2007 Honda Pilot Suspension Problems

The 2007 Honda Pilots rear subframe suspension mounting points and the driver side rear sping and shock support rusted away so bad that the driver side wheel collapsed, fortunately it was discovered just in time before there was an major accident, had this happened at full highway speeds it would have been a disaster, this unfortunately seems to be a common problem on the 2003-2008 Honda Pilots according to online forums. Everything else on the Pilot was working great at the time, was quoted $5000 to fix from a local body shop which is way too much so the vehical needed to be sent to the salvage yard at a great financial loss. Like most people I did not think to look under the vehical when I purchased it used in 2022, everything seemed solid, just had a rusty look like a lot of older MN vehicals so it gave a false sence of safety, I feel that the 2003 to 2008 Honda Pilot needs to be recalled or provide a manufacturer buyback and taken off the roads ASAP if they are in any of the salt belt states.

* Rear Frame Corrosion on my 2007 Honda Pilot EX * This is causing instability issues with the potential risk of the subframe uncoupling from the rear frame rail. * No, but a visual inspection clearly shows heavy corrosion. * No warning lamps or messages but the vehicle is showing signs of instability while in drive.

Subframe rust prevented vehicle from passing inspection even though (From Honda) "but extensive testing has concluded that vehicle stability will be maintained”. TSB: MC-10209071-0001.pdf (nhtsa.gov)

The rear subframe is completely rusted out where the trailing arm is attached. I was looking to see if I could purchase a used Pilot on line and maybe do an engine swap and was shocked how common this problem is. Many owners were selling there Pilots for parts because of this problem. I originally noticed this while inspecting the cause of the vehicle swaying from side to side at speeds over 40mph.

The whole underneath sub frame, floor which it connects to, the left & right frame rails are completely rotted away so the shocks are hanging without a piece of frame on them.Completely unrepairable. Not worth fixing. What shall I do? This is a significant safety issue & concern . My mechanic will not give this an inspection sticker until it is road safe.

While driving with six on board (car holds up to 8) I hit a moderate bump. The car made a loud bang, and felt unstable. At the same time, ABS, VTM-4, and stabilty warning lights came on. I was in a construction zone with no place to stop, so I kept going. The instabilty seemed manageable, so I kept going to an exit. On the ramp, while cornering even slightly, there was a rubbing sound from the rear wheel area. In a straight line, it sounded okay, but didn't feel right. When we were able to park and get out, the rear wheels were splayed out (extreme negative camber) as if the car was grossly overloaded, even though if was empty. Upon inspection, I found that the two rear mounts for the subframe had completely pulled out of the unibody. The subframe had rusted from the inside, so there was no appearance of structurally significant rust until it failed. When the suspension subframe pulled away, it pulled apart the wiring for the ABS, etc. This is a very unsafe condition that appeared with no warning. A quick internet search shows that it's also quite common.

I BOUGHT A 2007 HONDA PILOT EX-L 2WD. I AM DISABLED, SO I REQUIRE A HITCH, ELECTRIC CHAIR LIFT TO CARRY MY ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR. I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2WD, 4 CYL, WITH THE EXACT SAME CONFIGURATION. SINCE I HAVE ADAPTED MY 2007 HONDA PILOT WITH THE EQUIPMENT, I HAVE FOUND THIS VEHICLE IS NOT CAPABLE OF CARRYING THE TONGUE WEIGHT LOAD OF ABOUT 350 LBS, WHICH HONDA PUBLISHED IS ADEQUATE (I.E. HONDA STATES A 2WD PILOT IS CAPABLE OF TOWING 3,500 LBS AND A 4WD IS CAPABLE OF TOWING 4,500 LBS, WHICH EQUATES TO AN ALLOWABLE TONGUE WEIGHT OF 10% OF TOWING WEIGHT WHICH IS 350 LBS FOR THE 2WD AND 450 LBS FOR THE 4WD). I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE CHIEF MECHANIC AT HOLLYWOOD HONDA; THE HITCH EXPERTS; PROFESSIONALS AT MY WHEELCHAIR/LIFT FACILITY AND EVERYONE AGREEW THE 2007 HONDA PILOT CAN NOT CARRY THE TONGUE WEIGHT OF 350 LBS IN A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE MANNER. THE VEHICLE STARTS TO LOWER THE BACK END AND THE FRONT END STARTS TO LIFT UPWARDS AS THE WEIGHT OF THE WHEELCHAIR ON THE LIFT STARTS TO ASCEND. WHEN THE BACK END OF THE HONDA PILOT HAS "BOTTOMED OUT", THEN THE WHEELCHAIR AND LIFT START TO ASCEND. WHEN THE WHEELCHAIR AND LIFT ASCEND TO ITS PROPER HEIGHT AS DESIGNED BY THE LIFT MANUFACTURER, THE LIFT AND WHEELCHAIR ARE IN A VERY VULNERABLE POSITION WHICH IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO KEEP THE LIFT FROM BOTTOMING OUT AND THE ENTIRE WHEELCHAIR AND LIFT FROM "BOUNCING" IN MANNER WHICH IS UNCONTROLLABLE, WHCIH GIVES THE SENSATION OF BEING OUT OF CONTROL. MEANWHILE, THE FRONT END OF THE HONDA PILOT HAS ESCALATED ABOUT 6 - 8 INCHES ABOVE ITS NORMAL LEVEL PLAIN. IF HONDA HAS CONDUCTED ITS EVALUATIONS IN A SATISFACTORY AND SAFE MANNER AS THEY PUBLISH A 2WD HONDA PILOT CAN TOW 3,500 LBS AND A 4WD HONDA PILOT CAN TOW 4,500 LBS, THEN WHY CAN'T THE HONDA PILOT EFFECTIVELY MAINTAIN THE NORMAL TONGUE WEIGHT OF 10% OF THE TOWING WEIGHT WHICH THEY STIPULATE? IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME IN MAKING SOME DETERMINATION PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE, I WILL BE GRATEFULLY APPRECIATIVE.