2003 Honda Pilot complaints

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PULSATION AND SHAKING IN STEERING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *LA THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT AND RESURFACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER BLAMED THE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON HIGH MILEAGE BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM OR THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM

THERE IS A DISTINCT AND CONSTANT VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2003 HONDA PILOT WHEN IT REACHES SPEEDS BETWEEN 70 AND 75 MPH. HONDA HAS TRIED BALANCING TIRES, ALIGNING FRONT END, ROTATING TIRES, REPLACING TIRES, ETC. AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. THEY HAVE HAD MY PILOT FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS TRYING TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. *AK

LIFTGATE GLASS ON 2003 HONDA PILOT ESSENTIALLY "SHATTERED". THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECT. LOCAL HONDA DEALER STATES IT IS NOT COVERED. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS DEFECTIVE GLASS OR INSTALLED BY MANUFACTURER INCOORECTLY.*AK

WE BOUGHT A NEW HONDA PILOT IN JULY 2003. WE DO NOT TOW ANYTHING WITH IT. WE DO NOT TAKE IT OFF ROAD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT. WE LIKE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, ON MAY 13TH WHILE DRIVING THE PILOT A LOUD SNAP WAS HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE PILOT. WE LOOKED AT IT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT HAD BROKEN OFF FROM THE CHASSIS. IF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY A SERIOUS ACCIDENT VERY WELL MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN.*AK

SUSTAINED VIBRATION AT 73MPH & 78MPH. VIBRATION FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL. DEALER CHECKED TIRE BALANCE TWICE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS.

THE RIVETS HOLDING THE DRIVER SEAT TO THE SEAT FRAME HAVE POPPED AND THE SEAT BECOMES UNSTABLE. DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *AK

FOUND A WHINNING NOISE IN THE AREA OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON OUR 2003 PILOT WITH 9,000 MILES BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 5 DAYS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE TENSION PULLY ON THE TIMING BELT DID NOT FIX NOW THEY ARE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS *AK

LOUD "CLANK" NOISE FROM BRAKE CALIPERS THE FIRST TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED AFTER CHANGING DIRECTION (FORWARD TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO FORWARD). THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW; THE DEALER SERVICE REP STATES "THEY ALL DO THAT", AND SAID HE WAS SURPRISED HONDA HAD NOT COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF FIX BECAUSE THEY WERE GETTING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY DISCONCERTING NOISE.*AK

ON APRIL 8,2004, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY PILOT. I PHONED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT MIGHT JUST NEED TO RESET ITSELF BECAUSE I HAD SOMETHING SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THAT IT MIGHT TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS FOR IT TO RESET. THE LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF. I TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED ON APRIL 14, 2004. THE SERVICE TECH RESET THE SRS LIGHT AND I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IF THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. ABOUT 20 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT AFTERNOON WHERE THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT THE PILOT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE OVERNIGHTED AND MY VEHICLE WOULD BE READY THE NEXT AFTERNOON. ONE OF THE PARTS CAME IN BUT THE OTHER PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. MONDAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS ON "CRITICAL BACKORDER" AND HOPEFULLY WILL ARRIVE ON APRIL 26.2004. THE DEALERSHIP HAS PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE..I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN A PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, IT CAN TAKES MONTHS FOR THE PART TO BE AVAILABLE. I, TOO, LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER PILOT OWNERS, WAS TOLD THAT MY CELL PHONE PLUGGED IN , COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A STRETCH.*AK

THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS LOUD AND CAUSED PRESSURE ON THE CONSUMER'S EAR DRUMS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. TS THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE NOISE WASN'T THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PHYSICAL PRESSURE AND PAIN ON EAR DRUMS WAS. *AK

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR THE FRONT AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT AIR BAGS WERE CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER(S) WERE CONCERNED THAT REPAIRS WERE DONE TWICE, BUT PROBLEM COULD RECUR. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT REMAIN ADJUSTED. *SC *JB

