HondaPilot2011Overview/honda/pilot/2011/base/

2011 Honda Pilot

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Pilot.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2011 Honda Pilot is an SUV fitted with a five-speed automatic and EPA ratings of 17/23/19 mpg, with routine oil service calling for 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Reliability records show 292 owner complaints for the year, air bags standing out as the top-reported concern, alongside 11 recalls. Within the model’s 2003–2025 complaint history, the 2011 Pilot falls well below the 2016 peak of 1,665 complaints and above the 2024 low of 101, positioning it as a comparatively moderate year rather than a standout trouble spot.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height72.8 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight4537 lb
Track (front / rear)66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

7.8–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2011 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Touring 3.5L V67.80 sec16.20 sec250 hpAWD
2011Touring 3.5L V68.30 sec16.50 sec250 hpAWD
2011Touring 3.5L V68.50 sec16.60 sec250 hpAWD
2009Touring 3.5L V67.90 sec16.30 sec250 hpAWD
2009EX-L 3.5L V68.10 sec16.40 sec250 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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 lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Transfer Case FluidGL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1 Pint

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Main Bearings11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts94 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.315-1.435 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.20-4.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)57.0
Engine Compression135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 71 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.009 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket53 ft-lbs / 27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.098 in / 0.429 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.437 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
147 ft. lbs, step 2: 6047 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 2003 to 2010 the Pilot’s complaint count fell sharply from a high of 746 in 2003 to a low of 111 in 2010, indicating an improving reliability trend during the first generation. In 2011 complaints rose to 292, more than double the 2010 figure but still well below the early‑year peaks and comparable to the 2012 total of 170. Recall activity remained steady, with 11 recalls in 2011—similar to the 10 recalls in 2010 and 9 in 2012—while investigations were zero, matching the pattern from 2009 through 2012. The 2011 model sits on the upward side of the post‑2008 dip, reflecting a modest increase in reported issues before the count dropped again in 2014. Overall, the 2011 Honda Pilot offers a mid‑range complaint profile that is better than the earliest years of the generation and only slightly above the immediate post‑low‑point years, making it a reasonably sound used‑car choice if the price reflects its complaint level.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
77
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
292
Owner complaints
29 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 292 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags58
Suspension19
Service Brakes18
Structure14
Electrical System13
Engine12
Steering12
Unknown Or Other11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V661000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/09/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…

18V268000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 26/04/2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 77 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
A18-0662026-06-30Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's…
A21120A2023-06-13Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
A13-0822022-07-19Engine And Engine Cooling"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a…
A21120A2022-01-25EquipmentServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited…
A07-0302021-01-23Equipment"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Pilot. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 Pilot take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 Pilot have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Pilot get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.