Page 6 of 15 · complaints 251–300 of 720

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 →

Electrical System
Filed May 5, 2014184,000 milesFL

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR A RECALL AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID HE WILL SERVICE ALL THE RECALLS TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL WAS SOMETHING IN REFERENCE TO THE IGNITION. TO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHOUT OFF, THE VEHICLE ALWAYS MAKE THE SOUND AS IF THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID THE DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AROUND THE IGNITION.... NOW THE VEHICLE SHOUT OFF WHILE DRIVING HAVE VIDEO. TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SAID I NEED TO PAY ADDITIONAL.... IF ALL VEHICLE RECALLS WHERE RECALL BY THE DEALER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 2014MA

2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL, BUT CHARGED HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 18, 2014ND

ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT'S IGNITION SWITCH NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE PARK POSITION. RECEIVED RECALL PAPER WORK ORDERING THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED AT LOCAL HONDA DEALER FREE OF CHARGE. RECALL PAPER WORK WAS SIGNED BY [XXX] CHIEF RECALL MANAGEMENT DIVISION. LOCAL HONDA DEALER, WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE ON APRIL 4, 2014. THE RECALL JOB FOR A HONDA PILOT WAS BOTCHED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC REFUSED TO FIX. REQUESTED MANAGEMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. AS OF TODAY APRIL 18, 2014 AN ANSWER TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANAGEMENT OF WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 18, 2014105,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 8, 2014VA

2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEMS AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT, BY STATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN GERMANY THROUGH THE MILITARY. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. *JB

Seats
Filed Mar 24, 2014240,000 milesMI

SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT NOW IS NOT FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL ROCK BACK TO THE RIGHT WHEN SEATED. IT'S NOT SAFE IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT SOME IMPORTANT PARTS THAT COULD COMPROMISE DRIVER SAFETY SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER A FEW YEARS OF REGULAR USE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 19, 2014165,000 milesCA

THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE KEY. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS/27572-2003-PILOT-IGNITION-SWITCH-PROBLEM-SOLUTION.HTML, I FOUND MANY OTHER REFERENCES TO THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ONLY 160,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION SO VERY UNEXPECTED AND SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 250,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS CONCERN. NEW IGNITION PARTS INSTALLED OVER $500 AND TOLD ME TO SAVE MY PAPERWORK AS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I'M FORTUNATE IT WAS DAYLIGHT, I WAS AT WORK, AND HAD AAA IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FORCE HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Jan 10, 201490,000 milesCA

THERE IS A RECALL: HTTP://WWW.HONDA.COM/NEWSANDVIEWS/ARTICLE.ASPX?ID=7018-EN IN ADDITION THE KEY AND LOCK MECHANISM CAN BE WARN OUT WHERE THE KEY CAN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE ON A FREEWAY OR STREET. THE CAR DIES AND YOU CAN'T PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND MOVE THE CAR. HAPPENED TO ME HAD TO TOW THE CAR HAVE THE RECALL DONE AND HAD TO PAY FOR THE IGNITION WITH REPLACEMENT. THE WEB SHOWS 100 OR 1000 OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

Seats
Filed Jan 8, 2014260,000 milesPA

STEEL BRACKET OR WELD TO STEEL BRACKET HOLDING LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT TO FLOOR BROKE RENDERING SEAT UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. HONDA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE YEAR HONDA PILOTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. DEALER COULD DO NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CALL AMERICAN HONDA WHICH I DID AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. THE REP SAID I COULD WRITE AND HAVE MY CASE REVIEWED. I WROTE ON 1/2 AND JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY, 1/8 FROM THE PA AREA CASE REP WHO TOLD ME, AND I QUOTE, "COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT SOMETHING ALMOST 11 YEARS OLD WILL BREAK". I DO NOT BELIEVE A STEEL PART OR WELD HOLDING THE PART TOGETHER SHOULD BREAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE PA AREA CASE REP THAT THE PHONE CALL WAS MY RESPONSE AND I WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING A REPLY IN WRITING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 27, 2013130,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Seats
Filed Nov 10, 2013137,200 milesCT

DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM STOP I FELT MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SNAP AND GIVE ALLOWING MY BODY TO LEAN BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. VISUAL INSPECTION UNDER SEAT SHOW FATIGUED METAL BRACKET AT FORWARD OUTBOUND POSITION OF SEAT BASE/BRACKET JUST ABOVE RAILS. I WOULD ASSUME INTEGRITY/SAFETY OF SEAT IS COMPROMISED. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION/USE. *TR

