Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Pilot.
The 2006 Honda Pilot is an SUV equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 16/22/18 mpg while requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for engine maintenance. Ownership records indicate this model year generated 266 total owner complaints across 10 recalls, with Air Bags emerging as the top complaint area. When viewed against the model's complaint history from 2003 to 2025, this volume places the 2006 model closer to the lineage's lowest recorded count of 101 complaints in 2024 than the highest peak of 1,665 complaints in 2016.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 188.2 in |
| Overall width | 77.2 in |
| Overall height | 70.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4425 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.9 / 66.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 55/45 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 22 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Pilot of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | EX 3.5L V6 | 7.60 sec | 15.90 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2003 | EX 3.5L V6 | 7.80 sec | 16.10 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2003 | EX 3.5L V6 | 8.10 sec | 16.30 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.9 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Transfer Case Fluid | GL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | 11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 210 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 730 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 650 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK, DENSO |
| Spark Plug Gap | .039 |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.54-1.65 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 6.00-6.50 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 55.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ idle, 71 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.009 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 27 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in / 0.429 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.102 in / 0.437 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.024 in / 0.354 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2006 Honda Pilot marks a notable inflection point in the first-generation model’s federal record. Complaints drop sharply from 679 in 2005 to 266 in 2006, while recalls fall from 15 to 10 and investigations decline from 7 to 4—all suggesting mid-cycle refinements took hold. This downward trend continues through 2008, indicating the 2006 model year sits at the start of a more stable period before the 2011 spike in complaints and the 2016 Takata airbag crisis. Air bags dominate the 2006 complaint list (57 of 266), though the data doesn’t specify root causes; crash-related complaints (23) and fire reports (7) remain relatively low. Compared to the preceding years, the 2006 Pilot appears to be a more reliable entry point within the generation. **Takeaway: the 2006 is a comparatively strong year to buy, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms airbag and engine integrity.**
All 266 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may…
Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-050 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| A21120A | 2023-06-13 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| A20-015 | 2022-05-03 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A21-019 | 2022-03-08 | Structure | Service Bulletin - Corrosion of the frame rail that supports the rear subframe may occur… |
| A21120A | 2022-01-25 | Equipment | ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.