Replacing worn dampers on a three-row SUV is a job you only want to do once, so the parts decision carries most of the risk. We researched the best struts for honda pilot in 2027 by cross-checking fitment years, OE part numbers, and verified buyer reports across the second-generation and third-generation Pilot platforms.
The short answer: the Richeer Front 2PCS assembly is the pick we'd point most 2016 to 2020 owners toward, because it arrives fully assembled with the coil, mount, and bearing already seated. The full ranking below runs from that top pick down to budget pairs and a kit that bundles sway bar links.
Comparison Chart of Best Struts for Honda Pilot in 2027
| Product | Details | Rating | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice  | Richeer Front 2PCS Strut Assembly Fits | ★★★★☆4.8/5 | |
Top Pick  | 2 Front Complete Struts Assembly Coil | ★★★★☆4.8/5 | |
Best Budget  | SCITOO Front Strut Spring Assembly Honda | ★★★★☆4.7/5 | |
| ★★★★☆4.4/5 | ||
| ★★★★☆4/5 |
List of Top 5 Best Struts for Honda Pilot in 2027
Five assemblies made the cut after we filtered out listings with vague fitment notes, single-unit sales, and unclear model-year ranges. Each section below covers what the part actually includes, which Pilot generations it fits, and the trade-offs buyers mention most often.
Below are the list of products:
1. Richeer Front 2PCS Strut Assembly Fits
Third-generation Pilot owners get the cleanest fit here, since the same assembly covers 2016 through 2020 and the Ridgeline shares the front geometry. Verified buyer feedback on this pair sits at 4.8/5, the strongest of the five assemblies we compared.
Why I picked it
A complete strut assembly removes the riskiest step of the job, which is compressing a used spring on a bench. This pair arrives with the coil, upper mount, and bearing already seated, and the 2016 to 2020 window covers the most common third-generation Pilot years still on the road. It also carries the highest verified rating in this group.
Key specs
- Front pair, two complete assemblies (left and right)
- Fits 2016 to 2020 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline
- Coil spring, upper mount, and bearing pre-assembled
- Direct replacement for the factory front strut position
- Sold as a matched pair, not individually
Real-world experience
Most buyer reports we sampled came from owners past 90,000 miles chasing a floaty front end, cupped tire wear, or a clunk over driveway lips. The consistent theme is that the truck sits back at its original ride height after the swap and no spring compressor is needed. A few owners note the new units feel firmer than the sagging originals they removed, which is the expected result rather than a defect.
- Complete assembly with coil and mount, so there’s no spring compressor and no reused hardware
- Covers 2016 to 2020 Pilot plus Ridgeline under one part number
- 4.8/5 verified rating across the reviews we sampled, the best in this roundup
- Matched pair means both front corners get identical spring rate and ride height
- Sway bar links and stabilizer bushings are not in the box, so a noisy front end may need a second order
- Nothing is torque-marked, you’ll still need the factory specs from the manual
- Ride feels firmer on day one compared with the sagging units you removed
- ✔ You own a 2016 to 2020 Pilot and want both front corners done at once
- ✔ You don’t own a bench spring compressor and don’t plan to buy one
- ✔ You want the strongest review history in this price band
- ✖ You drive a 2009 to 2015 second-generation Pilot
- ✖ Only one corner is worn and you’d rather not replace both
2. 2 Front Complete Struts Assembly Coil
Second-generation owners get the most precise part matching here, because this listing prints the OE numbers 172647 and 172648 right on the product page. That cross-reference is exactly what you want when ordering for a 2009 to 2015 truck and you don't feel like gambling on trim-level fitment.
Why I picked it
An OE cross-reference is the single best defense against a wrong-part return, and this listing spells out both numbers. The 4.8/5 buyer rating matches the top pick, and the 2009 to 2015 coverage fills the gap the Richeer pair leaves open.
Key specs
- Two front complete assemblies, left and right
- Fits 2009 to 2015 Honda Pilot
- Replaces OE 172647 and 172648
- Coil spring and upper mount included
- No spring compressor required for install
Real-world experience
Reviews we sampled skew toward 2011 to 2014 Pilots past 120,000 miles, often after a failed inspection or a front end that wandered on the highway. Buyers repeatedly mention that the printed OE numbers matched what came off the truck, which matters on a 15-year-old vehicle where parts catalogs drift between trims.
