TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VSA LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER AND IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKE WERE ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137000.
VEHICLE SHUDDERS AT 40-45 MPH. CAUSES SEVERE SHAKING THAT COULD HINDER DRIVING ABILITY ESPECIALLY IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET RELATED TO TORQUE CONVERTER AND MOTOR MOUNTS. THREATS OF CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR MULTIPLE PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER IN THE MIDDLE SECTION WAS STUCK WITH THE SEAT BELT AROUND HIS NECK. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, ATTEMPTED TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER BUT THE SEAT BELT SEIZED, AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS STUCK. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
I TRIED TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT COME ON. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED AGAIN, AND THE LOW BEAMS CAME ON. AFTER THE LOW BEAMS STARTED WORKING AGAIN I TRIED TO TURN THE HIGH BEAMS ON, AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK, AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS ONLY AFFECTS THE LOW BEAMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSES FEE. IT IS NOTED IN THE RECALL WHICH IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 12V136000 THAT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE EITHER THE WIRING HARNESS OR THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE (WHICH IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED). HONDA NEEDS TO LET THE DEALERS THAT THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR THERE OR RECEIVE REGULAR SERVICES THERE, AND THAT I SHOULD JUST PAY THE DIAGNOSES FEE SO THAT THEY COULD PAY THEIR TECHNICIANS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE DEALER WAS NO HELP AND IS THE ONLY ONE IN MY AREA. SCREW YOU HONDA, AND SCHOLFIELD HONDA AS WELL. *TR
SUDDENLY, OUR SRS DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. AFTER LOOKING AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WE PROMPTLY SET-UP A SERVICE APPT AT HONDA TO DIAGNOSE/FIX THE PROBLEM AS IT RELATES TO AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY FEATURE. IN THE MEANTIME, A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WORKS IN THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY USED HIS COMPUTER TO PULL THE CODES AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM SO WE WOULD KNOW WHAT HONDA SERVICE SHOULD BE TELLING US AT THE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE IS SHOWING AN ERROR CODE OF 42-11 FOR THE FRONT IMPACT AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF BOTH FRONT SENSORS, THE YELLOW PROTECTIVE SHEATH HAS PULLED BACK FROM THE SENSOR, LEAVING THE JUNCTION WHERE THE WIRES MEET THE SENSOR EXPOSED LOW IN THE ENGINE, AND THUS CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR DEBRIS AND WEATHER TO IMPACT THEIR PERFORMANCE. IN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS HONDA PILOT OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSORS AND HONDA IS CHARGING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD AMONG THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A RECALL ITEM BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE AIRBAG SENSORS WILL NOT ALLOW AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR JUST SOME OF THE OWNERS WHO HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS ISSUE IN AN ONLINE FORUM: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2005/HONDA/PILOT/AIR_BAGS/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED, OVER PRESSURIZED AND SPRAYED OUT BLEEDER VALVE. *TR
I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN CAR SUDDENLY FAILED TO MAINTAIN SPEED AND SLOWED FROM 45 MPH TO 30-35 MPH. I COULD NOT GET CAR TO ACCELERATE, ENGINE WAS AUDIBLY STRAINED AND SMOKE WAS SHORTLY EVIDENT FROM UNDER HOOD. I PUT ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE TO DO SO. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. SMOKE CEASED WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. UPON EXITING THE CAR I OBSERVED A HEAVY STREAM OF BROWN OILY LIQUID DRAINING FROM HOOD AND ADDITIONAL BLUE OILY FLUID FOLLOWING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS TO FIND TOTALLY DEPLETED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RAPIDLY DIMINISHING ENGINE COOLANT. I CALLED MY HONDA DEALER SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. WHICH I DID. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A HOSE HAD DISCONNECTED AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. HE COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM STATING IT HAD NOT SEEN IT BEFORE. TOTAL COST: $825.00. GIVEN THE MANY INTERNET COMPLAINTS OF THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM UNREPORTED TO OFFICIAL AGENCIES COMBINED WITH THOSE REPORTED TO HONDA CORPORATE AND NHTSA I AM UNCONVINCED THAT ALL HONDA DEALERSHIPS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM, HOWEVER, TOTALLY CONVINCED THAT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH WOULD HAVE RESULTED HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN THIS HOSE DISCONNECTED CAUSING AN INSTANTANEOUS LOSS OF SPEED WITH IMPENDING ENGINE FAILURE. I AM EQUALLY CONVINCED THAT HONDA CORP. IS NEGLIGENT IN N
