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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 679

Of the 2005 reports, 42 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 46 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernPower train176 reports · 26% of complaints
Owner complaints679Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship15 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train176
  2. Service brakes136
  3. Air bags120
  4. Electronic stability control (ESC)96
  5. Electrical system57
  6. Engine48
  7. Vehicle speed control46
  8. Engine and engine cooling43

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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 passenger’s 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

  10. 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 passenger’s 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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: power train

176 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Nov 8, 2010

    MY 2005 HONDA PILOT SHUDDERS/VIBRATES (FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING PROBLEMS) BETWEEN 25-55 MPHS WHILE ACCELERATING. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AROUND 90,000 MILES AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE REACHING 112,000 MILES. *TR

  2. Power train, Nov 1, 2010

    THERE IS A SHUDDER WHEN THE CAR IS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 AND 45 MPH. THE SHUDDER SELF CORRECTS OR WILL CEASE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO WITHDRAWN. *TR

  3. Power train, Oct 27, 2010

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VIBRATION WOULD CEASE ONCE THE VEHICLE WOULD REACH 50 MPH. ONCE THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN AND PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE, THE VIBRATION WOULD RETURN. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT THE TIRES WERE POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,445.

  4. Power train, Sep 29, 2010

    THERE HAS BEEN A DEFINITE SHUDDER IN THE CAR BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 20 -40MPH. IF YOU ACCELERATE - THE SHUDDER GOES AWAY - IF YOU DON'T - IT BECOMES MORE AGGRESSIVE. BECAUSE OF THIS SHUDDER - I NOW HEAR SOME SORT OF KNOCKING IN THE CAR AT THE SAME SPEEDS - WHICH ALSO GOES AWAY ONCE YOU ACCELERATE. THIS IS ALSO NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR A NOTICEABLE IMBALANCE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN THOSE SPEEDS. I HAVE A HONDA PILOT EX 2005. HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL / SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS. *TR

  5. Power train, Sep 26, 2010

    MY 2005 HONDA PILOT SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 35-40. ONCE I GET SLIGHTLY PAST THIS SPEED RANGE THE VIBRATION STOPS. *TR

  6. Power train, Sep 22, 2010

    MY 2005 HONDA PILOT EX SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES WHEN ACCELERATING LIGHTLY BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. IT ALSO OCCASIONALLY MAKES A "PURRING" NOISE BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH, BUT NOT AT THE SAME TIME OF THE SHUDDER. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 HONDA DEALERS AND NONE CAN REPLICATE THE PROBLEMS (THEY CAN HAPPEN 10 TIMES A DAY OR NOT AT ALL) AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

  7. Power train, Sep 14, 2010

    MY 2005 HONDA PILOT HAS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHUDDER OR VIBRATE BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE MAN THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD JUST LOCK UP WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

  8. Power train, Sep 11, 2010

    2005 HONDA PILOT TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY GOING FROM 30MPH-40MPH THE CAR BEGINS TO SHUDDER/VIBRATE. THEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE MORE THE SHUDDERING CEASES AFTER PASSING 45MPH. PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 70,000 MI. NOW CAR IS AROUND 84,000 MI AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. HAVE NOT CORRECTED FAILURE. *TR

  9. Power train, Aug 10, 2010

    2005 HONDA PILOT HAS TORQUE CONVERTER SHUTTER/VIBRATION BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON THE ACURA MDX, 2003-2004 MODELS, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS BEING REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. SEE ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 06-003. THE HONDA AND THE ACURA HAVE THE SAME PARTS! SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THIS BECOMES A LIFE OR DEATH MATTER! *TR

  10. Power train, Aug 9, 2010

    THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDER BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFTS UNDER A MODERATE ACCELERATION. SOMETIMES THIS OCCURS IN THE 30 MPH RANGE AND SOMETIMES IT OCCURS DURING HIGHER SPEED SHIFTS SUCH AS 60 MPH. IF I KEEP MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE SHUDDERING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL I EITHER PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER OR I LET OFF ENTIRELY. IT ALSO OCCURS IF I HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHICH REALLY WORRIES ME. *TR

  11. Power train, Aug 2, 2010

    I HAVE A 2005 HONDA PILOT WITH 118K MILES. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING FINE. I COMMUTE ABOUT 40 MILES TO WORK SO TODAY WHEN I GOT TO WORK I NOTICED THE FAN WAS STILL RUNNING. WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS HEAVILY LEAKING A SUBSTANCE THAT LOOKED LIKE CHOCOLATE MILK. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE RADIATOR PUMPED FLUIDS INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND NOW I NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH HONDA'S. SEEMS WAY TOO EARLY TO HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE. *TR

