2003 Honda Pilot Complaint Log

THE VEHICLE'S WINDOW SHATTERED AFTER THE DOOR WAS SHUT. *NM *JB

WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ANOTHER DRIVER TURNED IN FRONT OF MY PILOT WITHOUT SIGNALING. THE WHOLE RIGHT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WAS PUSHED IN. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY AND ACCORDING TO WITNESSES THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK. AS A RESULT I BOUNCED OFF STEERING WHEEL TWICE. 2 DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM HONDA SAYING THAT AIR BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING LATE. I BELIEVE THAT MY INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS SEVERE HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND/OR THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. *LA

MY WIFE AND I BOTH OWN 2003 HONDA PILOT'S. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE A THUMPING NOISE THAT SEEM TO COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL OR LARGER BUMPS.I HAVE CONTACTED THE HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM, THAT IT MAYBE GENERIC. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALER (WADE RAULSERSON, GAINESVILLE, FL) SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME THING. NO INFORMATION, IT MAY BE GENERIC. I HAVE CORRESPONDED OVER THE INTERNET WITH NUMEROUS OTHER PILOT OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. SEVERAL HAVE DONE CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH ON THEIR OWN AND THE BEST DIAGNOSIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT. YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT(#10023250) DETAILING A FAILURE ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS MAKE ME WONDER IF THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FAULT WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE PILOT THAT COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT MAY CAUSE MAJOR INJURY OR DEATH.*AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PULSATION AND SHAKING IN STEERING WHEN SLOWING DOWN. *LA THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CUT AND RESURFACED. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER BLAMED THE BRAKE PROBLEMS ON HIGH MILEAGE BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE DEALER MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM OR THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE WERE DETERIORATING ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THEY PERFORMED A REALIGNMENT. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ADJUST THE CAMBER AND CASTER. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE FOUR SETS OF TIRES, IN WHICH ALL OF THEM HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF TREAD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE LIFETIME OF THE TIRES WERE 28,000 MILES. ALL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PROPERLY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF UPDATED 10/31/08

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. WHEN THE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AS IT SHOULD. THE OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND ALL THEY WOULD DO IS SPRAY THE PEDAL WITH SILICONE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS FUNCTION IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *JB THE PROBLEM WAS SAID TO BE DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP. THE STEERING MADE A CLICKING AND OR GROANING SOUND WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE NOISE WAS NEAR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *SC

HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2003 HONDA PILOT ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HONDA KNOWS OF THE SITUATION AND WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION. *JB

JUST BELOW THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT THE PLASTIC PANEL THAT HOLDS THE ELECTRONIC BUTTONS TO OPERATE THE SEAT MOTION HAS BROKEN TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT BOTH TIMES, THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SCREWS HOLDING THE PANEL IN PLACE.

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR THE FRONT AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT AIR BAGS WERE CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN BECAUSE IT LOOKED LIKE THE AIR BAGS HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER(S) WERE CONCERNED THAT REPAIRS WERE DONE TWICE, BUT PROBLEM COULD RECUR. *AK THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT REMAIN ADJUSTED. *SC *JB

2003 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 90000. SEEMS THAT THE RECALL FIX DID NOT WORK. JUST DO AN INTERNET SEARCH AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY OF US HAVE HAD TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR HONDA TRANSMISSIONS. SECOND TO THIRD GEAR IS THE PROBLEM. YOU DID FORCE THEM TO RECALL THE ODYSSEY PROBLEM IT IS TIME FOR ACTION FOR US PILOT OWNERS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH HIT A POLE, AND NEITHER OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLES DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT HAVE AUTOMATIC REVERSE. *AK *CB *NLM