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE KEY IN THE SLOT IT HAD SOME RESISTENCE. ALMOST LIKE I WAS USING THE WRONG KEY. CAR WAS UNABLE TO START BECAUSE THE KEY DID NOT GO IN PROPERLY. TRIED TO USE WD40 TO LOOSEN THE TUMBLERS BUT DID NOT WORK. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND TAKE TO MECHANIC. KEY STILL WORKED ON THE DOOR. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION SINCE I FINANCED IT IN 2009. I WAS DRIVING AND THE D WOULD CONSTANTLY FLASH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY PUT TO MUCH FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW MONTHS BACK I STARTED HEARING FUNNY NOISES AND WHEN I GO TO MAKE A U-TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BECOME LOCKED AND IT WILL BE HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL BACK. I THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH POWER STEERING FLUID BUT ONCE IT WAS CHECKED EVERYTHING WAS FULL. TWO DAYS AGO I AM DRIVING MY CAR AND GO TO TURN AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE WITH THE GEAR IN DRIVE. I HAD TO CUT IT OFF AND BACK ON THEN IT MOVED AND KEPT STOPPING UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. ONCE I WENT TO GO PARK IT I PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WENT FORWARD NOW IT DON'T MOVE IN ANY GEAR. *TR
THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TURNING, CAR CAME TO A STOP, JERKED THE WHEEL ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR; ALL WITHOUT WARNING. A CHILD PASSENGER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND WAS THROWN FORWARD HITTING HER HEAD ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND SEAT BELT LOCKED CAUSING HER TO HAVE A SEAT BELT BRUISE. VSA (LIGHT), THE VSA ACTIVATION LIGHT (TRIANGLE WITH EXCLAMATION INSIDE) WERE BOTH ILLUMINATED. SUV WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. TWO WEEKS LATER, SAME THING BUT THIS TIME I WAS GOING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY, SUV CAME TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE. GRINDING FEELING AND WITH THE VSA INDICATOR LIGHTS ON. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WHEN THE WHEEL JERKED AND CAUSED ME TO GO INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND ALMOST HITTING SOMEONE, KIDS WERE IN THE SUV ONE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND THE OTHER IN BACK SAME SIDE. SEAT BELT ONCE AGAIN LEFT A BRUISE ON THEIR CHEST AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER TO HAVE STRAINED HIS NECK. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT CAUSE GREAT CONCERN. I AM NOW AFRAID TO ALLOW MY SON TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM CONTINUING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED THE RECALL BULLETIN AND I WILL NEED TO FIX THIS ON MY OWN. THIS IS NOT SATISFACTORY AT ALL. *TR
ON 06/15/2014, AROUND 6:00PM, WHILE APPROACHING A CURVE AT APPROX 30 MPH LIGHTLY APPLIED BRAKES. BRAKES LOCKED UP AND VSA LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR OF VSA, IT HAPPENS MOR AND MORE OFTEN FOR LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. *TR
PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. *TR
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS LIT. FIRST INTERMITTENTLY, NOW CONSTANTLY. WAS DIAGNOSED ($120 AT BURNS HONDA FOR TAKING A READING OFF ON-BOARD COMPUTER) TO BE A FAULTY RIGHT-FRONT IMPACT SENSOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS OUT OF THE PART, SO I NEED TO WAIT FOR IT TO BE SHIPPED. THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE SENSOR JUST STOPPED WORKING (RUSTED OUT?). THE SAME THING HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR WITH A WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. DO HONDA'S ELECTRONICS PARTS HAVE OPERATIONAL LIFE OF 100,000 MILES? I FEEL THE AIRBAG SENSORS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *JS
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH,NOR HAVE AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. BROUGHT INTO THE DEALER AND, AFTER $115 DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WAS TOLD RIGHT FRONT SENSOR BEHIND BUMPER "WENT BAD". CHARGE TO REPLACE 1 SENSOR IS OVER $400, ALTHOUGH DEALER WILL WAIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST FEE. AFTER SEEING MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM, SEEMS HONDA SHOULD ISSUE RECALL. *TR
I WENT TO HONDA DEALERSHIP ON MAY 30, 2014 IN FREMONT CALIFORNIA FOR THE SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN - INSTALLING SUBHARNESS. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW HARNESS FOR THE SAFETY OF VSA (VEHICLE STABILITY ASSISTANCE) ON THE 30TH OF MAY 2014, VSA LIGHT IS ON WHEN I PICKUP THE CAR AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS YAW RATE SENSOR FAILURE ACCORDING TO THE CODE SCANNED. BEFORE THE RECALL, THE CAR WAS OK, WITHOUT THE VSA LIGHT ON. BASICALLY I AM DRIVING THE WITHOUT VSA AFTER THE RECALL FROM HONDA. *TR