Seats
Filed Nov 3, 2013103,000 milesWI

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SHEARED OFF ON THE FRONT BAR, LEFT SIDE. THE SEAT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I FEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE INFLUENTIAL CAUSAL EFFECT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST BROKE. THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS SEEMS TO PROBLEMATIC AMONG 2003 - 2006 HONDA PILOTS. HONDA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL? *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 26, 2013160,000 milesFL

MY HONDA PILOT STARTS SLIPPING WHEN IT CHANGES FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4 GEAR. NOW IT STARTS SHAKING/JUGGING. WITH SPEED 60MPH OR 65 MPH, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT STARTS JUGGING BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THE CAR BEHIND YOU REACTS AND YOUR CAR WILL DO. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 14, 201385,000 milesHI

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN GOING AROUND 30 MILES. I HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MULTIPLE TIMES. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS YEAR HONDA PILOT HAS A LOT OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES LIKE THIS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Oct 14, 201390,000 milesHI

IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR I BROUGHT MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL CONCERNING THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERLOCK. AFTER THAT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION, BUT IF I JIGGLED IT ENOUGH IT WOULD FINALLY GO IN . NOW MY KEY DOES NOT EVEN GO IN AT ALL. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I NEED THE IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY CHANGED, BUT THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALL. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2003 HONDA PILOT. TO BE STUCK SOMEWHERE WITH MY KIDS IN A CAR THAT WON'T START BECAUSE THE KEY WON'T GO IN IS A SCARY THOUGHT. IT HAS ALMOST HAPPENED TO ME MORE THAN ONCE. *TR

Structure
Filed Oct 4, 2013136,000 milesIL

HONDA PILOT '03 STARTED LEAKING WATER INTO THE FRONT CABIN AFTER THE RAINS. THE FLOOR GETS WET AND THE WATER NEEDS TO BE VACUUMED OUT AFTER THE RAIN. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS BEING AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THIS WATER LEAK.. I ALREADY SEE RUST SHOWING UP AND MOLD SMELL COMING OUT BECAUSE OF THE WATER LEAK. I CALLED IN NORTHAMERICAN HONDA AND LODGED A COMPLAINT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 19, 2013104,955 milesOR

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, NOT SHIFTING AS IT SHOULD. *JB

Service BrakesCrash3 injured
Filed Sep 18, 2013127,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE THEN PROCEED THROUGH TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE COMPARTMENT BUT FAILED TO INFLATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 16, 201337,000 milesMD

LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMES FROM CAR DURING CRUISING AT AROUND 35-40MPH AROUND 2000RPM. CAR SEEMS TO STUTTER AT THESE SPEEDS CAUSING ABRUPT VIBRATIONS. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME OCCURRENCE, MANY REPORT IT IS FROM A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 3, 2013120,000 milesCT

CAR STARTS SHIMMERING AT 35 - 45 MPH. HAD MECHANIC CHECK CAR AND SAID NO MECHANICAL ISSUE. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON CAR. STILL SHIMMERING. HAVE SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS AS OTHERS ON THE HONDA WEB SITE THAT MENTIONED THAT THE DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. STRONG SHIMMER AT 35 - 45 MPH INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *JB

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 2013120,000 milesCT

FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDA PILOTS. NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 2013140,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 201355,000 milesMI

1. FALL OF 2011, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED CAR WOULD BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE. FOR SAFETY, I WOULDN'T DRIVE FASTER THAN APPROX. 35 MPH. ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE REVVED AND SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES. FUEL INJECTION CLEANER REMEDIED THIS. 2. 2012, WHEN INITIALLY ACCELERATING, GEARS WOULD ROUGHLY CHANGE WITH A THUMPING SOUND. WHILE DRIVING AND PICKING UP SPEED, CAR WOULD REV LOUDLY. BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO KEEP IT FROM LUNGING FORWARD. (VERY SCARY), BUT MAINTAINED CONTROL. CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, ADDED 1/4 QT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. PROBLEM PERSISTED. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE IT TO THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. MECHANIC CHECKED AND TEST DROVE CAR. ADVISED ABOUT LIGHT FLASHING WHEN IN DRIVE-(THIS HAD NOT OCCURRED).THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RESET. RETURNED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONE WEEK LATER WHEN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MECHANIC TEST DROVE AND AGAIN COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. WARNING LIGHT RESET. APPROX. 3 WEEKS LATER, WARNING LIGHT RETURNED. CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAUTIOUSLY. ON AUG 20, 2013 (DRIVING APPROX 20 MPH) THREE HOUSES FROM MY HOME, MY CAR CHANGED GEARS WITH A LOUD CLUNK (SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BROKE). I TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND HAVEN'T MOVED OR DRIVEN IT SINCE. MY HONDA PILOT HAS APPROX. 65,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I BELIEVE HONDA MOTORS AND DEALERSHIPS ARE AWARE OF THIS RECURRING DEFECT WITH THE HONDA PILOT MODELS AND IS DELIBERATELY I

