Page 10 of 14 · complaints 451–500 of 679

2005 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 2005 record →

Power Train
Filed Jun 28, 201263,000 milesPA

WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAIN ROAD IN DELAWARE, AND MY "D" LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I LOOKED IT UP IN THE MANUAL AND IT SAID THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON. IT HAS CAME ON A HANDFUL OF TIMES, BUT SHUTS OFF AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON. I NOW AM EXPERIENCING A HARD SHIFT, AND A SHUDDERING (ALMOST LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL), AND A CLUCKING NOISE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND REALIZE THERE HAS BEEN MANY MORE COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE IN THE 2005 HONDA PILOTS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 201253,350 milesAK

ON THREE HOT AFTERNOONS (AROUND 75 DEGREES) THE CAR REPEATEDLY HAD PROBLEMS - MOSTLY WHEN TURNING. IT FELT LIKE THE ANTILOCK BRAKES WENT ON BY THEMSELVES EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR QUICKLY SLOWED AND MADE GRINDING NOISES. MOST OF THE TIMES THAT IT HAPPENED, THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT FELT AND SOUNDED SIMILAR TO THE WAY IT STOPS ON ICY ROADS IN THE WINTER, BUT THE SLOWDOWN WAS MORE SEVERE. THE CAR SEEMED FINE DURING THE COOLER MORNING HOURS AND THE PROBLEM WORSENED AS THE TEMPERATURE ROSE. IT IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHILE THE PROBLEM IS BEING DIAGNOSED. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Jun 21, 2012145,000 milesCO

THE LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING, THE WIRES IN THE TERMINAL SWITCH KIT BURNED UP. THIS VEHICLE USES THE SAME KIT AS THE 2003 THAT WAS RECALLED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WIRING TWICE WITHIN THREE MONTHS. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO HONDA AND THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT AS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE SAME PART WAS RECALLED FOR 2003 PART. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM MY STEERING COLUMN AND A BURNING SMELL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD. *TT

Steering
Filed Jun 13, 201297,000 milesTX

MY PILOT HAS A VERY BAD SHAKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHENEVER I REACH SPEEDS OF 70MPH. I'VE HAD THREE WHEEL BALANCES (ONE ROAD FORCE BALANCE), TWO ALIGNMENTS, ROTORS AND BRAKES CHECKED WITH NO ISSUES WITH THOSE ITEMS. I'VE HAD TO OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT WHICH I NEVER HAD TO DO ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES I'VE EVER OWNED. I TOLD THE HONDA DEALER THAT I THINK HONDA CORPORATION SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS BECAUSE ALL PILOT OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES. I STILL HAVE THE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I'M AFRAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE THIRD MOTOR MOUNT TO RESOLVE THE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ANOTHER EXPENSE THAT I CAN'T AFFORD BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM HONDA CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SO I GUESS WE HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS SINCE IT SEEMS WE (HONDA OWNERS) CAN'T GET THROUGH TO HONDA CORPORATION TO HELP US! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 28, 201290,000 milesKS

MY 2005 HONDA PILOT BRAKES HAVE AUTOMATICALLY SEIZED UP A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR BUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS (MAY 2012). ALL 4 TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED HAVE BEEN AT LOW SPEEDS (10-20 MPH, THANKFULLY!!!) AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF STARTING UP AFTER IT HAS SAT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO THE HONDA DEALER TWICE IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS (MAY 2012) THE DAY AFTER IT OCCURRED AND BOTH TIMES THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR FIND A PROBLEM. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE VSA LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO CODE TRIPPED IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE LAST TWO TIMES IT HAPPENED NO DASHBOARD INDICATION OCCURRED. IT OCCURRED 3 WEEKS AGO, 1 WEEK AGO AND YESTERDAY BACK TO BACK SO THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTENSIFYING. SO FAR, FOR A TEMPORARY FIX, I HAVE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO STOP FOR A WHILE. AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, YESTERDAY THE BRAKES SEIZED UP AS I WAS DRIVING BUT NO DASH INDICATION CAME ON. BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, ONCE THE BRAKES RELEASED, I A DECIDED TO DRIVE FORWARD TO TRY AND GET IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION ONLY TO HAVE THEM SEIZE UP AGAIN ABOUT 100 METERS LATER. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RETURN HOME WHERE IT SITS CURRENTLY. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 21, 2012105,000 milesTN

ITS A KNOWN ISSUE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS IN 2005 HONDA PILOTS, CAUSES A REAL BAD SHUDDER. *TT

