122013: 271 complaints, 6 recalls2014: 116 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 109 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 1,716 complaints, 8 recalls2017: 935 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 440 complaints, 7 recalls20182019: 918 complaints, 13 recalls2020: 492 complaints, 11 recalls2021: 446 complaints, 10 recalls20212022: 166 complaints, 5 recalls2023: 146 complaints, 5 recalls2024: 116 complaints, 6 recalls20242025: 214 complaints, 4 recalls2026: 26 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Pilot model year. The 2006 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200372013
200454412
200567913
20062688
20072117
20081337
20091349
201011110
201129311
20121719
20132716
20141163
20151094
20161,7168
20179354
20184407
201991813
202049211
202144610
20221665
20231465
20241166
20252144
2026261

The 2006 Pilot has 268 complaints and 8 recalls on file[1]. The three years before it have more of both. The 2003 model has 720 complaints and 13 recalls, 2004 has 544 and 12, and 2005 has 679 and 13[1]. The next two years have fewer complaints. The 2007 model has 211 complaints and 7 recalls, and 2008 has 133 complaints and 7 recalls[1].

These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they are best used to compare years of the same model, as here.

Should you buy a used 2006 Pilot?

Seven of the 8 recalls are about air bags, and the inflator recalls describe a risk of serious injury or death if an inflator ruptures[1][2][3][4][6][7][8]. Each of those recalls has a free dealer repair listed, but our data cannot tell you whether a specific car has had the work done, so that is the first thing to check. The complaint count is lower than for the 2003 to 2005 models[1]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe sudden acceleration, brake grabbing, cabin water leaks and rear subframe separation, but the sample is too small to say how often these happen[13][12][14]. Fuel economy is 17 to 18 MPG combined, so fuel costs are worth budgeting for[11][20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Pilot?
Air bags are the largest group of NHTSA complaints with 61, followed by brakes with 34 and engine with 32[9][12][13]. NHTSA has 268 complaints in total[10].
Does the 2006 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls, 7 of them for air bags and 1 for incorrect hotline information in the owner's manual[1][19].
How many miles per gallon does a 2006 Honda Pilot get?
The EPA rates the 2WD at 18 MPG combined (16 city, 22 highway) and the 4WD at 17 MPG combined (15 city, 20 highway)[11][20].
What is the rollover rating of the 2006 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.9%[21].
Is the 2006 Pilot better than the 2005 or 2004 Pilot?
On NHTSA complaint counts, the 2006 has 268 complaints against 679 for 2005 and 544 for 2004[1]. The counts are not adjusted for sales. Air bag recall 15V320 names 2003 to 2008 Pilots, so all three years are covered by it[8]. Recall 16V344 also names them in some state groups[7].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Pilot model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  9. 61 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 112 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,822). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. NHTSA has 268 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Honda Pilot (23 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 119 injuries, 99 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. EPA rating for Pilot 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  12. 34 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 32 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 26 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 155,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 22 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 129,060). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 20 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 18 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 165,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Recall 06V270, filed July 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for Pilot 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD/FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PILOT ES/EX-L 4DR SUV 4WD: length 188 in, width 77 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,425 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.