Overview & Reviews

The Honda Pilot is unchanged for 2007.

• Roomy interior with eight-passenger seating, versatile storage and cargo-hauling abilities, comfortable ride, smooth power delivery.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 163.00

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  Started off trouble-free, but... - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By krazykarguy - October 6 - 8:55 am

  We purchased this car in 2010 with 55k miles. We were shopping for a lower-end EX or even an LX, but the wife didnt like the colors of the other Pilots on the lot that were EX/LX. We ended up with the [more expensive] EX-L because of the color. The car was initially operated in RI, and we used it in VT. It was involved in an accident that showed up on CarFax prior to our ownership (which was disclosed by the dealer), but was repaired to a high level, so I was OK with the purchase. We expected a growing family, so we wanted a larger vehicle, with high safety ratings, and large cargo capacity. We also wanted to tow a pop-up camper with it in the future. AWD was a must because of the snow that was expected annually in Vermont. We quickly noticed that the Pilot was a great long-distance cruiser, and very comfortable to boot. The engine was a little overwhelmed at times due to the large bulk of the Pilot, but overall was up to the task. Fuel economy was around 18-19 mpg all the time - maybe 20 on the highway if you were really gentle. AWD was great in the snow, especially with a set of snow tires (a prerequisite for VT winter driving). Towing, however, was another matter. Hills were to be feared, and the engine was over-taxed, all the time. Acceleration with a 1,700 lb trailer was unacceptable. The brakes always seemed to be soft and not incredibly powerful, pedal pressure seemed not in line with braking power. This, of course, was amplified while towing. Also worth noting - when adding a tow hitch - be certain to clean the threads on the RH side before attempting to install the bolts - if the bolts get bound up, then you have a high likelyhood of breaking the welded capture nut loose on the inside of the frame rail. To correct this issue requires removal of the entire 2nd and 3rd row of the interior, and making a 3" hole in the cargo area floor to access the loose nut. Maintenance was relatively simple, and the minder on the dash made it easy to keep track of. I performed all of the maintenance on the car, and my only complaint was that when the oil filter was removed, the oil would drain on the front subframe, making a mess. All other maintenance (including the timing belt/water pump at 105k) was straightforward and uncomplicated. I did NOT like needing to replace the rear VTM-4 differential fluid every 15k miles, though... that seemed really excessive - especially since it requires a GALLON of Honda fluid at $40 a gallon. Now, on to the problems: 1.) While every car in Vermont will develop rust from the salt eventually, the Pilot did a relatively decent job at resisting it. When we finally traded it in, the underbody was pretty clean for a VT car. However, the door moldings retained dirt, sand, and filth really badly, and I dont want to know what the steel doors looked like underneath. 2.) June, 2014 - At about 120k, the lower portion of the right rear knuckle on the car fractured, leaving the lower mount of the shock dangling in place. Had I not noticed it immediately, it would have cut the tire. Honda did not have a single replacement part anywhere in the country, and I was forced to replace it with a used component. The replacement of that component required removal of all of the suspension and brakes in that corner of the car and a $900 repair bill. Keep in mind that this is a cast-iron part, and should be good for the life of any vehicle. 3.) November, 2014 - At 130k, the power steering rack began to leak badly, despite two proper fluid maintenance services having been performed since 2010. Replacement of this component is also excessively labor intensive - requiring 15 hours of labor to remove. I was not happy about this. This was a $1700 repair. 4.) January, 2015 - The final nail in the coffin for the Pilot was that the rear differential began to howl at any speed above 35-40 mph. This was despite the fact that the fluid changes had been performed regularly, with the expensive Honda fluid. Research showed that this would be a $1000-$1500 repair, with a used differential. We got rid of it for a 2011 Kia Sorento SX.

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  Used to love but no more - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By sandy2001 - February 18 - 1:04 pm

  Brought my 2007 Pilot brand new. Now February 2013 with only 64,000 my spark plugs are gone and coil burned. The dealer told me it will cost $4500 to fix. I am very disappointed and upset with Honda. The technician told me they dont check spark plugs until 100,000 miles. So I would have no way on knowing that there is a problem. It give no warning. I was sitting at the traffic light when the Pilot starting shaking and making a noise as I drove off. I had to pull into a shopping center and have it towed to the dealer because I could not drive it. I have owned 4 Hondas but I think this will be my last.

