2006 Honda Pilot Complaint Log

Unknown

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was an auction sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 74,009 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 300,151.

Suspension is rusted out and falling apart

When I got into the vehicle this morning, I opened the door and smoke came out from inside, then I noticed in the driver's seat there was fire from the control panel of the driver's seat. Where the fire affected the seat, the seat belt and the interior panel of the driver's door.

The Vehicle Stability Assit (VSA) system in activating inappropriately causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly. There is a Honda Service Bulletin (13-026) for this problem for 2005 Honda Pilots. Well, the same problem is happening to my 2006 Pilot.

Rear suspension cradle attachment points at the frame corrode. This is common on all pilots in northern climates. Honda has recalled both the Ridgeline and CRV models for corrosion issues related to suspension attachment point corrosion but refuses to recall the pilot. While they claim you will not lose control when the suspension disconnects from the frame the vehicle cannot pass inspection and thus becomes disposable. When vehicles are otherwise perfect this is not acceptable from both safety and fiscal aspects. Please investigate this further as Honda has a repair kit and guidelines but charges thousands for the work .

While driving, the seat came off the base and something was loose, the seat basically will fall back if you just lean back, while stop and go the seat will also move back, something is loose or broken, this is a defect from Honda. Yes this can be inspected upon request this is dangerous because the seat can break off and just fall back anytime not only impact the driver safety while it can also hurt someone sitting behind it No the seat has not been inspected by anyone other during oil change check was told to have someone to look at it. No there is no warning or message or any symptoms before the failure

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that following a State Safety Inspection, the vehicle failed due to extensive corrosion to the rear suspension and to the rear trailing arm. The contact was advised by the State Inspector not to drive the vehicle due to the advanced state of corrosion. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure). The contact had called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Hi Honda pallet is completely rusted out and corroded on the back underneath. My mechanic said it is dangerous. The left-hand side could literally fall out while driving and this is not something normally seen even with the car being older

I just purchased a 2006 honda pilot 4 wheel drive....i did not get under the suv to look at the frame structure, i had the differential fluid changed, the suv was put on a lift and noticed there is extreme rusting going on under the vehicle. in reading some complaint from previous owners, the possibility of the frame separating from the body is a possibility , in addition to other parts doing the same thing, this presents a severe safety issue for me and my family. IF HONDA did not protect the under carriage with the proper rust prevention inhibitors , this might cause the under parts to fall apart.... I THINK HONDA NEEDS TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE RUST AND COAT THE NECESSARY PARTS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE RUSTING , COULD HAVE PEOPLE KILLED IN GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. THIS LOOKS LIKE A TREMENDOUS LAWSUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR NOT PROPERLY INSULATING THE METAL TO AVOID THE RUSTING.. THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY THE HONDA CORP TO AVOID FUTURE LAWSUITS............................................................... PLEASE EXPEDITE THIS COMPLAINT TO THE PROPER HONDA PERSONNEL TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM............................................................................................................................. PLEASE RESPOND ASAP... THANK YOU, [XXX] , [XXX] , MY CELL [XXX] TODAY IS MARCH 16TH 2024.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The car was making a lot of noise, so we took it to the shop. Upon investigation, they told us we were lucky we hadn't had a catastrophic failure as the frame was rusted through. We were told not to drive it further. The car has been well taken care of.

235/70R16 I purchased 4 Michelin defender LXT tires, on 02/06/2024. I had to have all the tires rebalanced. The tire shop. Said said all tires were 1 1/2 to 2 oz off. This problem should not be occurring in such a short period of time. Repair was made on 02/20/2024

While driving at night, with rain and fog, the low beam headlights became extremely dim which made it impossible to see the road. Surprisingly both low beam headlights went dim, not effective at all, I had to depend on my fog lights for a bit of visibility. Could it be the headlamp, turn signal switch on the column that has gone bad?? So dangerous, my wife was almost shaking as we slowly made our way home, and we live in the country so scary drive home.

