2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGERS FRONT AIR BAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAIALBLE. *JB
2003 Honda Pilot complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A RESONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JAN 2015 FOR MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED THEY ORDER THE PARTS REQUIRED TO SAFELY REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN IN MARCH OF 2015 AND NO PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE. CURRENTLY HONDA IS UNABLE TO TELL ME HOW MUCH LONGER UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SAFELY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED AT THIS TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V349000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS METALLIC TAPE COATING. TAPE IS PEELING OFF. 2 OF MY CHILDREN WERE CUT BY THE METAL. KIDS CANNOT OPEN INTERIOR PASSENGER DOOR WITHOUT BEING INJURED. THEY ARE NOW SCARED, AND MAY BE RELUCTANT TO OPEN DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
CAR SUDDENLY AND ABRUPTLY DECELERATED AS IF MAXIMUM BRAKES WERE APPLIED FOR ABOUT HALF A SECOND. CAR DID NOT JERK HARD TO LEFT OR RIGHT, SUGGESTING THAT IF BRAKES WERE THE CAUSE, BOTH WHEELS PROBABLY ENGAGED SIMULTANEOUSLY. REMOVED BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND INSPECTED FRONT BRAKES AND LINES. NOTHING UNUSUAL NOTED. BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE BETWEEN MAX AND MIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
DRIVING VEHICLE ON FREEWAY, WENT TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE DID NOTHING. TOOK MY FOOT OFF GAS, TRIED AGAIN, NOTHING. GOT IN SLOW LANE, FINALLY ENGAGED BUT HAD TO GO SLOW ON FREEWAY. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. NEXT DAY VEHICLE WONT SHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR, CAN ONLY GO 35 MPH AND ENGINE REVS UP. THE DRIVE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. NEXT DAY CANT SHIFT INTO REVERSE EITHER. TAKE TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, THEY SAY NO REVERSE, NO 3RD GEAR, FLUID IS FULL BUT SMELLS BURNT. PULLED CODES P0730 INCORRECT GEAR RATIO AND P0780 SHIFT MALFUNCTION. RECOMMENDED TRANSMISSION REPLACE. I ONLY HAVE 139,000 MILES AND DON'T DRIVE IT CRAZY. ALSO FOUND THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION RECALL ON THIS YEAR PILOT. I CALL HONDA SO THEY CAN LOOK IT UP, HE SAYS YES IT WAS DONE TO MY CAR, BUT DOESN'T SHOW ON MY CARFAX REPORT? *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL AND PARKED MY CAR AND TOOK HER INSIDE LIKE I ALWAYS DO. WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE AND UNLOCKED MY CAR (WITH THE KEY) MY KEY WOULD NOT GO IN THE IGNITION - LEAVING ME STUCK AND LATE FOR WORK AND HAVING TO USE MY AAA TOWING BECAUSE I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IT TO THE SHOP - THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL***I HAVE SEEN MANNNYYYYYY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE EVEN MY TOW TRUCK GUY STATED THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND (KNOWN) FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND NOW WILL COST ME 450.00 TO FIX. A IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT NORMAL WARE AND TARE - ITS NOT LIKE TIRES OR TIMING BELT OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED - THIS IS COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR CONSUMERS - THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE A PROBLEM IF SOMEONE GETS HURT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY CANT EVEN GET THE KEY IN THERE IGNITION - LAWSUITS WILL HAPPEN IF A RECALL IS NOT MADE. *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND TRACTION FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. DEALER VISIT ON MARCH 14, 2014 DID NOT PRODUCE A CAUSE. MORE RECENTLY I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM 40 MPH FOR A RED LIGHT WITH FULL BRAKE PRESSURE. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD AT THE TIME. I HAD TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY DISPLAYS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND "VTM-4" LIGHT QUITE CONSISTENTLY. TRACTION IS ALSO INTERMITTENTLY COMPROMISED BY SOME UNKNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE VTM-4 LIGHT IS ON, THE AWD FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE IS DISABLED. WHEN IT IS ON, IT CANNOT BE DISABLED WITH THE SWITCH ON THE DASH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS ORDERED ON OCTOBER 29, 2014 BUT HAS NOT YET BECOME AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN ON MARCH 2, 2014 AFTER I RECEIVED ANOTHER AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE. THIS NOW INCLUDES THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS THE DRIVER SIDE. AIR BAGS ARE NOT EXPECTED FOR ANOTHER TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THEY WILL CALL...............!
