Page 9 of 14 · complaints 401–450 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 →

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 2012205,000 milesWY

MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INCIDENCES WITH OUR VSA SYSTEM IN OUR 2005 PILOT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 5-40MPH, THE CAR HAS LOCKED THE BRAKES AND STEERING. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN RANDOMLY WITH NO PRIOR INDICATIONS. I DID A BIT OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND NO SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. I SAW THAT THE NHTSA WAS LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE AS OF OCTOBER, AND I AM HOPING TO FIND A SOLUTION SOON. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 201299,000 milesCA

I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING A BRAKE ISSUE ON THE HONDA PILOT 2005. I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR ISSUE BUT THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH AS IT ONLY HAPPENED ONE DAY (ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENED TWICE THAT DAY). I'VE FINALLY GOTTEN AROUND TO FILING AN OFFICIAL REPORT BOTH WITH HONDA AND NHTSA TO HOPEFULLY AID IN THE INVESTIGATION. THE BRAKING ISSUE HAPPENED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON THE SAME DAY, ROUGHLY 2 MONTHS AGO. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I FELT LIKE THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD FLASHED, MY SPEED DECREASED SUDDENLY ALTHOUGH I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS. IT ONLY LAST A FEW SECONDS AND THEN I REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AN HOUR LATER, WHEN I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME I WAS GOING 25 MILES AN HOUR DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. SAME EXACT ISSUE WHERE IT FELT LIKE THE CAR COMPUTER SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE, BUT I'M VERY SCARED THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME AGAIN. WE ONLY HAVE ONE CAR AND HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD. I HOPE HONDA AND THE NHTSA MAKE PROGRESS INTO IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN CONTRIBUTE ANY MORE INFORMATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 201282,000 milesOH

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 60. I PUT ON MY BLINKER AND WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE TO THE LEFT LANE NEXT TO ME. A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE SPED UP AS I STARTED TO MOVE LEFT. I TURNED BACK SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AND TAPPED MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS NEXT TO ME OR BEHIND ME, BECAUSE I WENT INTO THE RIGHT LANE NEXT TO ME AND THEN ONTO THE BIRM LANE. THE CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE ROAD WAS DRY- THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AND THAT THE ONLY CARS ON THE HIGHWAY WERE AHEAD OF ME. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 201285,000 milesCA

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT AND WHEELS SHIMMY ON FREEWAY. PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES WITH FRONT AND BACK ALIGNMENT, PLUS TIRE BALANCING ON 08-01-12. VEHICLE STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT AND WHEELS SHIMMY WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 30, 2012138,200 milesPA

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 HONDA PILOT EXL. THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT GO OFF. THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE HONDA DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT IMPACT SENSOR FAILED. THE SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $305. IF NOT REPLACED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT BE DEPLOYED IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHER 2005 HONDA PILOT OWNERS AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 29, 2012126,000 milesCT

THE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHILE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE THEN HAD THE SAME EPISODE HAPPEN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH WHILE ACCELERATION. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE EPISODES SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. I BELIEVE THAT THE ISSUE IS PROGRESSING AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY. I HAVE INVESTIGATED SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE WITH MANY POSTS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE HONDA AND SISTER ACURA. I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO STEP UP AND BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2012103,000 milesOH

