2003 Honda Pilot Problems

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Honda Pilot. While having an oil change performed, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 138,000, and at the time of service, it was discovered that the mileage was 217,000.

I am the original owner of my 2003 Honda pilot and had to replace the front driver side door actuator years ago. Now all the remaining 3 doors need to have the door actuators replaced. If you're outside the car you cannot open the door. Using the key remote or putting the key into the front door keyhole will NOT unlock or lock the door. You have to be inside the car and lift or depress the lock button to get them to open or to lock it. This is a very dangerous situation for if an emergency should occur and it's necessary to either exit the vehicle or enter you won't be able to. I know the later year Honda's has had recalls on door actuators.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle violently jolted forward with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The failure had occurred while driving on a major highway. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 04-021; however, the contact was informed that the repair had been performed on the vehicle in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,118.

SRS airbag light stays on.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 256,000.

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.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN FAILING AT 89,000 MILES THEN FINALLY FAILED AROUND 94,000. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE HONDA DEALER HE DID NOT MENTION ANY RECALLS AND HE FAILED TO MENTION THAT THERE WERE ANY PROBLEMS. ALL HE WAS INTERESTED IN IS SELLING ME A BRAND NEW HONDA OR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO GET IT REBUILT AND NOW AT 101,000 THE SHUDDER BETWEEN 40-50MPH IS STARTING AGAIN SO I KNOW IT IS A MATTER OF TIME. I FEEL THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE AND HONDA NEEDS TO MAKE GOOD ON THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,118.

The contact owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated she was informed by her daughter that the inside passenger side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The fire department arrived afterward and informed that the electronic software was the cause of the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments needed. The contact notified a local mechanic regarding the failure and was informed of the same information which the fire department provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear axle separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the subframe replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was not available.

REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING LOCATIONS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO HANG DOWN. THE FRONT MOUNTING POINTS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE NOT DAMAGED YET. WAS NOTICED AS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FOUND DURING TIRE INSPECTION.

SPONTANEOUSLY SNAPPED MOUNTING BRACKET ON DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT, BETWEEN MOUNTED FRAME/SUPPORT AND ADJUSTABLE SEAT COMPONENTS. A POTENTIALLY LETHAL AND ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL-ABLE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY HONDA, RIGHT FROM THE VERY START OF THE HONDA PILOT MODELS. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF EARLY YEAR PILOTS...

THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE SLIDING BASE, SPLIT AND BROKE. THE BRACKET SPLIT AND BROKE AT THE TWO RIVET HOLES WHERE THE SEAT ATTCHES TO THE BASE. THE RIVETS ARE STILL IN PLACE ON THE PORTION OF THE BROKEN BRACKET WHICH REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. INCIDENT OCCURED WHILE PARKED IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND REACHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER AREA WHEN I FELT THE DRIVER'S SEAT COME LOOSE. I DO NOT KNOW THE MOUNTING BRACKET PART NUMBER, BUT ON THE INTERNET I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM: THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE SLIDING BASE, SPLIT AND BROKE.

the power steering losses fluid the steering is hard to turn and makes noise and the fluid gets on an area that gets hot i have not had an accident yet

Transmission, overheating, loss of oil, loss of gears when driving,

severe erosion of my undecarriage, metal just falls off from under the car. My fuel tank leaks and gas pours out. It has been deemed unsafe to drive by my Honda dealer, but has a good engine and other parts. It has been severely impacted by rust and erosion. The previous owner was a resident of Chicago, where salt is used, which I believe influenced this defect.

My 2003 Honda pilot rear subframe suspension is rusting and causing control issues. This is a common problem on the 2003-2008 Honda Pilots. In Honda TSB 21-019 Honda states " The subframe mounts may pull away from the body of the vehicle (see images below), but extensive testing has concluded that vehicle stability will be maintained." This is NOT true. Other Honda's have experienced similar issues and Honda has issued a safety recall. There should be a safety recall for the 2003-2008 Honda pilots for this subframe rust issue. Please see: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

LO BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. BULBS FUSES AND RELAYS ARE GOOD. HIGH BEAMS WORK OK. LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND I DISCOVERED IT AT NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME.