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V349000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V349000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS OF 3/12/15 THE RECALL PARTS HAD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/20/2015*JS
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THE END OF JANUARY 2015. I CALLED MY HONDA DEALERSHIP ON 02/12 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE "PARTS" WERE NOT AVAILABLE YET, PLEASE CALL BACK THE END OF THE MONTH. I JUST CALLED MY HONDA DEALERSHIP TODAY, 02/23, AND WAS TOLD THE "PARTS" WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL! I JUST WANT THIS OFFICIALLY DOCUMENTED, SHOULD I OR ONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS(GOD FORBID) HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE AND RECEIVE INJURIES BECAUSE OF THIS DELAY!! UPDATED 09/23/15.*JB
FAULTY IGNITION. KEY WILL NOT TURN. WAFERS IN CYLINDER ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/10/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF TRACTION ISSUES IN BOTH ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. UPDATED 04/16/15*JB
WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE GAS TO PICK UP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND HESITATED TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR, ONCE IT DID ENGAGE IT THEN SLIPPED AND DOWN SHIFTED CAUSING SPEED TO DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-55 MPH. LATER THE D LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SLIP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AT TIMES DOWN SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE D DASH LIGHT AFTER DRIVING IT 3 DAYS PROBLEM HAS NOW STARTED TO OCCUR AGAIN AND LIGHT HAS AGAIN COME ON ON DASH. *JS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V700000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I TOOK MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IN TO REPAIR THE IGNITION RECALL. EVER SINCE THE REPAIR I'VE BEEN HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING MY KEY INTO THE IGNITION. I NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT PRIOR TO THE SERVICE. I HAVE TO LITERALLY WIGGLE AND INSERT AND TAKE OUT THE KEY MANY TIMES FOR IT TO SIT RIGHT IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE FROM OTHER PILOT OWNERS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. HONDA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO SEE IF MY PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE WORK THEY DID FOR THE RECALL. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE CHARGED JUST TO CHECK IF THEY CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER TRAVELED THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE FLOORBOARDS. THE FAILURE CREATED MOLD IN THE VEHICLE AND ELECTRICAL WIRING DAMAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 02/11/15 *BF .
SRS LIGHT WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY CAME ON,2003 HONDA PILOT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS UNDER A RECALL. THE SRS LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON SO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED A CODE 15-3 IN THE OPDS SYSTEM AND FOUND FAULTY WIRING IN PASSENGER SEAT HARNESS WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR TEN YEARS WHICH WE WERE NOT AWARE OF UNTIL THE S RS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND HONDA SERVICE. BULLETIN 06-009 DATED FEB.5,2008,WHICH SET THE WARRANTY AT 10 YEARS OR 157000 MILES. MY VEHICLE FALLS WITHIN IN THE MILEAGE PARAMETERS BUT NOT THE YEARS. YOU WOULD THINK THE TIME WOULD RUN FROM THE DATE OF THE BULLETIN. IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR THAT I HAVE TP PAY TO REPLACE THIS PART WHEN HONDA KNEW IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD REPLACE IT WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS ON TIME OR MILEAGE. *TR
VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A FLUTTERING NOISE UNDERNEATH AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE PROBLEMATIC WHEN DRIVING FROM 35-50 MPH. TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION ISSUE. MECHANIC SAYS CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE TRANSMISSION MAY LOCK UP, CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA IN 2011, TO NO AVAIL, REGARDING OUR STICKY/TACKY AIRBAG COVERS, PROBABLY CAUSED BY CLIMATE HEAT. IN DOING THE CURRENT AIRBAG RECALL WORK, THE COVERS BECAME PERMANENTLY FINGERPRINTED AT THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA, EXPLAINING THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE COVERS EVEN MORE UNSIGHTLY BECAUSE OF THE FINGERPRINTING ON THE DASHBOARD, IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU REFRAIN FROM USING THE HORN WHEN NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE STICKY NATURE OF THE COVER, WHICH LEAVES A RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND. HONDA OFFERED TO PAY 25% OF $ 2100.00 COST TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM, A PROBLEM THAT WE DID NOT CREATE. NOT THE RESPONSE WE WERE LOOKING FOR... *TR