Engine
Filed May 15, 201267,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND UPON REACHING THE DESTINATION AN INSPECTION UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WAS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A DARK BROWN MILKY SUBSTANCE LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 15, 201275,000 milesUT

THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER OVER THE PAST MONTH OR SO. THEY ARE DRIVING ALONG AT ANY RATE OF SPEED AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOOSES ALL POWER AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY SLOWS DOWN AND THEN RECOVERS AND BEGINS RUNNING AGAIN. DURING THIS TIME THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD GO OUT AND FLASH AND THERE IS A POPPING SOUND AT TIMES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THERE WAS LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL TO DASH BOARD SYSTEM INCLUDING THE RADIO. THE RADIO NEEDED THE CODE REENTERED WHICH IS NORMAL FOR WHEN ALL BATTERY POWER IS LOST TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD THIS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. THEY CHECKED THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, CONNECTIONS AND THE SYSTEM FOR ANY ERRORS AND NOTHING CAN BE FOUND. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESA, VSA/VSC AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AS REPORTED ON THIS FORUM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR AND DANGEROUS BUG IN THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE POWER AND CONTROL AND ANY RATE OF SPEED. I ALSO INFORMED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS (OR I SHOULD SAY OWNING UP TO ANY OF THIER PROBLEMS) AND TO ISSUE A COMPLAINT THROUGH THIS FORUM. I'M AFAID IT'S GOING TO TAKE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND A LOSS OF LIFE, WHICH IS BOUND TO HAPPEN BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE CAR COMES TO AN ABRUPT HALT, IN ORDER FOR HONDA TO OWN UP TO THIER RESPONSIBILITY OF SPENDING THE EFFORT TO IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED. I'VE BEEN A HONDA OWNER (CURRE

Power Train
Filed May 9, 2012139,000 milesPA

TRANSMISSION COOLING PORTION OF RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE RADIATOR AND MIX WITH COOLANT. TRANSMISSION DRAINED AND CAUSED CAR TO STOP. INTRODUCTION OF ANTIFREEZE INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION RESULTING IN NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 23, 201288,000 milesMA

WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, MY 2005 HONDA PILOT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR MULTIPLE TIMES AND FINALLY WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHIFTED IT INTO PARK. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. I DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS MANNER FOR APPROXIMATE HALF A MILE TO MY DESTINATION. FROM THERE I HAD THE HONDA PILOT TOWED TO AN REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE 2005 HONDA PILOT AND INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR HAD FAILED INTERNALLY. THIS ALLOWED THE ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX. SUBSEQUENTLY THE COOLANT WAS CIRCULATED THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND HAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO IT. THIS IS WHAT HAD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND ULTIMATELY RENDER IT UNABLE DRIVE. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 10, 2012125,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MELTED INTO TWO PIECES AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOW BEAM SWITCH WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 9, 201237,228 milesNY

I HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR AT 37228 MILEAGE AND 85031 ON 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE RADIATORS ARE FAILING AT THE TRANSMISSION FITTINGS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATORS. THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HONDA IS DENYING THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS BUILT INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR. THE COOLER SITS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR. THERE ARE TWO TRANSMISSION FITTINGS ON THE OUT SIDE OF THE RADIATOR THAT ATTACH TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS BRINGS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR COOLER, COOLS THE FLUID AND RETURNS IT TO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW INSIDE THE BOTTOM RADIATOR SITS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH IS JUST A SMALL PIPE WITCH IS ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION FITTINGS. WHEN THE FLUID ENTERS THE RADIATOR COOLER IT GETS INSTANTLY COOLED AND RETURNED TO TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE COOLER IS SUBMERGED IN RADIATOR FLUID. THIS IS BECAUSE THE BOTTOM OF THE RADIATOR IS THE COOLEST AT THE BOTTOM. WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THE TRANSMISSION FITTINGS ARE RUSTING AWAY AND FAILING ALLOWING RADIATOR FLUID TO ENTER THE RETURN LINE TO THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN RADIATOR FLUID ENTERS THE TRANSMISSION THE TRANSMISSION IS DONE. YOU NEED A REPLACEMENT. THESE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO SEVERAL HONDAS AND NISSAN. THE TWO CAR COMPANY'S USE THE SAME MANUFACTURING FOR THE RADIATOR. THE COMPANY IS DENSE. THE FAILING ON HONDAS AND NISSAN. IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. I REPLACED TWO RADIATORS FOR THIS TRUCK S