HONDA CORPORATE CLAIMS THAT MY 2003 HONDA PILOT ISSUE WAS RESOLVED IN APRIL 2014, AS RECALL WORK (LOW BEAMS QUIT WORKING... HIGH BEAMS REMAIN FUNCTIONAL). MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS NO RECORD OF ME BEING THERE, EVEN THOUGH CORPORATE IS SHOWING I WAS. I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM - MY LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK... HIGH BEAMS REMAIN FUNCTIONAL. THE ISSUE IS PRESENT REGARDLESS OF IT BEING STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON ANY SURFACE OF ANY KIND, TURNING OR OTHERWISE.

THE GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT GAUGE IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION

I WAS ON THE HWY IN THE LEFT LANE AN EXHILARATED THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY SUV JUST BRAKED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE BRAKE CAUSING A SCREECH ON THE CONCRETE. I MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE VERY CAUTIOUSLY. I DROVE ABOUT 15 MILES THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I TURNED MY EMERGENCY FLASHER ON AND DROVE ANOTHER 5 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO COME DRIVE BEHIND ME THE REST OF THE WAY HOME. THIS IS VERY SCARY. I JUST KNEW I WAS GOING TO GET REAR ENDED. I LOVE MY HONDA PILOT BUT NOW I CAN'T DRIVE IT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY OR WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM! PLEASE HELP. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. IT IS AT FULL THROTTLE. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO TURN IGNITION OFF/START UP AGAIN OKAY FOR 5 MILES, THEN IT TAKES OFF FULL SPEED, BRAKES CANNOT STOP IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ASAP BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS. AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. DOES NOT MATTER WHERE IT IS MAIN/Y STREET, CITY OR HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATE TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WITHOUT THE DRIVER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE RPMS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY REV UP TO 3,000. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALL HONDA IN VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

severe erosion of my undecarriage, metal just falls off from under the car. My fuel tank leaks and gas pours out. It has been deemed unsafe to drive by my Honda dealer, but has a good engine and other parts. It has been severely impacted by rust and erosion. The previous owner was a resident of Chicago, where salt is used, which I believe influenced this defect.

GAS LEAKED FROM THE TOP SIDE OF FUEL TANK UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. IT HAS DONE THIS TWO TIMES NOW WHILE BEING FILLED UP AT TWO SEPARATE GAS STATIONS. BOTH OF WHICH WERE SMOOTH FLAT SURFACES. IT DOES NOT OVERFLOW FROM THE NOZZLE INSERT WHERE YOU PUMP GAS AT. IT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE TOP SIDE OF TANK AND LEAKS UNTIL THE GAS GOES BELOW THE SPOT FROM WHICH IT LEAKS.

REAR HATCH WINDOW WIPER BLEW THE FUSE. THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAGS OR MY SEAT SENSORS. A NEW FUSE FIXED THE WIPER BUT WOULD NOT TURN OFF SRS LIGHT. DEALER WANTED $100 PLUS DOLLARS TO CHECK SYSTEM AND TURN OFF LIGHT. INDEPENDENT MECH. CHECKED SYSTEM FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND RESET THE LIGHT. WHY IS A WIPER MOTOR TIED INTO THE SEAT SENSOR AND AIR BAGS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I NEVER GOT RECALLS FIXED AND DEALER SERVICE MARKED AS CHECKED BUT NOT REPLACED AND SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE SERVICE AND I HAD TO PAY TO GET RECALLED DUE TO EMERGENCY INTERLOCK WAS DAMAGED

TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON NEVADA AVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS A CAR TURNED IN FRONT OF US. OUR FRONT RIGHT HIT HIS REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, HE WAS SPUN AROUND AND OUR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE TO CHECK ON OTHER DRIVER I CAME BACK AND HAD MY WIFE AND KID GET OUT OF VEHICLE. POLICE WERE ON SCENE VERY QUICKLY DUE TO ACCIDENT OCCURRING IN FRONT OF HOSPITAL, THE OFFICER NOTICED SMOKE IN CAR AND A COUPLE MINUTES LATER THERE WAS A FIRE ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE BEHIND CENTER GARNISH PILLAR. I TRIED TO PUT IT OUT WHILE OFFICER WENT TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BURNT MY HAND DUE TO BURNING PLASTIC FROM LOWER CENTER PILLAR GARNISH MELTING. LOOKS LIKE FIRE WAS STARTED SOMEWHERE IN THE SEATBELT RETRACTION AREA. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED AND MY HAND WAS OK AFTER A FEW DAYS.