STARTING ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WHEN OUR HONDA PILOT 2005 REACHED A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM STARTED FREAKING OUT. WHEN GOING APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH ON STRAIGHT DRY ROADS THE BRAKES WILL SUDDENLY APPLY THEMSELVES WITH NO PRESSING OF THE BRAKE PEDAL! LUCKILY IT HAS LASTED ONLY A SECOND AND THEY ARE SUDDENLY RELEASED, BUT IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING AND IF I WERE NOT LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND HOLDING TIGHT TO THE WHEEL THE CAR EASILY COULD HAVE PULLED OFF THE ROAD (IT SEEMS TO BE PREDOMINANTLY THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE - I THINK THE LEFT SIDE ONLY DID IT ONCE.) THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES ON DIFFERENT DAYS IN THE PAST MONTH. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS 5-15MPH WHILE TURNING WE HAVE STARTED TO HEAR A "CLUNKING/SCRAPPING" SOUND OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKES "ADJUSTING" - IS HOW I'D DESCRIBE IT? THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT BEING PRESSED, BUT THEY SEEM TO BE CONFUSED. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO HOW IT WOULD SOUND IF WE ACTUALLY HIT AN ICE PATCH WHILE DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES - KIND OF A CLUNKING OR BRACING SOUND TO PREVENT SKIDDING, BUT THE ROAD IS DRY. AND FINALLY JUST YESTERDAY THE BRAKES SEEM TO HAVE BECOME PERMANENTLY STUCK IN THE SLIGHTEST/TEENIEST LEVEL OF APPLICATION - THEY JUST SOUND LIKE THEY ARE APPLIED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR KIND OF HUMMS. THIS DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I STOPPED THE CAR COMPLETELY AND TURNED IT OFF, WAITED 5 MINUTES AND STARTED AGAIN? THIS TIME THE ROADS WERE VERY WET AND P

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 27, 201236,200 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING ON A TRIP ON THE NYS THRUWAY, THE DRIVER'S FRONT BRAKE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP AND DRAG THE CAR TO THE LEFT. WE WOULD HEAR A NOISE (ABS PUMP?) AND LIGHTS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY COME ON THE DASH. THIS WOULD LAST ONLY A FEW SECONDS AT A TIME, BUT ENOUGH TO YANK THE WHEEL AND PULL INTO THE LEFT LANE. WE DID MAKE IT HOME. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE YAW/STABILITY CONTROL SENSOR. THEY REFUSED TO PROCESS UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAD BARELY EXPIRED. COST $820 TO FIX. I AM WRITING NOW BECAUSE I RECENTLY SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER WHERE YOUR AGENCY IDENTIFIED THIS VERY PROBLEM WITH 2005 HONDA PILOTS. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 25, 201260,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED WATER PENETRATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 22, 2012127,400 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATED. TIRES ACTUALLY SCREECHED DUE TO THE RAPID DECELERATION. THE BRAKES PULSED OFF AND ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. PRESSING AND RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR THEN RE-STARTED IT AND CONTINUED ON WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEM. IF A CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND ME IT CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS MY VEHICLE STOPPED SO ABRUPTLY I SURELY WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 5 YRS AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 5-6 TIMES, THE FIRST TIME ABOUT 6 MOS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DATE HERE IS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. IT HAS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND HAPPENS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED. IT IS RANDOM AND I HAVE GONE AS LONG AS A YEAR BETWEEN INCIDENTS. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A RANDOM OCCURRENCE AND NOT POSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE, AND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON-LINE INDICATE THAT HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A FIX AND DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MY EXPERIENCE IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP12002 AND PE12028. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 2012154,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND BECAME HARD TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUE RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE SINCE THE BRAKES HAD ENGAGED AND FAILED TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 201278,464 milesPA

VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATE 50MPH AND BRAKES RANDOMLY APPLY WITHOUT PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. VEHICLE COMES TO DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT STOP. SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS BETWEEN 25MPH TO 35MPH. VIOLENT BRAKING HAPPENS BOTH WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED AND ALSO RANDOMLY WITHOUT PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND HONDA CLAIMS IT HAS NO REAL SOLUTION. HONDA DEALERSHIP/SERVICE CENTER HAS DUPLICATED EXACT MALFUNCTION AND REQUIRES HONDA TO ASSIST THEM WITH FINDING A SOLUTION. NOW BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY HONDA ON HOW OR IF THEY CAN REPAIR ISSUE, WHICH LEAVES VEHICLE SAFETY IN QUESTION. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 21, 201270,290 milesSC

