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.
Electrical system, Interior lighting, Jul 27, 2010
ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS IN THE AC CONTROL PANEL IN MY 2005 HONDA PILOT HAVE BURNED OUT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 05 PILOT. IT'S JUST HE AC CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, AS THE ONLY WAY TO SEE THE CONTROLS IS TO HAVE TO TURN ON THE INSIDE DOME LIGHTS. SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT TO ME. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2010
HAD A HONDA DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER COMPLETE REPAIRS ON WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT IS BROKEN AND COLLAPSED AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK IS STARTING TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAS 77,606 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND REGULARLY SERVICED. AFTER RESEARCHING THESE ISSUES, IT APPEARS THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT AND REAR SHOCK FAILURES ARE NOT UNCOMMON ISSUES FOR 2005 HONDA PILOTS. *TR
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
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 5, 2010
VSA LIGHT AND SRS LIGHT 2005 HONDA PILOT. *TR
Seats, Jun 14, 2010, crash
WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE FRONT SEATS BROKE ON A REAREND IMPACT. THE BACKS OF THE FRONT SEATS ACTUALLY BROKE. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. MY WIFE AND I BOTH HAVE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO OUR BACKS AND WERE WANTING TO KNOW IF HONDA WAS RESPONSIBLE. WE ARE BOTH DISABLED BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Equipment, Jun 7, 2010
MY HONDA PILOT AC STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 5 YEARS. THIS YEAR THIS HAPPENED WHEN AN INFANT IS ON MY CAR DURING A LONG TRIP. WE HAVE TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE THE BABY CAN NOT STAY IN THE HOT CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 4, 2010
THE BRAKES IN MY 2005 HONDA PILOT SUDDENLY APPLY THEMSELVES. OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES WHEN I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ONCE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY WIFE RECENTLY HAD IT HAPPEN ONCE TO HER JUST AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN. IT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. I'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM REPORTED ON OTHER WEB SITES...ONE WAS GOING 60 WHEN IT HAPPENED. TWO HONDA DEALERS DID DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. THEY COULD NOT "REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM"...NO SURPRISE SINCE IT'S RANDOM! THE LAST TIME (INCIDENT DATE BELOW) MY WIFE WAS OUT OF TOWN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SECOND DEALER. (THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACE BY THEM BUT WE'VE PUT LESS THAN 150 MILES ON IT SINCE THEN.) I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE MECHANICS SINCE IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS...BUT WHO KNOWS. *TR
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
Air bags, Mar 27, 2010
WANTED TO CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT THE FRONT IMPACT SENSOR ON MY HONDA PILOT 2005 NEEDS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THE PART IS ON BACKORDER WITH UNKNOWN AVAILABILITY. WITHOUT BEING REPLACED I WAS INFORMED THAT NONE OF MY VEHICLES AIRBAGS WILL WORK CURRENTLY. ALSO HE STATED THAT HE HAS HAD TO ORDER 3 IN THE LAST WEEK FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THAT DEALERSHIP ALONE. SHOULD THIS BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL?
Seat belts, Mar 26, 2010
WE BOUGHT A SECOND HAND 2005 HONDA PILOT ONE YEAR AGO. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS BEEN WORN THIN (TO THE POINT WHERE IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY FAIL IN A CRASH) BY WHAT APPEARS TO BE A POORLY MADE BUCIKLE. WHERE THE SEAT BELT STRAP RUNS THROUGH THE BUCKLE THERE APPEARS TO BE A ROUGH EDGE THAT HAS SLOWLY WORN THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE BELT ITSELF. THE TWO HONDA GARAGES WE CONTACTED REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY, SO WE HAVE PAID A LOCAL GARAGE TO FIT A NEW BELT. THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT WITH RESPECT TO THIS, BUT WE ARE REPORTING THIS IN CASE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 24, 2010
TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION GOING STRAIGHT BETWEEN 10-15MPH MY BRAKES SUDDENLY STARTED PUMPING HARD I TRIED TO APPLY A LITTLE MORE GAS THE BRAKES STARTED AGAIN , I HIT THE HAZARD LIGHT AND MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC INTO A PARKING LOT , READ MY MANUAL THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE TRIANGLE BELOW IT CAME ON AS WELL. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE 2005 HONDA PILOT EXL THE DASH INDICATERS DID NOT LIGHT UP I DROVE THE TWENTY OR SO MILES HOME TRYING TO STAY IN THE SHOULDER LANE JUST IN CASE THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. I DID A LTTLE RESEARCHING ON THE NET THERE ARE A FEW OTHER PILOT OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO DEFINITIVE SOLUTION.
