NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Honda Pilot. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
SRS LIGHT WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY CAME ON,2003 HONDA PILOT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS UNDER A RECALL. THE SRS LIGHT STILL REMAINED ON SO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED A CODE 15-3 IN THE OPDS SYSTEM AND FOUND FAULTY WIRING IN PASSENGER SEAT HARNESS WHICH WAS UNDER WARRANTY FOR TEN YEARS WHICH WE WERE NOT AWARE OF UNTIL THE S RS LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DOING MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND HONDA SERVICE. BULLETIN 06-009 DATED FEB.5,2008,WHICH SET THE WARRANTY AT 10 YEARS OR 157000 MILES. MY VEHICLE FALLS WITHIN IN THE MILEAGE PARAMETERS BUT NOT THE YEARS. YOU WOULD THINK THE TIME WOULD RUN FROM THE DATE OF THE BULLETIN. IT DOESN'T SEEM FAIR THAT I HAVE TP PAY TO REPLACE THIS PART WHEN HONDA KNEW IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD REPLACE IT WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS ON TIME OR MILEAGE. *TR
WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE GAS TO PICK UP SPEED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND HESITATED TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR, ONCE IT DID ENGAGE IT THEN SLIPPED AND DOWN SHIFTED CAUSING SPEED TO DECELERATE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-55 MPH. LATER THE D LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUED TO SLIP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND AT TIMES DOWN SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND THE TECHNICIAN RESET THE D DASH LIGHT AFTER DRIVING IT 3 DAYS PROBLEM HAS NOW STARTED TO OCCUR AGAIN AND LIGHT HAS AGAIN COME ON ON DASH. *JS
VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A FLUTTERING NOISE UNDERNEATH AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE PROBLEMATIC WHEN DRIVING FROM 35-50 MPH. TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION ISSUE. MECHANIC SAYS CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE TRANSMISSION MAY LOCK UP, CAUSING POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION AND REMAINED IN THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,586.
AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER "MEL RAPTON HONDA SACRAMENTO CA. 95821-5104", IN JANUARY 2015 FOR REPLACEMENT. WAS TOLD NECESSARY PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER AND THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN AVAILABLE. NEVER CONTACTED. RECEIVED SECOND NOTICE OF RECALL APRIL 2015. CALLED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED PARTS STILL ON BACKORDER. IN THE MEANTIME IT APPEARS I AM IN DANGER FROM DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. HONDA APPEARS IN NO HURRY TO KEEP ME FROM DYING FROM THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. IS THAT HOW WE ARE PROTECTED BY THE NHTSA? . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 04/10/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF TRACTION ISSUES IN BOTH ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. UPDATED 04/16/15*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION KEY SEIZED WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT INTERLOCK LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE REMEDY CAUSED THE IGNITION KEY TO SEIZE WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,400.
FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA IN 2011, TO NO AVAIL, REGARDING OUR STICKY/TACKY AIRBAG COVERS, PROBABLY CAUSED BY CLIMATE HEAT. IN DOING THE CURRENT AIRBAG RECALL WORK, THE COVERS BECAME PERMANENTLY FINGERPRINTED AT THE DEALERSHIP. AGAIN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA, EXPLAINING THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE COVERS EVEN MORE UNSIGHTLY BECAUSE OF THE FINGERPRINTING ON THE DASHBOARD, IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU REFRAIN FROM USING THE HORN WHEN NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE STICKY NATURE OF THE COVER, WHICH LEAVES A RESIDUE ON YOUR HAND. HONDA OFFERED TO PAY 25% OF $ 2100.00 COST TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM, A PROBLEM THAT WE DID NOT CREATE. NOT THE RESPONSE WE WERE LOOKING FOR... *TR
THE CAR WAS MOVED INTO LOCATION, TURNED OFF, AND THE KEY REMOVED LEADING TO THE DRIVER THINKING THE CAR WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, ROLL OVER A TREE, AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER TREE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *TR
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIPS FAILURE TO REMEDY AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL 14V-349 AND 14V-351 WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART(S) WERE ON BACK ORDER. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
FAILED FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ON HONDA PILOT 2003. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS. *TR
WHEN I CALLED TO INQUIRE OF HONDA ABOUT THE PARTIAL RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT SINCE IT HADN'T EXPLODED YET. REALLY? I GUESS HONDA ISN'T INTERESTED IN REPEAT BUSINESS; I HAVE OWNED NOTHING BUT THEIR PRODUCTS. LOOKS LIKE I NEED TO FIND A NEW(OR SMARTER) MANUFACTURER. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS LISTED IN THE 6/2/2014 RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER THE RECALL NOTICE AND HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT HONDA HAS NOT GIVEN THEM INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT HOW TO FIX PER THE RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY REPORT THEY WILL GET BACK TO ME AT SOME UNKNOWN TIME. BASED ON THE REPORTS OF FATALITIES RELATING TO HONDA AIR BAGS, I AM CONCERNED WHETHER OR NOT THE 2003 HONDA PILOT IS SAFE TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I REQUEST THAT EITHER HONDA PROMPTLY REPAIR PER THE RECALL NOTICE OR OFFICIALLY AND IMMEDIATELY LET ME KNOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE IN ITS CURRENT STATE. ADDITIONALLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IS NOT LISTED IN THE REGIONAL SAFETY RECALL. MY VEHICLE HAS SPENT SIGNIFICANT TIME IN HOT AND HUMID AREAS, INCLUDING SOUTH CAROLINA. I CAN FIND NO DATA THAT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE THAT DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS IN VEHICLES REGISTERED IN STATES OTHER THAN FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND OTHER "HOT" STATES ARE SAFE. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA IMMEDIATELY REVIEW THE FACTS AND DATA FOR DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FOR VEHICLES NOT COVERED IN THE REGIONAL RECALL BECAUSE OF THE "HOT" STATE VS. "NON-HOT" STATE DIFFERENTIATION AND ISSUE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE RISKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND HELP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR END APPEARED TO BE LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNING DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INFLATORS. *TGW UPDATED 11/20/14*JB
PARKED THE CAR. CAME BACK ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER, HEARD LOUD LIKE SHOTS FIRED, ROUNDED THE CORNER TO SEE IT WAS OUR AIRBAGS POPPING...THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, AND GOING TO THE DASHBOARD. CALLED 911 AND BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT. CAME ( 1 MILE AWAY) THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED. THE WHOLE CAR DESTROYED, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE SHELL NO SEATS NO DASHBOARD NO LICENSE PLATES NOTHING LEFT. WE COMPLIED TO ALL RECALLS AND TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP EACH TIME FOR REPAIRS. WE HAD A STEERING COLUMN FIRE ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO DRIVING ALONG AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE, IT WAS A ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT PULLING OVER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE PUT OUT THE FIRE. HAD IT REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. A WEEK BEFORE THE BIG FIRE WE FELT THE COLUMN AND IT WAS HOT...BUT COOLED AFTER WE PARKED IT. THEN DAYS LATER IS WHEN IT BURNED TO THE GROUND, EVEN THE TIRES WERE GONE. HONDA DOESN'T CARE ABOUT OUR LOSS, AND OF COURSE IT'S NOT THEIR FAULT. P.S. IN 2007 WE GOT HURT IN THAT SAME CAR WE WERE STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ( WE WERE IN THE CAR) AND A TRUCK CROSSED THE LINE AND HIT US HEAD ON. OUR SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD US IN, THEY LOOSENED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE HURT AND HONDA SAID THE TRUCK HIT US TOO HIGH IS WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS. THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAPS DIDN'T HOLD US CAUSE WE WEREN'T MOVING ALSO SOUNDS RIDICULOUS. HONDA DIDN'T CARE THEN EITHER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS OFF WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V349000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V351000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
I PICKED UP MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM SCHOOL WHICH IS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A STOP, I FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GO BACK. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE OUR OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SUPPORT MOUNT BRACKET FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE TO FATAL INJURY HAD I BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON. I HAD TO CROSS ROUTE 83 IN BENSENVILLE/WOOD DALE AREA IN ILLINOIS. *TR
HONDA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE THE RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE TANATA AIRBAGS THEY INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. WE CONTACTED THEM DIRECTLY EARLY IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY COMMITTED TO RECALL IT WITHIN A MONTH. NO RECALL HAS EVER ARRIVED. *TR
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN SALT WATER. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE HE DOES WORK NEAR THE WATER, BUT NOT SALT WATER. *JB
ANYWHERE BETWEEN 35-50 MPH I GET A SHUDDER THAT SOUNDS LIKE DRIVING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT TO WHERE IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUSH OF AIR WAS FLOWING UNDERNEATH THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, THEN PROGRESSED TO A RUMBLE STRIP NOISE. AT THAT POINT, I HAD IT LOOKED AT. MECHANIC SAYS FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 132,000 MILES ON THE CAR. HAVEN'T CONTACTED HONDA AS I'M THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE READ IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE INTERNET THAT HONDA WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC WARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO AT ANY TIME NOW AND THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I'VE DECIDED IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO FAIL AT 132,000 MILES, I'M NOT TAKING THE CHANCE OF PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT, ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN (SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE ENDING UP WITH SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED BY HONDA WITH SUBSEQUENT FAILURES). I'VE OWNED THREE HONDAS. THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM HONDA ON THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD MEANS THEY LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER. *TR
MY HONDA PILOT SHUTTERS AT 25-50 MPH I HAD IT CHECK WITH MY LOCAL DEALER HONDA AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION ISSUE'S. *TR