I WAS DRIVING THE 2005 HONDA PILOT ABOUT 20 TO 30 MPH . THE TIME WAS ABOUT 7:15 AM. THE ROADS WERE WET AFTER SOME MISTING LIGHT RAIN. I HEARD A RELATIVELY LOUD NOISE THAT STARTLED ME. THE NOISE LASTED FOR PERHAPS 2 SECONDS. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE BRAKES WERE INADVERTENTLY BEING APPLIED AND GRABBING OR PERHAPS SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR REAR END. I DO NOT REMEMBER THAT THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY WERE. I KEPT DRIVING AND WAS THEN MUCH MORE ATTENTIVE TO THERE POSSIBLY BEING SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER I HEARD AN ALMOST IDENTICAL LOUD SOUND. I DO REMEMBER THAT I WAS BRAKING AT THE TIME, BUT DUE TO BEING STARTLE, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT I MAY NOT REMEMBER SUCH. THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE DECELERATED, BUT TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATION WAS SEVERE. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT REPEAT THE PROBLEM AND THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEN THE SERVICE MANAGER TALKED TO ME ABOUT WHAT POSSIBLE MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE LOUD NOISE AND HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH ME INSIDE. HE DIRECTED THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEFT WHEELS ON THE PAVEMENT AND THE RIGHT WHEELS ON THE GRASS. THEN HE RAPIDLY APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND TO MY MEMORY THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THE NOISES I HAD ENCOUNTERED PREVIOUSLY. HE SAID THAT THIS NOISE WAS FROM THE ABS SYSTEM ENGA

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2012100,354 milesOH

BRAKES ACTUATED ON THEIR OWN SEVERAL TIMES. CAR CAME TO ABRUPT STOP MOMENTARILY BUT THEN THE BRAKES RELEASED ON THEIR OWN. STARTING HAPPENING TODAY AND OCCURRED SIX TIMES DURING A COUPLE MILE CAR RIDE. ONLY HAPPENED SPORADICALLY. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 21, 201292,800 milesCT

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL TOWN SPEED (~25MPH) CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AND SPEED DROPPED. PULLED CAR OVER TO COOL. STARTED TO DRIVE SLOWLY HOME AND SYMPTOM REPEATED. CAR TOWED TO HONDA. THEY DIAGNOSED AS RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING DUE TO FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR. DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED, ALONG WITH A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COOLER. ENGINE ALSO NEEDED EXTENSIVE FLUSHING. SUGGESTED COST WAS $6400 WITHOUT LABOR. AFTER REPAIRS, ENGINE DAMAGE COULD BE ASSESSED. THIS APPEARED TO BE A MINOR FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR THAT DESTROYED A SEPARATE SYSTEM AND MIGHT HAVE DAMAGED THE ENGINE. *TR

Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2012100,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED OIL AND COOLANT FLUID LEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT TO MESH. AS A RESULT, THE FLUID ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 18, 2012VA

ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS IN A/C HEATING PANEL BURNED OUT. EVERY ONE, AND JUST IN THIS PANEL. ALL THE OTHER DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE FINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS MODEL AND IS WIDELY REPORTED IN HONDA PILOT FORUMS. THE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. ONE IS FORCED TO TURN ON THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS TO ADJUST THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Oct 17, 2012100,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 12/7/12 *CN

EngineFire
Filed Oct 16, 201297,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID MIXED. AS A RESULT, THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 16, 2012133,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HEAT DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Oct 15, 201250,000 milesTX