Air Bags
Filed Apr 9, 201286,208 milesNY

AIRBAG FRONT IMPACT SENSORS FAILED ON 2005 HONDA PILOT EX. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. HOW DOES A FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR GO BAD. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED BY HONDA. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR THIS REASON. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT MODEL HONDAS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE BEING CHARGED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. THERE IS ALSO A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THE PILOT RADIATORS THAT I WILL FILL OUT ANOTHER COMPLAINT FOR. THANK YOU. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 2, 201290,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACTED WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AS THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED INTO A HIGHER GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TOA SECOND DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Mar 31, 2012119,000 milesLA

MY WIFE CALLED ME ONE MORNING ON HER WAY TO THE SHOP. SHE WAS FRANTIC SAYING "MY STEERING WHEEL IS SMOKING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I'M JUST ABOUT A MINUTE FROM THE SHOP. SHOULD I PULL OVER OR JUST TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOP?" I TOLD HER, IF IT'S NOT TOO BAD AND SHE IS THAT CLOSE JUST KEEP COMING UNLESS IT GETS WORSE. WHEN SHE MADE IT TO THE SHOP, I PULLED OFF THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. AND FOUND THE YELLOW WIRE GOING TO THE HEADLAMP SWITCH BURNT. THE MOLEX PLUG AND HEADLAMP SWITCH WERE ALSO MELTED. I CALLED LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND ASKED THEM IF THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. THEY SAID NO. ALSO SAYING THIS NEVER HAPPENS. I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW HEADLAMP SWITCH AND MAKE REPAIRS TO THE WIRING AND PLUG. I OWN AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. IF NOT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY COSTLY REPAIR..I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF THE BURNT WIRE AND MOLTEN PLUG AND SWITCH IF NEEDED. ..UPDATED 04/19/12 *BF UPDATED 05/11/12 UPDATED 05/17/2012 *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 30, 2012100,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 17, 201296,500 milesNY

TRAVELED ~15 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EXITED HIGHWAY ONTO SECONDARY ROADS THRU A BUSY TOWN. TRAVELING APPROX 30 MPH. CAR SHUDDERED AND SPEED DROPPED TO ABOUT 10 MPH. TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF LOW WITH RPM APPROACHING 4000 RPM. STOPPED AT LIGHT, CAR STALLED ALL SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND FLASHED. GOT IT RESTARTED, HAD TO PUT IN LOW TO MOVE...GOT IT MOVING AT ~3500 RPM, WENT A BLOCK TO GET OFF THE MAIN ROAD INTO PARKING LOT. COOLING FAN RUNNING, BUT TEMP GAUGE SHOWED NO ISSUE. PUDDLE OF BROWN FLUID FORMED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE FRONT OF ENGINE. LOOKED LIKE FLUID SPRAYED THROUGH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT NO INDICATION ON SENSOR LIGHTS OR TEMP GAUGE THAT ANYTHING WRONG PRIOR TO STALL AND ALL SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD CAR TOWED TO HONDA...THEY DIAGNOSED AS 2 TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES BURST MIXING THE TRANSMISSION AND COOLING FLUID. FIX OPTIONS...1) FLUSH COOLING & TRANNY SYSTEM 5-7 TIMES, REPLACE RADIATOR, FILTER, AND LINES FOR $1600-1800 BUT WON'T KNOW IF TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING. 2) FULL REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR, LINES AND TRANSMISSION $3800 OR IF OPTION 1 CHOSEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IT WOULD COST THE INITIAL $1600-1800 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $4000 FOR A TOTAL OF APPROX $5800. NO INDICATOR FROM DEALER OF THE PROBLEM HISTORY FOR THIS VEHICLE. HAD PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT SHUDDER AND THE DEALER REPLACED A WHEEL BEARING FIRST, THEN WHEN KEPT COMPLAINING THEY REPLACED MY ROTORS SAYING THE ROTORS HAD WARPED ...AFTER BEING RESURF

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 16, 201252,000 milesFL

MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICE A SHUDDER WHEN YOU REACH A SPEED OF 35-40 MPH. WE IN TURN TOOK IT INTO HONDA TO HAVE IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES AND TO TEST DRIVE, I EVEN DROVE THE HONDA WHILE THE SERVICE MAN WAS IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT SHUDDER. IT IS STILL HAVING THE SHUDDER PROBLEMS, I AM TAKING IT IN FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE AND MAYBE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG AND WHY IT SHUDDERS. FROM RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY HONDA PILOT OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE 98 TOTAL DISCUSSIONS ON THIS WEBSITE ( HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/HONDA/PILOT/2005/CONSUMER-DISCUSSIONS.HTML) DISCUSSING THE SAME PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, I TRULY HOPE THAT HONDA IS GOING TO STAND GOOD ON TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR WE WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 15, 2012105,000 milesSC