3 TIMES WE HAD THE SRS LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON IN OUR 2003 PILOT. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN (WARRANTY), BUT INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF RF INSIDE THE VEHICLE INTERFERRING WITH THE SRS SIDE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT IT COULD BE THE USE OF CELL PHONE OR TELEVISION. WE HAD ROUTINELY USED A PORTABLE DVD PLAYER IN THE PILOT WITH AC POWER INVERTER PLUGGED INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. WE USED THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WE TRIED THE INVERTER ONE MORE TIME AND WITHOUT EVEN CONNECTING THE DVD PLAYER, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS INVERTER WAS POWERED UNDER THE LIMIT LABELED ON THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. THEY REPLACED THE WHOLE AIRBAG CONTROLLER THIS TIME WHICH I THINK PROBABLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND IS WHY IT KEPT RECURRING. BUT NOW WE ARE AFRAID TO TRY AGAIN SINCE WE GOT A FIRM WARNING FROM THE TECHNICIAN THAT WE AREN'T SUPPOSED OT USE INVERTERS IN THE LIGHTER AND IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN, THEY WON'T COVER IT! I THINK THEY BUILD THESE SUV'S KNOWING THAT PEOPLE WILL USE THE RECEPTACLES FOR POWER, THEY EVEN LABEL THEM WITH VOLTAGE LIMITS. I THINK IF THERE ARE LIMITATIONS KNOWN, WE SHOULD BE INFORMED EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO ELIMINATE ALL USAGE.

MY HONDA PILOT BECOMES UNSTABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, IT RESPONDS AS THOUGH THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING AND ANY SMALL ROAD IMPERFECTIONS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER LEFT OR RIGHT, I TOOK IT TO CUSH HONDA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAD 52 POUNDS OF AIR IN THE TIRES, WHICH HAD TO HAVE BEEN THERE ON DELIVERY SINCE I HAVE LESS THAN 700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED OR HAD AIR PUT IN THE TIRES, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND IS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC, THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMS ALL PILOTS DO IT AND IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM? PLEASE ADVISE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING HONDA PILOT EX-L ON A LOCAL STREET AT 35 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE HIT SOMETHING OR SKIDDED. ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL RESULTED IN THE SUV GOING OUT OF CONTROL. WHILE STILL ON THE ROAD, ANY ATTEMPT TO STEER THE VEHICLE CAUSED IT GO IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND LANDED BACK ON THE WHEEL IN A DITCH BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS, AGES 1 AND 4, ESCAPED UNHURT IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE ALL AROUND ESPECIALLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE WINDSHIELD, FRONT SIDE WINDOWS, FRONT DOORS AND FRONT ROOF APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED THE GREATEST IMPACT. THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL SO EASILY SEEMS TO POINT TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE. IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE ROLL-OVERS BY ANYONE USING THIS VEHICLE. *JB

HEARING THE ANNOYING AND PRETTY LOUD BACK AND FORTH SLOUGHING OR THUMPING SOUND FROM THE BOTTOM OR REAR OF THE DRIVER SEAT (MOST LIKELY FROM THE GAS TANK WHICH IS WHERE IT IS LOCATED) WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATE FROM A STOP.*AK

DASHBOARD SWITCH FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTS DOES NOT ILLUMINATE IN 2003 HONDA PILOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURER SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLES I OWN ARE HONDA AND THE SWITCH IS ILLUMINATED SO IT CAN BE SEEN IN THE DARK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 PILOT AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH, OPENING EITHER THE REAR WINDOW CAUSES A PRESSURE IMBALANCE WITHIN THE VEHICLE WHICH UNLESS THE WINDOWS ARE IMMEDIATELY CLOSED, CAUSES EXTREME EAR PAIN TO ALL PASSENGERS. THIS SITUATION CAN CAUSE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION IF THE VEHICLE IS IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND THE PRESSURE CHANGE AFFECTS THE DRIVER. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AS WELL AS AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY SUCH COMPLAINTS. *NLM

THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS SEVERELY STRETCHED AND SAGGED (AND ALSO WITH 'POINTY HAIRS' PROTRUDING FROM HOLES ON ALL LEATHER SEATS FRONT AND REARS) , AND THE ILLED-MANNERED HONDA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER(ROBERTSON HONDA IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA) REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE COVERED ORIGINAL HONDA WARRANTY AND DENIED TOTALLY THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT ALTHOUGH THE DEFECT IS SO OBVIOUS AND VISIBLE.*AK

I OWNED A 2003 HONDA PILOT. IT'S A VERY GOOD SUV. EXCEPT THAT LAST YEAR, I MADE A COMPLAINT WITH GRAND HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ELMHURST IL. REGARDING AN ANNOYING NOISE COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK WHICH I BELIEVE IS VERY UNUSUAL. SPLASHING NOISE IS VERY STRONG WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS HALF TO ALMOST FULL TANK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT IS NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO RECALL WHICH I STRONGLY DISAGREE. I BELIEVE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CHAMBERS TO CONTROL THE SPLASHING NOISE AND MIGHT CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. PLEASE HELP!!! *JB