About 9 days ago our Honda Pilot (parked, off, keys out of ingnition) had a malfunction in the drivers side heated seat and caught fire burning half the seat and the door, this could have happened while driving which makes this a massive safety issue, I had previously had my car checked out only days prior to incident and nothing was found. There was no indication, warning lights anything to tell us this would happen No one has checked the car since because we have no money and the car is no longer legal to drive

Dave at Beard Auto Repair in downers grove, Il told me: Whole rear subframe rotted away from the main frame Shock support rotted away Suspension completely detached - not safe to drive AT ALL. Not even for 5 minutes. Subframe holds all your suspension One severe bump could make wheels fall off and roll away Im thinking the recall on the older CRVs should probably be extended to Pilots as well since I'm having similar issues as listed in this recall article. [XXX] Honda Corportate told me to bring to nearest dealership and have them inspect and provide diagnosis so they can assess what they can do for me. They’ve have it for 2.5 months. I’ve called and emailed 30 times and still have not been given an answer. I see online that tons of people in rust belt states are having the exact same problem with this exact same model and year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2006 Honda Pilot Subframe rust which is causing the subframe to pull away from the body of the vehicle. Known issue with a patch kit, but no dealership or auto body shop willing to fix it. Honda has recalled the Ridgeline and CRV for the same issue, but not the Honda Pilot. Vehicle is in perfect running condition except for this design flaw. Would like to get it repaired instead of junking a perfectly drivable vehicle.

When I had taken my vehicle in to the dealership for power steering issues and other routine maintenance, I was told that my rear bumper was extremely rusted out as well as the frame on the driver side. I was advised this is a major safety concern and that the frame cannot be fixed by the dealership.

Car keeps going into limp mode. The VTM and VSA light flash on and the car will not accelerate. Happens at different occasions. It has happenstance while driving on highway and I’m traffic. The only way to reset is to cut car off and turn on. Sometimes, it doesn’t work with that and you have to sit and wait. It has been checked but no one see no faults and it’s never on the dashboard if you cut off then cut back on. This is becoming a huge risk when driving with children and family. Also, electrical issues has been going on and no one can figure out. Have been looked at and even quoted for new pets but no fox for why the electrical is not working. One side of car has no electric and nobody knows why. My car was taken apart and still no fix for electric. This effects the passenger side windows and turn signals. The vehicle is forcing me to have to look for another one even though it’s paid off and has done well for me and my family. Please help and assist thanks.

Rear steel bumper totally corroded rendering bumper protection deficient. Significant rusting on rear bumper beam.

The left rear frame of the vehicle is rusted out where the rear drive line bolts to the body or frame. Causing the rear drive line to have the ability of failing to stay attached to the vehicle. The rear suspension also connects at the same area. Just a huge rotted out hole at the moment.

The contact owned a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle rear-ended her vehicle, causing her vehicle to crash into another vehicle from the driver's side front door. The rear bumper and exhaust pipe detached. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained a back injury and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. Prior to the failure, the dealer had previously performed a recall repair for the driver's and passenger's side air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the vehicle stability assist system, ABS, check engine, and brake system warning lights illuminated. The contacted stated that after pulling over, placing the gear shifter into park(P) and turning off the vehicle, the vehicle was able to restart but was unable to accelerate above 15 MPH. The contact also stated that after coming to a stop at a stop light, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

The contact’s husband owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was vacant and in a parked position, she noticed a dark gray cloud of smoke and fire inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that she noticed that the front driver’s side door and the car seat had melted. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The fire department was notified, and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

The car's rear subframe has rusted to the point where the suspension no longer correctly mounts to the frame causing an unstable ride and handling issues. Yes, the car can be inspected. This is a safety issue because other parts of the suspension system or brake system could become loose or break off or otherwise be negatively affected by this corrosion. It could also cause me to be unable to control the vehicle properly if it gets worse. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by both a dealer and an independent mechanic. The Honda dealership has inspected it. There is a very similar problem with some of Honda's other models from this era including the Ridgeline and the CRV that have recently been recalled and I think this vehicle should be recalled for this issue as well.

