2003 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 746 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 43 involved a crash and 12 involved a fire. 44 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019
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 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleApr 26, 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 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Campaign 18V268000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsNov 4, 2014
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJun 20, 2014
American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, switchDec 11, 2012
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V573000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlights, switchMar 30, 2012
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL 820,789 VEHICLES INCLUDING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 PILOTS AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVICS. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BEING RECALLED IS NOW 1,375,217. DUE TO TENSION FROM THE COMBINATION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS, WEAR ON THE SURFACE OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CAN OCCUR, YIELDING COPPER OXIDE, WHICH INCREASES ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE. INCREASED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE MAY CAUSE THE TERMINAL ENDS TO MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 12V136000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, mechanical, carrier/rackFeb 5, 2008
HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.
WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.
OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Campaign 08E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Campaign 04V176000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineAug 28, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Campaign 02V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
226 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 1, 2014, crash
CAR RAN AWAY IN REVERSE AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. FULL WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. CRASHED INTO UTILITY POLE ENCIRCLED WITH OLD CAR TIRES. CAR BOUNCED OFF AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE POLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HIT GEAR SHIFT INTO FORWARD. ENGINE SCREAMING REALLY HIGH REVS, CAR RACED FORWARD AND I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO AVOID HITTING PARKED VEHICLES AND A POND AS CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. WITH NOWHERE TO HEAD BUT GOLF COURSE OR HIGHWAY, I STEERED ONTO A FARM FIELD AND DROVE A HALF MILE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT THE KEYS FROM THE STARTER WHICH STOPPED CAR. I DID NOT THINK I WAS INJURED AT TIME BUT I ENDED UP WITH WHIPLASH WHICH MEANT I LOST ABOUT SIX MONTHS INCOME. HONDA REFUSED COMPENSATION, OR PAID FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS OF THE CAR WITH EXCEPTION OF THE KEY INTERFACE FOR STARTER . HONDA CLAIMED THAT NOTHINGS WRONG WITH CAR. SAID HAD MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, HONDA DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME MORE THAN $3,000 TO FIX A COMPLETELY DESTROYED BRAKING SYSTEM HOW COULD I HAVE HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND DESTROYED THE BRAKES? HONDA REFUSED TO BUY MY CAR AND DECOMMISSION IT BECAUSE THEY SAID CAR WAS PERFECT. DOWNRIGHT RUDE AFTERWARD. I DID NOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THE CAR AND USED IT AS INFREQUENTLY AS I COULD. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, I WAS IN AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE AND SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THESOLID CONCRETE WALL JUST FOUR FEET AHEAD. THE IMPACT DESTROYED CAR. FRONT END CRUMPLED IN, THE ENGINE DAMAGED AND ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS FROM A FOUR FOOT COLLISION. *TR
Power train, Sep 21, 2014
MY HONDA PILOT SHUTTERS AT 25-50 MPH I HAD IT CHECK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER HONDA AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION ISSUE'S. *TR
Power train, Sep 15, 2014
ANYWHERE BETWEEN 35-50 MPH I GET A SHUDDER THAT SOUNDS LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT TO WHERE IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUSH OF AIR WAS FLOWING UNDERNEATH THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN PROGRESSED TO A RUMBLE STRIP NOISE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD IT LOOKED AT. MECHANIC SAYS FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 132,000 MILES ON THE CAR. HAVEN'T CONTACTED HONDA AS I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE READ IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE INTERNET THAT HONDA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC WARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO AT ANY TIME NOW AND THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE DECIDED IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FAIL AT 132,000 MILES, I'M NOT TAKING THE CHANCE OF PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT, ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE ENDING UP WITH SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED BY HONDA WITH SUBSEQUENT FAILURES). I'VE OWNED THREE HONDAS. THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM HONDA ON THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD MEANS THEY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER. *TR
Power train, Jul 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED BACK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Power train, Jul 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Power train, May 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 26, 2013
MY HONDA PILOT STARTS SLIPPING WHEN IT CHANGES FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4 GEAR. NOW IT STARTS SHAKING/JUGGING. WITH SPEED 60MPH OR 65 MPH, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT STARTS JUGGING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THE CAR BEHIND YOU REACTS AND YOUR CAR WILL DO. *TR
