2005 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 679 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 42 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 46 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov
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 moduleJan 10, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever 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, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 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 front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
Campaign 17V029000 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, 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
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleMar 14, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.
Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
Campaign 13V092000 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
Steering, columnFeb 3, 2005
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BE INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON JANUARY 25, 2005, AND ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLES TOWED TO THEIR DEALERS AND HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2005.
Campaign 05V039000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyNov 18, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME FUEL TANKS WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
IN A CRASH, THE FUEL TANK COULD BE DAMAGED AND LEAK FUEL. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. ALL OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004.
Campaign 04V541000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electronic stability control (esc)
96 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 13, 2012
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACTIVATE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, VIOLENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD OR SOFTLY I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS ANOMALY HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND WENT AWAY WHEN I WOULD GET THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE AND TURN OFF THE KEY. IT WOULD NO LONGER BE HAPPENING, SIMILAR TO REBOOTING A COMPUTER. NO DASH SYMPTOM LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR DURING THESE INCIDENTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH HONDA SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12028. *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Sep 24, 2012
THIS PROBLEM BEGAN EARLIER IN 2012 AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER IN JUNE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (45-75MPH), THE VSA SYSTEM ENGAGES, LOCKING ONE WHEEL FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AND PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS IF IN A SKID. WHEN THIS STOPS, THE VSA LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. WHEN THE DEALER 'FIXED' THIS IN JUNE, THEY REPAIRED A TPMS SENSOR. THEY ALSO FOUND A BRAKE CALIPER STUCK AND FIXED THAT AS WELL AS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. SINCE JUNE THE ISSUE HAS NOT OCCURRED UNTIL YESTERDAY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 DAYS, ALL AT @ 45 MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE AND IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN JUNE ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC ON BOTH SIDES OF ME DROPPED BACK BECAUSE THEY COULD TELL I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 9, 2012
APPROXIMATE DATE I PUT WAS TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY SPOUSE WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS. TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. I JUST STARTED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. ABOUT 300 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN TWICE AND STOPPED THE CAR. I HAD TO GET TO WORK SO I CONTINUED ON. IT OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS NEVER GOING FASTER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHILE I WAS BRAKING AND TWO TIMES WHILE I WAS AT A COAST. MY WIFE JUST TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO HER AS RECENTLY AS 3 DAYS AGO. I AM CONCERNED OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND GOD FORBID THIS HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY OR AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2005 HONDA PILOT AND THEY ALL SAID TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS SITE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 23, 2012
ON THREE HOT AFTERNOONS (AROUND 75 DEGREES) THE CAR REPEATEDLY HAD PROBLEMS - MOSTLY WHEN TURNING. IT FELT LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WENT ON BY THEMSELVES EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR QUICKLY SLOWED AND MADE GRINDING NOISES. MOST OF THE TIMES THAT IT HAPPENED, THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT FELT AND SOUNDED SIMILAR TO THE WAY IT STOPS ON ICY ROADS IN THE WINTER, BUT THE SLOWDOWN WAS MORE SEVERE. THE CAR SEEMED FINE DURING THE COOLER MORNING HOURS AND THE PROBLEM WORSENED AS THE TEMPERATURE ROSE. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHILE THE PROBLEM IS BEING DIAGNOSED. *TT