THE SRS LIGHT ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT CAME ON ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO AND HAS STAYED ON. THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT, ORDERED A PART WHICH CAME IN OVER 3 WEEKS LATER, INSTALLED THE PART (I BELIEVE IT WAS A NEW AIRBAG SENSOR), AND STILL HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. THEY ORDERED ANOTHER PART WHICH THEY SAID WOULD TAKE 3-4 WEEKS TO COME IN. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT CURRENTLY DUE TO THIS ISSUE.*AK

I OWNED A 2003 HONDA PILOT. IT'S A VERY GOOD SUV. EXCEPT THAT LAST YEAR, I MADE A COMPLAINT WITH GRAND HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ELMHURST IL. REGARDING AN ANNOYING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY UNUSUAL. SPLASHING NOISE IS VERY STRONG WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS HALF TO ALMOST FULL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT IS NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO RECALL WHICH I STRONGLY DISAGREE. I BELIEVE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CHAMBERS TO CONTROL THE SPLASHING NOISE AND MIGHT CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. PLEASE HELP!!! *JB

I OWN A HONDA PILOT 2003, EVERY TIME I START MY SUV AND PRESS THE BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME I HEAR A LOUD NOCKING SOUND. USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE SUV IS NOT IN USE FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALER FOR DIFFERENT ISSUE AND I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE TOLD ME THAT THE SOUND IS COMMON ON PILOT. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY TOLD THAT I NEED TO TAKE THE SUV FOR AN INSPECTION AND NOT TO GO BY WHAT THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALER YET. BUT, I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM, I DO NOT WHY THEY HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. THE PROBLEM IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE, EVERYTIME THE SUV IS MOVE AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.*AK

I CONSISTENTLY HEAR NOISE THAT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL OR LARGE BUMPS. MY DEALER (CLAIR INTERNATIONAL INC.) WAS UNABLE TO FIX AND CALLED HONDA TECH LINE. THEY WERE ADVISED BY HONDA TECH LINE (REF.# 1192151, ACCESS CODE 20710502012) THAT IT WAS NORMAL NOISE FROM REAR SHOCKS WITH POSSIBLE UPDATE IN THE FUTURE. A MONTH LATER I HAD DEALER REPLACE THE STRUT (PART# 52610-S9V-A01) BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINE AND THE "PLENUM GASKET THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

REAR WIPER MOTOR SHORT, INCLUDES SRS LIGHT COMING ON SINCE ON ONE FUSE AND LOST OF WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID US CAPABILITIES. *JB

3 TIMES WE HAD THE SRS LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON IN OUR 2003 PILOT. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN (WARRANTY), BUT INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF RF INSIDE THE VEHICLE INTERFERRING WITH THE SRS SIDE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT IT COULD BE THE USE OF CELL PHONE OR TELEVISION. WE HAD ROUTINELY USED A PORTABLE DVD PLAYER IN THE PILOT WITH AC POWER INVERTER PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. WE USED THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WE TRIED THE INVERTER ONE MORE TIME AND WITHOUT EVEN CONNECTING THE DVD PLAYER, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS INVERTER WAS POWERED UNDER THE LIMIT LABELED ON THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE AIRBAG CONTROLLER THIS TIME WHICH I THINK PROBABLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND IS WHY IT KEPT RECURRING. BUT NOW WE ARE AFRAID TO TRY AGAIN SINCE WE GOT A FIRM WARNING FROM THE TECHNICIAN THAT WE AREN'T SUPPOSED OT USE INVERTERS IN THE LIGHTER AND IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY WON'T COVER IT! I THINK THEY BUILD THESE SUV'S KNOWING THAT PEOPLE WILL USE THE RECEPTACLES FOR POWER, THEY EVEN LABEL THEM WITH VOLTAGE LIMITS. I THINK IF THERE ARE LIMITATIONS KNOWN, WE SHOULD BE INFORMED EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO ELIMINATE ALL USAGE.

THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNTS. THEIR DESIGN CAUSES A RATTLE ON SMALL TO MODERATE ROAD IRREGULARITIES. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE A PERSONAL MODIFICATION TO THE MOUNT AS HONDA WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. OTHERS (NATIONAL WEB SITE) HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT HONDA SAYS THIS IS CHARASTIC OF VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SUPPORTER OF HONDA IN PURCHASES AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS INCREDIBILY INSENSITIVE. MY NEXT PURCHASE MAY BE A VW OR VOLVO. SINCE I MODIFIED THE BRACKET, THE SOUND IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE VALUE HONDA HAS PLACED ON MY BUSINESS IS. I CAN DOCUMENT ALL EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. SURELY I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH HONDA AS I HAVE REMAINED PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES. I WILL NOT LET THE ISSUE DIE. THERE SHOULD BE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS THAT SUPPORT SHOULD GO ALONG WITH PRODUCT LOYALTY. BILL PRICE

THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 63 MPH. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN HEAD AND SIDE IMPACT AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED, AS THEY SHOULD. AS A RESULT MY WIFE RECEIVED NICK AND BACK INJURIES. HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS THEY SHOULD INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE IF ANY. *AK

MY WIFE AND I BOTH OWN 2003 HONDA PILOT'S. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE A THUMPING NOISE THAT SEEM TO COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL OR LARGER BUMPS.I HAVE CONTACTED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM, THAT IT MAYBE GENERIC. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALER (WADE RAULSERSON, GAINESVILLE, FL) SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING. NO INFORMATION, IT MAY BE GENERIC. I HAVE CORRESPONDED OVER THE INTERNET WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PILOT OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. SEVERAL HAVE DONE CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH ON THEIR OWN AND THE BEST DIAGNOSIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT. YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT(#10023250) DETAILING A FAILURE ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKE ME WONDER IF THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FAULT WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE PILOT THAT COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT MAY CAUSE MAJOR INJURY OR DEATH.*AK

GREETINGS, WE JUST EXPERIENCED OUR SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE ON OUR PILOT. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 5,000 TOTAL MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHICH WE SPECIAL ORDERED AND RECEIVED IN JANUARY 2003 (TODAY IS NOVEMBER 14, 2003). WE DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH EXCEPT FOR FAMILY TRIPS. I HAVE A POTENTIAL THEORY TO BOUNCE OFF YOU GOOD FOLKS... BEING AN ENGINEER, I WAS A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT BEING FLOODED BY THE FLUID RESERVOIR. I WAS EVEN MORE CONCERNED THAT THE RESERVOIR WAS BELOW THE PUMP. I WAS ASSURED BY THE SALESMAN THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE ARRANGEMENT. I LATER LEARNED ABOUT THE REPORTED PULLEY FAILURES. AGAIN I WAS ASSURED THAT WAS FIXED BY A NEW DESIGN. WELL, NOW WE HAVE TWO PUMP FAILURES WITH ONLY 5000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. BY FAILURE I MEAN THAT THE PUMP STARTED MAKING EXCESSIVELY LOUD WHINING NOISES CONSISTENT WITH DRY GEAR MESH NOISE. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER PRIOR TO DRIVING TO THE POINT OF ACTUAL FAILURE. HERE IS THE THEORY... I SUSPECT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP CANNOT HOLD ENOUGH VACUUM IN THE FLUID SUPPLY LINE TO MAINTAIN LUBRICATION OF THE PUMP. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS SET FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME, THE PUMP COULD LOSE IT'S PRIME AND BEGIN TO RUN DRY ON THE NEXT USAGE OF THE VEHICLE. IF NOT RUNNING COMPLETELY DRY, MAYBE THERE IS ENOUGH LOSS OF PRIME TO CAUSE CAVITATION IN THE PUMP. COULD IT BE THAT IF THIS IS NOT CAUGHT SOON ENOUGH THAT THE HEAT GENERATED CAUSES THERMAL EXPANSION OF THE GEAR SETS RESULTING IN THE PUMP SEIZING UP? IF

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY PRODUCED A NOISE. DEALER STATES THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ANOTHER DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF MY PILOT WITHOUT SIGNALING. THE WHOLE RIGHT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WAS PUSHED IN. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK. AS A RESULT I BOUNCED OFF STEERING WHEEL TWICE. 2 DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA SAYING THAT AIR BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING LATE. I BELIEVE THAT MY INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND/OR THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. *LA

JUST BELOW THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT THE PLASTIC PANEL THAT HOLDS THE ELECTRONIC BUTTONS TO OPERATE THE SEAT MOTION HAS BROKEN TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT BOTH TIMES, THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SCREWS HOLDING THE PANEL IN PLACE.

HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2003 HONDA PILOT ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HONDA KNOWS OF THE SITUATION AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION. *JB

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT HAVE AUTOMATIC REVERSE. *AK *CB *NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH HIT A POLE, AND NEITHER OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

MY HONDA PILOT BECOMES UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, IT RESPONDS AS THOUGH THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING AND ANY SMALL ROAD IMPERFECTIONS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER LEFT OR RIGHT, I TOOK IT TO CUSH HONDA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAD 52 POUNDS OF AIR IN THE TIRES, WHICH HAD TO HAVE BEEN THERE ON DELIVERY SINCE I HAVE LESS THAN 700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED OR HAD AIR PUT IN THE TIRES, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC, THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS ALL PILOTS DO IT AND IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM? PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HONDA PILOT EX-L ON A LOCAL STREET AT 35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE HIT SOMETHING OR SKIDDED. ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTED IN THE SUV GOING OUT OF CONTROL. WHILE STILL ON THE ROAD, ANY ATTEMPT TO STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSED IT GO IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND LANDED BACK ON THE WHEEL IN A DITCH BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS, AGES 1 AND 4, ESCAPED UNHURT IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ALL AROUND ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE WINDSHIELD, FRONT SIDE WINDOWS, FRONT DOORS AND FRONT ROOF APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED THE GREATEST IMPACT. THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL SO EASILY SEEMS TO POINT TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE ROLL-OVERS BY ANYONE USING THIS VEHICLE. *JB

HEARING THE ANNOYING AND PRETTY LOUD BACK AND FORTH SLOUGHING OR THUMPING SOUND FROM THE BOTTOM OR REAR OF THE DRIVER SEAT (MOST LIKELY FROM THE GAS TANK WHICH IS WHERE IT IS LOCATED) WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATE FROM A STOP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 PILOT AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH, OPENING EITHER THE REAR WINDOW CAUSES A PRESSURE IMBALANCE WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHICH UNLESS THE WINDOWS ARE IMMEDIATELY CLOSED, CAUSES EXTREME EAR PAIN TO ALL PASSENGERS. THIS SITUATION CAN CAUSE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IF THE VEHICLE IS IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND THE PRESSURE CHANGE AFFECTS THE DRIVER. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AS WELL AS AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY SUCH COMPLAINTS. *NLM

THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS SEVERELY STRETCHED AND SAGGED (AND ALSO WITH 'POINTY HAIRS' PROTRUDING FROM HOLES ON ALL LEATHER SEATS FRONT AND REARS) , AND THE ILLED-MANNERED HONDA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER(ROBERTSON HONDA IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA) REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE COVERED ORIGINAL HONDA WARRANTY AND DENIED TOTALLY THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT ALTHOUGH THE DEFECT IS SO OBVIOUS AND VISIBLE.*AK

DAMAGE FROM DEFECT TO TIMING BELT (WORN FROM PROTRUDING BOLT) CAUSED ENGINE TO STOP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE DAMAGED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *NLM

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY NEW 2003 HONDA PILOT ARE LIKE A SMALL POCKET FLASHLIGHT EXTREMELY DIM AND INSUFFICIENT FOR NIGHT DRIVING PLEASER HELP ME REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *JB

EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR COME TO A STOP I HEAR A THUMPING NOISE FROM FUEL SLOSHING AROUND IN THE TANK. THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL TANK IS RIGHT UNDER THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IT IS VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING TO HEAR. *JB