The contact owned a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that initially, her check engine light had been illuminated on her instrument panel. She then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced both her fuel injectors and spark plugs. The mechanic then took the vehicle to a dealer since the check engine light remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The PCM software was updated by the dealer; however, the light still remained. Upon picking up the vehicle, the contact was informed that her check engine light remained illuminated due to a misfire in cylinder#1. The contact was assured by the mechanic that the vehicle passed the PCM test and that the vehicle was safe to drive. While dropping her child off at school, a cloud of white smoke began to emit from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as the contact exited the vehicle. The authorities were called to the scene and the local fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire and police report were filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 256,000.

BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. HIGH BEAMS WORKED FINE.

DIVER AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN YARD, WHILE CHANGING THE RADATOR, IT POPPED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE RADIATOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM SKINNER HONDA (3823 ROSS CLARK CIR, DOTHAN, AL 36303;(334) 671-8100) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V499000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,566.

LATCH ON THE REAR PULL DOWN DOOR WILL NOT HOLD TIGHT. I CLOSE IT SO THAT THE REAR DOOR SEEMS CLOSED WELL AND TIGHT. AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE WHILE, VERY OFTEN, MY LIGHT COMES ON SHOWING REAR PULL DOWN LOCK IS NOT CLOSED! WHEN I CHECK IT OUT, I FIND THAT IT IS NOT CLOSED TIGHT. I CAN SEE IT PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY, COMPARED TO HOW IT LOOKED AS I CLOSED IT INITIALLY! I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY WHEN IT BEGAN IT WASN'T THAT OFTEN AND I THOUGHT I OR MY HUSBAND JUST DIDN'T CLOSE IT TIGHT ENOUGH.

WHILE MOVING SLOWLY IN A PRIVATE DRIVE AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO FULL THROTTLE CAUSING THE CAR TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER PARKED CAR AND A SUPPORT POST OF A CARPORT

CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT UP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT MOVE. I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND DIDN'T' MOVE, WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES, TRIED AGAIN AND THE BRAKES SQUEEZED REALLY TIGHT BUT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. DROVE TO WORK AND ON THE WAY BACK BRAKES GOT TIGHT AND STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEELS. STOPPED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAITED FOR HALF AN HOUR UNTIL COOLED DOWN AND CALLED A TOW SERVICE. CALL LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 COMPLAINTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND DETECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRADLE MOUNT DETACHED FROM THE REAR AXLE AND WAS HANGING DOWN. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NO CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. *LN*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VSA LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. IT FEEL AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED AND VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SINCE WE COULD GET REAR ENDED, ESPECIALLY IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR OBA HIGHWAY. WE HAVE TAKEN THE PILOT FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE DEALERSHIP REPROGRAMMED THE VSA MODULE AND NOW WE'VE BEEN TOLD IT HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR $2500. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART IN THE 2005 PILOTS AND SOME 2006. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA TWICE TO REQUEST THEY WRVICE THIS UNDER THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL, THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY RISK WHICH IS CLEARLY BEING EXPERIENCED BY MANY 2006 PILOT OWNERS AND HONDA SIMPLY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT. MAY TAKE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I PRAY NO ONE IS SEVERELY INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION.

THE CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED IT UP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. SO I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. IT WOULDN'T MOVE. SO I PUT IT BACK IN REVERSE AND GAVE IT A LITTLE GAS. IT BARELY MOVED. SO I PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT DOWN AND PUMPED ON THE BRAKES A FEW TIMES. I LET IT SIT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. ANOTHER TIME THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKES SQUEEZED REALLY TIGHT. OVERTIGHT.... BECAUSE IT MADE A LOUD SPRING LIKE POPPING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES. IT'S DONE THIS NOW SEVERAL TIMES AND IM WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.... ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. LIKE I SAID, ITS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. PARKED ON THE STREET, IN A PARKING GARAGE, ON A STEEP HILL IN SEATTLE, ON A DIRT ROAD IN THE MOUNTAINS COMING BACK FROM FISHING, SOME 22 MILES FROM ANY MAIN ROAD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER WAS BRUISED AS HIS HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE THAT NEEDED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR A FAILURE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BOOMING NOISE WAS DETECTED, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE LOWERED TO GROUND. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS NOT INLINE WITH VEHICLE BUT IN AN ABNORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT BUSHING, BALL JOINT, CONTROL ARM, AND AXLE WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WASHTENAW AUTO CARE CENTER (3090 WASHTENAW AVE, YPSILANTI, MI 48197 (734)434-4000) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE FRONT COMPLIANCE BUSHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO FISHER HONDA (15 E MICHIGAN AVE, YPSILANTI, MI 48198 (734) 483-0323) FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,840.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST(VSA). THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

