2003 Honda Pilot Complaint Log

MY 2003 HONDA PILOT WAS RECALLED FOR A POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE INSPECTION/REMEDY WAS PERFORMED IN 2004. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED WITH THE EXACT SAME FAILURE THE RECALL WAS INTENDED TO REMEDY. WHILE TRAVELING A DEALER IN MIAMI (BRICKELL MOTORS) WORKED WITH A REGIONAL HONDA REP AND OFFERED A 50% REDUCTION IN THE COST OF A REBUILD TRANSMISSION. UPON RETURNING HOME THE LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN HONDA) WORKED WITH A REGIONAL HONDA REP AND ONLY OFFERED A 5% REDUCTION. LEARNING THIS WE CONTACTED THE ORIGINAL DEALER (BRICKELL) AND WERE INFORMED THAT WE HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK (100 MILES AWAY) BEFORE THEY COULD ASK THE REP AGAIN FOR ASSISTANCE. NO GUARANTEE ON WHAT WOULD BE OFFERED. CONTACTING HONDA USA WE WERE INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD LIKE LIKELY BE NO FURTHER OFFERS BUT THE ORIGINAL DEALERS OFFER SHOULD BE GOOD FOR 30 DAYS. WE ESCALATED THIS TO A CASE MANAGER ASKING THAT THE 50% OFFER BE MADE GOOD AT OUR LOCAL DEALER (COGGIN). IN THE INTERIM WE MUST RETRIEVE THE CAR WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS RECALLED FOR A POTENTIAL CRASH HAZARD. THIS CAR SHOULD BE PROVIDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AS PER THE RECALL NUMBER 04V176000. *TR

BOUGHT USED 2003 HONDA PILOT IN MARCH 2009. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION IN APRIL 2009. PURCHASED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR OVER $4,000 TO GET A 3-YR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD (BOUGHT NEW) THAT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2006. DIDN'T THINK ABOUT PILOT HAVING THE SAME TRANSMISSION, OR I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THE PILOT. NOW AT 166,000 MILES MY DRIVE LIGHT IS BLINKING AGAIN, BUT OF COURSE THE WARRANTY IS OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION!! *TR

MY 2004 HONDA PILOT MAKES A LOUD RATTLING OR VIBRATING NOISE THAT I CAN FEEL WHEN THE CAR IS GOING ABOUT 35 - 60 MPH. I NOTICE IT DAILY ON MY WAY TO AND FROM WORK. SINCE I LIVE WHERE THERE IS NO HONDA DEALER NEARER THAN 150 MILES, I'VE ASKED LOCAL MECHANICS TO TRY TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE VIBRATION. I'VE FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER, AND WILL BE QUITE COSTLY TO REPAIR. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2003 HONDA PILOT WITH 135,000 MILES. *TR

MY 2003 HONDA PILOT HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL A FEW YEARS AGO, WHICH WAS REPORTEDLY PERFORMED BY HONDA. 3-14-09 IT WAS SERVICED BY HONDA, FOR A LIGHT THAT CAME ON INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AFTER THE SERVICE, ON 4-2-09, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP THIS ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ON 275 DURING RUSH HOUR IN CINCINNATI, DUE TO A SUDDEN SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT REAR BRAKE LIGHTS INDICATING STOPPING OR SLOWING. THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT EVEN WITH THE RECALL ALTERATIONS, THE PROBLEM OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN OCCUR CAUSING A CRASH. DH, A FRIEND HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE CAUSING A CRASH WITH HER THREE CHILDREN ON BOARD, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED INJURIES IN THIS ROLLOVER CRASH. HONDA WAS NOTIFIED AND SERVICE PERSONNEL WERE ADVISED AND THEY ARE NON RESPONSIVE. THIS VEHICLE IS DESIGNED FOR UP TO EIGHT OCCUPANTS MAKING THIS A SERIOUS POSSIBILITY FOR BODILY INJURY. AT THE TIME OF RECALL THE CORRECTION FOR THIS FAILURE WAS TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THERE IS A 30 DAY WAIT FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS, EVIDENTLY BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR HONDA PILOT HAD THE SAME LOCK UP OCCUR WITH HER TRANSMISSION AND IT DID CAUSE THE PILOT TO CRASH AND ROLL OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR STORIES. UNFORTUNATELY HONDA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM DESPITE THE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR