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY NEW 2003 HONDA PILOT ARE LIKE A SMALL POCKET FLASHLIGHT EXTREMELY DIM AND INSUFFICIENT FOR NIGHT DRIVING PLEASER HELP ME REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. *JB

2003 HONDA PILOT CENTER SEATING POSITION 2ND & 3RD ROW. SEAT BELT SYSTEM DOES NOT FIT ADULT ( IN MY EXPERIENCE, 1 WOMAN 5'8" AND 1 WOMAN 5'10") OR CHILD IN A BOOSTER SEAT (BOTH HIGHBACK AND EVENFLO RIGHT FIT BOOSTER) PROPERLY. SHOULDER STRAPS CUT ACROSS NECK JUST UNDER JAW BONE. SHOULDER STRAP IS NOT ABLE TO BE POSITIONED AT CENTER OF COLLAR BONE AND IN SOME CASES DOES NOT EVEN MAKE CONTACT WITH COLLAR BONE (CHILD IN EVENFLO RIGHT FIT BOOSTER). MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY OCCUPANTS WILL PUT SEAT BELT BEHIND BACK OR UNDER THE ARM. I AM A CPS TECHNICIAN AND PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A FEW WEEKS AGO, NOT REALIZING THIS SITUATION. I HAD ONLY CHECKED THE INSTALLATION OF A BRITAX SUPER ELITE IN THE CENTER SEATING POSITION BEFORE BUYING THE VEHICLE. *JB

EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP OR COME TO A STOP I HEAR A THUMPING NOISE FROM FUEL SLOSHING AROUND IN THE TANK. THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL TANK IS RIGHT UNDER THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IT IS VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING TO HEAR. *JB

DAMAGE FROM DEFECT TO TIMING BELT (WORN FROM PROTRUDING BOLT) CAUSED ENGINE TO STOP WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE DAMAGED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *NLM

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SYMPTOM WHEN YOU TURN THE COMBINATION LIGHT SWITCH TO THE HEADLIGHT "ON" POSITION, THE LOW BEAMS MAY NOT COME ON. PROBABLE CAUSE IN A RARE CASE, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED, CAUSING A TERMINAL IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO BECOME HEAT-DAMAGED, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO NOT COME ON. *TR

I PURCHASED THE 2003 HONDA PILOT IN NOVEMBER OF 2002. AT ABOUT 32,000 MILES, A "SHUTTERING" BEGAN TO OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS. (15 TO 35 MPH.) I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO 3 DIFFERENT HONDA DEALERS OVER TIME AND NONE ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. STATING IT IS NOT OBSERVED WHEN IN SHOP. I HAD MENTIONED TO THE LAST DEALER THAT A CLOSE FRIEND PURCHASED A 2009 HONDA VAN THAT IS NOW BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME "SHUTTERING" OF THE TRANSMISSION AND HE WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO HAVE A PROGRAM UPDATE. THE DEALERSHIP, DAVENPORT IN ROCKY MOUNT ,NC ACTED AS IF THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS RECALL AND DID AS THE OTHER DEALERS, NOTHING. *TR

WHEN USING A LAP TOP COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD BEEN DEACTIVATED. THE ELECTRONIC WAVES HIT THE BACK OF THE SEAT CAUSING THIS DEFECT. *NM THE PROBLEM HAPPENED REPEATEDLY WHEN THE LAP TOP WAS USED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER TURNED THE AIRBAGS ON, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT CANNOT STOP THE OCCURRENCE. *SC *JB

THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNTS. THEIR DESIGN CAUSES A RATTLE ON SMALL TO MODERATE ROAD IRREGULARITIES. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE A PERSONAL MODIFICATION TO THE MOUNT AS HONDA WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. OTHERS (NATIONAL WEB SITE) HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS, BUT HONDA SAYS THIS IS CHARASTIC OF VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SUPPORTER OF HONDA IN PURCHASES AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS INCREDIBILY INSENSITIVE. MY NEXT PURCHASE MAY BE A VW OR VOLVO. SINCE I MODIFIED THE BRACKET, THE SOUND IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE VALUE HONDA HAS PLACED ON MY BUSINESS IS. I CAN DOCUMENT ALL EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. SURELY I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH HONDA AS I HAVE REMAINED PROFESSIONAL AT ALL TIMES. I WILL NOT LET THE ISSUE DIE. THERE SHOULD BE REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS THAT SUPPORT SHOULD GO ALONG WITH PRODUCT LOYALTY. BILL PRICE

SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER BUYING OUR CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2002, WE NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN WE USED THE BRAKES WHEN GOING FORWARD. WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL AND OCCURRED AFTER HAVING JUST BACKED UP. IT WAS A TRANSFER OF THE BRAKES FROM BACK TO FRONT. I HAD THE SERVICE TECH LOOK AT THEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUES AND HONDA WOULD NOT ADDRESS IT. I HAVE SINCE TALKED TO SEVERAL HONDA OWNERS WHO HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, MY BRAKES ARE GETTING WORSE AND MAKE THE SOUND EVEN IF I DON'T BACK UP FIRST. *AK

I OWN A HONDA PILOT 2003, EVERY TIME I START MY SUV AND PRESS THE BRAKES FOR THE FIRST TIME I HEAR A LOUD NOCKING SOUND. USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE SUV IS NOT IN USE FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALER FOR DIFFERENT ISSUE AND I ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE TOLD ME THAT THE SOUND IS COMMON ON PILOT. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY TOLD THAT I NEED TO TAKE THE SUV FOR AN INSPECTION AND NOT TO GO BY WHAT THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE SUV TO THE DEALER YET. BUT, I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM, I DO NOT WHY THEY HAVE NOT REPORTED IT. THE PROBLEM IS ANNOYING BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE, EVERYTIME THE SUV IS MOVE AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME.*AK

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 45MPH-75MPH A HIGH PITCH NOISE ORGINATES FROM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OR FRAME, VERY ANNOYING AND CAN NOT ISOLATE AS OF YET, MAYBE MIS-ALIGNED WINDSHIELD? PLEASE DIRECT.

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON.*JB

THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION YOU CAN HEAR A THUMPING SOUND, IT'S A CONSTANT THUMPING. IF ONLY THE BACK 2 WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN, THE SOUND OF THE WIND PASSING THROUGH THE CAR IS DEAFENING. IT CREATES A BOOMING THAT IMMEDIATELY AFFECTS THE EAR DRUM. *JB

NAR 03/03/2003. THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT JUST AFTER THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB

FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTS DO NOT ADJUST UPWARD FOR TALL PEOPLE (5'-11') AND TALLER CAUSING HEAD RESTRAINT BAR TO REST ON TOP OF PERSONS HEAD. THIS POTENTIALLY WILL CAUSING NECK OR SPINAL INJURY INJURY IF VEHICLE IS HIT FROM THE REAR. THE TOP BAR ACTS AS A PIVOT POINT WITH NO REAR NECK SUPPORT.

HEADLIGHTS ON THE NEW HONDA PILOT ARE WEAK AND FAIL TO ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. IT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING A SPOTLIGHT VS A FLOODLIGHT. THE HIGH BEAMS WHEN IN USE JUST SEEM TO DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT. YOU CAN SEE BUT THE LIGHT IS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH IN MY OPINION. I THINK THE HIGH BEAMS SHOULD BE MORE LIKE A SPOTLIGHT IN LIGHTING UP THE ROAD AHEAD. I THINK IT IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW.

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER MORE THAN 3" DEEP, INSTEAD OF THE WATER BEING DIVERTED OUT AND AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, IT IS DIVERTED AS A MASSIVE WALL OF WATER ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS NECESSARY TO IMMEDIATELY BRAKE, AS VISION IS 100% OBSTRUCTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 DIFFERENT DAYS. TWICE IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAIN, WHERE WATER WAS POOLING BY THE CURB, BUT WAS NOT YET OVER THE CURB. ONCE IT WAS DURING DRY WEATHER, BUT THERE WAS A DEEP PUDDLE OF WATER IN A LOW SPOT IN THE ROAD. IN ALL 3 SITUATIONS IT POSED A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD, AS WE COULD NOT REACT TO TRAFFIC SITUATIONS AHEAD OF US AND HAD TO COME TO A STOP UNTIL THE WINDSHIELD DRAINED. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE OVERWHELMED BY THE AMOUNT OF WATER THROWN ON THE WINDSHIELD.