- Prints both OE numbers (172647 and 172648) so you can verify fitment before ordering
- Covers 2009 to 2015 Pilot, filling the year gap the top pick leaves
- 4.8/5 verified rating, level with the Editor’s Choice pick
- Comes as a matched pair with coil and mount already assembled
- Does not fit 2016 and newer Pilots, so third-generation owners are out
- No mounting hardware in the box, and 15-year-old bolts often need replacing
- Ride height settles noticeably in the first few hundred miles
- ✔ You drive a 2009 to 2015 Pilot and want the part number confirmed up front
- ✔ Your truck has crossed 100,000 miles and the front end floats
- ✔ You’re matching parts to what came off the vehicle
- ✖ You own a 2016 or newer Pilot
- ✖ You want new fasteners included with the assemblies
3. SCITOO Front Strut Spring Assembly Honda
Cross-platform fitment is the reason this one earns a slot. SCITOO lists the Honda Pilot and the Acura MDX under the same assembly, which is useful because both trucks ride on the same basic front suspension architecture and the MDX shares the Pilot's platform lineage.
Why I picked it
Two-factor reasoning here: it's the friendliest entry point into the group on cost, and it doubles as a crossover part between the Pilot and the Acura MDX. Owners with both vehicles in the driveway get one part number to remember.
Key specs
- Front strut and spring assembly, sold as a set
- Fits Honda Pilot and Acura MDX applications
- Coil spring pre-mounted on the strut body
- No separate spring compressor needed
- Positioned in the budget tier of this comparison
Real-world experience
Buyer feedback on this one clusters around commuter use rather than towing, which fits the budget positioning. Owners report the front end tightening up and the old float disappearing on highway on-ramps. A recurring note in the reviews we read is that the finish on the strut body is thinner than premium OE, so anyone in a heavy road-salt state should plan on a yearly underside rinse.
- Lowest-cost route into a complete front assembly in this group
- One part covers both Honda Pilot and Acura MDX listings
- Spring already mounted, so the install stays a bolt-on job
- Strong fitment feedback from commuter drivers
- Coating is thinner than premium OE, a real concern in road-salt states
- Fitment years are phrased broadly, so you’ll want to confirm your exact trim
- Firmer damping than stock, which some passengers notice on rough pavement
- ✔ Cost is the deciding factor and the truck is a daily commuter
- ✔ You own a Pilot and an MDX and want one part number for both
- ✔ You’re doing the work yourself in a home garage
- ✖ You tow regularly or carry a full load most days
- ✖ You live where roads get salted hard every winter
4. Richeer Front Struts Assembly & Sway
Bundling is the whole pitch here. This kit pairs the 2016 to 2020 Pilot front assemblies with sway bar links, which is the part most owners discover they need only after the struts are already off the truck. Reported buyer rating sits at 4.4/5.
Why I picked it
A clunking front end usually has two culprits, and this kit addresses both in one shipment. Sway bar links are cheap on their own but easy to forget, and buying them separately means two wait times and two shipping windows.
Key specs
- Front strut assemblies plus sway bar links in one kit
- Fits 2016 to 2020 Honda Pilot
- Pre-assembled coil spring and upper mount
- Includes front stabilizer link hardware
- Reported buyer rating of 4.4 out of 5
Real-world experience
The scenario this fits best is a Pilot at 100,000 miles where the owner hears a rattle over speed bumps and a knock on turns. Feedback we reviewed suggests the full kit resolves both noises in one teardown, which saves a second afternoon under the truck.
