2012 Honda Pilot Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

SUV 12 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 2011 2013 →

Fuel tank capacity

21.0gal · 79 L

The 2012 Honda Pilot has a fuel tank capacity of 21.0 gallons (79 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 504–525 highway miles or 357–378 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

21.0 gal · Bigger than 63% of 2012 models we list.

Highway range
504–525 mi
City range
357–378 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
20 MPG
EPA size class
Sport Utility Vehicle

2012 Honda Pilot fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
no difference

All 12 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
EX 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi
EX 4dr SUV 4WD 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV 4WD w/Rear Entertainment 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV w/Nav 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi
EX-L 4dr SUV w/Rear Entertainment 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi
LX 4dr SUV 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi
LX 4dr SUV 4WD 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
Touring 4dr SUV 4WD w/Nav, Rear Entertainment 3.5L 6cyl 5A · 4WD MPG 17 / 24Range 357 / 504 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A 4WD 21.0 gal79 L 17 / 24 357 / 504 mi
Touring 4dr SUV w/Nav, Rear Entertainment 3.5L 6cyl 5A · FWD MPG 18 / 25Range 378 / 525 mi 3.5L 6cyl 5A FWD 21.0 gal79 L 18 / 25 378 / 525 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 2012 Honda Pilot goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 21 MPG, a full 21.0-gallon tank covers about 441 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full21.0525378
3/415.8394284
1/210.5263189
1/45.313195
1/82.66647

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 34 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 19.1 MPG in the Pilot (9 drivers), about 401 miles on a full 21.0-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
20 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
444 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2012 Honda Pilot

$89.67 to fill the 21.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
21.0 galRegular$4.27$89.67$67.25

By region, 21.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$84.42
Midwest$4.27$89.67
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$77.70
Rocky Mountain$4.46$93.66
West Coast$5.42$113.82
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$123.69

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 21.0-gallon tank$89.67
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,050

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Pilot tank size in other years

The 2012 Pilot uses the same 21.0 gal tank as every Pilot since 2009.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2017 Pilot 19.5 gal 527 mi
2016 Pilot 19.5 gal 527 mi
2015 Pilot 21.0 gal 525 mi
2014 Pilot 21.0 gal 525 mi
2013 Pilot 21.0 gal 525 mi
2012 Pilot 21.0 gal 525 mi
2011 Pilot 21.0 gal 483 mi
2010 Pilot 21.0 gal 483 mi
2009 Pilot 21.0 gal 483 mi
2008 Pilot 20.4 gal 449 mi
2007 Pilot 20.4 gal 449 mi
Honda Pilot fuel tank by model year

2012 Honda Pilot vs similar 2012 SUVs

At 21.0 gallons, the Pilot's largest tank ranks third of the seven 2012 SUVs compared here. The Toyota 4Runner carries the most (23.0 gal) and the Subaru Tribeca the least (16.9 gal).

2012 modelTankLongest highway range
Toyota 4Runner 23.0 gal 529 mi
Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet 21.7 gal 477 mi
Honda Pilot 21.0 gal 525 mi
Hyundai Veracruz 20.6 gal 453 mi
Mazda CX-9 20.1 gal 482 mi
Ford Explorer 18.6 gal 465 mi
Subaru Tribeca 16.9 gal 355 mi

Other 2012 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.

2012 Honda Pilot fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2012 Honda Pilot, out of 9 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Storage · Tank assemblyFeb 17, 2012 · NHTSA 12V063000 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 8,709 vehicles

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012 pilot and acura mdx vehicles. The vent shut float (vsf) valve case in the fuel tank assembly does not meet the design specifications.

Risk and remedy

Risk: As a result, fuel may leak from the tank, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vsf assembly date and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 13, 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

All Honda fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Honda Pilot?

The 2012 Honda Pilot holds 21.0 gallons (79 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2012 Honda Pilot gas tank hold?

The 2012 Honda Pilot tank holds 79 liters, or 21.0 gallons in US gallons.

Does 4WD change the 2012 Honda Pilot gas tank?

No. FWD and 4WD versions of the 2012 Honda Pilot use the same 21.0 gal tank.

How far can a 2012 Honda Pilot go on a full tank?

About 504–525 miles on the highway and 357–378 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 2012 Honda Pilot go on a quarter tank?

About 131 highway miles or 95 in town from the 21.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 5.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 2012 Honda Pilot really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 19.1 MPG in the 2012 Honda Pilot (9 drivers), which works out to about 401 miles on a full 21.0-gallon tank.

What gas does the 2012 Honda Pilot take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2012 Honda Pilot?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 21.0-gallon tank from empty costs $89.67. It ranges from $77.70 in the Gulf Coast to $123.69 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2012 Honda Pilot?

About 130 pounds for the 21.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 2012 Honda Pilot have a bigger gas tank than the Hyundai Veracruz?

Yes. The 2012 Honda Pilot holds up to 21.0 gallons; the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz holds up to 20.6.

Has the 2012 Honda Pilot had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2012 Honda Pilot: 12V063000 (storage · tank assembly). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Honda fuel system recalls).
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2012 Honda models