“SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 We traveled down OLD Dallas Hwy toward Gastonia, North Carolina. Transmission slipped and motor revved very high without forward speed. Attempting to put transmission into reverse caused similar slippage. Returning on Hwy 321 toward Dallas, north carolina, the transmission slipped and the car would not reach highway speed.”
Owner complaint, filed Oct 23, 2021
“I am encountering the same recall issues as other 2003 pilots. Transmission locks up and will not re-engage while driving. I need to turn engine off while in traffic and restart in order to get back into gear. The VIN search shows no recall, but the same safety issue has caused issues when I get out and push the vehicle off the road. Most of the issue happen when starting from a slow start.”
Owner complaint, filed Jun 28, 2017 at 206,000 miles
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)NHTSA investigation opened
Complaints about the 2003 Pilot peaked in 2015, with 82 filed that year. Owners had filed 0 complaints about the transmission before the first recall that covers it, 04V176000 in April 2004; 203 more have come in since. In 2026 owners filed 2 so far.
14 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V499000
Filed Jun 27, 20193,947 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V501000
Filed Jun 27, 20191,657,752 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module19V182000
Filed Mar 6, 20191,101,534 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module18V268000
Filed Apr 26, 20181,335 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module16V344000
Filed May 23, 20161,790,894 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module15V370000
Filed Jun 15, 20153,498,481 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Remedy. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module15V320000
Filed May 28, 20156,281,043 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Filed Jun 20, 2014133,207 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Filed Dec 11, 2012807,161 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Risk. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Filed Mar 30, 20121,375,217 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Filed Feb 5, 20082,032 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
Remedy. 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.
Filed Apr 15, 20041,099,796 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)
Defect. ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Risk. GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy. ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Filed Aug 28, 200217,551 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.
Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.
Risk. IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
All 14 campaigns on file, newest first.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 5 name the 2003 Pilot.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEngineering analysis EA21002Open
Opened Sep 17, 2021airbags
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at …
Air Bag Inflator RuptureEngineering analysis EA15001Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field …
Air Bag Inflator RupturePreliminary evaluation PE14016Closed
Opened Jun 11, 2014Closed Mar 2, 2015Led to recall 13V172000airbags
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field …
Opened Oct 2, 2012Closed Jan 14, 2013Led to recall 12V573000electrical system
On December 10, 2012, Honda Motor Company submitted a defect information report to NHTSA regarding ignition interlocks in approximately 576,117 model year MY) 2003 through 2004 Honda Pilot and Odyssey vehicles that are the subject of this investigation and 231,044 MY 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX vehicles (Recall No. 12V-573).Honda's report states that a design change to the ignition switch used in the recalled vehicles reduced the range of rotation for the ignition switch from 160 degrees in earlier designs to 125 degrees without a corresponding change to the ignition interlock blocking …
Opened Sep 12, 2011Closed Sep 17, 2012Led to recall 12V136000electrical system
This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked Honda for certain data on model years (MY) 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2003-2008 Element, 2001-2005 Civic, and 2000-2001 S 2000 vehicles.Analysis of complaint and Honda data …
Technical service bulletins
307 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 2003 Pilot. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
airbags 76engine 54equipment 47transmission 31body and frame 24electrical system 20visibility 10seats 8
A18-051Warranty extensionJun 30, 2026airbags
Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
A20-009Warranty extensionMar 10, 2020airbags
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
A20-014Warranty extensionMar 10, 2020airbags
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
A18-051Warranty extensionJun 1, 2018airbags
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
REPLACING A CANON A75 DIGITAL CAMERA TO TAKE INSPECTION PHOTOS FOR S/B 04-021, SAFETY RECALL: A/T 2ND GEAR INSPECTION, OR S/B 04-037, SAFETY RECALL: ACCORD V6 A/T 2ND GEAR INSPECTION. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT
HISSING BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT
Showing the newest 6 of 31 bulletins about the transmission, and any warranty extensions or service campaigns.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-star safety ratings
Version tested
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
2003 Honda Pilot 4-DR. w/SAB
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New Car Assessment Program results for this model year. Ratings compare cars of similar size and weight only.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Apr 21, 2026217,000 milesGA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Honda Pilot. While having an oil change performed, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 138,000, and at the time of service, it was discovered that the mileage was 217,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 2026NY
I am the original owner of my 2003 Honda pilot and had to replace the front driver side door actuator years ago. Now all the remaining 3 doors need to have the door actuators replaced. If you're outside the car you cannot open the door. Using the key remote or putting the key into the front door keyhole will NOT unlock or lock the door. You have to be inside the car and lift or depress the lock button to get them to open or to lock it. This is a very dangerous situation for if an emergency should occur and it's necessary to either exit the vehicle or enter you won't be able to. I know the later year Honda's has had recalls on door actuators.