THIS IS A 2003 HONDA PILOT THAT I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL I HAD TO TRAVEL ALMOST 2 HOURS--ONE WAY--FOR MY JOB. ON THE WAY HOME OF MY 4 HOUR TRIP MY PILOT LIKE GOT HOT AND THEN JUST STOPPED PULLING. HONDA OF RICHMOND KENTUCKY PUT ONE TRANSMISSION IN ALREADY, BUY THE 2ND OR 3RD OIL CHANGE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, WE HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. NOT ITS ABOUT 1 THOUSAND MILES FROM ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN. HELP WHAT DO I DO?? *TR
I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MARYLAND. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAIN DAMAGE WAS TO MY NECK WHICH RECEIVED A SERIOUS STRAIN AND HAS HURT EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT. BECAUSE THE HEADRESTS ON THE PILOT ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, THE BACK OF MY HEAD WAS SEVERAL INCHES AWAY FROM THE HEADREST WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR REPLACED BY HONDA. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID WHIPLASH INJURY IN THIS CAR IF ONE IS HIT FROM THE REAR. *TR
THE CAR WAS MOVED INTO LOCATION, TURNED OFF, AND THE KEY REMOVED LEADING TO THE DRIVER THINKING THE CAR WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, ROLL OVER A TREE, AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER TREE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *TR
WHEN I CALLED TO INQUIRE OF HONDA ABOUT THE PARTIAL RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT SINCE IT HADN'T EXPLODED YET. REALLY? I GUESS HONDA ISN'T INTERESTED IN REPEAT BUSINESS; I HAVE OWNED NOTHING BUT THEIR PRODUCTS. LOOKS LIKE I NEED TO FIND A NEW(OR SMARTER) MANUFACTURER. *TR
FAILED FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ON HONDA PILOT 2003. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS LISTED IN THE 6/2/2014 RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT HONDA HAS NOT GIVEN THEM INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT HOW TO FIX PER THE RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY REPORT THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME AT SOME UNKNOWN TIME. BASED ON THE REPORTS OF FATALITIES RELATING TO HONDA AIR BAGS, I AM CONCERNED WHETHER OR NOT THE 2003 HONDA PILOT IS SAFE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I REQUEST THAT EITHER HONDA PROMPTLY REPAIR PER THE RECALL NOTICE OR OFFICIALLY AND IMMEDIATELY LET ME KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE IN ITS CURRENT STATE. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT LISTED IN THE REGIONAL SAFETY RECALL. MY VEHICLE HAS SPENT SIGNIFICANT TIME IN HOT AND HUMID AREAS, INCLUDING SOUTH CAROLINA. I CAN FIND NO DATA THAT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE THAT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS IN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND OTHER "HOT" STATES ARE SAFE. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA IMMEDIATELY REVIEW THE FACTS AND DATA FOR DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FOR VEHICLES NOT COVERED IN THE REGIONAL RECALL BECAUSE OF THE "HOT" STATE VS. "NON-HOT" STATE DIFFERENTIATION AND ISSUE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE RISKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND HELP. *TR
HONDA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE THE RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE TANATA AIRBAGS THEY INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. WE CONTACTED THEM DIRECTLY EARLY IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY COMMITTED TO RECALL IT WITHIN A MONTH. NO RECALL HAS EVER ARRIVED. *TR
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNING DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INFLATORS. *TGW UPDATED 11/20/14*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR END APPEARED TO BE LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME PLATING ON THE DOOR HANDLES WAS PEELING AND CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S FINGERS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR HANDLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
CAR RAN AWAY IN REVERSE AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. FULL WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. CRASHED INTO UTILITY POLE ENCIRCLED WITH OLD CAR TIRES. CAR BOUNCED OFF AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE POLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HIT GEAR SHIFT INTO FORWARD. ENGINE SCREAMING REALLY HIGH REVS, CAR RACED FORWARD AND I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO AVOID HITTING PARKED VEHICLES AND A POND AS CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. WITH NOWHERE TO HEAD BUT GOLF COURSE OR HIGHWAY, I STEERED ONTO A FARM FIELD AND DROVE A HALF MILE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT THE KEYS FROM THE STARTER WHICH STOPPED CAR. I DID NOT THINK I WAS INJURED AT TIME BUT I ENDED UP WITH WHIPLASH WHICH MEANT I LOST ABOUT SIX MONTHS INCOME. HONDA REFUSED COMPENSATION, OR PAID FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS OF THE CAR WITH EXCEPTION OF THE KEY INTERFACE FOR STARTER . HONDA CLAIMED THAT NOTHINGS WRONG WITH CAR. SAID HAD MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. HOWEVER, HONDA DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME MORE THAN $3,000 TO FIX A COMPLETELY DESTROYED BRAKING SYSTEM HOW COULD I HAVE HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND DESTROYED THE BRAKES? HONDA REFUSED TO BUY MY CAR AND DECOMMISSION IT BECAUSE THEY SAID CAR WAS PERFECT. DOWNRIGHT RUDE AFTERWARD. I DID NOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THE CAR AND USED IT AS INFREQUENTLY AS I COULD. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, I WAS IN AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE AND SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THESOLID CONCRETE WALL JUST FOUR FEET AHEAD. THE IMPACT DESTROYED CAR. FRONT END CRUMPLED IN, THE ENGINE DAMAGED AND ALL AIRBAGS D
PARKED THE CAR. CAME BACK ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, HEARD LOUD LIKE SHOTS FIRED, ROUNDED THE CORNER TO SEE IT WAS OUR AIRBAGS POPPING...THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, AND GOING TO THE DASHBOARD. CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT. CAME ( 1 MILE AWAY) THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED. THE WHOLE CAR DESTROYED, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE SHELL NO SEATS NO DASHBOARD NO LICENSE PLATES NOTHING LEFT. WE COMPLIED TO ALL RECALLS AND TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP EACH TIME FOR REPAIRS. WE HAD A STEERING COLUMN FIRE ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO DRIVING ALONG AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE, IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT PULLING OVER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE PUT OUT THE FIRE. HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. A WEEK BEFORE THE BIG FIRE WE FELT THE COLUMN AND IT WAS HOT...BUT COOLED AFTER WE PARKED IT. THEN DAYS LATER IS WHEN IT BURNED TO THE GROUND, EVEN THE TIRES WERE GONE. HONDA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OUR LOSS, AND OF COURSE IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT. P.S. IN 2007 WE GOT HURT IN THAT SAME CAR WE WERE STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ( WE WERE IN THE CAR) AND A TRUCK CROSSED THE LINE AND HIT US HEAD ON. OUR SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD US IN, THEY LOOSENED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE HURT AND HONDA SAID THE TRUCK HIT US TOO HIGH IS WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAPS DIDN'T HOLD US CAUSE WE WEREN'T MOVING ALSO SOUNDS RIDICULOUS. HONDA DIDN'T CARE THEN EITHER. *TR
MY HONDA PILOT SHUTTERS AT 25-50 MPH I HAD IT CHECK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER HONDA AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION ISSUE'S. *TR
ANYWHERE BETWEEN 35-50 MPH I GET A SHUDDER THAT SOUNDS LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT TO WHERE IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUSH OF AIR WAS FLOWING UNDERNEATH THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN PROGRESSED TO A RUMBLE STRIP NOISE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD IT LOOKED AT. MECHANIC SAYS FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 132,000 MILES ON THE CAR. HAVEN'T CONTACTED HONDA AS I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE READ IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE INTERNET THAT HONDA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC WARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO AT ANY TIME NOW AND THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE DECIDED IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FAIL AT 132,000 MILES, I'M NOT TAKING THE CHANCE OF PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT, ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE ENDING UP WITH SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED BY HONDA WITH SUBSEQUENT FAILURES). I'VE OWNED THREE HONDAS. THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM HONDA ON THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD MEANS THEY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER. *TR
I PICKED UP MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM SCHOOL WHICH IS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A STOP, I FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GO BACK. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE OUR OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SUPPORT MOUNT BRACKET FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE TO FATAL INJURY HAD I BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON. I HAD TO CROSS ROUTE 83 IN BENSENVILLE/WOOD DALE AREA IN ILLINOIS. *TR
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN SALT WATER. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE DOES WORK NEAR THE WATER, BUT NOT SALT WATER. *JB