MY DRIVERS SEAT BACK BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN I ENTERED MY VEHICLE. I HEARD A POP WHEN I SAT DOWN IN THE PILOT. MY SEAT BACK NOW HAS A LEAN. THE METAL SLIDE ADJUSTER ON THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE IN HALF. I GOT AN ESTIMATE FROM THE HONDA DEALER FOR 1600 TO FIX IT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE MY CAR WAS NOT MOVING. I FEEL LIKE THAT PART IS DEFECTIVE. I NEVER HAVE HAD A CAR SEAT DO THIS EITHER. *TR
YES MY 2005 HONDA PILOT HAS DEVELOPED SERIOUS KNCKING AND SHAKING IN SUSPENSION STEERING , CALLED HONDA THEY SAID ITS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL I FELL IT SHOULD BE FOR SAFETY REASONS . *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND THE VSA WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WITH THE SRS INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ON, THE DEALER HAS ADVISED ME THAT BOTH FRONT BUMPER CRASH SENSORS MUST BE REPLACED. HE MENTIONED THAT DUE TO THEIR POSITION THEY HAVE A TENDENCY OF RUSTING OUT. SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN DEFICIENCY. *TR
THE D LIGHT IS FLASH. SO THERE ARE SOMETHING WARNING MY TRANSMISSION I THINK MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BE FAIL. WE KNOW THAT HONDA, PILOT 2004 HAD RECALL FOR THIS. WOULD YOU PLEASE HAVE MY 2005 RECALL TRANSMISSION? I WORRY TO DRIVE IT NOW, CAUSE OF SAFETY REASON AND ALSO THE COST OF REPAIR. SINCE THIS CAR ONLY 58,485 MILES. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THE D LIGHT IS FLASH WITH THIS MILES. PLEASE HELP! THANKYOU *TR
I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $350.00. THERE ARE TOO MANY DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS WHERE THE 2005 HONDA PILOT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE WAS NO IMPACT. WE AS CONSUMERS NEED TO MAKE THIS CLEAR TO HONDA THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO ADDRESSED. *JS
RECENTLY MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS NOT GOING OFF, TOOK IT IN FOR A "$98.90 DIAGNOSIS" FOR THEM TO DETERMINE THERE IS NO SIGNAL FROM EITHER IMPACT SENSOR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IN MY EYES AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ MANY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM BEING TOLD IT WILL COST ME $477.00 TO FIX THIS ISSUE, $127 FOR PARTS AND $350 FOR LABOR, I CAN'T AFFORD THIS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAGS HAVE EVER DEPLOYED, I HOPE I NEVER DO. YOU NEED TO FIX THIS HONDA! MAKE THE RIGHT CALL AND RECALL THE 2005 PILOT FOR THIS ISSUE PLEASE! *TR
SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. CANNOT AFFORD DIAGNOSTICS TEST OR NEW SENSORS. SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY. MANY OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THANKS *TR
HONDA PILOT 2004'S COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS CRACKED. IF IT IS TOTALLY BROKEN OFF. IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS CAR STEERING PROBLEM OR CRASH. I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN ON EVERY SINGLE 2004 HONDA PILOTS THAT MY FRIENDS HAD AS WELL MY OWN HONDA PILOT AND POSSIBLE LATER YEARS OF HONDA PILOTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUSHED WATER INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A FAILING TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL ON OTHER PARTS AND WE TOLD THEM THE AIRBAG SAFETY RESTRAINT LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. WE WERE TOLD THE DIAGNOSIS WOULD COST 38 DOLLARS PLUS TAX. THEY DIAGNOSED FAULTY LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG SENSORS. THEY TOLD US IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS ITEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT OUR EXPENSE. AFTER MUCH OBJECTION THEY SAID " SORRY THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT". WITH THAT WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR AT A LATER DATE AND PARTS WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED. THE DEALER SENT US ON OUR WAY KNOWING IF WE CRASHED, ESPECIALLY IN A FRONT END IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS ON THEIR PRODUCT THEY SOLD TO US AS "SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY" WOULD NOT DEPLOY. UNACCEPTABLE!! PLEASE HELP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A REDUCTION IN POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.UPDATED 06/10/14 MA 07/24/17*CN
SOME OF THE A/C ILLUMINATED LIGHTS WENT OUT AND BACK ON AGAIN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS FOR ONLY SOME OF THE A/C CONTROLS ARE OFF AND APPEAR NOT TO COME BACK ON. FAN SPEED, OFF, RECIRCULATE, REAR DEFROST, AND THE MODE BUTTONS ARE THE ONES CURRENTLY NO LONGER ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S REAR, PUSHING THE VEHICLE FORWARD. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED MULTIPLE FRACTURES OF THE LUMBAR SPINE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000..UPDATED 05-09-14 *BF