Power Train
Filed Sep 12, 2025131,000 milesGA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle violently jolted forward with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The failure had occurred while driving on a major highway. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 04-021; however, the contact was informed that the repair had been performed on the vehicle in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Power Train
Filed Aug 25, 2025148,118 milesNJ
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,118.
Electrical System
Filed Jun 19, 2025CA
Reporting an important safety issue I experienced due to random engine stalling on my 2003 Honda Pilot, typically after driving for a few minutes. The engine would crank for several seconds or sometimes start immediately after stalling, but no diagnostic trouble codes were ever stored. The vehicle had stable fuel trims and idle, and multiple components including the EGR valve and valve clearance were serviced without resolving the issue. Ultimately, the root cause was traced to a failing PGM-FI (fuel pump) relay located under the driver’s dash. After replacing the relay close to two months ago, the stalling stopped completely. This issue could pose a safety risk if the engine stalls in traffic, especially in a hazardous area where there’s no breakdown lane (construction zone, etc.) , and I believe this factor should consider this a known failure point in aging vehicles of this model. Attached are two images of the new relay zip tied under the driver’s footwell (could not remove the bad relay since it was too difficult to remove from its bracket).
Steering
Filed May 23, 2025SC
The power steering losses fluid the steering is hard to turn and makes noise and the fluid gets on an area that gets hot i have not had an accident yet
Electrical System
Filed Feb 20, 2025NC
Water leaked into front floors of vehicle soaking the carpet and the fuse panels in the floor. Yes it is available. Fuse boxes had standing water building up behind them slowly dumping water into them causing shorts in electrical system which could have caused the car to catch on fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed. No the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than mechanic. The only signs of the problem I noticed was the carpet was soaked and couldn't understand why. The battery died randomly one night after locking the doors. No other signs were noted.
Power Train
Filed Aug 15, 2024AL
Transmission, overheating, loss of oil, loss of gears when driving,
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 14, 2023GA
Severe erosion of my undecarriage, metal just falls off from under the car. My fuel tank leaks and gas pours out. It has been deemed unsafe to drive by my Honda dealer, but has a good engine and other parts. It has been severely impacted by rust and erosion. The previous owner was a resident of Chicago, where salt is used, which I believe influenced this defect.
Air Bags
Filed Aug 16, 2023NM
SRS airbag light stays on.
Suspension
Filed Jul 30, 2023IL
My 2003 Honda pilot rear subframe suspension is rusting and causing control issues. This is a common problem on the 2003-2008 Honda Pilots. In Honda TSB 21-019 Honda states " The subframe mounts may pull away from the body of the vehicle (see images below), but extensive testing has concluded that vehicle stability will be maintained." This is NOT true. Other Honda's have experienced similar issues and Honda has issued a safety recall. There should be a safety recall for the 2003-2008 Honda pilots for this subframe rust issue. Please see: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power Train
Filed Jul 25, 2023146,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle rolled out of the garage and crashed into the neighbor's home. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed May 22, 2023200,000 milesMS
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle however, the ignition switch failed to turn. The ignition switch warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Air Bags
Filed May 16, 2023256,000 milesMA
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 256,000.
Air BagsCrash1 killed
Filed May 3, 2023CA
The contact, an attorney, was filing a complaint on behalf of a client who owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his client was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle struck the client's vehicle, causing the air bags to deploy. The husband did not sustain any injuries; however, the client's wife was rendered quadriplegic. The client's wife fractured her spinal vertebra and later passed away. The cause of death was believed to have been caused by the accident. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Air Bags › Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light
Filed Feb 10, 2023180,000 milesMD
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slow low speeds, the vehicle was difficult to shift into second gear. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact about a possible recall. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed there were no open recalls on the VIN. The contact stated the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The contact stated 2nd gear is no longer working. Honda stated the recall was fixed, but the contact stated that was incorrect.
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 15, 2022HI
Honda did not contact me for a year and a half I have been waiting for them to replace my air bag, no response!!! I’ve left numerous messages and still no response I gave a 1 year old daughter, we almost got hit by a car and if it had hit us something could’ve happened! Because I had to swerve off road my suspension and power steering are messed up because of pot holes,Just so I wouldn’t hit and impact the passenger side of me my car where airbag is bad and nothing would’ve happened to us, not that it was our fault the driver was driving almost right into us!I blame Honda for this disaster would could have been very bad! Of course the other driver drove away like nothing happened! So now I am stuck at home not able to go to work and bring my daughter to doctors appointments and invade of in emergency my vehicle is not safe enough to get us anywhere! I am asking god to bless us in this case and count all the blessings he has given us! I don’t have a lot of money to pay for repairs and this is the only car I’ve ever purchased and owned. If there is any way anyone could help please! Maybe a new Honda would be nice for Christmas, but hey a girl can dream right! Thank you for your time!
EngineFire
Filed Aug 31, 202289,000 milesAL
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated she was informed by her daughter that the inside passenger side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The fire department arrived afterward and informed that the electronic software was the cause of the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments needed. The contact notified a local mechanic regarding the failure and was informed of the same information which the fire department provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 28, 2022OH
Both rear axel mounts rusted away from the subframe while being driven by my teenage driver. This caused the tires to lean inward and caused mounts to rest on the muffler system. The vehicle is available for inspection, but has not been inspected since it is not mobile or safe to drive. The safety of my child and others were at risk, as this failure could have caused an accident. There were not warning lamps or messages, but rust was noticeable underneath the vehicle.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Mar 29, 2022170,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the catalytic convertor was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Structure
Filed Feb 18, 2022209,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear axle separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the subframe replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was not available.
Electrical System
Filed Feb 1, 2022PA
KEEP GETTING MISFIRES HAD MECHANIC REPLACE COILS & PLUGS BUT STILL GETTING OBD CODES FOR MISFIRES OF CYLINDERS WHY ?? ALSO KEEPS JERKING & I NOR A MECHANIC DO NOT KNOW WHY
Engine
Filed Dec 21, 2021CA
I notice you guys had other 2003 Honda Pilot transmissions recalls. I checked mine with the vin # and my car happens to not be included on that recall. To be honest everything stated on that recall is what exactly is happening on my car Can you please help thanks my car would get high rpms or jerk while driving or just rev and not move it changes all the time seems that also the colder the car is or not ran till the next day seems to drive normal but after car worms up it’s starts to drive then rpm’s jump high I got to let go of the gas in order for it to get its 2 nd shift and randomly it’ll like hard jerk while driving like a hard stop then countinues at speed
Power Train
Filed Oct 23, 2021NC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 We traveled down OLD Dallas Hwy toward Gastonia, North Carolina. Transmission slipped and motor revved very high without forward speed. Attempting to put transmission into reverse caused similar slippage. Returning on Hwy 321 toward Dallas, north carolina, the transmission slipped and the car would not reach highway speed. Turning onto Hwy 279 to go home, the Honda would not go into gear at first, then slippage so that other cars almost struck our car which was unreliably stumbling. We have found there is a recall number 04V176000
Air Bags
Filed Oct 21, 2021AZ
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V501000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 2021177,000 milesNY
RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA
Structure › Body
Filed Feb 14, 2021236,000 milesOH
REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING LOCATIONS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO HANG DOWN. THE FRONT MOUNTING POINTS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE NOT DAMAGED YET. WAS NOTICED AS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FOUND DURING TIRE INSPECTION.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 12, 2020240,338 milesCO
I WAS NOTIFIED BY AMERICAN HONDA THAT MY VEHICLE REQUIRED A SAFETY RECALL OF THE TAKATA HONDA PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR (RECALL # 19-076). UPON INSPECTION THE HONDA TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT "ONE OF THE SECURING STUDS FOR THE ASSEMBLY IS BROKEN AND REPLACEMENT OF THE DASHBOARD FRAME IS REQUIRED." AT THIS POINT MY "FREE" RECALL CAME WITH A CHARGE OF $820. AMERICAN HONDA WAS ONLY WILLING TO PAY 10%. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED IN 2015 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IN ALL LIKELIHOOD THE SECURING STUD WAS BROKEN DURING THAT SERVICE. AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO AND INSTEAD HAS DECIDED TO HOLD ME PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR.
Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 2020178,000 milesSC
WHEN I ACCELERATE TO 40 MPH THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY TRUCK. IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ABOUT 45 MPH AND THEN STOPS. THIS ISSUE IS RANDOM AND INTERMITTENT AND THE MECHANICS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO IDENTIFY IT. IT STARTED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE IN 2011 BUT IT WAS INFREQUENT NOW IT IS HAPPENING A LOT MORE FREQUENTLY.
Air Bags
Filed Sep 14, 2020156,386 milesCA
MY 2003 HONDA PILOT HAS "SRS LIGHT ON" AT THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD. I WAS DRIVING IN OUR RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION AREA AND ABOUT TO PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY, THE SRS WENT ON. I AM NOT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW UNTIL THIS FAULT HAS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. IF THERE IS A FAULT WITH THE INSTALLED AIR BAG, PLEASE HELP ME TO COVER THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COSTS OF THIS FAULTY AIRBAG. THANK YOU.
Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jul 15, 2020220,000 milesIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000. *JS
Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2020MO
WHEN I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT HAD SOME ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP ON ME. AND ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE AT ALL. THERE WAS A PIECE STUCK INSIDE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A LOCKING MECHANISM WITH IT THAT WAS JAMMED AND THERE WAS NOTHING I WAS ABLE TO DO SO I EITHER NEEDED TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS WARPED OR MALFUNCTIONED. AND I NEEDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY RECALLS BECAUSE THEY RECALLED THE IGNITIONS BEFORE ON THIS YEAR,MAKE AND MODEL BEFORE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. MY VEHICLE WAS IN A SHOP. MY WHEEL BEARING AND HUB WAS BEING PLACED ON. WHEN THEY WENT TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THERE MECHANIC GARAGE IT REFUSED TO TURN OVER THERE WAS AN IGNITION PIECE WAS BROKEN OFF. WHEN THEY ENDED UP GETTING IT OUT OF THEIR GARAGE IT I HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL MANUALLY FROM UNDERNEATH AND IT JUST STARTED TO ROLL. SO THEY HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKES. IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Apr 23, 2020CA
AVISO URGENTE DE SEGURIDAD POR INFLADOR DEFECTUOSO DE BOLSAS DE AIRE
Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 21, 2020154,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT AND LOSS CONTROL OF THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DEEP DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WENT TO FLOW HONDA OF STATESVILLE DEALER (1003 FOLGER DR, STATESVILLE, NC 28625) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE AND SHOWED PICTURES OF THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
Power Train
Filed Mar 25, 2020171,000 milesCA
PURCHASED 2003 HONDA PILOT EX IN 2006. THE FIRST OWNER HAD BROUGHT THE VEHCILE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ( DEALER SAID IT WAS OVERHEATING OF THE TRANSMISSION). TO WHICH THERE IS A RECALL TO INSTALL AN OIL JET WITH COOLER TO "FIX" THE TRANSMISSION. THE "FIX" DID NOT CURE THE TRANSMISSION FROM FAILING. MY DAUGHTER AND WHERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN IT FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. FORTUNITLY NO ONE WAS HURT. THE VEHICLE HAS 171,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED HONDA DEALER AND BECAUSE THE JET KIT WAS INSTALLED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE FAILED TRANSMISSION. THIS RECALL CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACE UNDER A RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY BY HONDA.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 24, 2020260,000 milesGA
GAS LEAKED FROM THE TOP SIDE OF FUEL TANK UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. IT HAS DONE THIS TWO TIMES NOW WHILE BEING FILLED UP AT TWO SEPARATE GAS STATIONS. BOTH OF WHICH WERE SMOOTH FLAT SURFACES. IT DOES NOT OVERFLOW FROM THE NOZZLE INSERT WHERE YOU PUMP GAS AT. IT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE TOP SIDE OF TANK AND LEAKS UNTIL THE GAS GOES BELOW THE SPOT FROM WHICH IT LEAKS.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 8, 2020138,715 milesPA
VEHICLE HAD A LACK OF COMPUTER FUNCTION WOULD NOT START. ALL DASH LIGHTS LITE IGNITION NON FUNCTIONAL WHEN TEST PLUG PUT ON OBD PLUG ALL PROBLEMS CLEARED VEHICLE NOW OPERATES CORRECTLY VEHICLE HAD JUST PASSED STATE INSPECTION AND OPERATED CORRECTLY FOR 3DAYS.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 3, 2020125,000 milesCA
WAS ABLE TO PULL MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IS PARKED AND IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER IN DRIVE POSITION. I ALREADY HAD MY IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED TWICE (USING MY OWN DIME); HONDA HAS A PARTIAL RECALL (NHSTA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V573000 AND HONDA RECALL NO. S73/S74), BUT A HONDA REP TOLD ME THAT MY PILOT "IS NOT AFFECTED."
Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 2020147,000 milesSC
MY CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AROUND 40-45 MPH. THIS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS AND SEVERAL OTHER MODEL YEARS WITH THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS HAPPENS ANYTIME I AM ACCELERATING PAST 40 MPH.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 4, 2020131,000 milesCA
I FOUND THIS CAR AD ON FACEBOOK AFTER TEST DRIVING I DECIDED TO PURCHASE IT FOR3,000 THEY ORIGINAL ASKING PRICE WAS $3,400 FOR THE HONDA PILOT WITH 131,000 MILES. I OFFER THEM $2,900 AND MET AT 3,000. WHEN I CAME BACK TO MAKE THE PURCHASE THE PINK SLIP WAS ALREADY FILLED OUT. I DIDN'T THINK OF IT. AFTER GOING TO THE DMV TO START TO THE REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE I HAD TO GO GET A SMOG INSPECTION. THATS WHEN THE CAR DID NOT PASS AND THEY INFORM ME THAT CAR BATTERY WAS EITHER DISCONNECTED OR THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING FOR AWHILE. SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR ENOUGH SO THE COMPUTER CAN GENERATE SOME DATA. TODAY I DECIDED TO GET A CARFAX REPORT AND THE ODOMETER LAST REPORTED WAS WAY ABOVE WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO ME. THEY ADVERTISE THE CAR AT 131K AND THE ODOMETER ALSO READ 131K. SINCE I FOUND THIS AD ON FACEBOOK, I NOTICED THEY HAD DELETED THE AD AND BLOCK ME. I REALIZED THEY BLOCK ME BY SEARCHING THE PROFILE OF WHOM SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. THEN I USED SOMEONE ELSE PROFILE AND WAS ABLE TO SEE THEIR PROFILE. THE CAR WAS LOCATED IN 13657 VAN NUYS BLVD PACOIMA CA IN A CITY STREET.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 31, 2019250,000 milesMD
THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. IT IS AT FULL THROTTLE. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO TURN IGNITION OFF/START UP AGAIN OKAY FOR 5 MILES, THEN IT TAKES OFF FULL SPEED, BRAKES CANNOT STOP IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ASAP BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. DOES NOT MATTER WHERE IT IS MAIN/Y STREET, CITY OR HIGHWAY.
Electrical System
Filed Dec 19, 2019FL
HONDA PILOT 2003 CRANKED UP STARTED DRIVING, AFTER A MIN OR TWO IT SHUT OFF AND WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP. I'VE REPLACED THE MAIN RELAY AND A NEW FUEL PUMP BUT WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY IN AND TRY TO START IT, IT DOESN'T TURN OVER ALL THE WAY. IT WANTS TO BUT WON'T. ALSO MORE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ALONG WITH RADIO AND HEAD LIGHTS. SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG AND IVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS AND HAVE BEEN GUARANTEED THAT PART WILL FIX IT BUT NO LUCK. NEW PARTS HELP BUT NOT WITH TURNING OVER AND STARTING.
Power Train1 injured
Filed Dec 16, 2019189,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY CHANGED FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE DRIVE 3 POSITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE IDLING AND THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION, THE OWNER EXITED THE VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD, PUSHED AGAINST THE OWNER, AND PINNED HER AGAINST A STORAGE RACK LOCATED IN THE GARAGE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE OWNER SUSTAINED A LEFT LEG INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Power Train
Filed Dec 3, 201936,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AT TIMES WHILE THE RPM'S REVVED WITHOUT FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ESSERMAN LARGO HONDA (554 NE 1ST AVE, FLORIDA CITY, FL 33034, (844) 329-6036) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Seats
Filed Dec 3, 2019290,000 milesWA
SPONTANEOUSLY SNAPPED MOUNTING BRACKET ON DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT, BETWEEN MOUNTED FRAME/SUPPORT AND ADJUSTABLE SEAT COMPONENTS. A POTENTIALLY LETHAL AND ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL-ABLE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY HONDA, RIGHT FROM THE VERY START OF THE HONDA PILOT MODELS. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF EARLY YEAR PILOTS...
Air Bags
Filed Nov 14, 2019200,000 milesNJ
THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT GAUGE IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 7, 2019180,000 milesNY
WE HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE FEBRUARY 2019. THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ON THE CITY STREETS AS WELL AS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEED WOULD VARY BETWEEN 35MPH AND 65MPH. WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WITH 4 SMALL CHILDREN IN OUR TRUCK, THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SWITCH GEARS. OUR FOOT WOULD BE ON THE GAS, BUT THE TRUCK WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK WILL BE IN PARK AND WE'LL GO TO SHIFT INTO (D) AND IT WON'T SHIFT. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. (I HAVE SELECTED THE MOST RECENT DATE OF OCCURRENCE BELOW, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES ON DIFFERENT DAYS. I DO NOT HAVE PHOTOS, AS THIS IS A MOTION THING. I DO NOT HAVE DOCUMENTATION AT THE MOMENT, BUT WILL BE TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC THIS WEEK.) I HAVE ESTIMATED THE MILLES ON THE TRUCK, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS LESS THAN 180K.
Air Bags
Filed Oct 24, 2019CA
I TOOK MY PILOT TO THE HONDA DEALER FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL BUT THEY REFUSED TO RESET THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. DOES THIS MEAN THE AIR BAGS ARE STILL DEFECTIVE?
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 23, 2019237,041 milesFL
I WAS DRIVING ON SR 207 WHEN A TRUCK SIDESWIPED ME WHICH SENT MY CAR TO A DEEP DITCH. IT BRIEFLY LAID ON ITS SIDE THEN UP AND OUT THE DITCH BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
Structure › Body
Filed Sep 26, 2019135,000 milesMD
I HEARD CRUNCHING NOISES COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION. I ASSUMED IT WAS A SPRING GIVING WAY, SINCE THE CAR IS 16 YEARS OLD. I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE FRONT SEATS REUPHOLSTERED AND REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT ACTED LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR! THIS WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF SAM'S CLUB. I SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME, SINCE IT FELT LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT COULD LET GO. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATED A BRACKET BROKE THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT DOWN, AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE HONDA PILOT. THEY SAID NO RECALL BECAUSE NOBODY HAD DIED?? THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE RE-UPHOLSTERER HAD THE BRACKET WELDED AS A SIDE-JOB WHEN HE DID HIS WORK. STILL, THIS ISN'T OK. IF THE SEAT HAD LET GO AND SLID FORWARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS.
Complaints 1-50 of 720, newest first, reproduced as filed.
Going by the federal record, it is one of the Pilot years to avoid: owners filed 720 complaints, 2.7 times as many as a typical Pilot year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (28%).
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Honda Pilot?
The transmission: 203 of the 720 complaints (28%) are about it. Owners most often say it slips or will not engage a gear (21%), sets off warning lights on the dash (15%) and turns on the check engine light (12%). The typical report comes at 120,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Pilot have?
14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jun 27, 2019. The largest, 15V320000, covered 6,281,043 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 117,000 miles. For the transmission the midpoint is 120,000 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 2003 Honda Pilot?
Yes, 5 times. The latest, EA21002 ("Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture"), was opened Sep 17, 2021 and is still open. 2 investigations are open.
Are there service bulletins for the 2003 Honda Pilot?
The manufacturer filed 307 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the airbags (76), the engine (54) and the transmission (31). They include a warranty extension, A18-051, filed Jun 30, 2026. A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jun 27, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.