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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE BRAKES FELT SOFT AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE A FEW YEARS AGO FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT OFFER HIM ANY ASSISTANCE. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,513.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 21, 2010
2005 HONDA PILOT BRAKES SUDDENLY LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. HAS OCCURED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. OPERATOR NOT TOUCH BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 21, 2010
DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY, HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO TURN ON. BRIGHTS WORK. UNABLE TO USE HEADLIGHTS FOR ANY DRIVING. CHECKED FUSES ALL GOOD, THOUGH INCORRECT MARKING ON A 15A FUSE SLOT THAT IS 20A. ALL LIGHTS BULBS ARE GOOD, EVEN REPLACED TO BE SURE. FOUND MELTED 16 PIN CONNECTOR WITH COMBINATION STALK SWITCH. UNABLE TO REPAIR YET. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 20, 2010
3/20/10. 2005 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 110K MILES. BRAKE PEDALS FEEL 'SOFT' AND GRADUALLY EXHIBIT A PEDAL HEIGHT THAT GETS LOWER (CLOSER TO THE FLOOR) BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPS. I NOTICED THIS ISSUE A WEEK AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME BEING PARANOID. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS BE INCREASING VERY SLOWLY OVER TIME.THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 3/16/10 HONDA RECALL TO MODIFY THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST' (VSA) MODULATOR FOR ONLY 344,000 ODYSSEYS AND 68,000 ELEMENTS. I'M CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MONDAY. KEEP IN MIND THAT THEY REPLACED BOTH MY FRONT AND BACK BREAKS LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO. THE 2005 HONDA PILOT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE 3/16/10 RECALL. *TR
Seat belts, Feb 27, 2010
SEAT BELT FRONT PASSENGER UNSNAPS UNEXPECTED WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE CAR WARRANTY COVERED REPLACEMENT; DEALER REPLACED SEAT BELT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 25, 2010
MY WIFE WAS CRUISING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH A WEEK AGO, UNDER VERY GOOD ROAD CONDITION, WITH HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, WHEN SHE TRIED TO DODGE THE PASSENGER CAR FROM THE NEXT LANE, HER BRAKE WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY, SUDDENLY HER CAR MADE LOUSY BANGING SOUND AND SLED 3 TIMES IN RAPID TOWARD LEFT AFTER TOWARD RIGHT, AND LEFT AGAIN. LUCKILY NO CONTACTS WAS MADE WHILE IN DEVASTATING MOMENT. BEFORE HEADING TO DEALER, TODAY SNOWY DAY, DRIVING 10 MPH TO MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL DROPPING, IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS SIMILAR BUT NOT SO PANORAMIC. BARELY AVOID TO COLLISION WITH POLICE PATROL CAR ON OPPOSITE LANE. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR A SECOND TIME, IT EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE SWUNG OUTWARD. SHE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE RPMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE ACCELERATOR AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. ONE YEAR LATER, THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS RESET. NO ADDITIONAL FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,185.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 8, 2010
OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT VEHICLE STATBILITY SYSTEM (VSA) MALFUNCTIONED. ON SIX SEPERATE OCCASIONS AND OVER THE COURSE OF 7 DAYS, STARTING JANUARY 10, 2010 THE VEHICLE WOULD BRAKE SPONTANEOUSLY AND ABRUPTLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THIS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS FROM 10 MPH TO 60 MPH. AFTER EACH INCIDENT, THE VSA LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE TEMPORARY REMEDY WAS TO TURN OFF THE VSA BEFORE BEFORE DRIVING THE PILOT. THE PILOT WAS REPAIRED AT OUR HONDA DEALER ON JANUARY 27, 2010. A YAW RATE SENSOR WAS REPLACED FOR $720 INCLUDING LABOR. *CN
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
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
Visibility, Dec 30, 2009
I AM THE OWNER ON A 2005 HONDA PILOT EX. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE GLASS IN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. IT MADE A LARGE POP AND THEN WE WERE SHOWERED WITH SHARDS OF GLASS. THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT AN OBJECT IMPACTED THE GLASS. *TR
Seats, Dec 30, 2009, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT IT BURNED A WHOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEATING QUILT FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.