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 2008 Pilot.
The 2008 Honda Pilot is an SUV paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, rated by the EPA at 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg and serviced with 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. The model year has drawn 132 owner complaints, with air bags the most frequently cited system and nine recalls logged against it. Set against the broader Pilot record from 2003 through 2025 — which peaks at 1,665 complaints in 2016 and bottoms out at 101 in 2024 — the 2008 sits on the quieter end of the spectrum, giving researchers a comparatively low-complaint reference point from which to gauge the heavier-issue years that followed.
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 | 71.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4456 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 | 4 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| 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 2008 Honda Pilot sits near the low‑point of the generation’s complaint curve, dropping to just 132 complaints after a steep decline from the 2005 peak of 679 and continuing a downward trend through 2009 (134 complaints). Recall activity also tapers, with nine recalls in 2008—identical to 2007 and only slightly above the 2006 low of ten—while investigations fall to a single case, the fewest since 2006. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) follow the same pattern, decreasing to 39 in 2008 after a high of 313 in 2003 and staying well below the later spikes seen in 2016‑2019. The top complaint categories for 2008 are Air Bags (28 reports), Structure (10), Power Train (8) and Seats (7), with modest crash (11) and fire (3) complaints, indicating no dominant systemic issue. Overall, 2008 reflects a relatively quiet year in the Pilot’s history, making it a comparatively low‑risk model to consider for a used purchase.
All 132 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 9 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 39 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 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.