The Honda Pilot is a comfortable and reliable SUV, even though the 2011 edition registered the highest number of recalls and consumer complaints for this model. Reported problems include malfunctioning airbags, loss of steering control, and faulty suspensions.
Key Points
- The 2011 Honda Pilot has 11 recalls, and nine of them relate to airbag issues that include rupturing and exploding airbags.
- Nearly 265 Pilot owners have registered complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over problems with their 2011 models that include steering wheels making unusual sounds and airbag warning lights activating at random.
- Potential issues with the seatbelts and suspension also warranted recalls.
- The braking system, suspension, and engine were some of the main problem areas for owners.
- Running costs are reasonable for the 2011 Honda Pilot, although other model years have fewer recalls and consumer complaints.
Serious Airbag Issues, Including Rupturing and Exploding Units, Make Up Nine of the 2011 Honda Pilot’s 11 Recalls
The 2011 Honda Pilot was recalled 11 times, the majority of recalls were for Takata-related airbag issues ranging from improper installation to the possibility of exploding or rupturing upon deployment.
One airbag recall, however, was for an incorrectly installed replacement airbag from a previous recall.
There was also a recall for potentially loose bolts in the front suspension that could result in a loss of steering.
Another recall was launched over faulty front seatbelts that may have missing stitching that could make them unreliable in an accident.
This was the highest number of recalls for the Honda Pilot. Alternatives like the 2011 Ford Explorer and 2011 Chevrolet Traverse have seven and five recalls, respectively, although some of them were for more serious issues compared to the Honda.
Nearly 265 Consumer Complaints Are Registered With the NHTSA, With the Most Common Problems Being Airbags Not Deploying, Brakes Malfunctioning, and Suspension Systems Wearing Out Prematurely
Nearly 265 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA by 2011 Honda Pilot owners mark this as the worst model year for the vehicle. However, this is still a good result considering that over 116,000 were produced for that year.
The majority of issues center around the airbags and range from mild to serious concerns. Owners either experienced issues with the airbag warning lights randomly illuminating, or airbags incorrectly deploying or not activating at all in a crash. Many had trouble getting their vehicles booked to have the airbag recalls taken care of.
With so many consumers mentioning unavailability of airbag parts and poor dealer communication, it is essential to check that your specific vehicle has had its airbags replaced under warranty.
There are also common complaints regarding the braking system, which range from reports of warped rotors to complete brake failure.
A handful of vehicle speed control issues were reported of owners experiencing unintended acceleration, sometimes resulting in accidents.
Suspension issues are also cited by owners, such as worn bushes, dampers, and odd noises emanating from beneath the car when driving over bumps. Some of these issues will be more common on cars of this age due to normal wear and tear.
Owners and Critics Are Mostly Happy With the 2011 Pilot, but Some Have Experienced Rough Shifting Transmissions
According to the Vehicle History‘s owner’s reviews, the 2011 Honda Pilot was rated an average 4.5 out of five stars. However, a few owners had issues with the veghicle’s reliability and with rough shifting transmissions.
Owner comments on Consumer Reports show that most are pleased with overall reliability, but road noise and braking performance are considered below par.
J.D. Power’s rating for quality and reliability for the 2011 Pilot is 75/100. The Ford Explorer got 68/100, while the Acura MDX was rated at an impressive 83/100.
Despite a Handful of Issues With the 2011 Honda Pilot, it Remains a Solid SUV That Shouldn’t Be Expensive to Run
The 2011 Honda Pilot may not be the most reliable vehicle in its class, but it has few weak areas and delivers a solid mid-field performance.
Aside from the airbag recalls and intermittent braking and suspension issues, it has proven itself to be a reliable family-friendly SUV. While owner complaints and recalls registered by the NHTSA peaked in 2011, they steadily declined.
This doesn’t automatically make the 2011 model less desirable, but if you have the budget, then one of the newer model years may be worth considering.
Photos: Honda