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 8, 2013139,925 milesPA

ON 9/6/2012 HONDA PERFORMED RECALL WORK ON THIS VEHICLE, SEE NHTSA RECALL 12V-136. ON 8/5/2013 I CHECKED THE VEHICLES LIGHTS AND ALL WERE WORKING. ON 8/6/2013 WHILE MOVING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THAT BOTH LOW BEAMS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH WAS TURNED ON. THE PARKING LIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS BOTH WORKED, BUT THE LOW BEAMS DID NOT WORK. ON 8/8/2013 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER (ROBERTS IN DOWNINGTOWN, PA). THE DEALER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE REPORTED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS FINE AND THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS BROKEN. THE COST OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS $190. I WILL PICK UP THE VEHICLE LATER TODAY, 8/8/2013. I AM REPORTING THIS TO PROVIDE DATA THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL AS IT RELATES TO THE SAFETY RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 31, 2013TX

CERTIFIED LETTER (7011 0470 003 0649 3438) FROM ATTORNEY REPRESENTING HIS CLIENT REGARDING PAID REPAIRED WORK HE HAD DONE TO HIS 2003 HONDA PILOT AND LATER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES ABOUT THE PROBLEM; HE IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD ON DECEMBER 21, 2012, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION, AND COULD NOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $624. 41 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, DESPITE THE FACT IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT, WHICH APPARENTLY RESULTED FROM AN IMPROPER SETTING OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE TRANSMISSION AT THE SHIFT LEVER BRACKET, WHICH WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDA VEHICLES. AFTER THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA CONCERNING THE IGNITION INTERLOCK SWITCH ON HIS VEHICLE.

Power Train
Filed Jul 25, 201378,785 milesNJ

2003 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN LOW GEAR AFTER ENGINE WARMED UP. WHENEVER VEHICLE IS GOING FROM A STOP TO MOVEMENT, SUCH AS RED LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC, VEHICLE DOE NOT CLICK INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER WHO STATED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4100 + 12 HRS LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. VEHICLE ONLY HAS @78,00 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY MY TRANSMISSION HAS NOT SEIZED AS MANY OTHERS HAVE ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 24, 2013170,000 milesCT

DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT STALLED AND WOULD NOT RE-START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC WHO HAS BEEN SERVICING OUR VEHICLE. HE STATES THAT THE TIMING BELT PULLEY HAD RIPPED OUT THE WATER PUMP AND CAUSED A BOLT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CYLINDER HEAD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 2013NY

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND DOES NOT TURN. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY TURNS AND THEN I CAN START THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE, CALLED UP HONDA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS SYMPTOM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 22, 2013157,349 milesCT

WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT EX-L NEW AT DANBURY HONDA ON FEBRUARY 20, 2003. WE HAVE HAD ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE "D" OR DRIVE LIGHT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAD IT CHECKED AT THE DEALER EACH TIME, WITH A REPORT BACK THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND IT WOULD GO AWAY. THE DEALER HAS DONE ALMOST ALL OF THE PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE TO OUR VEHICLE AND WE ALSO DO PROACTIVE CARE TO OUR VEHICLE. MOST RECENTLY WE SPENT A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY ON REPAIRS TO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH HONDA DEALERSHIPS IN DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA (DISASTER THERE) AND DANBURY, CT. WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ONLY MONTHS AFTER PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE CAR. HAD WE KNOWN WE WOULD BE SPENDING THIS KIND OF MONEY (ABOUT $5K), WE WOULD HAVE TRADED THE CAR IN. HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW CAUGHT IN A FINANCIAL BURDEN WITH HAVING TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE 2003 PILOT, WHICH WE THINK SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL BASED UPON ALL THE ON-LINE RESEARCH WE'VE DONE. CAN ANYONE PLEASE ASSIST? *TR

Tires
Filed Jul 21, 201394,000 milesMD

YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER H/T-S GO51 P235/70R16 CRACKING AND SEPARATION OF TIRE TREAD AROUND ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES PURCHASED 6/26/09 AND ONLY 27K MILES. THESE WERE NOT DRY ROT CRACKS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 19, 2013125,000 milesWA

KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO IGNITION SWITCH. TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO INSERT KEY AND ONCE FULLY INSERTED KEY WON'T TURN IGNITION. TAKES NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AND EVENTUALLY KEY WILL TURN IGNITION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 16, 2013109,000 milesIA

WE BOUGHT A 2003 HONDA PILOT IN 2006. 3 MONTHS AGO WE FOUND OUT IT HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2004 FOR THE POWERTRAIN. THAT APPARENTLY WAS FIXED AT THAT TIME. IN APRIL, WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE RPMS SHOWING 3000 WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ONLY 35 MPH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE POWERTRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST US OVER $6,000 TO REPLACE INCLUDING OVER $700 TO LEASE A CAR. AMERICAN HONDA SAID THAT THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THAT IT WAS A HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. OUR QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THE POWERTRAIN HAVE TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME WITHIN A 9 YEAR PERIOD. THE 109,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN IF NOT LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. GRANTED, A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WILL PROBABLY NOT STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF THE POWERTRAIN WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL IN 2004, SHOULD IT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN? *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 9, 2013115,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT INTERLOCK LEVER AND FAILED TO INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 2013TX

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION, VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN THE KEY DOES NOT WORK. THIS EFFECTS THE LOCK CYLINDERS(TUMBLERS). THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY, STRAIGHT FORWARD ISSUE HONDA WOULD ADDRESS. ALSO HAVE A 2011 PILOT (IN ADDITION TO HONDA MINIVAN) AND CONCERNED THIS WILL OCCUR WITH NEW CAR. UNDERSTAND WEAR AND TEAR, BUT THIS IS A BASIC FUNCTION FOR IGNITION. HONDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2013209,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE 10 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 24, 2013180,000 milesMS

BROKEN IGNITION TUMBLER: I HAD JUST FINISHED RUNNING ERRANDS AND WAS STARTING HOME WHEN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAD NO WARNING THERE WAS A PROBLEM, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JUST WOULD NOT TURN...... NOT EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THIS LEFT ME STRANDED WITH MY FIVE CHILDREN. I HAD TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP..THAT ALONE HAS SET ME BACK A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS...NOW DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME I HAVE A BROKEN IGNITION TUMBLER AND IS QUOTING ME $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE CONCERNING THIS SAME ISSUE. TO SAY THE LEAST, I AM NOT TOO HAPPY TO BE STUCK HOLDING THE BAG FOR THIS, NOT TO MENTION BEING STRANDED WITH MY CHILDREN, WHICH I THINK IS EVERY MOTHERS WORST NIGHTMARE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 19, 201393,500 milesNM

THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY WIFE'S 2003 HONDA PILOT WERE REPLACED IN 2010 AND I WAS INFORMED TODAY BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE HAD APPROX 93500 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AND NOW THREE YEARS LATER HAS 140,939. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THE MOUNTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE IS USED BY MY WIFE TO DRIVE 20 MILES ROUNDTRIP TO WORK AND ON OUR TRIPS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR TOWING AND IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A TOW RECEIVER. ADDITIONALLY, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IMPROPERLY DESIGNED WITH A SPLIT WAFER MECHANISM WHICH ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TWO LOCAL LOCKSMITHS WEARS OUT PREMATURELY AND CAUSES JAMMING OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AS WELL AS WEDGING OF THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. LASTLY, WHEN A TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS DONE ON THE CAR IN 2005, IT WAS DONE IMPROPERLY. THE RECALL SPECIFIED A OIL JET BE INSTALLED ON THE TRANSMISSION TO LUBRICATE THE 2ND GEAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE HOSE USED TO CONNECT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SUPPLY LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION USED A STRAIGHT TRANSMISSION HOSE WHICH HAD TO BE BENT 90 DEGREES IN A DISTANCE OF APPROX 2 INCHES TO BE INSTALLED. THIS CAUSES THE HOSE TO BE KINKED AND RESTRICT THE FLOW OF FLUID. HONDA WON'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE REPAIR SHOULD HAVE INCORPORATED A FORMED ELBOW HOSE INSTEAD OF A STRAIGHT HOSE TO ENSURE PROPER FLOW. NOW HONDA IS TELLING ME THEY DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE IN NEW MEXICO THAT I CAN SPEAK TO ABOUT THE A

Power Train
Filed Jun 18, 201320,000 milesCA

TRANS. SHUDDERED AT 30-40 MPH. RECALL #04-021 DONE 8/23/04 (OIL JET KIT INSTALLED). DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS GOTTEN WORSE UNTIL NOW (06/13) AND HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDAS OF THAT YEAR (2003). CAR NOW HAS 125K MILES, HONDA REFUSES TO FIX AS RECALL, WANTS TO REPLACE TRANS. AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2013UT