THERE IS AN OBVIOUS SHUDDER WHEN MY HONDA PILOT REACHES 35-40 MPH, I HAVE 107,000 MILES ON THE PILOT. WE JUST STARTED FEELING THE SHUDDER SO I DECIDED TO GO ONLINE TO SEE WHAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THIS BEFORE I SHELL OUT TONS OF CASH ON A BUNCH OF "WELL THIS SHOULD FIX IT" AND IT DOESN'T. I BINGED "MY 2005 HONDA PILOT IS SHAKING WHEN I DRIVE" AND ABOUT THE 5TH SITE DOWN I FOUND A SITE THAT CONTAINED COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY ISSUE ONLY THEY CALLED IT A SHUDDER, NOW I'M TERRIFIED BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUALS ON THIS SITE HAVE HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND I NOW KNOW THAT THE LITTLE SHUDDER THAT I FEEL IS THE ONLY WARNING AND I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I HAVE AND I CAN GET A REBUILT TRANSMISSION BUT THAT IS DOOMED TO FAIL ALSO. HONDA IS IN DENIAL ABOUT THE SITUATION EVEN THOUGH SEVERAL HAVE CALLED AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS ARE AND HOW PEOPLE ARE PLACED IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, I AM AFRAID TO LET MY NEWLY LICENSED 16 AND 17 YR OLD DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE DRIVERS EDUCATION DIDN'T TEACH THEM HOW TO HANDLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND I DON'T WANT THEM HURTING THEMSELVES OR ANYONE ELSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT REQUIRES A NEW TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT, NOT A PATCH OR CODE OR A REBUILD THAT'S GOING TO BREAKDOWN AFTER A FEW TEN THOUSAND MILES. CLEARLY THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SOME INVESTIGATING ON BEHALF OF THE CONSUMER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO KEEP US SAFE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 6, 2012115,000 milesAL

THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND CAME TO A COMPLETE SUDDEN STOP ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE OR WE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR MAINTAINING A STEADY SPEED, AND IT WAS LIKE I STOMPED ON THE BREAK RAPIDLY THREE TIMES AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT REPEAT THE ISSUE BUT SAID THAT THE BATTERY WASN'T PUTTING OUT THE PROPER AMOUNT OF AMPS AND WAS LIKELY RESULTING IN THE COMPUTER SENDING FAULTY MESSAGES. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE FIXED WHEN THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THEN THE ISSUE RECURRED ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 2012. WHILE ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 30 MPH, THE CAR VIOLENTLY CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AGAIN, WE WERE LUCKY TO NOT BE NOT REAR ENDED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP, BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY ASSESSED THE COMPUTER AND NOTED A FAULTY EGR VALVE AND REPLACED IT. THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, THEN THE ISSUE RECURRED FOR A THIRD TIME, AGAIN AT ABOUT 30 MPH. THE SAME THING OCCURRED; THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AFTER THE SENSATION OF STOMPING ON THE BREAKS SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN, AND THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEIR ASSESSMENT IS LEADING THEM TO BELIEVE THERE IS A FAULTY ABS SWITCH OR BRAKE BOOSTER. AFTER SEVERAL

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 5, 201260,000 milesNY

2005 HONDA PILOT --- 60,000 MILES -- GARAGE KEPT. INTERNAL TRANSMISSION HOSE INSIDE RADIATOR BURST WHILE SITTING IN MY GARAGE ALLOWING TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR COOLANT TO MIX AND LEAK. NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUE WITH SAME VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 2, 201277,565 milesMA