FAULTY IGNITION. KEY WILL NOT TURN. WAFERS IN CYLINDER ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *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

YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER H/T-S GO51 P235/70R16 CRACKING AND SEPARATION OF TIRE TREAD AROUND ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRES. ALL 4 TIRES PURCHASED 6/26/09 AND ONLY 27K MILES. THESE WERE NOT DRY ROT CRACKS. *TR

OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF THE 2ND GEAR. WE WERE TRAVELING IN THE 3RD LANE OVER 60 MPH WHEN BOTH FRONT TIRES LOCKED AND WE SKIDDED TO A HALT IN LESS THAN 200 YARDS ON THE HIGHWAY. PRIOR TO OUR VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN, THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF DANGER, NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS, NO BLINKING LIGHTS OR ANY HESITATION WITH THE CAR. OUR VEHICLE HAD 138,400+ MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO HONDA'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES, INCLUDING ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGES. ON MAY 7, 2004 WITH 36,384 MILES, OUR VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED A RETROFIT OF THE A/T OIL JET KIT DUE TO HONDA'S 04-021B SAFETY RECALL ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SECOND GEAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT. THE CAR BEHIND US STOPPED JUST IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION. OUR CAR COULD NOT BE ROLLED INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AS BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND WE WERE STRANDED IN THE 3RD LANE. A POLICE OFFICER WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND LOGGED THE INCIDENT AS A DISABLED VEHICLE. THE OFFICER REQUESTED FOR IMMEDIATE TOWING SINCE WE WERE IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER, WHO PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSIS AND ESTIMATE: "TRANSMISSION INTERNAL FAILURE BOTH FRONT AXLES TWISTED NEEDS 2 TIRES - FLAT SPOTS ALIGNMENT $5,199.14 PLUS TAX" WE OPTED NOT TO REPAIR THE HONDA AND INSTEAD PURCHASED A NEW NON-HONDA VEHICLE AND RECEIVED A TRADE-IN VALUE FOR 'AS-IS' CONDITION. *TR

2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL 12V-136 CONCERNING LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS *TGW ON DECEMBER 7, 2011, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO THE A/C NOT WORKING. THE DEALER FOUND THE BLOWER MOTOR TRANSISTOR WAS FAULTY. THE AC TRANSISTOR WAS REPLACED AND RE-TESTED AND OPERATING NORMALLY. THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE IN TO REPLACE THE AC TRANSISTOR, THE LOW AND HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING. THE VERY NEXT MORNING, SHE DISCOVERED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE NO LONGER WORKING. ON DECEMBER 13, 2011 BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 142.06. IN APRIL 2012. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN COME BACK ON AGAIN. ON MAY 10, 2012, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL, STATING THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL WOULD BE REPLACED, AND IF NECESSARY THE COMBINATION LIGHTING SWITCH WOULD BE REPLACED TOO. ON THE SAME DAY SHE RECEIVED THE NOTICE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER, THE LOW BEAMS WEREN'T WORKING AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE LOW BEAM BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE DEALER, WOULD REPLACING THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR RESPONDED BY SAYING NO, AS THE TERMINAL HAD NOTHING TO WITH THE LOW BEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND LATER THAT AFTERNOON, THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS WERE WORKING AGAIN. ON MAY 21, 2012. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE COMBINATION LIGHT SWITCH AND NOT THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL. THE LOW BEAMS ARE CURRENTLY NOT WORKING, WHICH IS FORCING THE CONSUMER TO USE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. *JB UPDATED 09/06/12. *JB