2003 HONDA PILOT HAS INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS. *JB

PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING DRIVERS SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE SEAT OF MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE SCREW THAT HELD IT IN PLACE IS STILL THERE BUT THE PLASTIC PANELING BEING HELD BY THE SCREW HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE PANEL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE OWNED IT. TRIED TO GET IT FIXED. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 HONDA PIOLT AT 38 MPH OR FASTER WITH ONE OF THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN, I VERY BAD TURBLANCE OCCURES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, FEELS LIKE PRESSURE IN THE COMPARTMENT HURTING OUR EARS AND HEARING. QUESTION IS WHAT DAMAGE WILL THIS DO TO A PERSON WITH HEARING PROBLEMS (TUBES IN EAR) ALSO MAJIOR CONCERN WITH NEW BORNS (NOT FULLY DEVELOPED HEARING). I MADE CONTACT WITH HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIME IN REFF TO THIS PROBLEM, AND WAS ADVISED THERE IS NO CORRECTIVE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO ADVISED BY HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME AND TO CONTACT A ATTORNEY WHICH I REALY CANNOT AFORD. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY ONE MONTH OLD. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ADVICE TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. I TRULY BELEAVE THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ALSO PLEAS LET ME KNOW IF OTHER OWNERS OF THE HONDA PIOLT ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU.

HEAD LIGHT IS NOT ENOUGH ILLUMINATE AT NIGHT VERY RISKY WHEN TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT ON A HIGHWAY. WE HAVE STOP DRIVING AT NIGHT AFTER FOUND OUT. DT

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT THE CONSUMER CAN ONLY SEE ABOUT 25 FEET AHEAD. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *JG *NLM

I PARKED MY 2003 HONDA PILOT EX IN MY GARAGE AND FOUND OIL STAINS ON THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, ALL THE OIL HAD DRAINED. I LOOKED AT THE DIPSTICK AND THERE WAS LESS THAN 1/16TH OF AN INCH OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THE TIMING BELT WAS STRIPPED. THEY ALSO FOUND THAT TWO OF THE VALVES WERE BENT. ALL THESE WERE REPLACED BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT MORE DAMAGE HAS OCCURED TO THE ENGINE BY DRIVING WITHOUT OIL.

AS I WAS EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY ABOUT 50 MPH IT BECAME CLEAR VERY QUICKLY THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED BUT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. IT TOOK MUCH EFFORT TO NEGOTIATE THE TURN AND THOUGHT I MAY CRASH INTO THE GUARD RAIL BUT DID NOT I PROCEDED CAREFULLY ABOUT MILE WHERE MY APPOINTMENT WAS AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A PULLY HAD BROKEN OFF AND WAS LAYING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UPON INSPECTION. THIS VEHICLE HAD A MAJOR RECALL REGARDING THE WATER PUMP THAT INVOLVED THE LOSENING AND DISASSEMBLY OF MANY COMPONETS IN THE SAME AREA OF THE ENGINE. THIS PROBLEM WAS VERY SERIOUS IN THE SENSE THAT I HAD NO WARNING THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE STEERING UNTIL EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY, HAD MY SPOUSE BEEN OPERATING THE VEHICLE SHE MAY NOT HAD BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE THE EXIT RAMP. DT

HEAD LIGHT TOO WEAK, CANT SEE MORE THAN 20 FEET. NOT ENOUGH ILLUMINATION. *TS *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770154

WHILE CONSUMER WAS MERGING FROM ONE LANE TO ANOTHER. DRIVER TURNED STEERING WHEEL AND IT LOCKED UP. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PULLEY ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY OFF OF THE VEHICLE. TS

THE HEADLIGHTS LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST THE LIGHTING PROJECTION. WHICH RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED IT THIS WAS A DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC. *JB

THUNKING NOISE FROM GAS TANK WHEN STOPPING. IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE BAFFLES BUT HONDA DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.

CONSUMER STATES, THE HEAD LIGHT COMPONENT PROVIDE POOR LIGHT OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR