RoadVitals

2009 Honda Pilot Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Aug 7, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 134 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2020

ON JULY 29, 2020 I PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM CROWN NISSAN OF GREENVILLE. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SAFETY INSPECTION AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ALL THAT NEEDED WAS A NEW AC COMPRESSOR THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY WERE NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED WITHIN THE FIRST QUARTER TANK OF GAS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND WAS CAUSING ERRORS WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN. BOTH LOW CONTROL ARMS AND STRUTS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NOT SAFE FOR VEHICLE OPERATION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAD A CRACK IN IT. THERE WERE ALSO FAULTY ENGINE MISFIRING. THERE INSPECTION DID NOT ANIMATE ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND SAID THE ONLY THING WRONG WAS THE AC COMPRESSOR, WHICH WAS A LIE. THE LEFT STRUT WAS ALSO WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AND HAS MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 100 MILES AND HAS CAUSED NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE DRIVER. I USED THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TWICE AND THEY WERE NOT TRANSPARENT ABOUT ISSUES CONCERNING THE VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT CARE AND BOTH TIMES SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE WHICH WAS NOT TRUE THERE WAS A LOT WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT THEY WEREN'T DISCLOSING. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE I NEEDED TO KNOW AND THEY ASSURED ME THE SAFETY INSPECTION WAS DONE AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE HONDA MECHANIC FROM FISHERS GARAGE CLAIMS THE CAR HAS SIGNS OF BEING IN A ROUGH ACCIDENT WITH UNDERNEATH REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE DEALER ASSURED THERE WAS NO ACCIDENTS AND THE CAR FAX WAS CLEAR OF ANY DEFECTS. WHICH ALSO TURNS OUT TO BE A LIE.

NHTSA ID
11343816
Incident
Jul 30, 2020
Mileage
159,510 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 10, 2019

I WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT MY COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED REPAIR. FOUND THERE'S WAS A BULLETIN PUT OUT BY HONDA, BUT I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. SPOKE TO A HONDA REP THAT SAID THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INFORM OWNERS ABOUT BULLETINS. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE COST OF REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
11267704
Incident
Sep 18, 2019
Suspension
Filed Apr 2, 2016

AT 72,563 MILES I EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND A GROWLING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL SPEEDS. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10853100
Incident
Sep 26, 2015
Mileage
72,563 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 12, 2015

AUGUST 2015 I RECEIVED THE LETTER ABOUT DEFECTIVE COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS. I HAD MINE REPAIRED BY MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. I IMMEDIATELY SENT IN MY REPAIR BILL AND REQUESTED INFORMATION. THAT WAS AUGUST 2015 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE WORD BACK FROM HONDA AND WE ARE NOW IN DECEMBER. THERE ONCE WAS A TIME THAT HONDA QUALITY WAS AMAZING, BUT I SUPPOSE THAT EVEN HONDA BUYS INFERIOR PRODUCTS FROM CHINA AND TRIES TO PASS THEM OFF AS QUALITY LEAVING THE CONSUMER HOLDING THE BAG. REMEMBER WHEN THE CUSTOMER WAS ALWAYS RIGHT!! - R.I.P.

NHTSA ID
10809850
Incident
Aug 5, 2015
Driver assistanceSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 11, 2015

THERE WAS A VEHICLE SAFETY LETTER SENT TO ME ABOUT MY CV JOINTS I TOOK THE CAR TO CULVER CITY HONDA IN SEPTEMBER YET HAVE THEY OR ANY HONDA REPAIRED MY CAR. WITH THE LETTER AND NOISE THE CAR IS MAKING IVE YET TO GET REPAIRED. WHEN I TURN THE WHEELS KNOCK CLICKING NOISE

NHTSA ID
10809748
Incident
Aug 5, 2015
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jun 22, 2015

AFTER READING THE DREADED COMPLIANCE BUSHING ISSUE ON A FEW HONDA PILOT OWNER'S FORUMS AS WELL AS SAFERCAR.GOV, I THOUGHT ABOUT CHECKING MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH, THE BUSHINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE HAVE LEAKED. JUST LIKE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER OWNERS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY DURING BRAKING.

NHTSA ID
10726666
Incident
Jun 21, 2015
Mileage
77,495 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Mar 11, 2015

THE COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS ON MY PILOT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE OLD PART WAS REPLACED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS. SHAKING OF STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING. ALSO, SMELL OF BURNING GREASE DUE TO LEAKING ENTERING AIR CIRCULATION. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER BEARS THE BURDEN OF REPLACING THE BUSHINGS. THIS DEFECT CAN LEAD TO A SAFETY ISSUE IF DEFECTIVE AND NOT REPAIRED . *TR

NHTSA ID
10693543
Incident
Mar 11, 2015
Mileage
115,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 18, 2015

TOOK MY 2009 HONDA PILOT IN TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND FRONT BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT 1. FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING & BRACKETS $750.00 + TAX THE BUSHINGS INSIDE THE BRACKET ARE CRACKING. JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM OURISMAN HONDA IN LAUREL, MD IN NOVEMBER 2011. DID NOT REPLACE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THE COST. CONSIDERING REPLACEMENT IN 2/2015 DUE TO THE VIOLENT SHAKING THAT I EXPERIENCE WHEN BRAKING OR DRIVING OVER 60MPH. I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO INCUR THIS EXPENSE ESPECIALLY SINCE HONDA WAS AWARE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10684063
Incident
Feb 21, 2012
Mileage
71,312 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 6, 2014