RE: RECALL # JF7 PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR (FOR 2003 - 2007 HONDA PILOTS SOLD IN HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY STATES) MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW IN FEBRUARY 2003 IN MYRTLE BEACH, AN OCEAN-FRONT CITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, ONE OF THE STATES REFERRED TO IN THE ABOVE RECALL AS HAVING HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED TITLED IN COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA FROM FEBRUARY 2003 UNTIL MARCH 2007, A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SPENT THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE IN AN AREA OF HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENT AND FUTURE FUNCTIONALITY OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE RECALL LIST FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH AIRBAG INFLATORS. THANK YOU. *TR
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE HAD OUR MECHANIC (WHO WORKED WITH A LOCKSMITH) REBUILD THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE OUR KEYS WERE FAILING TO TURN THE SWITCH, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. THIS REPAIR COST US ABOUT $400. WE ALSO HAD NEW KEYS CUT. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED. THE KEYS ARE NOT WORN, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH UNLESS THEY GO IN "JUST RIGHT" -- WHICH MEANS 15+ MINUTES OF FIDDLING WITH THE KEY TO START THE CAR -- AND SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE LOCKSMITH WILL CHARGE US ANOTHER $400 TO REBUILD THE SWITCH AGAIN -- OR WE CAN PAY $535 (PLUS TAX) TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPLACE IT. [THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DOOR LOCKS, BY THE WAY, WHICH WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE OPENED WITH THE OLD KEY -- AND COST ANOTHER $400 TO REPLACE.] WE HAVE STARTED LEAVING A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN USE THE CAR. ONCE WE GET IT IN THERE, WE JUST LEAVE IT THERE. WE DRAPE A SMALL TOWEL OVER THE STEERING COLUMN TO HIDE THE KEY, BUT THERE IT STAYS. IT'S A RIDICULOUS SITUATION, AND WE ARE NOT ALONE. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ONLINE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA PILOT. I AM AN OLDER, CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND HAVE BABIED THIS VEHICLE, DOING ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALER'S, SO IT WOULD RUN IN TOP SHAPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AROUND SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED AT LOWER SPEEDS (20-30 M.P.H.) THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. TO COUNTER THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. LAST WEEK THE D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. I ASKED IF THAT COULD BE MAKING THE CAR SHUDDER AND THEY SAID PROBABLY. I HAD THEM CHANGE IT AND THE SHUDDER HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS MORNING IT WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY SO I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY GAVE ME THE AMERICAN HONDA NUMBER. I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE DEALER SHOULD LOOK AT IT. I'VE SEEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA IS CHOOSING TO IGNORE; A LITTLE LIKE OTHER AUTO COMPANIES HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS UNTIL A FATALITY HAPPENS. AS I CARRY MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED BACK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
CAR KEY GOES IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS A DANGER WHEN YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I READ ON LINE MANY OTHER PILOTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA HAS A BAD PART. HONDA WANTS $500 TO FIX A BAD PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
LEFT WORK AT NIGHT. LOW-BEAMS PARTIALLY FAILED, BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO USE BRIGHTS, AND GO TO A GAS STATION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND CHECKED BY DEALER. DEALER SAID USING 3RD PARTY HEADLIGHT BULBS WAS THE CAUSE. OF INTEREST, THE CAR ALREADY HAD THE LOW-BEAM FAILURE RECALL FIXED. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AFTER THE RECALL, AND USING HONDA OEM BULBS IS THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO GO. 3RD PARTY BULBS WERE PURCHASED FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, AND I'M UNSURE OF THE BRAND. *TR
WE STARTED TO HAVE TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TODAY THE KEY WOULDN'T EVEN GO IN AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS WIGGLING IT. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES TRYING HAD TO LEAVE CAR BEHIND. NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR AND SEARCHING FOR RECALLS NOTICED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS NONE FOR THIS PROBLEM IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PILOT OWNERS. *TR
CLEAR COAT BEGAN COMING OFF OF MANY HORIZONTAL SURFACES. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS. NOW THE ACTUAL PAINT IS COMING OFF AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED POWER SEAT FRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2003 Honda Pilot → · Every Pilot year → · How the figures are calculated →