CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Honda Pilot is a solid trouble-free model year with no major problems reported, except for a minor trend of window regulator failure. However that's an easy fix of a few hundred dollars -- not a big inconvenience for an older vehicle, all things considered.

1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
138,124 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Honda Pilot suspension problems

suspension problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Honda Pilot:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #13

Dec 172022

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The left rear frame of the vehicle is rusted out where the rear drive line bolts to the body or frame. Causing the rear drive line to have the ability of failing to stay attached to the vehicle. The rear suspension also connects at the same area. Just a huge rotted out hole at the moment.

- Berry, KY, USA

problem #12

Oct 072020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, there was an abnormal clunking sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the cradle mount detached from the rear axle and was hanging down. The local dealer and manufacturer were no contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 149,000.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #11

Apr 162020

Pilot

  • 147,840 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking spot, there was an abnormal booming noise was detected, and the front passenger's side of vehicle lowered to ground. The contact placed the vehicle in park and noticed the front passenger wheel was not inline with vehicle but in an abnormal position. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the front bushing, ball joint, control arm, and axle were fractured. The vehicle was towed to washtenaw auto care center (3090 washtenaw ave, ypsilanti, mi 48197 (734)434-4000) where the vehicle was diagnosed with a mechanical failure of the front compliance bushing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was referred to fisher Honda (15 E Michigan ave, ypsilanti, mi 48198 (734) 483-0323) for assistance. The failure mileage was 147,840.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #10

Jan 172020

Pilot

  • 161,068 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was pulling away from my parking space when I heard a large thunk. Vtm-4, vsa, ABS, and [!] lights all went on and the vehicle was making an odd noise. After getting home and noticing that the rear was sitting lower, I looked at the undercarriage and saw that the trailing arms had completely come detached from the sub frame and the rear suspension was being kept in position by the exhaust. This was a monumental fail and I can't imagine that Honda wouldn't consider this a major safety issue. The much loved 2006 Honda Pilot goes to the dealer tomorrow.

- Washburn, WI, USA

problem #9

Dec 242019

Pilot

  • 190,000 miles
We were leaving the driveway on christmas eve, we suddenly heard a loud thunk followed by a grinding noise from beneath the vehicle. We stopped immediately and exited the vehicle to see what had happened. I expected to find that we had run over a bicycle but instead found the entire rear axle hanging from the springs. Both rear suspension mounts had catastrophically failed pulling completely out of the subframe. The subframe crossmember and a number of components were found to be heavily rusted and severely structurally compromised. We had planned to drive about 80 (predominantly freeway) miles each way that day to visit family for the holiday. It is a small miracle that these failed in the driveway and not on the freeway at 70 miles per hour. A catastrophic failure like this at freeway speeds could be deadly! a quick google search revealed this to be a relatively common problem with this vehicle and should warrant a recall. Please don't wait until someone is killed by this obvious design flaw.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #8

Sep 212019

Pilot

  • 181,000 miles
I started to notice the rear of my vehicle making clunking noise and occasional metal on metal ticking noises at lower speeds and over bumps. I just assumed my rear shocks were going out. I then later realize the rear of my vehicle is sitting a lot lower especially the driver side. About a week later I took my car in for brakes and while on the hoist lifted up I see that both of the 'trailing arms" right/left sides have completely detached from the sub frame. Now knowing the real issue at hand and doing my share of research online this doesn't seem to be addressed by the manufacture at all, possibly knowing the potential of having one of the main components for keeping your rear axle intact with the whole vehicle fail that easily!!!

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #7

Apr 142019

Pilot

  • 144,309 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 Honda Pilot ex mileage: 144,309 I was accelerating from a stop when I felt a jolt coming from the rear of the car. Several warning lights lit up in the dashboard, there was a loud exhaust leak, and the car was no longer accelerating. There was an auto care center 50 yards away so I slowly drove it there for an inspection. The mechanic lifted the vehicle and showed me that the back two rear subframe mounts were detached from the body which made the car inoperable. There was no visible rust on the undercarriage; the subframe mounts rusted from the inside out. My insurance company would not cover the damage as it was a rust issue. The car was irreparable so I had to total the car and received 10% of what the car was worth running from the junk yard. I purchased the Pilot new in Feb. 2006 and performed all the recommended Honda maintenance. I personal performed all oil and break jobs so I was familiar with the undercarriage of the car. I did not see any rust under the car that would have alerted me there was a potentially dangerous issue with the rear subframe. A google search turned up several other Honda Pilot of this generation having the same subframe rust as mine with the same catastrophic failure of the rear mounts. I believe that this is a manufacturing defect in that water was allowed to pool between the layers of steel in the unibody. The car had 144,309 miles on it and was mechanically in great condition until I had this issue.