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 13, 2011
IT WAS NIGHT, AND MY GIRLFRIEND AND I JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, WE JUST TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND MADE IT 100 YARDS WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT OR I HIT SOMETHING AND IT DRAGGED, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT, AND FOUND NOTHING. I DID NOTICE THE VSA AND VSA ACTIVATION INDICATORS ON, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN RESET THE INDICATORS. ODDLY CONCERNED WE CIRCLED BACK TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NOTHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER, AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. IT REPEATED ITSELF A THIRD TIME, AND I DROVE HOME VERY WORRIED IT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY. EACH INSTANCE WAS MOMENTARY AND IT PULLED HARD LEFT EACH TIME WITH A LOAD ANTILOCK BRAKE TYPE JARRING VIBRATION. FROM READING OTHER STORIES I CAN SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM ISN'T ONE OF A KIND, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE POST A FIX FOR IT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 16, 2011
WHILE MAKING 2 TURNS IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH, THE VSA (VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST) ENGAGED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY GRIND THE VEHICLE TO A JARRING HALT---STOPPED ON A DIME! A MOMENT LATER, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD AT ABOUT 20 MPH, THE VSA ENGAGED AGAIN, CAUSING ANOTHER SUDDEN GRINDING BRAKING TO A FULL STOP. HONDA SAYS THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS ANOMALY---DESPITE EASILY FINDING NUMEROUS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ---UP TO OCCURRING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HONDA DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT DID NOT IDENTIFY THAT THIS OCCURRED NOR TELL THEM THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2011
AFTER PULLING OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE AND DRIVING ABOUT 4 CITY BLOCKS, OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT MADE A LOUD GROANING SOUND AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN AN INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING LEFT. FROM THAT POINT, FOR THE NEXT HALF MILE, THE CAR SCREECHED TO A COMPLETE STOP EVERY 15 TO 20 SECONDS, EVEN WHILE ONLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR GOING SPEEDS UP TO 20 MPH. I INSTRUCTED MY WIFE TO PULL INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING LOT, AT WHICH POINT WE SAW THAT THE VSA CAUTION AND OFF LIGHTS WERE ON. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, PULLED THE KEY OUT, PUT IT BACK IN AND STARTED THE CAR BACK UP. THE VSA LIGHTS DID NOT COME BACK ON. I PRESSED THE VSA OFF BUTTON IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS MALFUNCTION ON THE WAY HOME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SCARY DEFECT. I HAVE READ OTHER OWNERS' EXPERIENCES OF THIS SAME ISSUE AND I AM CONVINCED THAT IT IS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT. WE HAD OUR TWO YEAR OLD AND OUR NEWBORN IN A CAR WHICH SCREECHED TO AN UNEXPECTED FULL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION HALFWAY THROUGH A TURN. THERE WAS NO ICE, THE ROADS WERE DRY, AND THE TURN WAS CONTROLLED AND NORMAL. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE VSA TO ENGAGE. WE WERE LUCKY NO CARS WERE COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION TO HIT THE PILOT IN THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE ALSO READ OF THIS UNPROMPTED FULL STOP OCCURRING AT SPEEDS UP TO 60 MPH. THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ARE DEVASTATING. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED WITH 105,000 MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000 MILES. WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL NOW, BUT THIS ONE ISSUE IS ENOUGH OF A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I WILL IMMEDIATELY PURSUE GETTING RID OF THE VEHICLE AND FINDING SOMETHING SAFER. *TR
Equipment, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 27, 2011
I OWN A 2005 HONDA PILOT SINCE 2008 AND THIS CAR HAS 95,000 + MILEAGE. RECENTLY THE VSA LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO SEVERAL SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THE CODES COMING UP IS NOT READABLE. I WENT ONLINE TO RESEARCH ON THIS AND DISCOVERED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE DO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN YOU COMPEL HONDA TO DO SOMETHING BEFORE THE PROBLEMS GET OUT OF HANDS PLS? *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 29, 2010
HONDA PILOT 2005 VSA ISSUE AND MALFUNCTIONS: SOMETIMES THE LIGHT CAME UP EVEN I DROVE ON A FLAT ROAD WITH LOW SPEED. THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND THE BRAKE AND STEERING FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND LOCKS. ONE TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN A TURN AND ALMOST HIT A WALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILIZATION SYSTEM IS NOT SAFE IF I HAD TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY TURN AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 16, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE BRAKES DECELERATED ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 12/23/11... UPDATED 02/17/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL AND THE BRAKES TO APPLY INVOLUNTARILY. UPDATED 04/2412 UPDATED 05/03/12
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 7, 2010
BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 2010, MY 2005 HONDA PILOT MADE A GROANING NOISE AROUND THE DRIVER SIDE AREA, SWERVED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT ON ITS OWN, WHILE THE CRUISE WAS SET AT 56MPH. FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT THE VSA WARNING LIGHT AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER FIRST INCIDENT, IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FOUND DIAGNOSTIC CODES FOR YAW RATE SENSOR FAILURE AND BATTERY VOLTAGE FAILURE. THEY FOUND THE BATTERY NEGATIVE TERMINAL TO BE VERY LOOSE AND THEY TIGHTENED IT. TECH'S COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRED 7 MORE TIMES OVER THE FOLLOWING 3 WEEKS. WHEN RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY WERE ADVISED BY HONDA TECH'S TO CLEAN THE CONNECTORS ON THE YAW RATE SENSOR. CODES WENT AWAY AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE SYMPTOMS RETURNED. HONDA DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY MUST NOW REPLACE THE YAW RATE SENSOR. WE ARE WAITING FOR OUR APPOINTMENT FOR THAT TO OCCUR. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 26, 2010
WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT SURFACE ALONG I95 IN GOOD WEATHER, I LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING/BRAKES FOR A SECOND. THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO RAN SEVERAL TESTS ONLY RESULTING IN AN ERROR CODE WITH THE YAW RATE SENSOR. THE LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN BEFORE I LEFT THE PARKING LOT. HE THEN RAN MORE TEST, FOUND THE SENSOR "LOST IT'S MEMORY" AND RESET IT. THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN, MY MECHANIC THEN PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. THROUGH THIS HE ONLY CHARGED ME A MINIMAL FEE FOR ONE OF THE VISITS. HE STATED THAT THE SENSOR MAY HAVE GONE BAD. THIS HAPPENS DAILY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CONDITIONS ETC. A FEW TIMES I TURNED THE CAR ON AND BEFORE I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY THE LIGHT WAS ON, OTHER TIMES, DROVE OVER AN HR AND IT DID NOT COME ON. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TO WHICH THEY TOLD ME THEY DO NOT KNOW OF ANY ISSUES CONCERNING THE VSA. I HAVE LOOKED UP SEVERAL FORUMS ON LINE AND FOUND QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME STEPS MY MECHANIC HAS DONE, SOME HAD TRANSMISSIONS REPLACES, OTHERS MASTER CYLINDERS AND SOME IT REMAINED A MYSTERY. I ONLY LOSE CONTROL FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BUT THAT'S ALL IT TAKES TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 5, 2010
VSA LIGHT AND SRS LIGHT 2005 HONDA PILOT. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 24, 2010
TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION GOING STRAIGHT BETWEEN 10-15MPH MY BRAKES SUDDENLY STARTED PUMPING HARD I TRIED TO APPLY A LITTLE MORE GAS THE BRAKES STARTED AGAIN , I HIT THE HAZARD LIGHT AND MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC INTO A PARKING LOT , READ MY MANUAL THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE TRIANGLE BELOW IT CAME ON AS WELL. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE 2005 HONDA PILOT EXL THE DASH INDICATERS DID NOT LIGHT UP I DROVE THE TWENTY OR SO MILES HOME TRYING TO STAY IN THE SHOULDER LANE JUST IN CASE THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. I DID A LTTLE RESEARCHING ON THE NET THERE ARE A FEW OTHER PILOT OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO DEFINITIVE SOLUTION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 25, 2010
MY WIFE WAS CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH A WEEK AGO, UNDER VERY GOOD ROAD CONDITION, WITH HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, WHEN SHE TRIED TO DODGE THE PASSENGER CAR FROM THE NEXT LANE, HER BRAKE WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY, SUDDENLY HER CAR MADE LOUSY BANGING SOUND AND SLED 3 TIMES IN RAPID TOWARD LEFT AFTER TOWARD RIGHT, AND LEFT AGAIN. LUCKILY NO CONTACTS WAS MADE WHILE IN DEVASTATING MOMENT. BEFORE HEADING TO DEALER, TODAY SNOWY DAY, DRIVING 10 MPH TO MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL DROPPING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SIMILAR BUT NOT SO PANORAMIC. BARELY AVOID TO COLLISION WITH POLICE PATROL CAR ON OPPOSITE LANE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 8, 2010
OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT VEHICLE STATBILITY SYSTEM (VSA) MALFUNCTIONED. ON SIX SEPERATE OCCASIONS AND OVER THE COURSE OF 7 DAYS, STARTING JANUARY 10, 2010 THE VEHICLE WOULD BRAKE SPONTANEOUSLY AND ABRUPTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS FROM 10 MPH TO 60 MPH. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, THE VSA LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE TEMPORARY REMEDY WAS TO TURN OFF THE VSA BEFORE BEFORE DRIVING THE PILOT. THE PILOT WAS REPAIRED AT OUR HONDA DEALER ON JANUARY 27, 2010. A YAW RATE SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR $720 INCLUDING LABOR. *CN
Electronic stability control (ESC), Traction control system, Aug 5, 2009
2005 HONDA PILOT WENT INTO A FULL BRAKE MODE (SLAMMED) WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING THE BRAKES FROM 45 MPH. AFTER THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WE LIMPED ONTO A SIDE STREET WITH THE BRAKES CONTINUING TO CATCH OFF AND ON. PARKED THE CAR AND RETURNED LATER TO GET IT TO THE DEALER. WE COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN FOLLOWING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO BRAKE MODE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP. THE FAILURE CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, CAUSING ITEMS TO BE THROWN FROM THE SEAT ONTO THE FLOOR. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH PRODUCED A LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE CODE AND A BRAKE SENSOR CODE. THE DEALER TESTED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THEY ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 58,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 6, 2009
YESTERDAY, MY DAUGHTER'S 2005 HONDA PILOT WITH 71K MILES SINCE NEW, WAS ROLLING ALONG AT 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE 66 WHEN BRAKES ENGAGED BRINGING CAR TO SUDDEN STOP. SEVERAL CARS BEHIND HER HAD TO TAKE DEFENSIVE ACTION TO PREVENT PILING UP. VSA LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO A POINT WHERE CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AND HAD TO BE PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS TOWED TO HONDA BY AAA. SAME THING HAPPENED IN OCT 2008 (ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO) BUT OCCURRED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AND CAR COULD BE DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS FROM DEALER WAS NEED FOR NEW BATTERY. ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND CAR WORKED FINE UNTIL YESTERDAY. IT APPEARS THAT THE HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AT THE DEALERS CANNOT PROPERLY IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH IT IS SURELY SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. ACCORDING TO MEMBERS POSTING AT HONDAPILOT.ORG FORUM, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AND WITH THE SAME POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS RESULTS. MORE TROUBLING IS THE FACT THAT HONDA DEALERS ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH CURRENT TECHNOLOGY. SOME HAVE REPLACED TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS, SOME HAVE REPLACED STEERING WHEEL SENSORS AND OTHERS HAVE REPLACED SIDE CRASH SENSORS AND BRAKE SYSTEMS. IN MY CASE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE FACT REMAINS, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE THE RESULT OF MALFUNCTIONS OF ALL THESE SYSTEMS AND THE CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC CODES APPARENTLY ARE INSUFFICIENT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT COMPONENT THAT FAILED. THIS LEVEL OF UNCERTAINTY ONLY COMPOUNDS THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM AND INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF A MULTI-CAR PILEUP WHEN THE VSA SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO GOOD REASON. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 14, 2008
IN MAY 2008 WHILE APPROACHING A CURVE AT APPROX 30 MPH LIGHTLY APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VSA LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP AND NO ISSUES FOUND AND NO PARTS REPLACED. IN OCTOBER 2008, 5,000 MILES LATER, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AT APPROX THE SAME SPEED - APPLYING THE BRAKES TO EXECUTE A TURN, NO VSA LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME AND FILED A SAFETY COMPLIANT WITH HONDA OF AMERICA (REF CASE # N012008-10-22-00221) AGAIN NO ISSUES WERE FOUND AND NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. HONDA WOULD NOT COMMIT TO THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 31, 2008
ON 10/30/2008 MY WIFE LEFT HOME AT APPROXIMATE 6:00 AM. AT ABOUT 6:05 AM THE BRAKES ON HER 2005 HONDA PILOT EX-L APPLIED THEMSELVES WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN SHE DID PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO EFFECT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VSA INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND A VSA ACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER NEARLY REAR-ENDED HER. *TR