DRIVING ALONG AND CLOSE TO HOME FELT A POP AND NOTED THE TEMP GAUGE IN HOT RANGE OF MY 2005 HONDA PILOT. I HAVE 77,565 MILES ON IT. IN MY DRIVEWAY NOTED A GRAY LIQUID UNDER FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. ON INSPECTING IN ENGINE AREA NOTED THE GRAY LIQUID OVERFLOWING FROM RAD OVERFLOW CONTAINER. OIL LEVEL OK BUT NOTED NO TRANNY FLUID IN IT. TOWED TO SERVICE STATION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED, MIXING UP THE FLUIDS. TOTAL COST $1900 WITH MULTI FLUSH. I HAD COVERAGE OF TRANSMISSION IN EFFECT BUT HONDA SAID NOT PART OF TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ATTORNEY NOW WORKING ON THIS CASE FOR ME. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SHIFTING POORLY BEFORE AND NOW WORSE. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER TO CHECK OUT. THEY SAID NO PROBLEM THAT THEY NOTICED. WITH ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT ON THE WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO A PROFESSIONAL TRANNY CENTER AND PAID $50 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE REPORT NOTED AN INTERNAL FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND A NEED TO REPLACE OR REBUILD UNIT. BACK TO THE HONDA DEALER WITH THE REPORT. THEY LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AND AGREED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACEMENT. UNDER HONDA CARE THEY REPLACED WITH A REBUILT UNIT. MY CASE WITH HONDA PAYING ME BACK FOR THE INITIAL REPAIR IS STILL BEING HANDLED BY MY ATTORNEY. I FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION UNIT. NO ONE AT HONDA IS ABLE TO TELL ME IF MY REBUILT IS UNDER ANY KIND OF EXTENDED COVERAGE. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 2012132,000 milesMA

OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT HAS BEEN PRETTY GOOD FOR LAST SEVEN YEARS AND 132,000 MILES, ALTHOUGH WE WANTED TO KEEP IT TO 200,000 MILES. LAST SATURDAY, OUT OF NOWHERE, IT STARTED TO LEAK THICK, PINK LIQUID ON OUR DRIVEWAY. IT APPEARED TO ME, AND AFTER LOOKING AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THAT THE ISSUE WAS THE RADIATOR. IT WAS A COLD DAY SO I STARTED TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER, WATCHING THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE LIGHT ON THE WAY. THE CAR ONLY WENT TWO MILES BEFORE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR A WEEK AND THREE DAYS WHILE I RENT ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN PILOT'S AFTER GOING OVER 100,000 MILES (CATASTROPHIC RADIATOR FAILURE THAT LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE). HONDA SHOULD MAKE CERTAIN THAT OWNERS REPLACE THE RADIATOR COMPONENTS THAT LEAD TO THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE BEFORE THE OWNER HAS TO REPLACE BOTH THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BOUGHT A NEW CAR IF I HAD KNOWN THIS WAS COMING UP ON THE HORIZON, BUT NOW MY INVESTMENT IN THIS VEHICLE WILL BE TOO HIGH TO GET RID OF IT. IT SEEMS THAT WITH SOME PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, $5000 TO $7000 OF REPAIRS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, AND I BET THE HONDA DEALER DOES NOT OFFER ME $5K TO $7K IN TRADE IN. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 201251,000 milesNV

I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT SHUDDER WHEN VEHICLE SPEED REACHED 35 MPH. NOT SURE CAUSE AT THE TIME SO HAD TIRES AND WHEELS CHECKED AND HAD MECHANIC TRY AND REPLICATE. NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS NOTED AND FREQUENCY AT FIRST WAS OCCASIONAL BUT BEGAN TO INCREASE IN FREQUENCY AND DURATION. PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE BUT ALWAYS BETWEEN 35-45 MPH AND DISAPPEARS AS SPEED INCREASES. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY UNUSUAL INCREASE IN PROBLEMS LIKE THIS AND WOULD HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT. ALSO INFORMED NO EXISTING RECALLS OR NOTICES WERE ON FILE. CONTACTED MY TRANSMISSION SERVICE REP. AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS VERY LIKELY FAILING AND WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. HIS ESTIMATE TO REPLACE $4000-$4500 ! 55,000 MILES ON VEHICLE?????? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 21, 2012132,280 milesAZ

INTERMITTENT VIBRATION IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN ACCELERATING, AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. SOMETIMES JUST SLIGHTLY NOTICEABLE AND SOMETIMES SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH SO THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES FOR A FEW SECONDS. WE JUST PURCHASED IT USED YESTERDAY AND DID NOT NOTICE THE VIBRATIONS WHILE TEST DRIVING IT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 15, 2012122,869 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BRAKE TO ABOUT 10 MPH. THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END LIKE THE ABS SYSTEM WAS WORKING--EVEN WITH THE FOOT ON THE THROTTLE. DROVE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS TO A PARKING LOT. VSA AND TRIANGLE WITH "!" WAS ON DISPLAY. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER 5 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND DRIVEN BACK HOME. THERE WERE NO DISPLAY LIGHTS OR SUDDEN BRAKING. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOW 35 MPH. AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BRAKED AGAIN AND DECELERATED TO ABOUT 10 MPH.THE VSA AND TRIANGLE W/"!" DISPLAY LIGHTS REAPPEARED. THERE WAS A GROANING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR AND THE VIBRATION RETURNED. THE MORE THE THROTTLE WAS PUSHED, THE MORE THE BRAKING EFFECT INCREASED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY MADE IT BACK TO MY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT HOME WHERE IT WAS LATER TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 10, 2012110,236 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUTTER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,236 UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ UPDATED 04/23/12