DRIVING AT AROUND 45-50 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE MORNING RUSH HOUR, AS I PRESSED MY BRAKE SUDDENLY TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE COMING ON TO MY LANE, I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT SWUNG VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE-TO-SIDE AS I TRIED TO STEER IT AWAY FROM VEHICLES AROUND ME SO AS NOT TO HIT THEM. IT FINALLY CAME TO A HALT AFTER SLAMMING ON TO THE VEHICLE THAT CAME ON TO MY LANE CAUSING ME TO BRAKE SUDDENLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE PERSON WHOSE CAR I HIT AND WHO WATCHED ME FROM A CLOSE RANGE TOLD ME LATER THAT HE WAS WORRIED THAT THE CAR WAS GOING TO TURN OVER. FOR ME, THE SCARY PART WAS WHEN I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR BY STEERING IT. I SWERVED IT LEFT & RIGHT SO AS NOT TO HIT OTHERS BUT FELT AS IF SOMETHING ELSE WAS CONTROLLING THE SIDEWAYS MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. I SUSPECTED IT WAS SOME KIND OF COMPUTER MALFUNCTION AND THOUGHT ABOUT REPORTING IT TO HONDA BUT DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO DO THAT. I AM REPORTING IT NOW AS I READ YESTERDAY ON USA TODAY THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING A SIMILAR-SOUNDING PROBLEM THAT ANOTHER CONSUMER REPORTED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 13, 2012103,500 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN 2005 HONDA PILOT STATED TRAILING A LIQUID. DROVE A QUARTER OF A MILE TO WORK TO FIND COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK OUT. RADIATOR REPLACED, TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND SERVICED, AND COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSHED FINAL REPAIR COST $900. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THE HONDA PILOT AND SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT AND RESOLVED FOR OTHERS.*TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 201230,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACTIVATE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, VIOLENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD OR SOFTLY I TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS ANOMALY HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I COULD NOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND WENT AWAY WHEN I WOULD GET THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE AND TURN OFF THE KEY. IT WOULD NO LONGER BE HAPPENING, SIMILAR TO REBOOTING A COMPUTER. NO DASH SYMPTOM LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR DURING THESE INCIDENTS. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH HONDA SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12028. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 12, 2012500 milesCA

STOPPING IRREGULARITY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY UNSAFE FEELING FROM A DRIVERS PERSPECTIVE! NON-SOLID FEELING BRAKE PEDDLE PLUS A TENDANCY TO NOT STOP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. FRONT BRAKE PADS OR CALIPER SYSTEM HAVE MADE A VERY DETECTABLE (FROM INSIDE THE PILOT WITH THE WINDOWS UP) SNAP / CLACK NOISE WHEN ENGAGING BRAKES DURING FASTER THAN NORMAL STOPS FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MORE THAN ON ONE OCCASION - (REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS WITH NEW ONES SEEMS TO HELP / KEEP THEM NEW / THICK).. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 8, 201261,657 milesOH

VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE (VIBRATING) MORE THAN NORMAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED BETWEEN 35 TO 45 MPH. ONCE I PASS 45 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD STOP SHAKE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 3, 2012127,000 milesTX

ON A 3 HOUR TRIP, DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN ENGINE POWER DROPPED TO ALLOW ONLY 30-40MP AND APPROXIMATELY 6000 RPM. AFTER COOLING DOWN, IT WAS ABLE TO GET BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEED. NEXT DAY, THE EXACT SAME ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $5,000 TO REPLACE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 28, 201250,000 milesMA

2005 PILOT HONDA TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS BETWEEN 30-40 MPH. RESEARCH ON THE WEB CONFIRMS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM - FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTERS. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AT 50K MILES AND NOW HAS 142K. JUST SPENT $750 TO REPLACE THE PRESSURE SWITCHES, WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 24, 2012126,000 milesVA

THIS PROBLEM BEGAN EARLIER IN 2012 AND WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER IN JUNE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (45-75MPH), THE VSA SYSTEM ENGAGES, LOCKING ONE WHEEL FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AND PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL AS IF IN A SKID. WHEN THIS STOPS, THE VSA LIGHT IS ON AS WELL AS A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. WHEN THE DEALER 'FIXED' THIS IN JUNE, THEY REPAIRED A TPMS SENSOR. THEY ALSO FOUND A BRAKE CALIPER STUCK AND FIXED THAT AS WELL AS REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. SINCE JUNE THE ISSUE HAS NOT OCCURRED UNTIL YESTERDAY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 DAYS, ALL AT @ 45 MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE AND IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN JUNE ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC ON BOTH SIDES OF ME DROPPED BACK BECAUSE THEY COULD TELL I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 21, 2012120,000 milesNJ

SRS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT. RESET MES - AND CLEARED MEMORY. SRS LIGHT STILL ACTIVE. MECHANIC FOUND PROBLEM WITH FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. LUCKILY NO INCIDENT AT THIS TIME, BUT CAN'T FIND WARRANTY COVERAGE DATA?! OR RECALL DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS! *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 3, 201249,500 milesCA

D LIGHT TRANSMISSION FLASH AND I STOP THE CAR TO TRY RESET IGNITION KEY. THE D LIGHT NO FLASH NOW. BUT I THINK THAT IT WILL HAVE PROBLEM MY TRANSMISSION LATER ON. FOR MY SAFETY CONCERN I NEED A RECALL FOR MY CAR ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION TO KEEP HIGHWAY SAFE. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Sep 1, 2012CA

TOOK MY 2005 PILOT IN FOR MAJOR SERVICE 100K . VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED WITH REGULAR INTERVALS OF FLUID REPLACEMENT AND OIL CHANGES AT NON HONDA SHOPS BUT WITH CERTIFIED COMPATIBLE PRODUCTS FROM VALVOLINE. MILEAGE ON CAR IS 107,928. PICKED UP CAR WAS RUNNING GREAT. WITHIN 7 MILES FLASHING D LIGHT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAR FEELS LIKE ITS LOSING POWER AND WON'T SHIFT. DEALER SAYS ITS COINCIDENCE. NO SLOWING OF TRANSMISSION NO WARNING WHEN DEALER DID MAJOR SERVICE AND ALL POINT INSPECTION WITH HONDA DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. CONTACTED DEALER WAS TOLD CAR SHOULD BE DRIVABLE TO BRING IT IN. CAR STALLED OUT JERKED BACK AND RPMS SOARED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET REAR ENDED WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MILES AN HOUR. DROVE CAR 20 MILES AN HOUR AND JERKED BACK AGAIN CAUSING ME TO BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. PULLED OVER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON ONLY ENGINE SILHOUETTE STILL ON AND DROVE 20 MPH TO DEALERSHIP. CAR IN DEALERSHIP MILEAGE IS 107953 AND AM TOLD ITS A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A SEALED TRANSMISSION THAT DEALER COULDN'T DETECT THREE DAYS EARLIER. NO WARNING SYSTEM OR FAILED WARNING SYSTEM ON A VERY DANGEROUS MAJOR CAR FAILURE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT WAS AN EMISSIONS PROBLEM EVEN CAR HAS BEEN THOUGH MY CAR PASSED SMOG IN MAY 2012 WITH ABOVE AVERAGE RATING. MY POINT IS WHY IS THERE NO WARNING OR DETECTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CAR FAILURE????? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 201279,450 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE BRAKES ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOURTH YEAR PRESSURE SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,450.

Power Train
Filed Aug 28, 2012110,000 milesCA

STARTED EXPERIENCING A SHUDDER WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH. APPARENTLY, THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 HONDA PILOTS. THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND TWO SHOPS WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. BOTH SHOPS TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE IN THE PILOT AND MDX. THE PROBLEM IS STILL INTERMITTENT BUT GETTING WORSE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2012111,000 milesOH

WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX 40 MPH MY 2005 HONDA PILOT'S BRAKES ENGAGED ON THEIR OWN. THE BRAKES STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR JETTED TO THE LEFT INTO THE MEDIAN WHILE STOPPING. DURING THE EVENT THERE WAS A LOUD GROANING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. I MADE MY WAY INTO A GAS STATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN 1/2 MILE LATER AT 30 MPH, BRAKES TO THE FLOOR,LOUD GROANING SOUND. AT THIS POINT I WAS TERRIFIED AS MY 3YR DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR AND WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. THE VSA LIGHT POPPED ON AFTER THE SECOND EVENT.CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE SHOP WHERE WE WERE TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN WHO INSPECTED AND DROVE THE VEHICLE THAT HE WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE EVENT 2X. THEY STATED WE HAD A PROBLEM W/THE VSA OR ABS SYSTEM AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE HONDA DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO NOTED THAT WHEN THEY HOOKED THE CAR UP TO THE COMPUTER THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM WAS READING "NO DATA".THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HONDA THE NEXT DAY AND WE WERE TOLD WE DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM W/OUR ABS OR VSA SYSTEM. THEY WERE ALSO UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HONDA CONCLUDED THAT MY BRAKE PADS/ROTORS & TIRES NEEDED REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL SHOP WE TOOK IT TO STATED OUR BRAKES AND TIRES WERE FINE AND WOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING. WE TRUSTEDHONDA AND COMPLETED THE REPAIRS THEY REQUESTED OUTSIDE OF THE DEALERSHIP. NEW BRAKES & TIRES ON THE VEHICLE AND WE HAVE HAD 4 ADD.'L INCI