SRS LIGHT IS ON FROM RESEARCHING IT, THIS COULD BE SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS, OR MANY AIRBAGS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AROUND A BEND TOWARDS A RED LIGHT, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL MY CAR MADE A WEIRD SHUTTER OR BRAKE PULSING, I THOUGHT I HAD GONE OVER SOME RIPPLE STRIPS. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, WHEN GOING ALMOST 30 & OUT OF THE TURN, MY PILOT CAME TO AN UNASSISTED ABRUPT STOP! IM SO LUCKY THE PERSON BEHIND ME DIDN'T REAR END ME! IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GRINDING & THE TIRES WERE LOCKED. I WAITED A FEW SECONDS LET GO OF BRAKES & THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE BUT IN 5 FT IT DID IT AGAIN. TOWED TO DEALER WHO CANT SEEM TO FIND OR RECREATE THE PROBLEM. MULTIPLE BRAKE, ABS, VSC & ELECTRICAL ALARMS WERE REPORTED BY DEALER BUT STILL NO SOLUTION. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND BY MULTIPLE REPORTS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS AT 35-40 MPH APPARENTLY DUE TO FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURES DOCUMENTED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP SUDDENLY, AND IS A HAZARD. THESE TORQUE CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
AS I WAS APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE I APPLIED THE BRAKES GENTLY AND THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE MOMENTARILY GRABBED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE VSA LIGHTS ACTIVATED. THIS HAS OCCURRED 9 TIMES IN THE LAST 300 MILES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL THE "RECALLED" VSA MODULE WAS REPLACED LESS THAN 6000 MILES AGO. THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE VSA MODULE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED COMBINING FLUIDS AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. LOSS OF ABILITY TO DRIVE/MOVE VEHICLE WITH FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND REQUIRES A NEW RADIATOR AND REPLACE / REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. A RECOMMENDATION FROM HONDA TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR EVERY 100,000 MILES WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HAVING TO REPLACE / REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. SUBSEQUENT TO REPAIR, OIL REMAINS IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM AND HAS CAUSED FAILURE OF A COOLANT LINE DUE TO OVER-PRESSURIZATION. THE VEHICLE, WITH MULTIPLE CHILDREN IN IT, HAS BEEN STRANDED TWO MORE TIMES DUE TO COOLANT SYSTEM FAILURE. *TR
SEAT HEATER WAS USED ON DRIVERS SIDE. . GOT VERY HOT, SMELL SMOKED, LEG HAD SUPERFICIAL BURN. SMELL PLASTIC BURNING. *TR
BEGAN TO NOTICE SIGNIFICANT CLOCKWISE-COUNTERCLOCKWISE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING SPOUSE'S CAR. ATTEMPTED TO SOLVE PROBLEM BY HAVING TIRES CHECKED AND BALANCED; NO DEFECTS WERE IDENTIFIED AND REBALANCING DIDN'T SOLVE PROBLEM. WHEN UNSUCCESSFUL, TOOK TO SECOND FACILITY AND HAD TIRES BALANCED AGAIN WITHOUT RESOLUTION OF PROBLEM. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, WHO BALANCED THE TIRES A THIRD TIME, WITH NOT RESOLUTION OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN AFTER REPLACING ALL TIRES, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH HONDA PILOT CARS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, AND THAT HONDA HAS NOT ISSUED ANY TECHNICAL ADVISE ON HOW DEALERS CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
LIKE SO VERY MANY OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS OF THE TIMEFRAME, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND FAILURE FROM A RADIATOR FAILURE - AND THOUGH HONDA HAD SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION SUIT ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS WITH A MINOR WARRANTY EXTENSION... MY FAILURE, OF COURSE, HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER THAT EXTENSION. I AM OUT NEARLY $5,000 AND NEARLY GOT KILLED WHEN MY CAR DIED BECAUSE HONDA HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS. SHAME ON HONDA - AND SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT HOLDING THEM TO TASK EVEN AFTER THEY SETTLED A LAWSUIT (WITH SUCH A LAME AND STILL UNSAFE RESPONSE). *TR
MAKES LOUD NOISE AND RATTLING WHILE ACCELERATING. *TR
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME BOTH FRONT IMPACT SENSORS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. *TR
RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX WITH THE COOLANT. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN. WE HAD THE RADIATOR CHANGED AND COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. *TR
A 91 YEAR OLD PASSENGER COULD NOT RELEASE THE BUCKLE BECAUSE OF PLACEMENT OR NECESSARY STRENGTH.THE BUCKLE SHOULD BE NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE WAIST OR CHEST FOE QUICK RELEASE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT OR OTHER IMPAIRMENT DUE TO HEALTH OR IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO RELEASE IT FOR SOMEONE. IT MADE ME THINK OF THE NUMBER OF OUR PARATROOPERS THAT DROWNED IN EUROPE BECAUSE THE RELEASE WAS POORLY CONCEIVED. THE BRITISH HAD A ONE BUCKLE RELEASE RIGHT ON THEIR CHEST THAT SAVED MANY LIVES. *TR