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 23, 2010

    2005 HONDA PILOT RADIATOR COIL FAILED CAUSING FLUIDS TO MIX AND TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT RADIATOR HAD PREMATURELY DETERIORATED CAUSING FAILURE. HAD A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED AT $500- SYSTEM FLUSHED MULTIPLE TIMES....JUST ABOUT A MONTH LATER- RADIATOR FAILED AGAIN. REPLACED BUT VEHICLE IS STILL NOT RUNNING WELL. AT @40 MPH VEHICLE SEEMS TO RANDOMLY "REV AND STICK"- LET OFF GAS AND IT PASSES. *TR

  13. Power train, May 22, 2010

    BLINKING 'D' LIGHT AND ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF, THE BLINKING STOPS. THIS PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM LANCASTER, CA TO SAN DIEGO. THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WENT ON AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BLINKING 'D' LIGHT. WE PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE AND PUT SOME GAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE BLINKING D LIGHT DID NOT APPEAR AGAIN FOR TWO WEEKS. I TOOK INTO MY INDEPENDENT WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARED THIS WEEK AND TOOK IN TO MY INDEPENDENT WHILE IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND THEY WERE ABLE TO SCAN P0872. THE CAR HAD JUST 62,232 MILES ON IT AND ADVISED I TAKE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND GAVE THEM ALL THE INFORMATION FROM THE INDEPENDENT AND FROM THIS SITE. THEY WERE ABLE TO LOOK UP THE DTC TROUBLESHOOTING FROM AMERICAN HONDA AND REPLACED THE 4TH GEAR PRESSURE SWITCH, CLEARED CODE AND RESET THE LIGHT. I WAS REASSURED THAT THIS IS ELECTRICAL AND NOT MECHANICAL. IT COULD LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE INTERNALS OF THE TRANSMISSION, IF THE SWITCH IS NOT REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

  14. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 23, 2010

    I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE AND THREE KIDS WHEN OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT'S TRANSMISSION STOPPED FUNCTIONING. WE WERE NEARLY REAR-ENDED 3 TIMES ON A 40 MPH SPEED LIMIT STREET, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR AND MY FAMILY PUSHED TO A SIDE STREET. OUR CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE RADIATOR DISENTEGRATING AND THEN METAL PARTS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE'VE TAKEN METICULOUS CARE OF THE CARE AND HAD ALL SERVICE PERFORMED AT THE DEALER. IN FACT, WE HAD THE RADIATOR FLUSHED JUST 5 MONTHS AGO AND ONLY 9,500 MILES AGO.

  15. Power train, Feb 24, 2010

    2/24/10. 2005 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 107K MILES. HAVE A BLINKING "D" LIGHT AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE LIGHT STOPS BLINKING WHEN I CUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON, BUT THEN IT RETURNS. TODAY IS THE 1ST DAY THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED. OWNER?S MANUAL NOTES THAT THE BLINKING "D" LIGHT INDICATES A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (ECONOMY HONDA-CHATTANOOGA, TN) WHO SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MAY JUST BE A BAD TRANSMISSION SENSOR WHICH WILL COST ME ABT $350 AND 2 HRS OF MY TIME. HOWEVER, IT COULD ALSO MEAN THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS FAILING PREMATURELY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AS LAST MONTH I SPENT OVER $1K TO GET THE $105K MILE MAINT AND HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH REQUIRED MAINT. IF THIS PROBLEM IS SO COMMON- WHY HAS NO RECALL BEEN ISSUED? IN LOOKING AT OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS WITH THE 2003-2004 PILOTS. I HAVE AN APT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

  16. Power train, Feb 4, 2010

    CVT FAILURE. PLEASE SEE CSC-10024235-7187.PDF. MORE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. MANY CUSTOMERS JUST "NURSED ALONG" TO GET PAST EXTENDED WARRANTY. APPROPRIATE, EFFECTIVE, AND PRESCRIBED REMEDIES ARE NOT APPLIED (IAW WITH ABOVE REFERENCE). APPEARS HONDA IS NOT PROVIDING A SAFE REMEDY FOR THIS SAFETY-RELATED PROBLEM. CAR FREQUENTLY STALLS, JUST WHEN THE DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. LESS THAN ONE HOUR ON THE INTERNET (VARIOUS BLOGS) REVEALED WELL OVER 100 PAGES OF DISSATISFIED OWNERS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. ATTEMPTS TO PERSUADE HONDA TO RESOLVE THIS VEXING PROBLEM FELL ON DEAF EARS AT HONDA.*JB

  17. Power train, Jan 6, 2010

    TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 2005 HONDA PILOT HAS HAD NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS RECALLS ON THEIR 2003 AND 2004 MODELS. CALLED AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY NEVER RETURNED PHONE CALLS. THIS WAS MY 5TH HONDA VEHICLE AND I WOULD THINK THEY WOULD AT LEAST CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN IGNORE IT ENTIRELY. *TR