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  Hands down the worst car Ive ever driven in the snow - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By mattpotvin - December 8 - 3:01 pm

  The Pilot was great to me. Super reliable, and I only ever had one problem outside of routine maintenance, a rear HVAC blower motor went out, which was replaced under Honda Care for no charge. I selected the FWD model after getting a CPO mouse infested 4WD model from a dealer. They upgraded me to Leather and Rear Entertainment. We average under 40" of snow here, so I didnt think anything of the lack of 4WD. Until the first day I had to drive in snow. Even with Michelin Xice 2 snow tires, I couldnt make it over small bridges, crossing a single lane train track. Cars with all seasons drove right past me. Id slide backward down the hill. Bit better w/ traction control turned off.

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  Great for the right person - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By 2bogey - May 12 - 9:26 pm

  Having always been a Honda guy I went with the Pilot. Pros- Seats 7, roomy, good passenger storage. The wheel wells are 42" apart so you can fit everything from sheetrock to golf clubs. Drives awsome in the snow and poor conditions. Overall no major mechanical problems. Cons- For the $ you can buy a vehicle with much better creature comforts. No I-Pod jack, Seats are uncomfortable, MPGs are Average for a vehicle this size. Heat went out and was $400 to fix @ 40K. If you dont need or want bells and whisles this may be a good vehicle for you.

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  Quality as expected - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By wiltzuma - October 24 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent midsized SUV. Other than a paint imperfection on the tailgate (on it when purchased new), I have had no problems in 3 1/2 years of driving. I have the LX 4WD, and its not super quiet, maybe the EXL is better insulated. Rides through Snowbelt winters with no problem while in 2WD. The wife wanted 4WD, but I probably dont need it. Mechanically perfect so far, Nothing but reg scheduled maintenance. I get 20 MPG during my normal day to day driving.

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  Honda 07 Pilot - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Mike - October 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a well built car. No mechanical problems and comfortable to drive. Not great gas mileage but knew that going in. Cant believe the doors dont lock automatically when you drive, have to do it manually. A little extra road noise also but this is overall a sound car unlike our Dodge Grand Caravan we had previously.

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  Disappointing Pilot - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By MikeNC - April 23 - 10:32 pm

  The controls for the 2007 Pilot are not very well designed. It is all too easy to turn the lights on (or off) when using the turn signal. On the other side of the steering wheel the wiper control lever is easily bumped when using the gear shift lever. Highway gas mileage averages around 20 mpg, not the stated 2 4mpg. Be prepared for a bit of price shock when its time to replace the cabin air filter. The filter can only be removed by dropping the glove box and then removing 6 screws. Changing the filter for the first time requires cutting away a plastic bar. The cost to have the dealer replace the cabin air filter is upwards of $130 for parts and labor. I would not buy another Honda Pilot.

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  No vents for 3rd row seating - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Steller - March 18 - 11:05 pm

  Not bad overall. Interior design looks good but not exactly user friendly. Honda completely forgot to vent air to the 3rd row of seating making it extremely hot for children in the summer. I say children because its not exactly designed for an adult to sit comfortably. Im 511" and the shifter on the steering column hits my knee when you put it in 1st or 2nd gear which is typically not a problem unless you need to use four wheel drive. Having a difficult time reaching the potential 22 mpg as advertised for highway even though Im slow on the accelerator and Sunday drivers often pass me. I average 18 mpg.

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  Great SUV but ... - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Wren - March 6 - 5:22 pm

  I purchased this 2007 pilot used with 36,000 miles on it. Great vehicle so far. Handles well on the road and drives smoothly. The only downfall is the gas mileage. I travel 60 miles round trip and about 30 miles are rural roads. My gas mileage is about 16 miles per gallon. Keeping in mind the tank holds 20 gallons. Not very good gas mileage from this vehicle.

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  Very Reliable! - 2007 Honda Pilot
  By Gene - January 26 - 8:28 pm

  Never in shop for any type issue in 2 1/2 years. As empty nesters have never had a need to use third row seating. Plenty of cargo space with seats in the down position. Has adequate acceleration for entering busy highways.