WHEN THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS BUCKED IT WILL POP LOSE . SO I WOULD TRY AGAIN TILL IT LOCKS . IT WAS IN MOTION AND ALSO HAVE BEEN IN STATIONARY POSITION.. *TR

I WAS PULLING AWAY FROM MY PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A LARGE THUNK. VTM-4, VSA, ABS, AND [!] LIGHTS ALL WENT ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ODD NOISE. AFTER GETTING HOME AND NOTICING THAT THE REAR WAS SITTING LOWER, I LOOKED AT THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SAW THAT THE TRAILING ARMS HAD COMPLETELY COME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS BEING KEPT IN POSITION BY THE EXHAUST. THIS WAS A MONUMENTAL FAIL AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT HONDA WOULDN'T CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE MUCH LOVED 2006 HONDA PILOT GOES TO THE DEALER TOMORROW.

WE WERE LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD THUNK FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE. WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I EXPECTED TO FIND THAT WE HAD RUN OVER A BICYCLE BUT INSTEAD FOUND THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE HANGING FROM THE SPRINGS. BOTH REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS HAD CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED PULLING COMPLETELY OUT OF THE SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER AND A NUMBER OF COMPONENTS WERE FOUND TO BE HEAVILY RUSTED AND SEVERELY STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED. WE HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE ABOUT 80 (PREDOMINANTLY FREEWAY) MILES EACH WAY THAT DAY TO VISIT FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAY. IT IS A SMALL MIRACLE THAT THESE FAILED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LIKE THIS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS COULD BE DEADLY! A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THIS TO BE A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BY THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SIDE AIRBAG BY THE DRIVER POPPED OUT AND BLEW UP. NO COLLISION NO BLOWN TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY

THE CASING OF THE DRIVER SIDE BACKING JUST FELL OFF FOR NO REASON. DRIVING ON A NORMAL STREET. NOT DOING ANYTHING BUT NORMAL DRIVING

I STARTED TO NOTICE THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE MAKING CLUNKING NOISE AND OCCASIONAL METAL ON METAL TICKING NOISES AT LOWER SPEEDS AND OVER BUMPS. I JUST ASSUMED MY REAR SHOCKS WERE GOING OUT. I THEN LATER REALIZE THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE IS SITTING A LOT LOWER ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES AND WHILE ON THE HOIST LIFTED UP I SEE THAT BOTH OF THE 'TRAILING ARMS" RIGHT/LEFT SIDES HAVE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME. NOW KNOWING THE REAL ISSUE AT HAND AND DOING MY SHARE OF RESEARCH ONLINE THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURE AT ALL, POSSIBLY KNOWING THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING ONE OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS FOR KEEPING YOUR REAR AXLE INTACT WITH THE WHOLE VEHICLE FAIL THAT EASILY!!!

VSA SYSTEM CONSTANTLY GOING ON IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

MY WIFE WAS TURNING INTO OUR GARAGE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVED UP CAUSING HER TO CRASH INTO SEVERAL ITEMS IN THE GARAGE (AIR COMPRESSOR,GAS GRILL,SHOP VAC,SHELVING, AND OTHER THINGS)PUSHING THEM AGAINST THE BACK WALL BEFORE STOPPING AND ALLOWING HER TO TURN THE CAR OFF. SHE HAD THE BRAKE FULLY DEPRESSED AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED BUT HAD NO CONTROL. THE CAR IS A 2006 HONDA PILOT WITH ABOUT 170,000 MILES.

I HAVE NOT HAD THIS VEHICLE IN 10 YEARS. I HAVE WRITTEN HONDA SIX TIMES AND CALLED A DOZEN TIMES. IF SOMEONE HAS THIS VEHICLE AND GETS INJURED DUE TO NON-NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL, AND I SHOW HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO STOP THESE LETTERS COMING TO MY HOUSE SO YOU CAN FIND THE RIGHT PERSON, SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOUSLY LIABLE.

WHILE RECENTLY DRIVING MY 2006 HONDA PILOT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SEEMED A LITTLE UNSTEADY WHEN CORNERING. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, THE REAR SUSPENSION LOOKED TOO LOW AND THE NEGATIVE CAMBER OF THE REAR WHEELS LOOKED EXCESSIVE. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE REAR FRAME CROSSMEMBER HAD EXTREME INTERNAL CORROSION AND BOTH REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING BOLTS HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME (SEE INCLUDED PHOTOS). THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES BELOW THE ORIGINAL MOUNTING POSITION AND WAS PRESSING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION AND POSSIBLY HAS BEEN AND IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. OVERALL, THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE, HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF-ROAD OR IN HARSH CONDITIONS AND HAS NEVER PULLED HEAVY LOADS. THE INTERNAL FRAME CORROSSION SEEMS EXCESSIVE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE AND PERHAPS THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN, POOR QUALITY AND/OR INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION. MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN TO THEM, IS NOT FIXABLE AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AT THIS TIME BUT REFER ME TO HONDA NATIONAL. HONDA NATIONAL ALSO INITIALLY CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS IDENTICAL PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL AS OTHER ONLINE SOURCES. A COMPLAINT AND CASE NUMBER HAS NOW BEEN REGISTERED WITH HONDA FOR THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONCE GREAT VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE PREMATURELY DESTINED FOR THE SCRAP METAL PILE. VERY SAD OUTCOME FOR ANY MODERN VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY ONE WITH THE REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND RELIABILITY OF A HONDA VEHICLE.

2006 HONDA PILOT EX MILEAGE: 144,309 I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHEN I FELT A JOLT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP IN THE DASHBOARD, THERE WAS A LOUD EXHAUST LEAK, AND THE CAR WAS NO LONGER ACCELERATING. THERE WAS AN AUTO CARE CENTER 50 YARDS AWAY SO I SLOWLY DROVE IT THERE FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC LIFTED THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED ME THAT THE BACK TWO REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS WERE DETACHED FROM THE BODY WHICH MADE THE CAR INOPERABLE. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE; THE SUBFRAME MOUNTS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE AS IT WAS A RUST ISSUE. THE CAR WAS IRREPARABLE SO I HAD TO TOTAL THE CAR AND RECEIVED 10% OF WHAT THE CAR WAS WORTH RUNNING FROM THE JUNK YARD. I PURCHASED THE PILOT NEW IN FEB. 2006 AND PERFORMED ALL THE RECOMMENDED HONDA MAINTENANCE. I PERSONAL PERFORMED ALL OIL AND BREAK JOBS SO I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. I DID NOT SEE ANY RUST UNDER THE CAR THAT WOULD HAVE ALERTED ME THERE WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE REAR SUBFRAME. A GOOGLE SEARCH TURNED UP SEVERAL OTHER HONDA PILOTS OF THIS GENERATION HAVING THE SAME SUBFRAME RUST AS MINE WITH THE SAME CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE REAR MOUNTS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THAT WATER WAS ALLOWED TO POOL BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF STEEL IN THE UNIBODY. THE CAR HAD 144,309 MILES ON IT AND WAS MECHANICALLY IN GREAT CONDITION UNTIL I HAD THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UP UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT SWERVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY DUE TO BEING CONSTRICTED BY THE SEAT BELT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FAIRFIELD HONDA (201 LYCOMING MALL DR, MUNCY, PA 17756, (570) 326-2858), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S REQUEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

VSA LIGHT AND CODE 84-1