- Sway bar links bundled in, so one order covers the whole front teardown
- Fits the 2016 to 2020 third-generation Pilot
- Assembly is pre-built with coil and mount in place
- Solves the rattle-and-knock combination in a single job
- 4.4/5 reported rating trails the top two picks by a visible margin
- The bundled links are basic, and some buyers upgrade them later anyway
- You pay for the links whether or not yours are actually worn
- ✔ Your front end both floats and rattles over bumps
- ✔ You want one order and one install session
- ✔ You own a 2016 to 2020 Pilot
- ✖ Your sway bar links were already replaced recently
- ✖ You want the highest confidence rating available
5. PM Auto Pair 2 Front Left-Right
Year coverage is what separates this listing from everything else here. It spans 2016 through 2022 on the Pilot and 2015 through 2020 on the Acura MDX, which is the widest application window of the five. Reported rating comes in at 4/5.
Why I picked it
Widest year window in the roundup, and the only one that reaches 2021 and 2022 Pilot models. If you drive a newer truck and the rest of the list stops at 2020, this is your option.
Key specs
- Pair of front left and right strut assemblies
- Fits 2016 to 2022 Honda Pilot
- Fits 2015 to 2020 Acura MDX
- Sold as a two-piece set
- Reported buyer rating of 4 out of 5
Real-world experience
Reviews we sampled include a fair number of 2021 and 2022 owners, which is exactly where the other four listings leave a gap. The trade-off shows up in the feedback too: a portion of buyers describe a firmer-than-stock ride, and a few mention needing to recheck torque after the first few hundred miles.
- Reaches 2021 and 2022 Pilot models no other listing here covers
- Also fits 2015 to 2020 Acura MDX
- Ships as a matched left and right pair
- Straightforward bolt-on replacement
- 4/5 rating is the lowest in this roundup
- Several buyers report a noticeably firmer ride than stock
- Torque recheck after the first few hundred miles is a common note
- ✔ You drive a 2021 or 2022 Pilot
- ✔ You want one part covering Pilot and MDX in the household
- ✔ The truck is out of warranty and you’re paying yourself
- ✖ Comfort matters more than year coverage
- ✖ You want the strongest review history on the list
How I picked
We did not bolt any of these onto a vehicle. Our process was a desk comparison plus review aggregation, which is why every claim here traces back to a listed spec, a printed OE number, or a pattern in verified buyer feedback rather than a test drive.
Here's the framework we ran each listing through:
- Fitment precision. We checked the exact model years and trim notes on the listing, then compared them against the OE part numbers where the seller published them. A listing with printed OE numbers ranked higher than one with a vague "fits Pilot" claim.
- What's actually in the box. A complete assembly means coil, upper mount, and bearing are already seated. Anything that ships as a bare strut requires you to reuse the old spring, and that changes the difficulty of the job and the risk of a mistake.
- Verified rating and review volume. We weighted the reported star rating, but gave more credit to listings where buyers described their model year and mileage. A 4.8 from 40 owners who name their truck is worth more than a 5.0 from three.
- Install friction. Spring compressors, missing hardware, and unclear torque guidance all count against a part. Buyers doing driveway work feel every one of those.
- Coating and corrosion resistance. This is the failure mode nobody mentions until year three. Where buyers flagged thinner coatings, we noted it.
We deliberately did not test long-term durability beyond what review data covers. There's no way to know how a strut body holds up after five winters of road salt from a listing page, and we're not going to pretend otherwise.
One more thing worth saying: if your Pilot's front end noise turns out to be something else entirely, a suspension swap won't fix it. We'd rather you diagnose first than order parts on a hunch.
Buying guide — what actually matters for best struts for honda pilot in 2027
A strut assembly is a structural component that houses the damper and coil spring in one unit, holding the vehicle's weight while controlling how the wheel moves over bumps. On the Pilot, the front strut also carries the upper mount and bearing, which is why a worn unit shows up as both a ride problem and a steering noise.
Does the part actually fit your model year?
This is the single highest-risk decision in the whole purchase. Honda split the Pilot into distinct generations, and the front suspension hardware does not cross between them. A 2015 part will not fit a 2016 truck.
The 2009 to 2015 Pilot (second generation) uses different front assemblies than the 2016 to 2022 third-generation trucks. Some listings, like the OE 172647 and 172648 pair, name second-generation coverage explicitly. Others reach the 2022 model year.
Match your year first, then read the rest of the listing.
If you want the manufacturer's own maintenance intervals as a reference point, Honda's official owners site publishes the service schedule by model year.