- St. Charles, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 052019

Pilot

  • 205,000 miles
While recently driving my 2006 Honda Pilot on the highway, the vehicle seemed a little unsteady when cornering. After arriving home, the rear suspension looked too low and the negative camber of the rear wheels looked excessive. Closer inspection revealed the rear frame crossmember had extreme internal corrosion and both rear suspension mounting bolts had completely broken away from the frame (see included photos). The rear suspension had dropped several inches below the original mounting position and was pressing on the exhaust system. I question the safety of driving the vehicle in this condition and possibly has been and is an accident waiting to happen. Overall, the rest of the vehicle is in really good shape, has been well maintained, never been driven off-road or in harsh conditions and has never pulled heavy loads. The internal frame corrossion seems excessive for a vehicle of this age and perhaps the result of poor design, poor quality and/or inadequate corrosion protection. My local Honda dealer says this problem is unknown to them, is not fixable and there was nothing they can do at this time but refer me to Honda national. Honda national also initially claimed no knowledge of this problem even though numerous identical problems can be found on the NHTSA website as well as other online sources. A complaint and case number has now been registered with Honda for this problem. Unfortunately, this once great vehicle appears to be prematurely destined for the scrap metal pile. Very sad outcome for any modern vehicle and especially one with the reputation for quality and reliability of a Honda vehicle.

- Waconia, MN, USA

problem #5

Sep 292018

Pilot

  • 165,000 miles
While pulling into a parking lot a loud bang happend in our 2006 Honda Pilot. We thought we had bottomed out. It turns out that the rear subframe, suspension, and drive train had fallen out of the rear crossmember. This is due to premature rust and inadequate metal used in the rear subframe. The rear subframe and suspension is only being held in with 2 more rusty bolts. This vehicle is not rusty anywhere else and is in excellent condition. It does have 165,000 miles on it. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. I hate to think what would have happened at 70 mph on the highway with my family. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed immediately. The certified Honda dealer that I took it too says they can't fix it, and the vehicle is junk. The vehicle is in excellent condition in every other aspect. The failure is obviously a manufacture defect. I have E-mailed Honda, but they have not responded to me except for a auto response E-mail. This vehicle is worth about $6000 before this happened.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #4

Aug 182018

Pilot

  • 210,600 miles
On 8/18/18, while driving on a highway at about 50 mph, we heard a loud thud. Then when the accelerator was pushed, the car made a loud noise. I called my mechanic thinking it might be the exhaust. When he looked at it on 8/22/18, he informed me the rear sub frame was pulling out of the body, and the car was not safe to drive. He said this shouldn't have happened to a car that is 12 years old, and in good mechanical condition. He said the only thing holding the rear frame up was my exhaust pipe.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 042018

Pilot

  • 250,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear suspension broken from car frame

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #2

Jun 012007

Pilot

  • miles
Vibration on 2006 Honda Pilot I own a 2006 Honda Pilot AWD. I have made many complaints about vibration on my car to Honda dealer and Honda headquarter, however they claim they do not feel vibration I felt. I have been following what other people are complaining on line and I am not only one. There are so many other owners who has same problem and who been told it is nature of that car. I have changed my tires and add Acura MDX modifications, it improved however vibration still exist. townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F0F0758/0 this is just one site and there are many more. Is there any thing NHTSA can do" or do we have to just live with it"

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #1

Mar 292006

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles
With less than 1000 miles, I began noticing a vibration problem on my '06 Honda Pilot. Vibration felt in seats and steering wheel. Although can be felt at lower speeds, more pronounced @ 55 - 70 mph. May have been there from delivery, but did not have the opportunity to drive any smooth roads here in pa. For first few weeks. Dealership acknowledged problem and worked for two days to eliminate, checking tire balance, drive train components and run-out on rotors. Rear rotors were resurfaced and seemed to lessen the problem although problem still exists. Other dealers and Honda appear not to acknowledge that this problem exists despite numerous complaints as discussed on Honda forum boards. Scheduled another visit to dealership.

- Canonsburgh, PA, USA

Not what you are looking for?