Electrical System
Filed Aug 23, 2012WA

I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM MONTANA ON SATURDAY NIGHT (TO SPOKANE, WA); WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR SUNDAY MORNING, MY KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I WORKED ON IT FOR 90 PLUS MINUTES AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF THE IGNITION. DURING THIS TIME HOWEVER, THE KEY DID NOT EVER TURN IN THE IGNITION THEREFORE EVERYTHING REMAINED "LOCKED". I IMMEDIATELY TRIED THE SAME KEY ON THE DRIVERS DOOR; NO LUCK. IT DID HOWEVER OPEN THE BACK HATCH AND THE PASSENGER DOOR, BOTH MANUALLY (THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE KEY, SO I WAS USING IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY UNTIL I GOT A NEW BATTERY). SO, WITH THIS INFORMATION I WENT DOWN TO LARRY MILLER HONDA, DOWNTOWN SPOKANE IN A BORROWED VEHICLE. WHILE THERE I WAS APPROACHED BY A SALESMAN AND I EXPLAINED MY DILEMMA: "UNABLE TO TURN KEY IN IGNITION, THEREFORE UNABLE TO GET MY CAR MOVING AT ALL!"..HE THEN INSTRUCTED ME TO "SPRAY WD 40 INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE DOOR LOCKS". AND INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE DEPART. WAS NOT OPEN BUT WE WENT BACK THERE BECAUSE "THERE WERE SOME EMPLOYEES WORKING ON SOME VEHICLES. WHEN WE GOT BACK THERE, THE SALESMAN ASKED THE SERVICE DEPT WORKER IF HE THOUGHT SPRAYING WD40 INTO MY IGNITION SWITCH WOULD WORK, THE SERVICEMAN AGREED. SO I GOT SOME WD 40, SPRAYED AWAY AS DIRECTED, NO LUCK. MONDAY: WENT BACK TO HONDA, WHERE ONE OF THE MANAGERS TOLD ME "NEVER SPRAY WD40 INTO IGNITION, THIS WILL GUM IT UP...AND NOW IT WILL COST ME 600.00 OR SO TO REPLACE IGNITION SYSTEM. HE ALSO STATED "THEY HAVE BEEN DOIN

Power Train
Filed Aug 22, 2012129,504 milesNY

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

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch
Filed Aug 20, 2012156,234 milesNY

VEHICLE LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED CHARRED WIRE AND MELTED CONNECTOR. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY HONDA FOR THE SAME MODEL ON AN EARLIER MODEL YEAR (NHTSA ID 12V136000). HONDA PART DESIGNATIONS AND FAILURE DESCRIPTION MATCH RECALL. I WOULD RECOMMEND HONDA EXPAND RECALL TO COVER ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 14, 201286,000 milesNY

2005 HONDA PILOT - SEAL OR TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED AND LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE RADIATOR. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS WERE EVIDENT. OWNER NOTICED LEAKING FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW. BOTH PARTS NOW REQUIRE EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE HAS 86,000 MILES AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ISSUE BEFORE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SEVERAL POSTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, WITH LITTLE OR NO APPARENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY HONDA OF THIS BROAD ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 2, 2012101,000 milesWI

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO "SHUDDER" AT MEDIUM SPEED, AND TWO TO THREE DAYS LATER WHILE ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP, CREATING LOUD BANGING NOISES AND SPILLING TRANSMISSION FLUID ONTO THE ROADWAY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 27, 201290,000 milesKS