Interior Lighting
Filed Feb 4, 201272,000 milesPA

THE CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS INSIDE OUR HONDA PILOT HAVE ALL BURNED OUT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO CHANGE THE SETTINGS AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE LIGHT BULBS DO NOT LIGHT UP. PLEASE FIX THIS HONDA! *KB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 30, 2012150,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK AND RIGHT ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 30, 201275,000 milesNH

BOUGHT A 2005 HONDA PILOT BASED ON PAST HISTORICAL HIGH RELIABILITY REVIEWS OF HONDA VEHICLES. VERY DISAPPOINTED. AROUND 75000 MILES, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER LIKE DRIVING OVER A WASHBOARD ROAD WHEN LIGHTLY ACCELERATING 30-40 MPH. FIRST THOUGHT OUT OF BALANCE TIRE, REBALANCED TIRES. STILL DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM, BOUGHT NEW TIRES, REBALANCED AND ALIGNED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. BEGAN TO RESEARCH ONLINE AND VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TRANNY, TORQUE CONVERTER, AND/OR TRANSMISSION COOLANT FAILURE. TOOK TO DEALER, DIAGNOSED AS BAD TORQUE CONVERTER, $2000. DEALER DOES NOT PLAN TO COVER, I PLAN ON TAKING UP WITH NHTSA AND HONDA AMERICA. *TT

Electrical System
Filed Jan 29, 201256,500 milesNY

DISPLAY LIGHTS ON SEVERAL BUTTONS ON CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT ARE NOT LIT UP,THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE & MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AT NIGHT.CHECKED ALL FUSES,ALL TTARE INTACT.DEALER STATES PROBLEM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY .I CHECKED VARIOUS SITES & NOTICED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS .PLZ NOTIFY IF THERE ARE ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS TNKS. *

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 201270,000 milesMA

DRIVING AND NOTED MOTOR NOT RUNNING GOOD. LOOKED DOWN AT TEMPERATURE AND SAY OVERHEATING PAST THE H MARK. NO WARNING LAMP ON. GOT OUT FOUND SPILL OF GRAY FLUID UNDER ENGINE. OIL LEVEL OK BUT TRANY FLUID DRY. TOW TO GARAGE. WORKING ON IT . STATES FAILURE OF TRANMISSION COOLER LOCATED IN RADIATOR THAT SUCKED OUT TRANY FLUID INTO RADIATOR AND OUT OF OVERFLOW. NO WARNING AT ALL OF PROBLEM AT ALL. NOT SURE YET IF TRANSMISSION DAMAGED. RIGHT NOW OVER$12OO OO REPAIR BILL TO REPLACE RADIATOR AND FLUSH ALL OUT. WANTED THIS VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 200,000 MILES. MAINT. UP TO DATE AND WELL MAINTAINED.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 11, 2012112,776 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE FROM STOPS WITH AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,776. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ UPDATED 03/21/12

Power Train
Filed Jan 11, 2012115,948 milesCO

I DROVE UP A STEEP DRIVE WAY, I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND MY CAR STOPPED WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKES. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON, SO I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT SEEMED TO BE OK FOR THE MOMENT. I DROPPED MY DAUGHTER OFF AT A CLASS AND I PROCEEDED TO RUN A COUPLE OF ERRANDS. ABOUT ONE MILE FROM WHERE THE STOPPING STARTED THE CAR DID IT AGAIN. IT IS LIKE I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT, I WAS NOT EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL. IT PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE AND WORSE. THE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES WOULD HAPPEN EVERY FEW FEET. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY TO A NEARBY GARAGE. THE SAID I HAD A REAR AXEL BROKEN. WE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AND THE CAR SEEMED OK FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. YESTERDAY, 1-10-12 AS I WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL I DROVE ABOUT .5 OF A MILE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND AFTER I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR DID IT AGAIN. THIS TIME MY VSA LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND THEY SAID THE VSA MODULE NEEDED TO BE RESET. WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND IT DROVE AROUND 2 MILES AND IT WAS FINE THEN LATER IN THE DAY WE BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE CAR STARTED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AGAIN ABOUT ONE HOUSE AWAY. IT WOULDN'T STOP IT DID IT OVER AND OVER EVERY FEW FEET. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO COME TAKE IT BACK TO THE GARAGE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 6, 201278,000 milesMD