I OWN A 2003 HONDA PILOT. TWO OF THE FOUR ENGINE MOUNTS ARE BAD. FROM PEOPLE I HAVE TALKED TO, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY, MANY HONDA PILOTS. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE DEFECTIVE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO BE HAVING THE SAME COSTLY PROBLEM. *TR

FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I AM HAVING THIS BLINKING "D" LIGHT ON THE TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT SUV. I BELIEVED THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGERS AND YET THERE IS NO RECALL YET BY HONDA AMERICA TO ALERT THE OWNERS OF THIS SERIOUS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ON THIS 2003 HONDA PILOT CAR. *TR

THE IGNITION KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS OUT OF PARK. I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY UNTIL IT IS IN PARK. THIS DEFECT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FOR ALL HONDA ACCORDS, 1999-02. THE DEALER HAS QUOTED MORE THAN $500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE APPEALED TO AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

TL*. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF HER AUTOMATIC DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CANNOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS INCREASES THE RISK FOR SAFETY HAZARD. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE DENIED RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT AN EXISTING RECALL. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED.THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 109,000.

2 FAILURES: 1) REAR AIR UNIT FAILED AT 50,000 MILES / 5 YEARS. 2) TWO MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN (FRONT AND SIDE) AT 60,000 MILES / 6 YEARS. *TR

NOTICED THAT THE HONDA PILOT WOULD SHAKE WHEN DRIVING AT 60, THEN EVENTUALLY START FEELING THE BRAKES GOING INTO EFFECT AND THE SPEED DROPPING TO BELOW 40. HOWEVER, DRIVING AT 25 YESTERDAY, THE BRAKES LOCKED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, I HAD TO PUSH DOWN THE BRAKES AND THEN THE CAR MOVED. *TR

MY CAR HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL NOTICE IN 2004. I TOOK THE CAR IN JULY 2004 AND SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, AFTER THAT TIME, MY CAR SEEMED TO DOWNSHIFT VERY ROUGHLY AND WAS JERKY WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR. LAST YEAR MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. WHILE, THE CAR BEHIND ME DID NOT HIT ME, MY ABRUPT HALT CAUSED AT LEAST 3 CARS BEHIND ME TO REAR END EACH OTHER. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BUT I AM STARTING TO FEEL SOME OF THE OLD SHIFTING ISSUES AGAIN. I'M HOPING IT DOESN'T DIE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 HONDA PILOT EXL,LATELY I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SWITCH NOT WANTING TO TURN ON OR UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL. WHAT SHOULD I DO...I'VE OWN TWO OTHER HONDAS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS.(98 ACCORD,98 CIVIC);THEIR WAS RECALL ON THEM. IS THEIR A RECALL ON THE HONDA PILOT SWITCH OR STEERING COLUMN. *TR

HAD 2003 HONDA PILOT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE TIMING BELT. SERVICE MGR CALLED AND STATED THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT AND SIDE MOUNT WERE BROKEN. HE STATED THIS IS A ONGOING OCCURRENCE WITH THE HONDA PILOTS....WE HAD 137,000 MILES. I AM BEING INFORMED THAT THIS OCCURS AROUND 60,000 MILES ALL THE TIME. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 HONDA PILOT WITH DVD PLAYER AND WIRELESS HEADPHONES. MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH OUR TWO YOUNG KIDS WHO WERE WATCHING A DVD WITH THE HEADPHONES. THE KIDS STATED THAT THE HEADPHONES STOPPED WORKING AND STARTED MAKING A WHITE NOISE SOUND. A FEW MINUTES LATER WE SAW SMOKE COME OUT OF THE DASHBOARD, THROUGH THE TAPE DECK AND OTHER OPENINGS. WE WERE SCARED TO DEATH AND HAD LIMITED VISIBILITY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT WRECKING. WE ALL GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LET THE SMOKE CLEAR. AFTERWARDS, WE TOOK IT TO THE CHARLESTON, SC DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THEY FOUND BURNT PARTS IN THE DVD PLAYER, THEY REFUSED TO HELP. THEY WANTED OVER $1000 TO PUT IN A NEW DVD PLAYER. WE TOOK THE PAPERWORK AND LEFT, WHILE THE DVD HEADPHONES STILL DO NOT WORK TO THIS DAY. I EVEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB, WITHOUT SUCCESS. *TR