THE SRS LIGHT IN MY 2005 HONDA PILOT IS FULL ON RED. IT STARTED A FEW WEEKS BEFORE FLASHING BUT GOING OFF. THEN IT STAYED ON FOR A DAY AND THEN IT WENT OFF FROM A DAY. NOW IT'S ON ALL THE TIME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT IS THE OPDS SEAT SENSOR AND FAULTY POWER SUPPLY. THIS WILL COST ME $989.00 ON TOP OF THE $81.00 I PAID TO HAVE THE SRS LIGHT DIAGNOSED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD TAKE CAR OF THIS. *TR
WHEN DRIVING ON STRAIGHT, LEVEL PAVEMENT, VSA LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND CAR SUDDENLY SHUDDERS AND CHANGES DIRECTION. UNEVEN BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED BY THE VSA SYSTEM IN ORDER TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT PRESENT. MEANWHILE, THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. THE PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND AFTER THE RECALL TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL SERVICE DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR MAKE IT HAPPEN LESS FREQUENTLY. MY CAR SEEMS TO ONLY HAVE THE PROBLEM IN SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES. DEALER DIAGNOSIS SAYS THAT YAW SENSOR IS SENDING A BAD SIGNAL TO VSA SYSTEM. A NEW YAW SENSOR IS CURRENTLY ON BACK-ORDER, SO IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
I BOUGHT A USED 05 PILOT 1 YEAR AGO FOR MY WIFE AND BOYS. VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER AT AROUND 30-40 MPH. I REMEMBER MY MOTHER HAVING THIS SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER ACURA MDX AND SHE WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO OUR PILOT AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS DEALING WITH THIS SAME ISSUE! ACURA EVEN PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN (06-003) ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION AND STATED THAT EVEN IF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY OWNERS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GOODWILL CONSIDERATION TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SHOWS THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXPECTED TO HAVE MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS. HONDA PILOT HAS THE SAME ENGINE/TRANSMISSION AS IT IS THE SAME COMPANY AND NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL!!! IF I AM EXPECTED TO PAY $11,000 FOR A USED 05 PILOT WITH 130K MILES ON IT I SHOULD NOT ALSO BE EXPECTED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $4,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION LESS THAN A YEAR LATER!!! IF HONDA IS PROUD ENOUGH OF THEIR PRODUCT TO CHARGE THAT HIGH AMOUNT TO BEGIN WITH THEY NEED TO BACK IT UP WITH QUALITY THAT MATCHES THE PRICE!! PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO THROW MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN IN THIS ECONOMY! *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED COMBINING FLUIDS AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. LOSS OF ABILITY TO DRIVE/MOVE VEHICLE WHILE ON A RURAL ROAD BETWEEN CITIES DURING A SNOWSTORM WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND REQUIRES A NEW RADIATOR AND REPLACE / REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. A RECOMMENDATION FROM HONDA TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR EVERY 100,000 MILES FOR A MARGINAL FEE(SIMILAR TO THE TIMING BELT) WOULD HAVE PREVENTED HAVING TO REPLACE / REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
I HAD LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR ABOUT 20MINUTES BEFORE I LEFT. ABOUT 8:30AM SATURDAY DEC. 14TH 2013 MY 2005 HONDA PILOT STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I TRIED TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP. I STARTED PRAYING TO JESUS AND SAYING OUT LOUD GOD PLEASE! GOD PLEASE! GOD PLEASE! I KNOW THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE DRAMATIC BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY! I GOT OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD SOMETHING GAVE WAY. EITHER THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED ACCELERATING OR THE BRAKES FINALLY WORKED BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. FROM ONE WORRIED CAR OWNER TO ANOTHER WHO MAY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OR THAT MIGHT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I NOW KNOW THAT I COULD PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND MAYBE TURN THE KEY OFF TO ALSO TO GET IT TO STOP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA)WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE STEERING WHEEL INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED AFTER SEVERAL SECONDS AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V092000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK FOR REPAIRS EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
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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 2005 Honda Pilot → · Every Pilot year → · How the figures are calculated →