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
679 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Apr 30, 2013
MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER. I BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALER IN SEEKONK, MA TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND COST $450.00. I WOULD THINK SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THERE WAS SOME RECALL ? THEY TOLD ME IF I WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK. NOT TO MENTION I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN 2009! THE CAR WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 30, 2013
THE BRAKES SUDDENLY APPLIED WHILE CRUISING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DIRECTED OFF THE ROAD THEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. VSA LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES LATER AT LOWER SPEEDS AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND VSA LIGHT WOULD COME ON. MECHANICS COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, SINCE IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HONDA DEALER TOLD ME THAT NO RECALLS OR ALERTS WERE ON VEHICLE. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE MACHINED IN FEB 2012 BECAUSE THEY WERE "WARPED" AND THEN HAD TO BE REPLACED A YEAR LATER BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE PULSATING. SINCE NOV. 2009 I HAVE HAD TO MACHINE THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS THAT WERE "WARPED" TWICE. I AM NOW USING THE VEHICLE WITH THE VSA OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS THAT NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED WHERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR....UPDATED 06-19-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN DOORS OPENED NOR WHEN MANUALLY SWITCHED ON. UPDATED 06/26/2013 *JS
Power train, Engine, Apr 16, 2013
I OWN A 2005 HONDA PILOT. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE THAT IS INCREASINGLY GETTING WORSE- WHEN DRIVING 30-45 MPH, THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION STARTS TO SHUDDER. IF I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL LET UP. IT IS SCARY, THE WHOLE VEHICLE JOLTS REPEATEDLY. IF THE ENGINE IS JOLTING SO DRAMATICALLY, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE STABILIZATION OF THE ENGINE IS BEING PUT IN JEOPARDY. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND COMPLAINT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED BY HONDA PROMPTLY. THE CONCERN IS NOT ONLY FOR THE VEHICLE ITSELF, BUT MOSTLY FOR THE LIVES THAT THESE VEHICLES CARRY. PLEASE GIVE ATTENTION TO OUR COMPLAINT BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. WE HAVE PAID FOR A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR, SO PLEASE GIVE US ONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND CONSIDERATION, PLEASE HELP NHTSA! *TR
Power train, Apr 11, 2013
AS I TRY TO INCREASE SPEED, THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER AS IF IT DOESN'T WANT TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR. THIS IS PARTICULARLY NOTICEABLE IN THE RANGE OF 25-50 MPH. I HAVE TO LET OFF THE GAS IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR SUCCESSFULLY. IF I CONTINUE TO GIVE IT GAS IT CONTINUES TO SPUTTER UNTIL I LET OFF THE GAS. *TR
Air bags, Apr 4, 2013
RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILURE. JUST REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT ABOUT 6 WEEKS PRIOR. PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE BY HONDA, I GUESS. *TR
Service brakes, Apr 2, 2013
BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WHEN APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN FORWARD MOTION IN DRIVEWAY/GARAGE. TOOK VEHICLE OUT FOR TEST DRIVE AND COULD NOT REPLICATE. *TR
Power train, Apr 1, 2013
DRIVING AT APPROX. 30-35 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING I EXPERIENCED HIGH RPM'S AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD THERE WAS FLUID EVERYWHERE, EVEN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE PILOT TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LINES THAT RUN THE COOLANT HAD FAILED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ANTI FREEZE HAD MIXED TOGETHER AND WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY! I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED 27 TIMES IN ORDER TO COMPLETELY CLEAR THE SYSTEMS. THIS PROCESS COST ME $1000 AND THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT FAIL AS THEY HAD NO IDEA WHETHER THERE WAS INTERNAL DAMAGE OR NOT. WELL, IT DIDN'T WORK! THE TRANSMISSION IS MAKING NOISES THAT IT NEVER HAD BEFORE AND SHIFTING ALMOST AT WILL. MY DILEMMA NOW IS REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OR REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY ANYONE COULD ANTICIPATE THIS PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING TO PREVENT IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THIS WAS ENGINEERED. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS PILOT I DID SO BELIEVING THAT I WOULD BE THE ONE TO DECIDE WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, NOT HONDA! I HAVE OWNED 4 HONDA'S IN THE PAST BUT THIS WILL BE MY LAST. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 29, 2013
WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT THE DRIVER APPLYING PRESSURE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE CENTER PAINTED MEDIAN WITH EXTRA GAS AND STILL UNDER UNWANTED BRAKING. ONCE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP FOR 30 SECONDS OR SO THE BRAKES RELEASED. THE DRIVER THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE AT A SLOW SPEED ALONG THE CURB TO OUR HOUSE WITHIN 2 MILES. IT'S NOW PARKED AS WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. A CALL TO METRO HONDA IN MONTCLAIR WAS OF NO ASSISTANCE. THEY SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT EFFECTED BY THE RECENT HONDA RECALL ON THE ISSUE. THE VSA LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. *TR
Air bags, Mar 24, 2013