MY 2003 HONDA PILOT WAS CAUSING LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS AND FINGERS WHEN USING THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DELAMINATING DOOR HANDLES. THE CHROME PLATING ON THE PLASTIC DELAMINATES AND HAS A VERY SHARP EDGE THAT SLICES THE FINGERS OR HANDS IF RUB AGAINST. ALL OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE HAD LACERATION INJURIES FROM THESE DEFECTIVE HANDLES. I HAVE POINTED OUT THE DEFECT TO HONDA BUT THEY SAY IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND NOT COVERED. I HAVE OLDER VEHICLES FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS THAT DON'T HAVE THIS ISSUE AND OBVIOUSLY DISAGREE WITH HONDA'S ASSESSMENT. *TR

AT 100,000 MILES I WAS INFORMED BY THE HONDA DEALERSHIP THAT 2 OF 3 MOTOR MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED ON MY 2003 PILOT. THIS WILL COST ME APPROX $400. SEEMS THAT MANY HONDA PILOT OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER "OLDER" CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND PROCEEDING FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THERE WAS SUDDENLY A 3-5 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IT REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN;AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS OPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. THIS WAS AFTER ONLY 67,118 MILES. MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL MOTOR MOUNTS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH AT 75K MILES WITH "D" LIGHT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER MIS-IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 5K MILES BUT EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT THE CAR NEEDS AN ENTIRE NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR NOW HAS JUST OVER 80K MILES. VERY SHORT LIFE FOR A TRANSMISSION. *TR

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT ASSUMING THAT IT WOULD BE A GREAT FAMILY VEHICLE. WE HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY SO OUR CAR IS FULL OF CAR SEATS. WE HAVE A BACKLESS BOASTER SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, A BOASTER SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND A FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW DRIVER'S SIDE. IT IS INCREDIBLE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET THE CHILDREN IN THE THIRD ROW BUCKLED BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING "STUCK" AND HAVE TO BE RETHREAD ALL THE WAY BACK. THIS IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY GET CAUGHT ON THE BOASTER SEATS THAT THEN HAVE TO BE PICKED UP AND MOVED AROUND TO GET THE SEAT BELT OFF. ALSO, THE SEAT ON THE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS TOO NARROW AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES VERY LOW, CLOSE TO THE SEAT AND IT ENDS UP UNDERNEATH THE BOASTER SEAT. THESE DIFFICULTIES MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY PRESCHOOLERS TO BUCKLE BY THEMSELVES AND FORCES ME TO CLIMB BACK IN THEIR SEAT TO FIX THE SEAT BELTS AND MOVE THE BOOSTER SEAT FORWARD TO BUCKLE THEM IN. IT IS INCREDIBLE DIFFICULT AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR AN ADULT TO CLIMB INTO THE THIRD ROW SEAT, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT. WE HAVE TRIED MOVING THE SEATS AROUND AND CAN NOT FIND ANY BETTER POSITIONS FOR THE CAR SEATS. *TR

WE PURCHASED A USED 2003 HONDA PILOT IN APRIL 2007. WE WERE AWARE THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION RECALL IN 2004 AND OUR VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED AS PART OF THAT RECALL. IT IS NOW JULY 2008 AND WE WERE JUST TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT SERVICES OUR CAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3700, AND THAT PRICE IS AFTER A $1000 CONTRIBUTION FROM HONDA. THE VEHICLE HAS 93150 MILES ON IT. CLEARLY THIS TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. HONDA SHOULD OWN UP TO A SUBSTANDARD TRANSMISSION DESIGN AND STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH WHAT HONDA IS OFFERING US AND WILL CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM. WE HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE 2003 HONDA TRANSMISSIONS AND IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. A WIDER RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ON THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RESTRAINT ON 2003 HONDA PILOT CAME UNBUCKLED WHILE DRIVING. I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS I HAD NOT BUCKED IT SUFFICIENTLY. WHEN TRIED TO PUT METAL PIECE ON BELT BACK INTO THE LOCKING DEVICE, IT WOULD NOT LOCK. CARRIED IT TO THE DEALER 7-7-08, AND HE HAD TO ORDER THE PART. *TR