I WOULD BE DRIVING IN THE 30 MPH RANGE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUDDER WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE DISTRACTION CAUSES ME TO STOP IN TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY PULL OVER. POHANKA HONDA IN SALISBURY, MD STATES IT IS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE 2005 HONDA PILOT, BUT COMPLAINTS REFLECT THERE WAS NO RECALL. NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. IF I AM NOT CONTACTING THE CORRECT ENTITY, PLEASE REFER ME. THANK YOU. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 5, 2012180,600 milesNY

CAR STARTED TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR WITH NO WARNING AT ALL ON THE HIGHWAY AND STARTED TO SHUDDER. GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION...JUST STARTED OVERHEATING AND THEN THERE WAS A HUGE PUDDLE OF ON THE GROUND. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE HOSES HAD FAILED AND WE NEEDED NEW HOSES AND RADIATOR AFTER THAT IS REPLACED WE WILL FIND OUT IF WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. TOTAL COST WILL BE APPROX: $6,000. LOOKED ON HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F1155F7/299!KEYWORDS=#MSG299 AND SEE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENING. APPARENTLY THIS IS THE SAME TRANS THAT IS IN THE 2003 WHICH WAS RECALLED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 2, 201256,872 milesKY

2005 HONDA PILOT WITH 58,000 MILES HAS TRANSMISSION SHUTTER AT 25 TO 40 MPH UNDER LIGHT THROTTLE. HAS HAD ALL SERVICES DONE WITH FACTORY FLUIDS AND FILTERS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. LOOKING AT THE SEARCHES SOME SAY IT'S TORQUE CONVERTER AND OTHER HAVE REPLACED COMPLETE TRANSMISSION. DEALER TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY PILOTS DON'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS BUT THE ODYSSEY HAVE THE ISSUE. SO I ASKED HOW MUCH TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID $ 2000.00 . WELL I AM GLAD THAT I BOUGHT THE FACTORY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE A YEAR LEFT OF WARRANTY AN I AM MAKING A APPT, TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. HONDA SHOULD RECALL THE TRANSMISSIONS LIKE THEY DID ON THE ACURA MDX SINCE THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME POWER TRAIN. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 28, 201170,000 milesPA

SHUDDERING OF VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 19, 2011FL

LIGHTS FOR HVAC SYSTEM DO NOT ILLUMINATE. UNABLE TO SEE CONTROLS FOR DEFROSTER, A/C, HEAT, ETC. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 16, 2011106,700 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLING LINE THAT LEAD TO THE TRANSMISSION BURST, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE LINES AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,700.

Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 201149,000 milesCA

WE WENT TO CAMPING TRIP AND HEARD SOME GRINDING SOUND WHILE I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE VERY LOW SPEED IN CAMPING GROUND. IT HAS LESS THAN 50K AT THAT TIME. THEN FELT SHUDDER WHILE I WAS PRESSING GAS PEDAL LIGHTLY TO SPEED UP. I THOUGHT IT WAS CAUSED BY BUMPY CAMP SITE ROAD BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON MY ROUTINE COMMUTE ROAD WHICH I KNEW WELL THERE'S NO BUMPY ROAD CONDITION. MOST OF TIME, IT HAPPENS BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH OR SHIFT GEAR FROM 4TH TO O.D. NOW IT HAS APPX 63000 MILES ON IT AND HONDA AMERICA DENIED OR NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

SeatsFire
Filed Dec 5, 2011120,000 milesTN

DRIVER HEATED SEAT STARTED ACTING UP A COUPLE YEARS AGO. IT WOULD WORK IN SPURTS AND THEN NOT AT ALL. BROUGHT THIS TO ATTENTION OF MY HONDA DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. I AM UNSURE OF EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE SINCE I TOOK THEM AT THEIR WORD. AT THIS POINT IN 2011 THE SEAT NOW HAS ONE SEARING HOT SPOT, WHEN IT WORKS, AND EMITS A BURNING ODOR. THE HOT SPOT IS SEARING HOT AND WILL LITERALLY LEAVE A RED BURN MARK ON YOUR THIGH. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE HEATING ELEMENT WITH A SHORT AND I CONSIDER A LIVE ELECTRICAL SHORT A SAFETY AND LIABILITY ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THIS AS A FIRE SINCE THEIR IS A BURNING AND SMOKE ODOR . I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HONDA ECONOMY SUPERSTORE, HIXSON TN AND WILL UPDATE MY COMPLAINT ACCORDINGLY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 1, 2011110,000 milesNJ

