2005 Honda Pilot Exterior lighting Problems

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while waiting in line at a gas station, she smelled a burning odor, and there was smoke coming from the steering wheel. The contact was turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that upon activating the low-beam headlights, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle without activating the low-beam headlights, the steering wheel stopped smoking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V136000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA ID

11557678

Incident

Nov 23, 2023

Mileage

220,000 mi

Was traveling down the road, had an electrical burning smell coming from my dash and around steering wheel. Low beams then shut off going down road pulled over but still had high beams but no low beams.

NHTSA ID

11510523

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the low beams of the vehicle went out inadvertently, almost causing the contact to crash into another vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she turned on her high beams and was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the terminal ends had melted within the wiring harness connector and the wiring harness connector or the lighting switch needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that her vehicle could not be repaired under the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) as her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 290,000.

NHTSA ID

11436668

Incident

Oct 6, 2021

Mileage

290,000 mi

STARTED VEHICLE TO GO HOME AND TURN MY LIGHTS ON BUT BOTH LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT WORK BUT THE HIGH BEAMS WORKED.

NHTSA ID

11394632

Incident

Jan 8, 2021

Mileage

205,326 mi

2005 HONDA PILOT, WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR THE IN THE MORNING THE RED INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG (DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG) ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON AND STAYS ON THE ENTIRE DAY THIS INCLUDES STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, GOING INTO A STORE AND COMING BACK OUT, STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN, CONTINUE DRIVING FOR EACH DAY UNTIL I RETURN BACK HOME. BUT AT LEAST TWO (2) DAYS A MONTH WHEN I FIRST START THE CAR IN THE MORNING THIS SAME RED INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS OFF THE ENTIRE DAY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THIS INCLUDES STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, GOING INTO A STORE AND COMING BACK OUT AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN AND CONTINUE DRIVING FOR EACH DAY UNTIL I GET BACK HOME. EACH TIME THE RED INDICATOR LIGHT IS STAYS ON OR OFF FOR THE DAY I DRIVE MY CAR I USE CITY STREETS 25 MPR. AND DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH. THIS STARTED IN 2018.

NHTSA ID

11266015

Incident

Feb 19, 2018

Mileage

200,000 mi

OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE EXPERIENCED THE CAR'S DASH WARNING LIGHTS TURNING ON FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND THE RADIO MAKES A PUFF SOUND PRIOR TO THIS OCCURING...THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED PRIOR ON YOUR SYSTEM. SEE INCIDENT# 10458594. SECOND ISSUE IS REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FOR THE HEATING / AC CONSOLE. THE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED ON YOUR SYSTEM. SEE INCIDENT # 10440512, 10418459, 10345735. BOTH ISSUES OCCUR WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11259064

Incident

Sep 29, 2019

Mileage

174,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT BOTH OF OUR LOW BEAM LIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. WE HAD TO PULL OVER AND COULD NOT GET THEM TO COME BACK ON. HOWEVER, OUR HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORKED AND WE DROVE THE REST OF THE WAY USING HIGH BEAMS.

NHTSA ID

11244746

Incident

Aug 16, 2019

Mileage

131,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED VALLEY HONDA AT 630-851-5700 (LOCATED AT 4173 OGDEN AVE, AURORA, IL 60504) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11192192

Incident

Mar 24, 2019

Mileage

187,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID

11098454

Incident

Sep 23, 2014

2005 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ISSUE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A "POOR CONNECTION AT THE WIRE HARNESS RUNNING UP COLUMN TO SWITCH". THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

NHTSA ID

11065210

Incident

Nov 15, 2017

WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS SET TO LOW BEAM, THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. THE HIGH BEAMS AND COURTESY LIGHTS WORK. WHEN SWITCHING THE LEVER QUICKLY BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW, THEY DO COME ON, BUT AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES, THE LOW BEAM QUIT WORKING AND I HAVE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS. I NOTICED A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE FOR 2005 HONDA PILOTS BUT WHEN ENTERING MY VIN, A RECALL IS NOT SHOWN.