RE: RECALL # JF7 PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR (FOR 2003 - 2007 HONDA PILOTS SOLD IN HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY STATES) MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD NEW IN FEBRUARY 2003 IN MYRTLE BEACH, AN OCEAN-FRONT CITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA, ONE OF THE STATES REFERRED TO IN THE ABOVE RECALL AS HAVING HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED TITLED IN COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA FROM FEBRUARY 2003 UNTIL MARCH 2007, A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SPENT THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE IN AN AREA OF HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENT AND FUTURE FUNCTIONALITY OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO THE RECALL LIST FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH AIRBAG INFLATORS. THANK YOU. *TR
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA PILOT. I AM AN OLDER, CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND HAVE BABIED THIS VEHICLE, DOING ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALER'S, SO IT WOULD RUN IN TOP SHAPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AROUND SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED AT LOWER SPEEDS (20-30 M.P.H.) THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. TO COUNTER THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. LAST WEEK THE D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. I ASKED IF THAT COULD BE MAKING THE CAR SHUDDER AND THEY SAID PROBABLY. I HAD THEM CHANGE IT AND THE SHUDDER HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS MORNING IT WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY SO I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY GAVE ME THE AMERICAN HONDA NUMBER. I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE DEALER SHOULD LOOK AT IT. I'VE SEEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA IS CHOOSING TO IGNORE; A LITTLE LIKE OTHER AUTO COMPANIES HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS UNTIL A FATALITY HAPPENS. AS I CARRY MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED BACK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
CAR KEY GOES IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS A DANGER WHEN YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I READ ON LINE MANY OTHER PILOTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA HAS A BAD PART. HONDA WANTS $500 TO FIX A BAD PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 65 MPH TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE TRANSMISSION SPEED SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER TRAVELED THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE FLOORBOARDS. THE FAILURE CREATED MOLD IN THE VEHICLE AND ELECTRICAL WIRING DAMAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 02/11/15 *BF .
WE STARTED TO HAVE TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TODAY THE KEY WOULDN'T EVEN GO IN AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS WIGGLING IT. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES TRYING HAD TO LEAVE CAR BEHIND. NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR AND SEARCHING FOR RECALLS NOTICED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS NONE FOR THIS PROBLEM IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PILOT OWNERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED POWER SEAT FRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
FAULTY IGNITION. KEY WILL NOT TURN. WAFERS IN CYLINDER ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
LEFT WORK AT NIGHT. LOW-BEAMS PARTIALLY FAILED, BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO USE BRIGHTS, AND GO TO A GAS STATION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND CHECKED BY DEALER. DEALER SAID USING 3RD PARTY HEADLIGHT BULBS WAS THE CAUSE. OF INTEREST, THE CAR ALREADY HAD THE LOW-BEAM FAILURE RECALL FIXED. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AFTER THE RECALL, AND USING HONDA OEM BULBS IS THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO GO. 3RD PARTY BULBS WERE PURCHASED FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, AND I'M UNSURE OF THE BRAND. *TR
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEMS AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT, BY STATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN GERMANY THROUGH THE MILITARY. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL, BUT CHARGED HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION. *JB
ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT'S IGNITION SWITCH NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE PARK POSITION. RECEIVED RECALL PAPER WORK ORDERING THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED AT LOCAL HONDA DEALER FREE OF CHARGE. RECALL PAPER WORK WAS SIGNED BY [XXX] CHIEF RECALL MANAGEMENT DIVISION. LOCAL HONDA DEALER, WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE ON APRIL 4, 2014. THE RECALL JOB FOR A HONDA PILOT WAS BOTCHED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC REFUSED TO FIX. REQUESTED MANAGEMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. AS OF TODAY APRIL 18, 2014 AN ANSWER TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANAGEMENT OF WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR A RECALL AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID HE WILL SERVICE ALL THE RECALLS TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL WAS SOMETHING IN REFERENCE TO THE IGNITION. TO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHOUT OFF, THE VEHICLE ALWAYS MAKE THE SOUND AS IF THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID THE DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AROUND THE IGNITION.... NOW THE VEHICLE SHOUT OFF WHILE DRIVING HAVE VIDEO. TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SAID I NEED TO PAY ADDITIONAL.... IF ALL VEHICLE RECALLS WHERE RECALL BY THE DEALER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND TRACTION FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. DEALER VISIT ON MARCH 14, 2014 DID NOT PRODUCE A CAUSE. MORE RECENTLY I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM 40 MPH FOR A RED LIGHT WITH FULL BRAKE PRESSURE. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD AT THE TIME. I HAD TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY DISPLAYS THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT AND "VTM-4" LIGHT QUITE CONSISTENTLY. TRACTION IS ALSO INTERMITTENTLY COMPROMISED BY SOME UNKNOWN PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT WHEN THE VTM-4 LIGHT IS ON, THE AWD FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE IS DISABLED. WHEN IT IS ON, IT CANNOT BE DISABLED WITH THE SWITCH ON THE DASH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS ORDERED ON OCTOBER 29, 2014 BUT HAS NOT YET BECOME AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN ON MARCH 2, 2014 AFTER I RECEIVED ANOTHER AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE. THIS NOW INCLUDES THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS THE DRIVER SIDE. AIR BAGS ARE NOT EXPECTED FOR ANOTHER TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THEY WILL CALL...............!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE KEY. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS/27572-2003-PILOT-IGNITION-SWITCH-PROBLEM-SOLUTION.HTML, I FOUND MANY OTHER REFERENCES TO THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ONLY 160,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION SO VERY UNEXPECTED AND SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 250,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS CONCERN. NEW IGNITION PARTS INSTALLED OVER $500 AND TOLD ME TO SAVE MY PAPERWORK AS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I'M FORTUNATE IT WAS DAYLIGHT, I WAS AT WORK, AND HAD AAA IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FORCE HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *TR
A RECALL NOTICE CAME IN JANUARY 2015. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A REPAIR. HE TOOK MY INFORMATION AND SAID THE PARTS SHOULD ARRIVE APRIL 1ST 2015. I CALLED TODAY (4/16/15) AND NOW THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID HONDA PUSHED BACK THE DATE TO JUNE 1ST 2015 FOR. IT IS WELL OVER 60 DAYS FROM THE TIME OF NOTICE. HOW MUCH LONGER SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT FOR HONDA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PROBLEM? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY AT TIMES WHILE THE RPM'S REVVED WITHOUT FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ESSERMAN LARGO HONDA (554 NE 1ST AVE, FLORIDA CITY, FL 33034, (844) 329-6036) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
STEEL BRACKET OR WELD TO STEEL BRACKET HOLDING LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT TO FLOOR BROKE RENDERING SEAT UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. HONDA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE YEAR HONDA PILOTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. DEALER COULD DO NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CALL AMERICAN HONDA WHICH I DID AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. THE REP SAID I COULD WRITE AND HAVE MY CASE REVIEWED. I WROTE ON 1/2 AND JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY, 1/8 FROM THE PA AREA CASE REP WHO TOLD ME, AND I QUOTE, "COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT SOMETHING ALMOST 11 YEARS OLD WILL BREAK". I DO NOT BELIEVE A STEEL PART OR WELD HOLDING THE PART TOGETHER SHOULD BREAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE PA AREA CASE REP THAT THE PHONE CALL WAS MY RESPONSE AND I WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING A REPLY IN WRITING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT NOW IS NOT FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL ROCK BACK TO THE RIGHT WHEN SEATED. IT'S NOT SAFE IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT SOME IMPORTANT PARTS THAT COULD COMPROMISE DRIVER SAFETY SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER A FEW YEARS OF REGULAR USE. *TR
I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MARYLAND. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAIN DAMAGE WAS TO MY NECK WHICH RECEIVED A SERIOUS STRAIN AND HAS HURT EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT. BECAUSE THE HEADRESTS ON THE PILOT ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, THE BACK OF MY HEAD WAS SEVERAL INCHES AWAY FROM THE HEADREST WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR REPLACED BY HONDA. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID WHIPLASH INJURY IN THIS CAR IF ONE IS HIT FROM THE REAR. *TR
DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM STOP I FELT MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SNAP AND GIVE ALLOWING MY BODY TO LEAN BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. VISUAL INSPECTION UNDER SEAT SHOW FATIGUED METAL BRACKET AT FORWARD OUTBOUND POSITION OF SEAT BASE/BRACKET JUST ABOVE RAILS. I WOULD ASSUME INTEGRITY/SAFETY OF SEAT IS COMPROMISED. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION/USE. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SHEARED OFF ON THE FRONT BAR, LEFT SIDE. THE SEAT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I FEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE INFLUENTIAL CAUSAL EFFECT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST BROKE. THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS SEEMS TO PROBLEMATIC AMONG 2003 - 2006 HONDA PILOTS. HONDA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL? *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026