TRANSMISSION SHUTTERS AT APPROX 30 MPH

Power Train
Filed Nov 22, 2011MD

NOTICED VEHICLE LEFT A LARGE PUDDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND IT APPEARED SOMETHING HAD LEAKED/SPRAYED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOWARDS THE PASSENGERS SIDE. TOOK TO MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS OF PROBLEM (PARAPHRASED AS BEST AS I CAN RECALL)- TRANSMISSION COOLING PART FAILED AND LEAKED INTO RADIATOR CAUSING TRANS FLUID AND ANTIFREEZE TO MIX, FLOW THROUGH ENGINE AND SPRAY OUT. MECHANIC STATED IT'S SOMETHING HE DOESN'T SEE OFTEN AND IT'S A MAJOR REPAIR (THINK 1K). A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH 05 HONDA PILOTS AND THAT HONDA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT AND THEY ARE DOING NOTHING. HOPEFULLY THE PROBLEM WAS CAUGHT/ADDRESSED IN TIME TO REPAIR WITHOUT HAVING CAUSED ADDITIONAL MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

Seats
Filed Nov 21, 2011PA

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT SPLIT IN SEVERAL PLACES AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED THE SPECIALIST NOTED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT HAD SCORCHED THE SEAT IN SEVERAL PLACES AND WAS IN DANGER OF CATCHING ON FIRE. WHOLE ELEMENT HAD TO BE REPAIRED AND SEAT REPLACED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 25, 201174,233 milesMA

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE IN ANY SPEED. *TT

Power Train
Filed Oct 20, 201135,000 milesTN

SINCE PURCHASING MY CAR ,A 2005 HONDA PILOT, IN 2007, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SHUTTERING THAT OCCURS AT AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. HONDA WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS COMING FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION, AROUND A $3,000 TO $5,000 TO FIX AND HONDA IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT...PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A HONDA IF YOUR THINKING ABOUT IT...GO TOYOTA! AT LEAST TOYOTA STANDS BEHIND THEIR MISTAKES! *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 13, 2011103,000 milesCA

IT WAS NIGHT, AND MY GIRLFRIEND AND I JUST EXITED THE FREEWAY, WE JUST TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND MADE IT 100 YARDS WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT OR I HIT SOMETHING AND IT DRAGGED, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT, AND FOUND NOTHING. I DID NOTICE THE VSA AND VSA ACTIVATION INDICATORS ON, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN RESET THE INDICATORS. ODDLY CONCERNED WE CIRCLED BACK TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD, THERE WAS NOTHING. IT HAPPENED AGAIN JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER, AND THE INDICATORS CAME BACK ON. IT REPEATED ITSELF A THIRD TIME, AND I DROVE HOME VERY WORRIED IT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY. EACH INSTANCE WAS MOMENTARY AND IT PULLED HARD LEFT EACH TIME WITH A LOAD ANTILOCK BRAKE TYPE JARRING VIBRATION. FROM READING OTHER STORIES I CAN SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM ISN'T ONE OF A KIND, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYONE POST A FIX FOR IT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 201190,000 milesOH

WON'T GO INTO SECOND GEAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 29, 201194,500 milesOK

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WITH MY HONDA PILOT EX 2005 AT 01:00 AM ON 08/25/2011. I TRAVELED FROM HOUSTON TO DALLAS, TEXAS, THE SPARKPLUG NUMBER 5 BLEW OFF DURING DRIVING AT 65 MPH ( 99 MILES FROM DALLAS ). MY HONDA PILOT WAS REPAIRED AT HONDA DEALER ON NEXT DAY. TOTAL COST WAS $3,325.14. THE SPARKPLUG ( THAT BLEW OFF ) WAS ORINGINAL FROM HONDA AND ALL SPARKPLUGS WERE NEVER BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. MY HONDA PILOT ONLY HAS 94,500 MILES. I THOUGHT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I SENT THIS PROBLEM TO HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY IGNORED MY REPORT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

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 2005 Honda Pilot → · Every Pilot year → · How the figures are calculated →