NHTSA ID

11010422

Incident

Jul 22, 2017

Mileage

184,000 mi

MY HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON. ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS AND YELLOW RUNNING LIGHTS WILL WORK. ALL FUSES AND BULBS HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS DOCUMENTATION ON THE WEB ABOUT A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION AND A RECALL BUT WHEN I RUN THE RECALL CHECK IT ONLY COMES UP WITH AN AIRBAG RECALL. CAN I GET SOME SORT OF DOCUMENTATION ON THIS OUTSTANDING RECALL PLEASE.

NHTSA ID

10980814

Incident

Apr 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, SMOKE APPEARED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WHEN THE HEAD LAMPS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10852863

Incident

Mar 4, 2016

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE FRONT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10734288

Incident

Jul 5, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

CENTER CONSOL LIGHTS ARE OUT

NHTSA ID

10724167

Incident

Jun 1, 2011

Mileage

65,000 mi

I TRIED TO TURN MY HEADLIGHTS ON IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT COME ON. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TRIED AGAIN, AND THE LOW BEAMS CAME ON. AFTER THE LOW BEAMS STARTED WORKING AGAIN I TRIED TO TURN THE HIGH BEAMS ON, AND THEY WOULD NOT WORK, AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RECALL FOR THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS ONLY AFFECTS THE LOW BEAMS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE DIAGNOSES FEE. IT IS NOTED IN THE RECALL WHICH IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 12V136000 THAT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE EITHER THE WIRING HARNESS OR THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE (WHICH IS CLEARLY DOCUMENTED). HONDA NEEDS TO LET THE DEALERS THAT THEY ARE OBLIGATED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS BECAUSE I DID NOT BUY THE CAR THERE OR RECEIVE REGULAR SERVICES THERE, AND THAT I SHOULD JUST PAY THE DIAGNOSES FEE SO THAT THEY COULD PAY THEIR TECHNICIANS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE DEALER WAS NO HELP AND IS THE ONLY ONE IN MY AREA. SCREW YOU HONDA, AND SCHOLFIELD HONDA AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10618324

Incident

Aug 25, 2013

Mileage

119,000 mi

THE CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT AND IT HAS BEEN A COMMON COMPLAINT OF OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS. IT BECOMES A HAZARD AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE BUTTONS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHICH I BELIEVE IS AN EXTREME HAZARD THAT TAKES THE EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR LONGER THAN NEEDED TO ADJUST SETTINGS. NO OTHER PLACE IN THE DASH HAS HAD THE BULBS STOP WORKING BUT IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO EVERYONE'S CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS. I THINK THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD SIMILAR TO SOMEONE USING A PHONE IN THE CAR AND HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10496816

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE USING EITHER TURN SIGNAL, THE HEADLIGHTS TEMPORARILY FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OVER TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE COMPLETED FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: HEADLIGHTS: SWITCH) WAS NOT RELATED TO THEIR ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,696.

NHTSA ID

10490720

Incident

Aug 13, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

MY WIFE LOST CONTROL , 2 LANE PAVED ROAD 45 MPH (CAR DAMAGE FROM BUMPER TILL REAR END) COMING TO STOP IN A DITCH TO HER LEFT. NO OTHER VEHICLE/INVOLVED, REPORT WAS FILED WITH INSURANCE, CAR REPAIRED ( OVER $10,000 ) I ARRIVED AS POLICE OFFICER WAS INTERVIEWING MY WIFE @ OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE WAS STILL CRYING, NEVER HAD ANY ACCIDENTS BEFORE, OR SPEEDING TICKETS ( VERY PASSIVE DRIVER, OUR KIDS WHERE IN THE CAR 3 AND 4 YEARS OLD @ THE TIME) HER EXPLANATION: THE CAR WAS GOING OUT OF THE ROAD TO MY RIGHT ON ITS OWN, I TRIED TO CORRECTED BUT THE STEERING WAS NOT RESPONDING,I FELT THE CAR GOING INTO THE DITCH, I PULLED HARD , IT RESPONDED CROSSING THE LANE VIOLENTLY, TRIED TO CONTROL IT CAME BACK TO THE RIGHT HITTING THE STOP AHEAD SIGN, SWERVED AGAIN TO THE LEFT AND STOPPING @ THE DITCH.150 FEET FROM THE INTERSECTION,BETWEEN TELGE RD. WESTBOUND AND GRANT RD. CYPRESS TX 77429 PREVIOUS OWNERS OF HONDA CRV, WE LOVE THEIRS CARS WE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BAD LUCK, THINGS THAT HAPPEN, WE MOVED ON. SINCE THEN SHE/COMPLAINED/BRAKES WILL DISENGAGED AND ENGAGE AGAIN. THE CAR WILL STOP BUT A COUPLE OF FEET LONGER THAT INTENDED. 1ST. TIME I REPLACE BRAKE PADS, 2ND.TIME I TRIED TO REPLICATE THE EXPERIENCE BUT NO LUCK. 3RD. TIME NEW BRAKE FLUID AND COMPLETE BRAKE INSPECTION. 12/2012 SHE TOLD ME AGAIN. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO WORK MYSELF EVERY DAY. 12/29/2012 COMING BACK FROM WORK, STOP SING, HIT THE BRAKES, RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR STOPS THE PEDAL SUNK COMPLETELY , NOISES CAME FROM THE WHEELS AS IF THERE WAS AND ON/OFF SWITCH BEING USE FOR BRAKING. THE CAR STOPS ABOUT 10 FEET LONGER THEN INTENDED. BEING CONCERN ABOUT A SOLUTION I STARTED LOOKING FOR ANY INFO ABOUT THIS ONLINE, SO IT COULD FIX IT THIS IS MY KIDS/WIFE VEHICLE. I DISCOVER ALL THE SIMILAR CASES ONLINE ,I WONDER IF THE STEERING REALLY WHEN OUT OF CONTROL ON ITS OWN , LIKE SHE SWORE TO MY IN 2008. *TR

NHTSA ID

10490502

Incident

Dec 15, 2008

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO HEAT DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ID

10480748

Incident

Oct 12, 2012

Mileage

133,000 mi

VEHICLE LOW BEAMS STOPPED WORKING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED CHARRED WIRE AND MELTED CONNECTOR. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY HONDA FOR THE SAME MODEL ON AN EARLIER MODEL YEAR (NHTSA ID 12V136000). HONDA PART DESIGNATIONS AND FAILURE DESCRIPTION MATCH RECALL. I WOULD RECOMMEND HONDA EXPAND RECALL TO COVER ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471569

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

156,234 mi

WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER DARK, WE SUDDENLY LOST BOTH DIM HEADLIGHTS. HAVE TRIED REPLACING BULBS, FUSES, RELAYS, STEERING COLUMN SWITCH AND NOTHING AS WORKED. CHECKED RECALLS ONLINE AND THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN THE 2003 PILOT TO WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL. SAME PARTS I UNDERSTAND. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP AND FIGURE OUT THAT WE STILL HAD BRIGHT LIGHTS AND COULD CONTINUE HOME, BUT HAVING 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND DRIVING BLIND WAS A HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE LIST OF RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10467161

Incident

Jul 21, 2012

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED TO WORK AND HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM HOME, AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO DRIVE WITH THE BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ON THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE DESTINATION. I WAS JUST CHECKING ONLINE TO FIND OUT HOW I MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM AND SAW REPORTS OF MARCH 30, 2012 THAT HONDA WAS RECALLING 2003 PILOTS FOR THIS PROBLEM -- OBVIOUSLY HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THE 2005 PILOTS ALSO! I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10466900

Incident

Jul 13, 2012

Mileage

110,200 mi

MY LOW BEAM PASSENGER HEADLIGHT SOCKET MELTED RESULTING IN THE HEADLIGHT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. IT HAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED MY VISIBILITY AND INCREASED THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE SAME ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN THE 2003 HONDA PILOTS, SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SAME PARTS ARE ALSO USED IN 2004 AND 2005 HONDA PILOTS, THESE MODEL YEARS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2004 AND 2005 HONDA PILOT OWNERS. PLEASE REVISE THE RECALL PROVIDED ABOVE TO ALSO INCLUDE 2004 AND 2005 MODEL YEARS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10464288

Incident

Jul 1, 2012

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH MELTED INTO TWO PIECES AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE LOW BEAM SWITCH WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

NHTSA ID

10454700

Incident

Apr 6, 2011

Mileage

125,000 mi