Power train, Oct 14, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN GOING AROUND 30 MILES. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MULTIPLE TIMES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR HONDA PILOT HAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES LIKE THIS. *TR
Power train, Sep 19, 2013
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, NOT SHIFTING AS IT SHOULD. *JB
Power train, Sep 16, 2013
LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMES FROM CAR DURING CRUISING AT AROUND 35-40MPH AROUND 2000RPM. CAR SEEMS TO STUTTER AT THESE SPEEDS CAUSING ABRUPT VIBRATIONS. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME OCCURRENCE, MANY REPORT IT IS FROM A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2013
CAR STARTS SHIMMERING AT 35 - 45 MPH. HAD MECHANIC CHECK CAR AND SAID NO MECHANICAL ISSUE. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON CAR. STILL SHIMMERING. HAVE SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS AS OTHERS ON THE HONDA WEB SITE THAT MENTIONED THAT THE DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. STRONG SHIMMER AT 35 - 45 MPH INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *JB
Power train, Aug 22, 2013
1. FALL OF 2011, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED CAR WOULD BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE. FOR SAFETY, I WOULDN'T DRIVE FASTER THAN APPROX. 35 MPH. ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES. FUEL INJECTION CLEANER REMEDIED THIS. 2. 2012, WHEN INITIALLY ACCELERATING, GEARS WOULD ROUGHLY CHANGE WITH A THUMPING SOUND. WHILE DRIVING AND PICKING UP SPEED, CAR WOULD REV LOUDLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO KEEP IT FROM LUNGING FORWARD. (VERY SCARY), BUT MAINTAINED CONTROL. CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, ADDED 1/4 QT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. PROBLEM PERSISTED. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MECHANIC CHECKED AND TEST DROVE CAR. ADVISED ABOUT LIGHT FLASHING WHEN IN DRIVE-(THIS HAD NOT OCCURRED).THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RESET. RETURNED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONE WEEK LATER WHEN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MECHANIC TEST DROVE AND AGAIN COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. WARNING LIGHT RESET. APPROX. 3 WEEKS LATER, WARNING LIGHT RETURNED. CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY. ON AUG 20, 2013 (DRIVING APPROX 20 MPH) THREE HOUSES FROM MY HOME, MY CAR CHANGED GEARS WITH A LOUD CLUNK (SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BROKE). I TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND HAVEN'T MOVED OR DRIVEN IT SINCE. MY HONDA PILOT HAS APPROX. 65,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTORS AND DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS RECURRING DEFECT WITH THE HONDA PILOT MODELS AND IS DELIBERATELY IGNORING THE CONSUMERS OF THEIR PRODUCT. I'VE RECEIVED SEVERAL NOTICES FROM HONDA DEALERS STATING MY 2003 PILOT IS IN HIGH DEMAND. I AM ANGRY THAT I'M STUCK WITH THIS WRECK, BUT GLAD THIS JUNK WAS NOT PASSED ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. IN THE MEANTIME I'M WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION AND MAYBE FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. VERY DEPRESSED. *TR
Power train, Jul 25, 2013
2003 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN LOW GEAR AFTER ENGINE WARMED UP. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS GOING FROM A STOP TO MOVEMENT, SUCH AS RED LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC, VEHICLE DOE NOT CLICK INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER WHO STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4100 + 12 HRS LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. VEHICLE ONLY HAS @78,00 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOT SEIZED AS MANY OTHERS HAVE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Power train, Jul 22, 2013
WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT EX-L NEW AT DANBURY HONDA ON FEBRUARY 20, 2003. WE HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE "D" OR DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALER EACH TIME, WITH A REPORT BACK THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. THE DEALER HAS DONE ALMOST ALL OF THE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TO OUR VEHICLE AND WE ALSO DO PROACTIVE CARE TO OUR VEHICLE. MOST RECENTLY WE SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY ON REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH HONDA DEALERSHIPS IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA (DISASTER THERE) AND DANBURY, CT. WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ONLY MONTHS AFTER PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE CAR. HAD WE KNOWN WE WOULD BE SPENDING THIS KIND OF MONEY (ABOUT $5K), WE WOULD HAVE TRADED THE CAR IN. HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW CAUGHT IN A FINANCIAL BURDEN WITH HAVING TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE 2003 PILOT, WHICH WE THINK SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL BASED UPON ALL THE ON-LINE RESEARCH WE'VE DONE. CAN ANYONE PLEASE ASSIST? *TR
Power train, Jul 16, 2013
WE BOUGHT A 2003 HONDA PILOT IN 2006. 3 MONTHS AGO WE FOUND OUT IT HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2004 FOR THE POWERTRAIN. THAT APPARENTLY WAS FIXED AT THAT TIME. IN APRIL, WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE RPMS SHOWING 3000 WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ONLY 35 MPH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE POWERTRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST US OVER $6,000 TO REPLACE INCLUDING OVER $700 TO LEASE A CAR. AMERICAN HONDA SAID THAT THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THAT IT WAS A HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. OUR QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE POWERTRAIN HAVE TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME WITHIN A 9 YEAR PERIOD. THE 109,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN IF NOT LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. GRANTED, A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WILL PROBABLY NOT STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF THE POWERTRAIN WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL IN 2004, SHOULD IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 19, 2013
THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY WIFE'S 2003 HONDA PILOT WERE REPLACED IN 2010 AND I WAS INFORMED TODAY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD APPROX 93500 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AND NOW THREE YEARS LATER HAS 140,939. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE MOUNTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS USED BY MY WIFE TO DRIVE 20 MILES ROUNDTRIP TO WORK AND ON OUR TRIPS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR TOWING AND IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TOW RECEIVER. ADDITIONALLY, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED WITH A SPLIT WAFER MECHANISM WHICH ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TWO LOCAL LOCKSMITHS WEARS OUT PREMATURELY AND CAUSES JAMMING OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AS WELL AS WEDGING OF THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. LASTLY, WHEN A TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS DONE ON THE CAR IN 2005, IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY. THE RECALL SPECIFIED A OIL JET BE INSTALLED ON THE TRANSMISSION TO LUBRICATE THE 2ND GEAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE HOSE USED TO CONNECT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLY LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION USED A STRAIGHT TRANSMISSION HOSE WHICH HAD TO BE BENT 90 DEGREES IN A DISTANCE OF APPROX 2 INCHES TO BE INSTALLED. THIS CAUSES THE HOSE TO BE KINKED AND RESTRICT THE FLOW OF FLUID. HONDA WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE INCORPORATED A FORMED ELBOW HOSE INSTEAD OF A STRAIGHT HOSE TO ENSURE PROPER FLOW. NOW HONDA IS TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW MEXICO THAT I CAN SPEAK TO ABOUT THE ABOVE ISSUES. MY CASE NUMBER W/HONDA IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Jun 18, 2013
TRANS. SHUDDERED AT 30-40 MPH. RECALL #04-021 DONE 8/23/04 (OIL JET KIT INSTALLED). DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS GOTTEN WORSE UNTIL NOW (06/13) AND HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDAS OF THAT YEAR (2003). CAR NOW HAS 125K MILES, HONDA REFUSES TO FIX AS RECALL, WANTS TO REPLACE TRANS. AT MY EXPENSE. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE RELAY SPEAKER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR
Power train, Apr 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,805. *TR
Power train, Apr 2, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45 MPH WITH SHIFT LEVER IN "D" THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT DOWN A GEAR VERY HARD AND THEN BACK INTO THE PREVIOUS GEAR. IT DOES THIS REPEATEDLY. WAS TOLD BY A HONDA DEALER REPAIR SHOP THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE TRANSMISSION ON A VEHICLE LIKE THIS WITH 160K MILES SHOULD NOT BE FAILING. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2013
SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTING AND SHUDDERING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING. ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND OCCASIONAL SHIFTING PROBLEMS FOR A FEW WEEKS UNTIL CHECKED BY DEALER - PO740 AND PO730 NEEDS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND ENGINE MOUNT. SAME PROBLEM AS A 100 OF OTHERS. ORIGINAL OWNER FULLY DEALER MAINTAINED FOR 10+ YEARS, EVEN WITH FAIRLY HIGH MILES WELL MAINTAINED TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL. HONDA DEALER QUOTED $5500 FOR HONDA REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH NO MENTION OF ANY ASSISTANCE OR OF THE WELL KNOWN AND FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE. A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AS SIMPLE LUCK THIS DIDN'T OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY AT GREATER SPEED IN HIGH TRAFFIC I FREQUENTLY DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Mar 18, 2013
MY HONDA PILOT IS NOW AT 75,000 MILES. I OBVIOUSLY DON'T DRIVE IT A LOT. THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE IT HAS HAD SO MANY ISSUES. FOR THE LAST 25,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS, IT REVS UP AND DOWN WHEN STOPPED ANYWHERE LIKE A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR IN THE PICKUP LINE AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL. I HAVE TO PUT IT INTO PARK AND PRESS THE BRAKE WHILE IN PARK TO BE SURE IT DOESN'T LEAP FORWARD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I'VE HAD THIS LOOKED AT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY FIX IT FOR ABOUT A DAY. I'VE BEEN TOLD ITS AN ONGOING KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. SO, WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? *TR
Power train, Jan 17, 2013, crash
I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE A LOCAL STORE WITH A NEARLY ZERO DECLINE. AFTER ENTERING THE STORE AND BEGINNING TO SHOP - A FELLOW SHOPPER CAME IN TO TELL ME THAT MY CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO MAJOR DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE. WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN FACT IN PARK BUT THE CAR HAD ROLLED BACK ANYWAYS AND STOPPED ONLY BECAUSE IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. *TR
Power train, Nov 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, PLACE HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SHE HAD REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION PRIOR TO SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Power train, Oct 24, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL CARPORT. APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES LATER, THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER PARKED IN THE CARPORT BUT HAD ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS TO THE EXTERNAL DAMAGES OF THE HATCH BACK DOOR AND REAR BUMPER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE ROLL AWAY FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 12/06/12 *BF UPDATED 12/06/12