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2012 Honda

Pilot 4WD

Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Honda Pilot: best and worst years
2012 Honda Pilot 4WD (photo 1 of 4)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2012.

PhotoOWS PhotographyCC BY 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic 5-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
250
Power to weight
0.058 hp/lb
Axle ratio
4.31
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
5/10
Real-world MPG
19.6 mpg, reported by 5 driversabout 0.4 mpg below the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
9
Owner complaints
171 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
19
Theft rate
1.0 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE15%
  • SERVICE BRAKES11%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10%
  • AIR BAGS9%
  • POWER TRAIN9%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 229 total.

Honda Pilot: best and worst years

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

36 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Jul 19, 2022FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEA13-082

    "Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and

  • Jan 23, 2021EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONERA07-030

    "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"

  • May 12, 2020EQUIPMENTAPP05122020

    Dealer Message - The May episode of Tech2Tech is now posted. We've got some valuable information for you, so check it out! This month we're featuring "Replacing That Leaky Front Rocker Arm Oil Control Valve."

  • Mar 10, 2020AIR BAGSA20-016

    Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.

  • Mar 5, 2020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGA20-023

    Service Bulletin - The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking.

  • Aug 13, 2019AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE19-003-1

    Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028)

  • May 10, 2019AIR BAGSA18-115

    Service Bulletin - American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall. If you completed the repair described by this service bulletin on or before May 10, 2019, make sure to use the Warranty Claim Information provided below.

  • Apr 26, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEMA13050F

    ServiceNews Article - Here's something you really ought to know about: When you play a DVD with 5.1 surround sound (Dolby Digital), you'll hear the dialogue coming from just the front speakers. You won't hear it coming from any of the rear speakers.

  • and 28 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.