I STARTED NOTICING A VIBRATION AT 34 TO 45 MPH. IT WAS DEFINITELY CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION UNDER THE HOOD. IT CAUSES MY 2005 HONDA PILOT TO VIBRATE, SHUDDER AND HESITATE AT THAT SPEED. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEFORE IT WILL STOP. IT HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY AT THAT SPEED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 24, 2012167,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL SEIZED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VSC WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACED THE YAW SENSOR AND THE ABS SENSOR AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 23, 2012140,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, WE SUDDENLY LOST BOTH DIM HEADLIGHTS. HAVE TRIED REPLACING BULBS, FUSES, RELAYS, STEERING COLUMN SWITCH AND NOTHING AS WORKED. CHECKED RECALLS ONLINE AND THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN THE 2003 PILOT TO WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL. SAME PARTS I UNDERSTAND. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP AND FIGURE OUT THAT WE STILL HAD BRIGHT LIGHTS AND COULD CONTINUE HOME, BUT HAVING 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND DRIVING BLIND WAS A HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALL. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 21, 2012110,200 milesIL

THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED TO WORK AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME, AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE DESTINATION. I WAS JUST CHECKING ONLINE TO FIND OUT HOW I MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM AND SAW REPORTS OF MARCH 30, 2012 THAT HONDA WAS RECALLING 2003 PILOTS FOR THIS PROBLEM -- OBVIOUSLY HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THE 2005 PILOTS ALSO! I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2012167,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED AND THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Power Train
Filed Jul 17, 201277,145 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF A RED COLORED FLUID UNDER THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON WITH THE VEHICLE MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE UPPER AND LOWER HOSE, THE RADIATOR, THE THERMOSTAT AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,145.

Power Train
Filed Jul 12, 2012106,750 milesNJ

2005 HONDA PILOT WITH 106,750 MILES. I WAS STOPPED AT THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I CHANGED GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND VEHICLE WOULD STILL NOT DRIVE. VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST HONDA DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE IN THE RADIATOR. COOLANT FLUIDS MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. DEALER WILL REPLACE RADIATOR($400), REFILL COOLANT, REPLACE THERMOSTAT, ATF LINES, CHANGED ATF FLUID 3 TIMES TO REMOVE CONTAMINANTS. TOTAL LABOR $685, TOTAL PARTS $800++. I'VE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT, ACURA MDX AND HONDA RIDGELINE. RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE LEAK IS A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 10, 201254,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AS IF THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE. THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE CHANGED HOWEVER THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE 4X4 FEATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2012100,000 milesCA

APPROXIMATE DATE I PUT WAS TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TO MY SPOUSE WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS. TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. I JUST STARTED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. ABOUT 300 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN TWICE AND STOPPED THE CAR. I HAD TO GET TO WORK SO I CONTINUED ON. IT OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES ON MY WAY TO WORK. I WAS NEVER GOING FASTER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHILE I WAS BRAKING AND TWO TIMES WHILE I WAS AT A COAST. MY WIFE JUST TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO HER AS RECENTLY AS 3 DAYS AGO. I AM CONCERNED OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND GOD FORBID THIS HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY OR AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS SAME OCCURRENCE WITH THE 2005 HONDA PILOT AND THEY ALL SAID TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THIS SITE. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jul 5, 2012CA

2005 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THE LOCK ROD WAS BROKEN IN THE DOOR. CONSUMER STATES THAT HONDA WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE PICKED UP HER VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE DOOR PANEL WAS DAMAGED. ABOUT EIGHT INCHES OF THE PANEL WAS BROKEN OFF. THERE WERE ALSO DEEP SCRATCHES IN THE DOOR PANEL ITSELF AND THE BLACK METAL ON THE DOOR HAD DENTS IN IT. *JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 5, 2012125,000 milesTN

MY LOW BEAM PASSENGER HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED RESULTING IN THE HEADLIGHT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. IT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED MY VISIBILITY AND INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE 2003 HONDA PILOTS, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SAME PARTS ARE ALSO USED IN 2004 AND 2005 HONDA PILOTS, THESE MODEL YEARS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2004 AND 2005 HONDA PILOT OWNERS. PLEASE REVISE THE RECALL PROVIDED ABOVE TO ALSO INCLUDE 2004 AND 2005 MODEL YEARS AS WELL. *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 2005 Honda Pilot → · Every Pilot year → · How the figures are calculated →