HONDA PILOT LEAKING THROUGH AND TO THE FRONT FLOOR BOARDS. *TR

TWICE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2003 PILOT. FIRST AT APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES AND SECOND AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES (APPROX 60,000 PER TRANSMISSION). SO MUCH FOR HONDA RELIABILITY! TRANMISSION REPLACED FIRST TIME BY DEALER AT THE COST OF EXTENDED WARRANTY PAYMENT. SECOND REPLACEMENT DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND HAD TO FIGHT TO GET HONDA TO ASSIST. AFTER A LOT OF EFFORT AND FOLLOW UP ON OUR PART, HONDA AGREED TO COVER HALF OF COST. A SIMPLE SEARCH OF THE INTERNET WILL RESULT IN A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES...CLEARLY HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT TO PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION DUE TO COST INVOLVED IF THEY COVER THE REPAIRS. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A SQUEAKING SOUND WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKES WERE SPRAYED WITH A BRAKE SUBSTANCE;HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

2003 HONDA PILOT, TRANSMISSION SLIP BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH ALMOST LIKE IT'S SLIPPING INTO NEUTRAL, USUALLY WHEN IT'S SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WITHOUT WARNING. USUALLY STALL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS SOMETIMES CANNOT PROCEED CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. ALSO TOLD THAT MOTOR MOUNTS NEED REPLACED. SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEM CAN'T AFFORD REPAIR. TRANSMISSION COOLER THAT HONDA INSTALLED WAS OBVIOUS PATCH TO ATTEMPT TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF A FAULTY DESIGN. ARE WE GOING TO LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THIS ? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND, LATER THAT DAY, IT WOULD NOT START. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT EVENTUALLY STARTED. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE AND, AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,348 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT SEPARATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. UPON INSPECTION, THE JOINT HAD NEVER BEEN LUBRICATED WHEN THE CAR WAS ASSEMBLED. THIS JOINT IS A "LUBED-FOR-LIFE" JOINT THAT CANNOT BE INSPECTED OR LUBRICATED ONCE ASSEMBLED. THE PROTECTIVE BOOT AND RETAINING CLIP WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN THE JOINT FAILED. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER (TENNESSEE LICENSE # 110751) AND HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SEVERAL METAL FAILURE INVESTIGATIONS. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS JOINT FAILED DUE TO HAVING NOT BEEN LUBRICATED AT THE FACTORY. THIS CAR HAD BEEN INSPECTED BY A HONDA DEALERSHIP AS A CERTIFIED USED CAR AND HAD ALSO BEEN SERVICED AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAD PASSED THEIR SUSPENSION CHECK. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED 10 MINUTES EARLIER OR LATER WE WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ABUSED IN ANY WAY. NEITHER HONDA USA NOR THE TWO DEALERSHIPS INVOLVED WOULD RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS FAILURE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, HUB ASSEMBLY, AND STEERING KNUCKLE WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. HE CHECKED THE HEAD REST AND NOTICED THAT WHEN HE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AGAIN, HE HIT HIS HEAD AT ONE SPOT ABOUT 1 INCH DOWN FROM THE TOP OF HIS HEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT HEAD RESTRAINTS CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE HEAD REST WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,245. UPDATED 06/03/08. *LJ

REAR-ENDED. 2003 HONDA PILOT EX: FRONT SEAT HEAD REST IS NON-ADJUSTABLE, AND HITS HEAD ABOUT AN INCH DOWN FROM TOP OF MY HEAD. THERE IS NO CUSHIONING NOR PROTECTION FOR MY HEAD. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT IF I TOOK AUTO TO DEALER, DEALER WOULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THIS IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED. THUS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THAT THIS IS A TOTALLY UNSAFE HEAD REST (CONSTRAINT). *TR

MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE FRONT SEATS CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. THAT IS, THEY MUST STAY DOWN AGAINST THE TOP OF THE SEAT AND CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED TO FIT THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED. THIS MEANS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. HOW IS IT THAT YOU NEVER DISCOVERED THIS? HONDA SHOULD REPLACE ALL THESE VEHICLES WITH NEW SAFE VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM MEANS THAT IN A POTENTIAL REAR ENDED ACCIDENT, MY NECK WILL BE BROKEN. I NEED YOUR HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND ALERT ALL USA CITIZENS THAT HONDA BUILT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

ON OR A FEW DAYS PRIOR TO MARCH 13,2008 I WAS LEFT THE PARKING LOT OF AN AREA BUSINESS, UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE ROAD MARCH 13,2008 HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHEN PULLING OUT OF STORE PARKING LOT REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHT BULBS, FUSES&RELAYS LOW BEAMS INOPERABLE HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED DROVE HOME WITH INOPERABLE HEADLIGHTS MARCH 14,2008 PURCHASED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM A HONDA DEALER MARCH 15,2008 FOUND MELTED WIRE / HARNESS CONNECTOR AND CONTACTED HONDA DEALER FOR RECALL/BULLETIN INFORMATION PICKED UP COPY OF BULLETIN NUMBER 07-027 DATED MAY 12,2007,WHICH CITES "HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED" MARCH 17,2008 CONTACTED HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE,REQUESTED GOODWILL CONSIDERATION-WAS DIRECTED TO HAVE A HONDA DEALER PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC AND SUBMIT FORM TO DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER MARCH 19,2008 TOOK VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER TO PERFORM SRS SAFETY RECALL,AND TO DIAGNOSE THE HEADLIGHT PRIOR TO MAY 12,2008 WAS TOLD TECH DID NOT CHECK HEADLIGHT PROBLEM ON MARCH 19,2008 MAY 12,2008 IN FRUSTRATION, TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO HONDA DEALER TO PERFORM REPAIRS, PAID $3147 FOR THE PART,AND $9074 FOR THE REPAIR DEALER RETURNED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH,BUT KEPT THE MELTED CONNECTOR AND WIRE JUNE 20,2008 RETURNED VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER FOR SAME PROBLEM,THEY SAID HEADLIGHT SOCKETS WERE UNPLUGGED AND WERE WORKING FINE JUNE 20,2008 RETURNED VEHICLE TO HONDA DEALER,INFORMED THEM THE LIGHTS STILL DID NOT WORK,THEY REPLACED THE MELTED WIRE AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH SOCKET AGAIN DEALER KEPT MELTED WIRES AND CONNECTOR AND SUGGESTED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN PROBLEM OCCURRED IN 5 WEEK INTERVALS CAUSING ME TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH HIGH BEAMS OR NO HEADLIGHTS-CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION I GENERALLY DO NOT USE MY HEADLIGHTS ANYMORE CONSIDERING THE COSTS TO REPAIR THEM,AND THE POTENTIAL FIRE AND ENTRAPMENT HAZARDS COPIES OF RELATED REPAIR WORK ORDERS,RECEIPTS,AND THE SERVICE BULLETIN ARE ALL AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE ON 2003 PILOT AT 53,000 MILES. HONDA REALIABILITY NOT AS GOOD AS PEOPLE THINK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE GEARS FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $3,500 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,525.

THREE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON MY PILOT, ALONG WITH THE LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER DOOR. *TR

1-FAILED IGNITION LOCK 2- CANNOT START THE CAR 3- REPLACE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *TR

2003 HONDA PILOT IGNITION INTERLOCK FAILED. THE CAR WAS STOPPED, TURNED OFF WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR, THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND THE DRIVER LEFT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED DOWN THE STREET AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A BRICK MAIL BOX 2 BLOCKS AWAY. HONDA DEALER TOLD US THAT THE DRIVE MUST HAVE FORCED THE KEY OUT TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE IT WHILE IN DRIVE GEAR AND DAMAGE THE IGNITION. DRIVE DISPUTES THIS. SAID THE KEY CAME RIGHT OUT. WE HAD ROUGHLY $2500 DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR AT THE TIME. CHOSE NOT TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AT OUR COST. HONDA DID NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE IGNITION. IT IS STILL BROKEN. *TR

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE APPROX 70 MPH FOR 150 MILES. THERE WAS A SMELL SIMILAR TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, NOTICED ACRID SMELL AND SMOKE OUT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE. LOTS OF SMOKE FOR 5 MIN THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY IN 30 MIN. ALL LEVELS OK, NO LEAKS, NO FAILURES, ALL WIRING COOL, NO SHORTS, ALL INSTRUMENT OK. WAITED APPROX 45MIN THEN DROVE 150 MILES HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR CHECKED OUT OK. THE FIRE BURNED APPROX 18 INCHES OF INSULATION AND SCORCHED THE PASSENGERS FIREWALL IN SEVERAL PLACES. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE COOPER MASTERCRAFT COURSER AWT, SIZE P235/70R16 (NA). THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

