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.
Power train, Nov 28, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 PILOT HONDA WITH ONGOING SHUDDERING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. AT FIRST I THOUGH IT WAS THE AIR FLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PVC MOLDING. AFTER CHECKING I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (TORQUE CONVERTER) THE SHUDDER BEGAN AT 75,000 AND THE VEHICLE NOW HAS125,000 MILES. TO MAKE THE SHUDDER STOP I PRESS OR RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR BRIEFLY. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW STARTING TO SHIFT HARD INTO SECOND GEAR. I WILL CONTACT HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA NEXT TO DISCUSS THEIR FINDINGS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Nov 26, 2010
2005 HONDA PILOT SHUDDERS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 20 AND 50 MPH. PROBLEM CEASES IF ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED OR RELEASED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 24, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE VSA LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR HAD FAILED BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE A BLATANT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,864.
Power train, Nov 21, 2010
MY 2005 HONDA PILOT SHUDDERS/VIBRATES BETWEEN 30/40 MPH. I HAVE BEEN BRINGING IT INTO THE HONDA DEALER SINCE OCT 2009. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BOTH MY DRIVE SHAFTS AND REPLACED THEM. THE SAME DAY MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THEY THEN TOLD ME THE DRIVE SHAFTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THEM AGAIN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THEY LOOKED FOR TROUBLE COMPUTER CODES BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR GET A SNAP SHOT WITH THE HDS. IT STILL SHUDDERED. NOW THE GREEN D (DRIVE) LIGHT FLASHES IN DRIVE AND IN PARK INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 19, 2010
2005 HONDA PILOT EX WITH NAVIGATION, 81K MILES APPROX. PROBLEM: - NO 2 SPARK PLUG AND THREAD (COIL) BLEW OUT DURING IN-TOWN DRIVING, THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS DAMAGED CAUSING EXTENSIVE RE-CONDITION EXPENSE. - ALL SPARK PLUGS ARE BELIEVED TO BE THE ORIGINALS, WE HAVE NO RE-COLLECTION THAT ANY SPARK PLUG HAS BEEN REPLACED SINCE WE HAVE NOT REACHED THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TUNE UP SCHEDULE OF 105K MILES. SERVICE HISTORY WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN CA BACK IN DEC 2004. WE FOLLOWED ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES BY HONDA. ALL SERVICES, EXCEPT A RECENT OIL CHANGE, WERE DONE BY HONDA DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRIES. THE RECENT OIL CHANGE WAS DONE BY A LOCAL GARAGE, AND NO WORK HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON THE SPARK PLUGS AS CONFIRMED BY THE GARAGE OWNER. COMMUNICATIONS WITH HONDA - BASED ON MY DISCUSSION WITH HONDA AMERICA ON NOV 19. 2010, THEY WERE WILLING TO OPEN A CASE IN ORDER TO TRACK THE COMPLAINT. HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE MATTER FURTHER SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. INVESTIGATION: WE BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A LATENT DEFECT ON CERTAIN SPARK PLUG (OR ON THE ENGINE ITSELF) IN CERTAIN HONDA PILOT. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, A SIMILAR FAILURE HAPPENED IN ANN ARBOR, MI, IN MARCH 2010 TO A 2004 HONDA PILOT. IN THAT CASE, THAT CAR HAD 58K MILES ON IT AND THE NO. 5 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT CAUSING SIMILAR DAMAGES TO THE ENGINE. I HAVE NO EVIDENCE IF THE ANN ARBOR INCIDENT HAS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUG OR NOT. HOWEVER, IT IS JUST ONE CASE TOO MANY FOR A MANUFACTURER WITH A VERY GOOD RELIABILITY REPUTATION. LIKE THE OWNER IN ANN ARBOR, WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. HOPE THE AUTHORITY WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER AND URGE HONDA TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT.
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
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
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
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.
Suspension, Oct 15, 2010
2005 HONDA PILOT VIBRATES OR SHUTTERS AT LOW SPEED APPROXIMATELY 20-40 MPG WHILE PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME SO BACK IN 2007 WHEN BROUGHT IN TO DEALER THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE ALSO STOPPED MOVING WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY DIAGNOSED AND DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM BUT THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115900.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 12, 2010
BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT AIRBAG SENSORS FOR MY 2005 HONDA PILOT EXL FAILED SIX MONTHS APART. IN THE FIRST CASE, IN FEBRUARY 2009, THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING BACK TO PENNSYLVANIA FROM NORTH CAROLINA. EXAMINATION AT THE HONDA DEALER IN PA DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE TWO FRONT SENSORS HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED. SIX MONTHS LATER THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OTHER SENSOR FAILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS CORROSION AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. IN BOTH CASES, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT HAVE OPERATED HAD THEIR BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER CLAIMED THE FAILURES WERE, "JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS". HAVING WORKED WITH PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS IN THE PAST AND HAVING WORKED WITH NEARLY ALL AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES (INCLUDING TOYOTA AND HONDA IN JAPAN), I DOUBTED THIS EXPLANATION. THESE WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND SEALED SENSORS AND CORROSION/FAILURE WAS INEVITABLE. THIS IS A RARE FAILURE IF THE COMPONENTS ARE MANUFACTURED PROPERLY. *TR
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
Structure, Oct 6, 2010
2005 HONDA PILOT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKEN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SEEMS IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS THEY ARE SCHEDULING THESE TYPE OF REPAIRS ARE BEING SCHEDULED 2 TO 3 WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND CAN CAUSE MUCH MORE DAMAGE. HONDA IS TRYING TO GET OUT OF A COSTLY DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR
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
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
Visibility, Sep 23, 2010
DRIVER SIDE REAR WINDOW WAS LOWERED AND WOULD NOT COME BACK UP WHILE STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU RESTAURANT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED IT WAS THE MOTOR THAT MOVES THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PART. IN SEPTEMBER 2008 I HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE THEY CALL IT THE WINDOW REGULATOR. I WILL HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THIS IS THE SAME PART THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS TIME ALSO. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT HAD ABOUT 50,000+ MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS 100,000+ MILES ON IT. I DO NOT THINK THE REAR WINDOWS IN THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN RAISED AND LOWERED MORE THEN A 100 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT BECAUSE WE DRIVE WITH THE A/C OR HEAT ON MOST OF THE TIME AND YET BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAVE FAILED. *TR
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Air bags, Jul 31, 2010
INOP AIR BAG SWITCH HONDA PILOT. *TR