THE SRS LIGHT IS ON. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS FOR EARLIER MODEL PILOT. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS POSSIBLY THE SAME RECALL AS WELL. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 23, 2013
WHILE DRIVING I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES TO BEGIN SLOWING DOWN, I ONLY APPLIED A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WHEN A GRINDING NOISE STARTED AND LASTED ONLY A FEW SECONDS THEN A SLIGHT JERK AS IF MY CAR WAS BRAKING ON ITS OWN AND THEN A WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON (EXCLAMATION INSIDE A TRIANGLE AND THE VSA LETTERS APPEARED) THIS STAYED ON UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW 4 TIMES. FORTUNATELY I ONLY HAVE TO DRIVE 5 MILES TO WORK. FIRSTLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ANY DISTANCE ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULD THIS GET WORSE AND SECONDLY I HAVE GRANDKIDS THAT I TRANSPORT AND AM CONCERNED THAT I COULD POSSIBLY BE PUTTING THEIR LIVES IN JEOPARDY!! I DO HOPE THAT SOMETHING IS DONE OR A RECALL IS MADE SO THAT THIS CAN BE FIXED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 22, 2013
THE AIRBAG/SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. MANY HONDA PILOT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS A KNOWN ISSUE HONDA SHOULD DO A RECALL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 18, 2013
LONG STORY BUT I BELIEVE IT IS ALL RELATED. BASED ON MY UNDERSTANDING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND VSA ARE ALL PART OF THE SAME SYSTEM IN A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WE WERE HAVING A "NOISE" THAT WAS BELIEVED TO BE CAUSED BY A RANDOM ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM SELF CHECK. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED AND APPEARED TO BE ACTIVATED BY ANY SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS WAS MORE OF A NUISANCE THAN ANYTHING BUT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE THE DEALERSHIP LOOK INTO IT. MORE ON THIS LATER. IN ADDITION WE ALSO HAD THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) ENGAGE ONCE AND THE RESULTS WERE A LITTLE SCARY OR VIOLENT AT BEST. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH UNDER WINDY CONDITIONS. THE VSA SYSTEM ENGAGED, THE BRAKES WERE HEAVILY APPLIED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO A CONTROL MODE THAT PULLED THE VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT. WE HAD VERY LIMITED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT AND DEACTIVATE THE VSA TO FINISH OUR TRIP. WHAT OUR DEALERSHIP FOUND WAS A CRACKED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE AND VSA MODULE. THE CONNECTOR IS LOCATED UNDER THE ENGINE SHROUD IN AN AREA THAT ISN'T ACCESSIBLE DURING NORMAL OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY SERVICE DONE ON ANYTHING IN THIS AREA. OUR GUESS IS THAT IT WAS CRACKED DURING THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION OR IT FATIGUED OVER TIME. THE HONDA TECHNICIAN THOUGHT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONTROL MODULE VIA THE DAMAGED CONNECTOR. THIS IN TURN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKING AND VSA SYSTEM. WE STOPPED INVESTIGATING THE REPAIR AT THIS POINT BECAUSE OF COST. IT WAS OVER $2000.00 TO GET THE HARNESS AND CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. I WANTED TO SHARE THIS BECAUSE OF ALL THE RECENT NEWS ON 2005 PILOTS. *TR
Air bags, Mar 16, 2013
DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG IMPACT SENSOR FAILURE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Mar 16, 2013
THE VSA LIGHT AND WARNING LIGHT COME ON WITHIN A MINUTE OF THE FIRST MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON THERE IS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE AND THE FRONT BRAKE AND STEERING LOCKS FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND. IT HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING ME TO BE HIT FROM BEHIND. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Mar 15, 2013, crash
BRAKING AND STEERING PROBLEMS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN A 11 OR 12 MONTH TIME FRAME TOOK IT TO DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT GET PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE AND NO REPAIRS DONE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS A MONTH AGO HONDA WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 10, 2013
IN MARCH OF 2007, MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT STARTED BRAKING ON ITS OWN AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM HAD BEEN ACTIVATED. WE DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 2012 WHEN THE VEHICLE DID IT AGAIN ABOUT 5 TIMES IN A WEEK. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN STATEN ISLAND WHEN THEY TOLD US THAT WE NEEDED FOUR NEW TIRES, AND TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WITH THAT DIAGNOSTIC I TOLD THEM THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT SINCE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. SINCE WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE, WE HAD THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED, AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED. THE ONLY BAD PART IS THAT WE ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE TRADITIONAL BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO ABS CAPABILITY. CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ANY UPDATES ON YOUR INVESTIGATION ON THE SUBJECT MATTER? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Feb 28, 2013
GOING 30MPH VSA LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKES LOCKED. TOWED TO DEALER. PER REPORT BATTERY VOLTAGE FAILURE, ECM/PCM FAILURE. BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE, CAN RELATION FAILURE, INTERNAL POWER SOURCE FAILURE, ABS MODULATOR FUNCTION TEST ABNORMAL. ABS CONTROL UNIT REPLACED. *TR
Power train, Feb 20, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP GEARS AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECOMING UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 20, 2013
