Is the 2005 Honda Pilot a bad year?
677 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 176, 15× a quiet Pilot year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 75k–123k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Pilot owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 98,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 176 (26%) | 75k–123k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 134 (20%) | 75k–132k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 120 (18%) | 91k–152k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 97 (14%) | 73k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 86 (13%) | 84k–130k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 46 (7%) | 82k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 56 (8%) | 76k–152k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 38 (6%) | 57k–151k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 37 (5%) | 91k–164k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 23 (3%) | 72k–170k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 22 (3%) | 83k–167k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 13 (2%) | 53k–149k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (1%) | 39k–128k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 (4%) | 117k–181k miles · ahead | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 98,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 677 complaints: 42 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 34 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 05 pilot shudders during acceleration between 35-40 mph. This is a widely known problem, Honda needs to be held responsible.
2005 Honda pilot transmission failure. I started having difficulty with the transmission around 75k miles. The whole vehicle would start to shake and shimmy when trying to accelerate going up a hill.
Transmission shudder between 35-40 mph. This is a well known problem that is caused by a failing torque converter.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 98,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Honda Pilot: 15
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode. 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.
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. 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.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
In august 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
A pinch bolt exists between the bike arm bracket and the upright assembly of the "Hitch" Style bicycle rack. When moving the bike arm bracket to its down position, this pinch bolt has the potential of causing severe laceration or amputation to the user's fingertips or hand.
On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control. Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
On certain sport utility vehicles, some fuel tanks were improperly manufactured. In a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 35
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Honda Pilot. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies on pax vehicles; MIL on after throttle body cleaning or replacement…
Corrosion of the frame rail that supports the rear subframe may occur on some vehicles that are commonly driven in harsh environments
In certain vehicles, the driver s (Front) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment
On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (Ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on GR8 diagnostic battery station
NHTSA defect investigations: 7
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
Neighbouring years
2004 Pilot: 544 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2006 Pilot: 268 complaints, keep it.
Every Honda Pilot year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pilot years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Honda Pilot a bad year?
677 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 176, 15× a quiet Pilot year. At 98,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 75k–123k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Pilot?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (176), brakes (134), air bags (120), stability control (97), engine (86). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 75k–123k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Pilot have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Speed control (NHTSA 19E068000), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-501), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-499), Air bags (NHTSA 19V-182) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.