2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT TWICE. THE LAST REJECTION, WAS VIA TELEPHONE, IN WHICH HE WAS TOLD THE SYMPTOM FIXED AT HIS EXPENSE WAS A STICKY TUMBLER. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDED AN INITIAL INTERLOCK FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WITH HIM BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS NOT IN PARK. A MONTH OR TWO LATER, THE KEY STARTED TO STICK IN THE IGNITION WITH THE SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION, AND A FEW WEEKS LATER THE STEERING WHEEL EVENTUALLY LOCKED WITH A STUCK KEY. THE CONSUMER AS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 2013100,000 milesWI

AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS HAS COME ON THE DASH BOARD. *TR

Power TrainFire
Filed Jun 4, 2013120,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE PASSENGER SIDE RELAY SPEAKER CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 24, 201390,140 milesNY

KEY WILL NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH,IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO INSERT AND REMOVE THE KEY ,TAKE 6 MIN MAX SOMETIMES, CHANGE KEYS AND THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT GOING TO COST ME $500 OR MORE MATERIAL $200 AND REST IN LABOR I IS THERE A RECALL IN THIS AREA?THIS START TO HAPPEN AFTER I TAKE MY VEHICLES FOR A RECALL ,SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE VEHICLES MOVE WENT THE KEYS INSIDE. *TR

Engine
Filed May 21, 201359,286 milesCA

I ALSO HAD BOTH MY FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS GO BAD AND I HAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM I PAID $934.00. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT SIT IN THIS VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES SO IF I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE ESPECIALLY WITH THE MOUNTS THAT HOLD MY ENGINE I HAVE TO FIX IT WENT TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER DEALT WITH THE RECALLS THAT CAME UP AND HAD THEM SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SINCE IT WAS THERE. I AM SURE THAT I GOT ROBBED BUT, WHAT CAN I DO HAVE TO KEEP MY KIDS SAFE. HUSBAND SAID, THAT THE MOUNTS SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER HE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CARS HAVE OTHER CARS OVER 180K AND MOUNTS ARE STILL ORIGINAL WHAT IS GOING ON HONDA GETTING JUNKY ON US. I HOPE THEY CAN FIX WHAT IS GOING ON TOO MANY TRANNY PROBLEMS AND ENGINE ISSUES. SHAME ON YOU NOT HAPPY AT ALL BEEN A CIVIC, ACCORD OWNER ALSO.... *TR

Engine
Filed May 20, 2013100,000 milesFL

THE KEY HAD TROUBLE TURNING IN THE IGNITION. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. EVENTUALLY THE KEY WONT TURN AT ALL. LOOKED UP ONLINE AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL AND MAKE OF OUR VEHICLE. HAD IT FIXED IN 2011 AND IT COST OVER $500. NOW IN MAY OF 2013 IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR STARTED WITH TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHICH I'M SURE IT'S JUST MAKING IT WORSE AND WORSE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 20, 2013106,000 milesMI

KEY WILL NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO INSERT AND REMOVE THE KEY. ASSUMED THIS WAS WHAT THE IGNITION RECALL WAS FOR, BUT WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED AND THAT THEY CANNOT FIX THE RECALL ITEM UNLESS I FIRST GET THE IGNITION FIXED. *TR

Engine
Filed May 13, 2013160,000 milesNC

ENGINE REVS AT 25-30 MPH, AND RPM'S SHOOT UP. IT APPEARS IT WON'T CHANGE GEARS. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › SwitchCrash
Filed May 6, 2013NJ

2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HER HUSBAND RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE 30 MINUTES LATER, HE DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE IN THE PARKING LOT, COMING TO REST AGAINST ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE FRONT OF THAT VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR WAS NOT IN PARK. THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND INFORMED HER, THERE WERE THREE OTHER OCCURRENCES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS, ANYWHERE FROM A FEW FEET TO A FEW YARDS.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 2013161,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECENTLY, THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SECURED IN PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Power Train
Filed Apr 25, 2013113,805 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,805. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 19, 2013165,000 milesNY

THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON ALL HONDAS AND HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED. THE POWER DOOR LOCK MOTORS CONSISTENTLY GO BAD. SO FAR, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS ON MY PILOT. THE HONDA DEALER IS ASKING FOR $300 PER DOOR!!! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. *TR

Reading these

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 →