(1)THE TRANSMISSION/GEAR LIGHT IN THE 2003 HONDA PILOT WITH 83,000 MILES (WHEN IN DRIVE) BEGAN BLINKING. WE CALLED THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID IT INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER SAID THAT 90% OF THE TIME IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE SWITCH. (2)THE CAR CONTINUED TO BE DRIVABLE. (3)THE PART WAS REPLACED BY THE MONTGOMERY, AL HONDA DEALER FOR $180.00. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, BUT IT IS PROBABLY NOT BEING REPORTED BY MANY CONSUMERS DUE TO THE RELATIVELY LOW COST OF REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION TENDS TO HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT HAS TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE IN ORDER FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. SEVERAL MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

I JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE INNER TIE ROD BROKE. I DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING OR HIT ANYTHING, AND THE DEALER FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF SUCH. THE TIE ROD BROKE WHILE GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH , AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED, RENT A CAR, AND DID NOT PICK UP THE CAR UNTIL THE MONDAY NIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT. I LIVE 3 HOURS AWAY FROM WHERE THIS OCCURRED, AND HAD TO LEAVE THE TRUCK. THE DEALER WAS VERY SURPRISED AND HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. IT WAS SUCH AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT THAT NO DEALERS HAD THE PART AND IT HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED.*AK HONDA AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART ONLY AFTER I CALLED TO COMPLAIN BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY $467 IN LABOR AS WELL AS FOR THE RENTAL AND TOW. I CALLED HONDA DIRECTLY TO SEE IF THEY WANTED THE PARTS TO INSPECT ( I HAVE IT IN MY POSSESSION) AND INVESTIGATE BUT THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR SHIPPING IT BACK TO THEM OR DELIVER IT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE MAIN REASON I CALLED THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN THE FIRST PLACE WAS TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD MAKE THE EFFORT OR EXPENSE TO SEND IT BACK TO THEM FOR THEM TO SEE IF THERE IS A DEFECT, WHICH IN MY OPINION THERE IS. MY TRUCK HAD 48353 MILES AT THE TIME. THE REPAIRING DEALER GAVE ME THE PART AFTER I ASKED FOR IT. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING 55 MPH AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

SRS RED LIGHT STAYS ON, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER (ALLAN NOTT HONDA) IN LIMA, OH., SAYS AIRBAGS ARE NOT LEGALLY REQUIRED IN THE VEHICLE. THEREFORE, WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY IN OUR 4 YR. OLD PILOT. NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. *TR

MY HONDA PILOT HAS AN UNFIXABLE LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. IT IS STICKING GAS PEDAL. USUALLY IT STICKS AFTER THE NIGHT IN THE GARAGE AND I NEED TO IDLE UNTIL THE ENGINE IS HOT AND THEN THE PEDAL UNSTICKS. BUT SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. THIS DEFECT MAKES THE CAR ABSOLUTELY UNPREDICTABLE WHILE DRIVING AND COULD EASILY LEAD TO THE FATAL ACCIDENT. ACTUALLY, ONE TIME OUT OF FOUR WHEN IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING I WAS VERY CLOSE TO SUCH ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME I ENCOUNTERED THIS DEFECT WHEN MY NEW CAR WAS STILL ON WARRANTY NOV 4, 2004. SINCE THAN THE AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THIS DEFECT MORE THAN FOUR TIMES. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT ALL THE ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. I?M VERY CONCERNED AND SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT THIS POINT AS THIS DEFECT NOT ONLY DIRECTLY JEOPARDIZES MY LIFE BUT ALSO THE LIFE OF MY 6-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO IS ALMOST ALWAYS WITH ME IN THE CAR. THE AMERICAN HONDA STATED THAT IT WAS NOT ANYMORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT BECAUSE IT?S UNFIXABLE AND ANYTHING ELSE CONCERNING THIS DEFECT FROM NOW ON IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS A LOUD THUMPING THAT COMES FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT SCARES THE HECK OUT OF YOU AND YOU THINK SOMEONE HAS HIT YOU! TOOK IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THE HONDA DEALER IN BRANTFORD, ONTARIO AND ALTHOUGH HONDA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AS A RELATED TO FUEL TANK DESIGN THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

