Used 2012 Honda Pilot SUV Consumer Reviews
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My Pilot Experience
Robert S, 11/19/2016
updated 01/11/2017
2012 Honda Pilot EX 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
32 of 33 people found this review helpful
For those of you considering a Honda Pilot, please allow me to share my experience. I have a Pilot EX that was bought new in 2012 for the purpose of being our family vehicle. We average roughly 16,000 miles a year. Regular maintenance is performed and tire rotations occur at about every 7000 miles. Front-end alignments are done whenever all four tires are replaced. Our Honda is 2WD and has never pulled a trailer or been used in any manner that could be classified as severe service. It’s just a basic family vehicle. At about 40,000 miles, I noticed a noise in the front end and took it back to the dealer for diagnosis. The driver’s side front wheel bearing was found to be bad and was replaced under warranty. Shortly after 50,000 miles, the passenger side CV axle had to be replaced by the dealer (under warranty) because of a clicking noise when turning the steering wheel. The latest problem became evident during this past summer’s vacation trip at about 80,000 miles. The front end became noisy again similar to the sound experienced earlier. This time the dealer found the driver’s side front wheel bearing bad again and also found the passenger side front wheel bearing showing signs of failing. Honda paid for 75% of the driver’s side bearing (the same one that had failed at 40,000 miles) but would not pay for the passenger side bearing replacement. The total cost out of pocket for these issues was ~$350. I filed a case with Honda requesting reimbursement. The reimbursement was subsequently denied because the warranty period had expired. Apparently Honda’s opinion was that replacement of three wheel bearings inside of 100,000 miles is not abnormal. I’m providing this information because many of you are probably in the same place I was in 2012, researching the web to find a dependable vehicle. I remember thinking at the time that Honda would be a good choice that would provide years of trouble free driving. Experience is teaching me otherwise. If I keep this vehicle, history demonstrates that I can expect to replace another wheel bearing at about 120,000 miles. As a last note, if you wish to investigate this issue further, you can search the internet using “Honda Pilot front wheel bearing problems” to see other people that have experienced similar problems.
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Great SUV
wjallen101, 08/03/2012
2012 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
42 of 44 people found this review helpful
I use SUV lightly because the Pilot is built on the Odyssey platform. That said, the Pilot is great. My choice was between the Grand Cherokee and Pilot. Before the test drive I was leaning towards the Cherokee. The Cherokee was clearly "more fun" to drive. But I determined that I didn't agree with the negative reviews about the Pilot and it's sluggish acceleration. The drive was still fun and acceleration more than enough. Overall, the Pilot made more sense for my family and I. The 4WD is really an AWD. But I don't do off-roading. I only wanted a SUV that we could take to the mountains under all weather conditions. Therefore the build, size, mpg, storage and tech features were perfect.
3rd Pilot, and loving it
audi40, 08/19/2012
2012 Honda Pilot Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
23 of 24 people found this review helpful
Having owned both'03 and '07 Pilot EXL's, my wife thought she wanted something "more luxurious" this time around. Took an Infiniti JX for a day-long test drive and was "luke warm" to it. Then drove an MDX which we both thought she would end up with - while she really liked the looks and handling, she didn't like that it lacked the interior space and storage of her previous Pilots (also didn't like the big swath of fake wood trim accross the dash). Last stop was to test drive a Pilot Touring model and purchased it that same day. Loved all the features in the Touring model and for 10% off MSRP, couldn't beat the value. 2 months and 1,500+ miles later, no problems and loving the new Pilot!
Back on top
a1addict, 11/09/2011
2012 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
19 of 20 people found this review helpful
For 2012 Honda addressed many of my issues with the previous iteration. Front end looks way better, the interior looks and feels better, and the mileage has been improved. We were close to getting an Explorer XLT but then I gave the '12 Pilot a run. While they both have strengths and weaknesses, the Pilot just hits more marks, misses less and for the most part just feels more upscale. Its not fast, its not fun (what is in this class/price), but its very capable, spacious and look for it to be very reliable and trade-in-able where the Ford worried me. The HR would have been to give it 30 more hp and lb-ft and the six speed but I'd say Honda has a stand up double with this refresh.
Pilot Perfection
Herb Twiss, 07/12/2017
2012 Honda Pilot EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD (3.5L 6cyl 5A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
5 years old is my 2012 pilot. Zero maintenance costs other than oil/filter. Great leather seats with heat and lumbar. Smooth acceleration and quiet ride. Buy one if you can.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
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