2003 HONDA PILOT CENTER SEATING POSITION 2ND & 3RD ROW. SEAT BELT SYSTEM DOES NOT FIT ADULT ( IN MY EXPERIENCE, 1 WOMAN 5'8" AND 1 WOMAN 5'10") OR CHILD IN A BOOSTER SEAT (BOTH HIGHBACK AND EVENFLO RIGHT FIT BOOSTER) PROPERLY. SHOULDER STRAPS CUT ACROSS NECK JUST UNDER JAW BONE. SHOULDER STRAP IS NOT ABLE TO BE POSITIONED AT CENTER OF COLLAR BONE AND IN SOME CASES DOES NOT EVEN MAKE CONTACT WITH COLLAR BONE (CHILD IN EVENFLO RIGHT FIT BOOSTER). MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY OCCUPANTS WILL PUT SEAT BELT BEHIND BACK OR UNDER THE ARM. I AM A CPS TECHNICIAN AND PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A FEW WEEKS AGO, NOT REALIZING THIS SITUATION. I HAD ONLY CHECKED THE INSTALLATION OF A BRITAX SUPER ELITE IN THE CENTER SEATING POSITION BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE. *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE LIGHTING PROJECTION. WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED IT THIS WAS A DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC. *JB

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION YOU CAN HEAR A THUMPING SOUND, IT'S A CONSTANT THUMPING. IF ONLY THE BACK 2 WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, THE SOUND OF THE WIND PASSING THROUGH THE CAR IS DEAFENING. IT CREATES A BOOMING THAT IMMEDIATELY AFFECTS THE EAR DRUM. *JB

2003 HONDA PILOT HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON.*JB

NAR 03/03/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT JUST AFTER THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER MORE THAN 3" DEEP, INSTEAD OF THE WATER BEING DIVERTED OUT AND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, IT IS DIVERTED AS A MASSIVE WALL OF WATER ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS NECESSARY TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE, AS VISION IS 100% OBSTRUCTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 DIFFERENT DAYS. TWICE IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAIN, WHERE WATER WAS POOLING BY THE CURB, BUT WAS NOT YET OVER THE CURB. ONCE IT WAS DURING DRY WEATHER, BUT THERE WAS A DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER IN A LOW SPOT IN THE ROAD. IN ALL 3 SITUATIONS IT POSED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, AS WE COULD NOT REACT TO TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AHEAD OF US AND HAD TO COME TO A STOP UNTIL THE WINDSHIELD DRAINED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE AMOUNT OF WATER THROWN ON THE WINDSHIELD.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 45MPH-75MPH A HIGH PITCH NOISE ORGINATES FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OR FRAME, VERY ANNOYING AND CAN NOT ISOLATE AS OF YET, MAYBE MIS-ALIGNED WINDSHIELD? PLEASE DIRECT.

HEADLIGHTS ON THE NEW HONDA PILOT ARE WEAK AND FAIL TO ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. IT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING A SPOTLIGHT VS A FLOODLIGHT. THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN IN USE JUST SEEM TO DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT. YOU CAN SEE BUT THE LIGHT IS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH IN MY OPINION. I THINK THE HIGH BEAMS SHOULD BE MORE LIKE A SPOTLIGHT IN LIGHTING UP THE ROAD AHEAD. I THINK IT IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW.

ENGINE MAKING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR THREE WEEKS FOR REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

THUNKING NOISE FROM GAS TANK WHEN STOPPING. IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE BAFFLES BUT HONDA DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

I PARKED MY 2003 HONDA PILOT EX IN MY GARAGE AND FOUND OIL STAINS ON THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, ALL THE OIL HAD DRAINED. I LOOKED AT THE DIPSTICK AND THERE WAS LESS THAN 1/16TH OF AN INCH OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THE TIMING BELT WAS STRIPPED. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT TWO OF THE VALVES WERE BENT. ALL THESE WERE REPLACED BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT MORE DAMAGE HAS OCCURED TO THE ENGINE BY DRIVING WITHOUT OIL.