ALL RIGHT. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. HONDA NOW WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT EVERY RODENT HAS NOW BECOME AWARE THAT A HONDA PILOT OR SOME ODYSSEYS IS A GREAT PLACE TO HANG OUT, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NEXT TO THE KNOCK SENSOR WIRE HARNESS. I FIND IT AMUSING HOW ALL OF THOSE LITTLE VARMINT MUST HAVE THEIR OWN LAPTOPS AND COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER THAT THIS IS THE BEST PLACE TO BE AND ALSO THE BEST TASTING PART OF THE VEHICLE. WHAT A JOKE. WE TOOK OUR 2003 PILOT IN AND THEY CHARGED US $450 DOLLARS ($4.33 FOR THE PART) THE REST OF IT WAS LABOR. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC EXACTLY 50 MINUTES TO DO THE WORK. WE WATCHED AND GOT CHARGED FOR THE 3.5 HOURS LABOR. THERE OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL HERE!!!!!!!*NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2003 HONDA PILOT EX-L'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ALONG WITH THE VARIABLE TORQUE MANAGEMENT 4- WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT. SHE STATED THAT ON ANY GIVEN DAY OR AT ANY SPEED THESE LIGHTS MAY TURN ON TOGETHER OR ONE AT A TIME. THE CONTACT STATED DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP ON 02/28/07. THE CONTACT FELT THISWAS A SAFETY PROBLEM, WILL SUBMIT FOLLOW UP INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER HER APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46000.*AK

2003 HONDA PILOT RECALLED DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS; AVERY GREEN MOTORS IN VALLEJO CA PURPORTEDLY "FIXED" THE RECALL PROBLEM. TWO YEARS LATER, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, AT MY OWN COST OF $4,700. HONDA REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS APPARENT THEIR "FIX" AT TIME OF RECALL WAS DEFICIENT. AT SAME TIME, AVERY GREEN DID A PERIODIC MAINTENANCE CHECK, OR WHICH I WAS CHARGED SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AVERY GREEN FAILED TO DETECT ANY PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING PUMP DURING THE MAINTENANCE CHECKUP. I AM TOLD THE REPAIR WILL BE VERY COSTLY AS IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE BOTH THE PUMP AND THE DRIVE TRAIN TO WHICH IT IS CONNECTED. THIS CAR IS A LEMON, AND HONDA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DO COMPETENT REPAIRS UNDER RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE CHECKS. *NM

2003 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION: MY TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP IN 2ND GEAR. I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS ITEMS ON THE VEHICLE - STEERING COLUMN, MOTOR MOUNTS, ETC. THE LIST IS NUMEROUS. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ALMOST SINCE THE BEGINNING OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2006. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT THE 2003 PILOT HAD ANY TYPE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I KNOW AS A CONSUMER, I SHOULD HAVE DONE MY OWN RESEARCH, BUT I HAD ALWAYS HEARD EXCELLENT THINGS ABOUT HONDA. MY TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP, AFTER REVVING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND EVEN THEN THEY NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT PROBLEMS. I HAD MY REPAIRMAN LOOK AT IT BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED. HE IS THE ONE THAT TOLD ME THIS VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS & ALL DEALERS WERE AWARE OF IT. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR - BUT OF COURSE, IT IS NO LONGER VALID. I AM REALLY UPSET BECAUSE I DRIVE MY 2 CHILDREN AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL JUST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC - WON'T LEAVE 2ND-3RD GEAR. IT JUST REVS AT ABOUT 20-30 MILES. IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN AND NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON. THE MESSAGE BOARDS SAY THIS IS THE END OF THE LINE. I WILL ATTEMPT TO SPEAK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO BASICALLY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. NOW, I AM LEARNING ABOUT THE HORRIBLE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED WITH THE HONDA 2003 PILOT TRANSMISSIONS AND AM JUST DISAPPOINTED THAT IN THE EFFORT TO MAKE MONEY, NO ONE THOUGHT OF CONSUMER SAFETY. OBVIOUSLY, HONDA RECOGNIZES THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND STILL THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY HELP TO CONSUMERS. IT IS APPALLING. MY CAR DID HAVE THE HONDA REPAIR PATCH FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN 2004 ACCORDING TO AMERICAN HONDA RECORDS, AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD A PROBLEM EVEN THEN. OF COURSE, I HAVE THE CAR FAX REPORT AND IT DIDN'T SHOW THIS INFORMATION. IS THERE SOMEWHERE ELSE THAT YOU CAN TRACK REPAIRS ON USED VEHICLES? *TR