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 2012 Pilot.
The 2012 Honda Pilot is an SUV that uses a 5-speed automatic transmission and calls for 4.5 quarts of 0W-20 API engine oil, and it carries an EPA rating of 18/25/20 mpg. Within the model’s 2003–2025 complaint history—a range spanning a high of 1,665 complaints for the 2016 model and a low of 101 for the 2024 model—the 2012 model registers just 170 total owner complaints, positioning it among the lower-complaint years in the lineup. Even so, researchers should note that this year still carries nine recalls and counts Air Bags as its top complaint area, so those specific systems warrant focused vetting despite the generally low volume of owner grievances.
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 | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in |
| Overall height | 72.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4537 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.9 / 66.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 55/45 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 25 / 20 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 7.80 sec | 16.20 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 8.30 sec | 16.50 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 8.50 sec | 16.60 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 7.90 sec | 16.30 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | EX-L 3.5L V6 | 8.10 sec | 16.40 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.6 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.4 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| 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 |
| Lug Nuts | 94 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 | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 740 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.315-1.435 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.20-4.70 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 53 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 65 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 | 1.102 in / 0.433 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.102 in / 0.433 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.024 in / 0.354 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 48 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 2012 Honda Pilot posts a relatively clean federal record, with 170 complaints, 9 recalls, zero investigations, and 62 TSBs — figures that sit well below the first-generation peaks of 746 complaints (2003) and 15 recalls (2005) and are also more favorable than its immediate second-generation neighbors, 2011 (292 complaints, 11 recalls) and 2013 (270 complaints, 6 recalls). Within the second-generation arc, 2012 represents a relative trough in complaint activity, and it precedes the dramatic 2016 spike to 1,665 complaints and 365 TSBs, meaning the 2012 model predates whatever drove that surge in the data. The complaint profile is broad but not concentrated — air bags lead with 17, followed by engine (15), service brakes (14), and electrical system (13) — while the 17 crash-related and 3 fire complaints are modest figures for a vehicle of this age. With no open investigations and a recall count consistent with the surrounding model years, 2012 is one of the quieter years in the Pilot's full 2003–2025 federal arc. For a used-buyer, 2012 is a defensible choice, particularly compared to the high-complaint first-generation years and the volatility around 2016 — a pre-purchase inspection focused on the air bag, engine, and brake systems is still warranted, but the trend data is on the buyer's side.
All 170 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 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…
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…
Showing 5 of 62 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A13-082 | 2022-07-19 | Engine And Engine Cooling | "Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a… |
| A07-030 | 2021-01-23 | Equipment | "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant… |
| APP05122020 | 2020-05-12 | Equipment | Dealer Message - The May episode of Tech2Tech is now posted. We've got some valuable… |
| A20-016 | 2020-03-10 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A20-023 | 2020-03-05 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Service Bulletin - The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking. |
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 0W-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 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.