2-15-2011 PRIOR COMPLAINT OF VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST LOCKING THE BRAKES, OCCURRED 3 TIMES. HONDA HAD NO SOLUTION TO ABRUPT JARRING BRAKING. CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH VSA TURNED OFF. 1-2-2012 VSA, EVEN THOUGH VSA TURNED OFF, BRAKES LOCKED WHILE GOING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, MIDDLE LANE, THEN BRAKED 4 MORE TIMES BEFORE I COULD PULL OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. VERY CLOSE NEAR ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA 1-3-2012. SPOKE TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE DIRECTOR AGAIN, SPOKE TO HONDA FLORIDA REP, NO IDEAS, DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH INTERNET & NHTSA DOCUMENTED. FINALLY I AGREED TO SPLIT REPAIR, SPENT $793.61 AND THEY REPLACED 57110-S9V-A61 MODULATOR ASSEMBLY VSA. HONDA REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT THE BRAKING WAS CAUSED BY, OR THAT THEIR VSA REPLACEMENT THAT DAY WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. IF VSA OFF WHY DID IT HAPPEN 5 MORE TIMES? SINCE NHTSA HAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ON THIS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM I WANTED YOU TO HAVE AN UPDATE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 14, 2013
FIRST INCIDENT, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN 2005 HONDA PILOT BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MAKE A "GROANING" NOISE OR A NOISE ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOU DRIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD. 2005 HONDA PILOT WAS ALSO (WHILE VIBRATING AND MAKING NOISE) ABRUPTLY SLOWING DOWN/ STOPPING WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WOULD ALSO DO THIS WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. SECOND INCIDENT WAS LATER THAT SAME DAY. I PICKED THE 2005 HONDA PILOT UP FROM MY WIFE AS SHE WAS NOW TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINS OF DRIVING, I WAS DOING ABOUT 55 MPH AND THE 2005 HONDA PILOT MADE THE SAME NOISE AND VIBRATION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND ALSO SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY AS IF I HIT THE BRAKES(WHICH I DIDN'T). ABOUT ANOTHER HALF MILE WAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT AS I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN FOR LIGHT I APPLIED THE BRAKES GENTLY AND AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL LEFT MY FOOT AND THE 2005 HONDA PILOT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SO I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT BECAUSE I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING AT THAT POINT. WHEN I STOPPED IN THE PARKING LOT I NOTICED MY VSA INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON. IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I TURNED THE 2005 HONDA PILOT OFF. SAME DAY I TOOK MY 2005 HONDA PILOT TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOM. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 8, 2013
THE CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT AND IT HAS BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT OF OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS. IT BECOMES A HAZARD AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE BUTTONS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHICH I BELIEVE IS AN EXTREME HAZARD THAT TAKES THE EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR LONGER THAN NEEDED TO ADJUST SETTINGS. NO OTHER PLACE IN THE DASH HAS HAD THE BULBS STOP WORKING BUT IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO EVERYONE'S CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS. I THINK THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD SIMILAR TO SOMEONE USING A PHONE IN THE CAR AND HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *TR
Engine, Feb 2, 2013
AT 30-40 MPH THE PILOT SHUDDERS SIGNIFICANTLY AND DOES SO FOR ABOUT .5-3 SECONDS. THERE IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN OR OTHER FLAW IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER (WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO A FAILED TRANSMISSION). DESPITE WHAT APPEARS TO BE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS NATIONWIDE, HONDA WILL APPARENTLY NOT NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE DRIVING DANGERS ARE OBVIOUS, AND CONSUMERS ARE LEFT WITH REPAIR BILLS OF $3,000.00 - $5000.00. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NHTSA. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 31, 2013
TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO RISE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND FOUND THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED INTERNALLY. THE COOLANT WAS MIXING WITH THE ATF. ALL THE ATF FITTINGS TO THE RADIATOR SHOWED SIGNS OF RUSTING. IN MY OPINION THE RADIATOR DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ARE FAULTY. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jan 24, 2013
ACCELERATING AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, USUALLY JUST AFTER STOPPING, HEARD AUDIBLE "POP" THROUGH CAR RADIO, ABS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. CAR BRAKED RAPIDLY, EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS ON ACCELERATOR AND NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORCED CAR TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. THIS SAME SEQUENCE OF EVENTS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WITHIN 30 MINUTES. PULLED CAR INTO PARKING LOT AND CALLED HONDA SERVICE DEPT. THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING AND CAR WAS TOWED IN TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS. SERVICE DEPT DROVE CAR AROUND FOR OVER THREE DAYS AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE ISSUE. THEY HAD SOME IDEAS TO CAUSE, BUT SINCE THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO REPEAT, COULD NOT FIX ANYTHING. *TR