  18. Power train, Nov 24, 2009

    MY 05 HONDA PILOT HAS 70,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS PERFORMING FINE UNTIL BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ENGAGING THE CAR INTO DRIVE. UPON ENGAGEMENT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. A THICK CHOCOLATE MILK FLUID IS IN THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK. THE PROBLEMS RESULTS FROM THE FAILURE OF A COIL IN THE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. DESPITE AMERICAN HONDA'S CLAIMS, THE FAILURE IS A RESULT OF PARTS FAILURE NOT ANY SERVICE RECOMMENDATIONS. SINCE THE CAR IS JUST OVER 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 70,000 MILES, I REQUESTED AND WAS DENIED A GOODWILL ADJUSTMENT. AS NOTED IN THE RECALL OF 2003 AND 2004, HONDA IS KNOWN FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. OTHER RESEARCH PROVES THAT HONDA TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT RELIABLE. TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO THE PASSENGERS. *TR

  19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Aug 26, 2009

    BT SHIMMY? IS THIS A NEW DANCE? NOT!!!! DANGEROUS VEHICLE~BRAKES TRANSMISSION? SHIMMY? AUGUST 25, 2009 '05 HONDA PILOT BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. DID THOROUGH INVESTIGATION WHEN THIS STARTED IN MAY: BRAKES LOCK UP AND VEHICLE VEERS AND STOPS WHILE GOING OVER 35-40 MPH. I AM A JOURNALIST AND DID RESEARCH. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS: HONDA SAYS THEY DON'T LISTEN TO 'WEBSITES' WHAT ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS HONDA? THIS WAS FIXED FOR $500 BACK IN MAY AND HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS IN THE VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DANGER DANGER DANGER. JACK OF DIAMONDS SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN TYLER TEXAS WANTS TO ARGUE ABOUT IT. SALES MANAGER SAYS I CAN LEAVE IT THERE ~ B/C HE IS SURE NOTHING IS WRONG AND WILL RESELL IT!!!! TYLER, TEXAS. FURTHER: STRANDED IN GREENVILLE, TEXAS MOST OF THE DAY WITH CHILD. UNSAFE UNSA UNSAFE. BRAKES? TRANSMISSION? SHIMMY? I DON'T KNOW. *TR

  20. Power train, Jul 6, 2009

    VEHICLE (2005 HONDA PILOT, 118,000 MILES) BECAME IMMOBILE DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE. LEFT WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN STRANDED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN BY SERVICE TECH, IT OVERHEATED. HAD NOT DONE THIS BEFORE. DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID COIL WITHIN RADIATOR HAD LIKELY FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO ENTER TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO ENTER COOLING SYSTEM. COOLANT CAUSES SURFACES OF CLUTCHES IN TRANSMISSION TO BE COMPROMISED. COULD NOT GET ANY HELP FROM AMERICAN HONDA IN MAKING REPAIR, NOR FROM DEALER (WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED). TRADED CAR IN ON A 2006 PILOT. *TR

  21. Power train, Jul 6, 2009

    2005 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE TRANSMISSION AROUND 75K MILES. THE WHOLE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL. THIS GETS SCARY WHEN THERE IS A TURN TO NEGOTIATE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKE. AT TIMES, I WOULD HAVE TO BRAKE, TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE SAFETY NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND FAMILY BUT FOR OTHER VEHICLES THAT MAY BE NEAR ME AS THE PILOT BECAME UNSTABLE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING GOING UPHILL (SEVERAL NEAR CRASHES)! I AM NOW AT 120K MILES, I AM TOLD THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO GEAR FAILURE AND HEAT. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THIS VEHICLE WITH HONDA FLUIDS. I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE HARD OR TAKE IT OFF ROAD TO PLAY. THIS IS CRAZY! I FEEL HONDA SHOULD PRODUCE A MUCH BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE PRODUCT. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. HONDA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE WITH THE SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THEIR PILOTS! I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP FACILITATE A SAFE AND ECONOMIC RESOLUTION WITH HONDA ON THE FABRICATION OF THEIR PILOTS. *TR

  22. Power train, Feb 18, 2009

    FRONT MOTOR MOUNT FAILED AT APPROX. 60K MILES. SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS NO KNOW CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE, BUT SAYS IT IS LIKELY A MATERIAL DEFECT. *TR

  23. Power train, Sep 2, 2008

    "D" LIGHT ON DASH STARTED FLASHING ON INTERSTATE TRIP. BROUGHT IT INTO DEALER 3 DAYS LATER. 4TH GEAR PRESSURE SWITCH ON TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR WITH 40, 692 MILES ON IT. BOUGHT BRAND NEW. THE REPAIR COST OVER 300$. *TR

  24. Suspension, Power train, Apr 16, 2008

    SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AT ONLY 65,000 MILES. FURTHER DAMAGE COULD LED TO CATASTROPHIC BEARING FAILURE AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. REPAIRED AT HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR $600 (BEARINGS AND ALIGNMENT). *TR

  25. Steering, Power train, May 4, 2007

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO ROCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY, THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.