Complete assembly or bare strut?
A complete assembly arrives with the coil spring, upper mount, and bearing already compressed and seated. A bare strut cartridge requires you to transfer the old spring across using a bench compressor.
Complete assemblies cost more per unit but remove two failure points: an incorrectly seated spring and a worn upper bearing you didn't notice. For a driveway job on a 4,500-pound SUV, that trade usually favors the complete unit.
What do the OE numbers tell you?
OE part numbers are the factory's own identifiers for the component. When a listing prints them, you can compare against what a dealer parts counter would quote for your VIN.
That cross-reference is your best defense against a wrong-part return. It also matters on older trucks, where aftermarket catalogs sometimes list trim-specific variations that don't actually interchange.
How much does the reported rating actually mean?
A rating is a summary. The useful signal is in the descriptions underneath it. Look for buyers who name their model year, their mileage, and the specific symptom that went away.
A pattern of "fixed the float on my 2014 at 130k" tells you more than a five-star line that says "great product." If most reviews don't mention a year, treat the rating as weaker evidence.
Will you need anything else while you're in there?
Almost always, yes. The common add-ons are sway bar links, stabilizer bushings, strut mount nuts, and new pinch bolts. On a truck past 100,000 miles, fasteners often come off in worse shape than they went on.
Bundled kits save a second order and a second wait. Buying separately gives you control over which links you get. Neither is wrong; just know which one you're doing before you start.
For context on how manufacturers specify suspension fastener torque and testing, the SAE International standards library covers the relevant automotive hardware specifications.
Should you replace both sides at once?
Yes, in nearly every case. Spring rate and damping degrade together, so a new strut paired with a 120,000-mile original produces uneven handling and uneven tire wear.
Every product on this list ships as a matched pair for that reason. Doing one corner saves money today and costs you a second alignment plus a second teardown later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it worth replacing struts on a high-mileage Honda Pilot?
Usually yes, if the truck is otherwise sound. Struts are a wear item, and the Pilot's front assemblies typically show real degradation past 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Once the front end floats over dips, dives under braking, or cups the inner tire edge, new assemblies restore ride height and control for a fraction of a replacement vehicle.
If the frame is rusty or the transmission is failing, that math changes.
How long does a front strut replacement take on a Pilot?
For a complete assembly, a confident DIYer with hand tools and a jack and stands is typically looking at two to four hours for both front corners. The complete assembly removes the spring compression step, which is the slow and dangerous part. Add time for rusted fasteners, and add an alignment afterward, since the front geometry shifts when you change the strut.
Do I need an alignment after installing new struts?
Yes, plan on one. Changing the front strut assembly alters camber and toe enough that a professional alignment is worth the cost. Skipping it is the most common reason people report uneven tire wear shortly after a suspension job.
Drive gently to the shop, then get the numbers checked against the factory spec.
Can I replace just one front strut instead of the pair?
You can, but it's not advisable. A new damper next to a worn one creates mismatched damping across the axle, which shows up as vague steering and uneven tire wear. Every assembly in this roundup ships as a pair specifically to avoid that.
If only one side is damaged from an impact, replacing both is still the usual recommendation.
What's the difference between a strut and a shock absorber?
A strut is a structural part of the suspension that combines the damper with the coil spring and carries the vehicle's weight; a shock absorber is a standalone damper that doesn't support load. The Pilot uses struts up front and a different arrangement at the rear. That's why front replacements come as complete assemblies rather than bare cartridges.
Why do new struts feel stiffer than the old ones?
Because the old ones were worn out. A damper loses gas charge and valve control over its life, so the ride gradually softens in a way you stop noticing. New units restore the original damping rate, which feels firm by comparison for the first few hundred miles before you readjust to it.
Final verdict
For most 2016 to 2020 Pilot owners, the Richeer Front 2PCS assembly is the pick, and the reasoning is simple: highest verified rating in the group, a complete pre-assembled unit, and no spring compressor needed. If you're on a 2009 to 2015 truck, the OE-numbered pair from the same family is the better match, and the SCITOO set handles budget-conscious commuters.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes my recommendation, I only suggest gear I'd actually buy myself.