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT ALMOST ANY SPED VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT THE BUSHING ON A SUSPENSION COMPONENT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS IT HAS CRACKED. I DID A BIT OF RESEARCH AND WAS TOLD THAT HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE INITIAL FLAW ON THE DESIGN AND REDESIGNED IT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT BEAR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT PART AS IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. THIS IS CAUSING THE BRAKES AND ROTOR TO WEAR OUT FASTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662517
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
44,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 30, 2014

THE COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS ON MY PILOT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE OLD PART WAS REPLACED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PRO KEMP AND MADE CHANGES. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER BARES THE BURDEN OF REPLACING THE BUSHINGS. THIS DEFECT CAN LEAD TO A SAFETY IF DEFECTIVE AND NOT REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640224
Incident
Sep 22, 2014
Mileage
52,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 7, 2014

SAME AS MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE. COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WENT OUT. SHAKING WHEN I BRAKE VERY BADLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631367
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
70,400 mi
SuspensionTransmission
Filed May 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND UPDATED THE PCM COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD BEEN LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10592511
Incident
Feb 5, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Apr 10, 2014

2009 PILOT FRONT COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WORN/LOOSE ACCORDING TO HONDA DEALERSHIP. COST TO REPAIR $726.00. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH VARYING PRICES AND MILEAGE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT THAT WE ARE PAYING TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578861
Incident
Dec 10, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2013

CONSTANT VIBRATION AT 60 MPH OR ABOVE. MORE PROMINENT ON THE FRONT SIDE, AT THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE FRONT SEATS. DOES NOT GO AWAY WITH TIRE REPLACEMENTS, BALANCING AND ROTATION AND EVEN 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. VIBRATION FREQUENCY IS SUCH THAT IT TRANSMITS TO DRIVERS' / PASSENGERS LEGS, SPINE AND HEAD, CAUSING DISTRACTED AND STRESSFUL DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE A HAZARD TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. ISSUE IS SPECIFIC TO HONDA PILOT AND EASILY FELT ON ANY ROAD OR HIGHWAY. DRIVING FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES CAUSED US HEAD AND NECK PAIN DUE TO VIBRATIONS AND STRESS INDUCED DUE TO VIBRATIONS. *JS

NHTSA ID
10538381
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
30,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 28, 2013

WHEN TO DEALER'S SHOP LAST WEEK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPLIANCE BUSHING WAS LEAKING AND TORN. I RESEARCH THE INTERNET AND NOTED THAT IT IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. I'M PAYING A STEEP MONEY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY INVESTIGATION GOING ON FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10532279
Incident
Jul 25, 2013
Mileage
45,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 27, 2013

SHAKING AND VIBRATING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO ROTORS. HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. HERE ARE MORE COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F186D71/36 #40 OF 46 STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIE BY WILIAGBY JAN 22, 2013 (1:47 PM) I HAVE A 2010 PILOT PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE LESS THAN 23000 MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN SHAKING FOR A WHILE. IT HAS BEEN MORE PRONOUNCE AS TIME GONE ON. SO I WENT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS EXPLAINED IT WAS THE ROTOR BEING WARPED. IT WAS EXPLAINED THE MANUFACTURER WENT TO A SOFTER MATERIAL TO ELIMINATE SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS WITH A HARDER MATERIAL. SO I TOLD THE SERVICER THAT THIS WILL BE A CHRONIC PROBLEM SINCE ALL THE ROTORS WILL WARP EVEN IF I REPLACE THEM OR HAVE THE CURRENT ROTORS TURNED. HE SAID WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 12,000 MILES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS AND IT WAS MY CHOICE. WOW! I ASK THEM TO STILL CHECK IT AND WHEN THE SERVICE INVOICE WAS PRINTED THE WRITING WAS PERFORM A COMPLIMENTARY VEHICLE INSPECTION INCLUDING INSPECTING THE TIRE PRESSURE AND SETTING IT TO FACTORY SPECIFICATION. NOTHING WRITTEN ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIE. SO I POINTED IT OUT AND THE SERVICER SAID IT WAS INSIDE THE FREE INSPECTION. THEY KNOW ITS A PROBLEM AND THERE IS A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO HIDE IT. I AM NOT SATISFY WITH THE ANSWER OR SERVICE. THE TECHNICIAN HEARD THE PROBLEM, BUT THIS TIME THEY DUG DEEPER AND AGREED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING RACK. THEY REPLACED IT AND MY PILOT IS LIKE NEW! HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BETTER IN THE FUTURE -- I HAD TO GO THROUGH MUCH FRUSTRATION TO GET MY PROBLEM FIXED. HE GIVES ME A COPY OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN... PROBABLY CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM : "FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM BUSHING BRACKET IS FAULTY". *TR

NHTSA ID
10532099
Incident
Apr 9, 2013
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2013

I JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS IN THIS NEWER VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IS AWARE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NEWER MODEL PILOTS LIKE MINE. THE COST OF REPLACING THEM IS CLOSE TO $1,000. WOULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MAKE THE MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT? MY REQUEST IS TO HAVE HONDA MAKE A RECALL ON THE PILOTS AND REPLACE THE FRONT COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS AND REFUND THOSE OF US COSTUMERS THAT HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT CAUSING OTHER ISSUES ON THE CAR. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ID
10526249
Incident
Feb 6, 2013
Mileage
46,700 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THE BUSHING ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508657
Incident
Mar 15, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL HUMMING SOUND AND A VIBRATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES TO HAVE A FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENT PERFORMED, AS WELL AS THE ROTORS REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD LAST FOR A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. MOST RECENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED, WHICH COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID
10448067
Incident
Sep 6, 2011
Mileage
36,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .