2005 Honda Pilot Problems

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the air bag deployment, the air was deflated, causing the driver's head to contact the steering wheel. Also, the contact indicated that metal fragments were present during the air bag deployment. The contact sustained a lacerated left wrist and lacerations to the chest area. The driver also sustained contusions and bruised to the head, ankles, and legs, along with neck and back stiffness, which will all require medical treatment. No other injuries were known regarding the second vehicle occupants. A Police Report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle slowed down unexpectedly, and the brake pedal was hard and slow to respond when depressed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling to the left, and it was difficult to correct the steering wheel. The vehicle was difficult to control. The VSA light was illuminated. There was a triangle with an exclamation mark symbol displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the VSA module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,273.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a cranking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that several unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the shocks, control arms, drive train and other unknown components needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure); however, neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

MY CHILDREN BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR ME BECAUSE I LOST MY JOB DUE TO COVID AFTEREFFECTS AND I HAD TO RETURN MY KIA SOUL 2014 TO THE CREDITORS.I WAS DELIVERING FOOD BOXES TO THE ELDERLY WHEN THE AT TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LOCKUP I HAD TO PULLOVER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT.IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING SO I COULDN'T GET HOME.I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN TO ME.GOGGLEING THIS HONDA BRAND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL BUT NO HONDA RECALL THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! AND SHOULD BE EITHER RECALLED OR TAKEN OFF THE MARKET AS NTO TO NEVER BE EVER RESOLD

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the air bag deployment, the air was deflated, causing the driver's head to contact the steering wheel. Also, the contact indicated that metal fragments were present during the air bag deployment. The contact sustained a lacerated left wrist and lacerations to the chest area. The driver also sustained contusions and bruised to the head, ankles, and legs, along with neck and back stiffness, which will all require medical treatment. No other injuries were known regarding the second vehicle occupants. A Police Report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle slowed down unexpectedly, and the brake pedal was hard and slow to respond when depressed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling to the left, and it was difficult to correct the steering wheel. The vehicle was difficult to control. The VSA light was illuminated. There was a triangle with an exclamation mark symbol displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the VSA module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,273.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the air bag deployment, the air was deflated, causing the driver's head to contact the steering wheel. Also, the contact indicated that metal fragments were present during the air bag deployment. The contact sustained a lacerated left wrist and lacerations to the chest area. The driver also sustained contusions and bruised to the head, ankles, and legs, along with neck and back stiffness, which will all require medical treatment. No other injuries were known regarding the second vehicle occupants. A Police Report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Airbag is deactivated due to failure of both crash sensors on the vehicle. Replacement parts are on national backorder.

The Honda Pilots Engine Mounts are constantly having to be replaced prematurely than any other vehicle I have ever owned. This is an extremely dangerous part failure and an expensive cost to have. This dealership explained this is a known issue with these Hondas, yet no help or solutions from the manufacturer. There has to be some form of help or accountability for this type of negligence.

MY CHILDREN BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR ME BECAUSE I LOST MY JOB DUE TO COVID AFTEREFFECTS AND I HAD TO RETURN MY KIA SOUL 2014 TO THE CREDITORS.I WAS DELIVERING FOOD BOXES TO THE ELDERLY WHEN THE AT TEMP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LOCKUP I HAD TO PULLOVER BECAUSE THE CAR WAS RUNNING HOT.IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING SO I COULDN'T GET HOME.I HAVE NEVER HAD THAT HAPPEN TO ME.GOGGLEING THIS HONDA BRAND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL BUT NO HONDA RECALL THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! AND SHOULD BE EITHER RECALLED OR TAKEN OFF THE MARKET AS NTO TO NEVER BE EVER RESOLD

Airbag is deactivated due to failure of both crash sensors on the vehicle. Replacement parts are on national backorder.

Ignition switch locked will not turn.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137000.

MY HUSBAND AND I NOTICE A SHUDDER WHEN YOU REACH A SPEED OF 35-40 MPH. WE IN TURN TOOK IT INTO HONDA TO HAVE IT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES AND TO TEST DRIVE, I EVEN DROVE THE HONDA WHILE THE SERVICE MAN WAS IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT SHUDDER. IT IS STILL HAVING THE SHUDDER PROBLEMS, I AM TAKING IT IN FOR THE 4TH TIME FOR SERVICE AND OIL CHANGE AND MAYBE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG AND WHY IT SHUDDERS. FROM RESEARCH WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY HONDA PILOT OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE 98 TOTAL DISCUSSIONS ON THIS WEBSITE ( HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/HONDA/PILOT/2005/CONSUMER-DISCUSSIONS.HTML) DISCUSSING THE SAME PROBLEMS WE ARE HAVING, I TRULY HOPE THAT HONDA IS GOING TO STAND GOOD ON TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR WE WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

The rear trailing arm, normally attached to the rear suspension is clearly corroded and came detached when driving under 25 mph up a road. The SAME issue Honda had to do a recall on their 2005 CRV model. Researched Honda Pilots, in our (Midwest) area, EVERY SINGLE 2005 Pilot had the corrosion. Also cause the muffler pipe to detach from the catalytic converter (included in the photos attached).

The rear suspension got detached from a collapsed/rusted Frame. Item # 11 Sub-Frame, Rear Suspension Part # 50300-S9V-A01 The suspension is rubbing against the rear tires since the Bolt Flange (14x125 item# 14 part # 90160-S0X-A00) can’t be supported by the rusted/ collapsed Frame affecting the rest of suspension parts item # 12 washer E subframe part# 50354-S3V-A00 and item#13 part# 50456-S3V-A00 Washer F subframe Mounting.

A stuck ignition lock cylinder on a 2005 Honda Pilot. Hello I purchased this car from the second owner and they had the ignition lock replaced less than 2 years ago. This device has now failed again. Its a poor design by honda and was never fixed or recalled. This has lead countless people to be stranded. With repairs upwords of $500.

Power steering high pressure line leaking on exhaust and almost caused fire Dangerous. Lines need to be recall or replace

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.

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.

I was leaning back looking backwards while reversing and the front left seat bracket on the driver’s seat cracked and separated resulting in my seat turning into a rocking chair and my feet coming off of the pedals. It could have ended in an accident.

The drivers side seat bracket has a broken weld causing the seat to wobble & rock while driving the vehicle. From the Pilot Driver’s online forum it’s been known as a common complaint that Honda is not willing to confess to or interested in resolving as a safety design flaw as it seems to be related to multiple yrs 2004 & up of the Pilot vehicle & happens over time.

My vsa light came on when I was on the freeway and made my vehicle jerk almost pushing me into the next lane. It has been coming on and turns off when I restart the car and other cars of my same modal and year have recalls for this same issue but my vin yields no results for a recall.

JUST BOUGHT A 2005 HONDA PILOT. I WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR A REAR SUPPORT SYSTEM RUSTING OUT AND FALLING DOWN. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. I NEED IT REPAIRED. ALREADY ONE STRUT IS LOOSE!!

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.

WIFE WHILE TURNING ON INSIDE OF LOT BUMPED POLE AT KROGER PARKING LOT. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED EXPLODING SHRAPNEL HIT MY WIFE CUTTING INTO HER ARMS. HONDA WAS SAID THEY REPLACE ALL AIR BAGS AND ACCESSORIES. THEY SENT ONE PART. DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T EVERYTHING IT NEEDED. *BF *TR

Travelling on interstate w/ cruise speed set @ 70 mph. VSA (vehicle stability assist) engaged with a brief grinding noise & pulled to the right. Very startling event. VSA activation indicator triangle light came on, as well as, the VSA system indicator light. Have experienced the event a dozen or so times on both the interstate and roads with a speed limit of 35/40 mph, without use of the cruise control. We are original owners of the vehicle and it has been diligently worked on throughout & currently has 230,000 miles on it. Awaiting delivery of a new vehicle, but intend for my newly licensed son to drive the vehicle. Took it to my repair shop, but they couldn't replicate the issue. Replaced both front speed sensors, but the issue occurred on the interstate drive home immediately after. Hope to be able to drop the vehicle off for an extended period once I take delivery on my new vehicle. Worried the issue will occur in rain or snow & be even more dangerous. Repair shop ran diagnostic showing the yaw issue, but said the Honda generated code report only went up to 25 mph. Has always pulled to the right during activation and the grinding noise is very evident & startling. Kinda feels like maybe the ABS anti-braking system engages on 1 tire for a brief few seconds in my non auto mechanic analysis.

WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 40 MPH MY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP. WE CHANGED THE BRAKE CALIPER THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. LOOKING ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 HONDA PILOT. I SEARCHED AND CALLED HONDA AND MY LOCAL DEALER. THEY SAID THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS.

PROBLEMS WITH VSA AND VTM 4 LOCK. VEHICLE SLOW DOWM WHILE DRIVE AROUND 30 MPH.

I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN INVOLUNTARY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, WHILE I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PERPENDICULAR PARKING SPACE IN AT A MEDICAL CENTER PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENED ON A NEARLY EMPTY TANK OF GAS AT ABOUT 3:15 PM ON SATURDAY 4/16/16. IT WAS A HOT DAY. THE PARKING SPACE WAS AT A SLIGHT INCLINE. I WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY NEARLY STOPPED, YET ONCE I WAS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY INTO THE SPACE, WHILE STILL GENTLY BREAKING, MY CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD WITH TREMENDOUS FORCE IF I HAD COMPLETELY FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL. I REACTED FAST PUSHED THE BREAKS HARD WITH ALL MY STRENGTH. WHICH ENGAGED THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SO I HEARD A "THUD-THUD THUD" A LOUD REPEATED CLUNKING-LOCKING SOUND. MY PILOT DID STOP BEFORE HITTING A TREE AND THE VEHICLE IN THE FACING PARKING SPACE. I DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE REV TO THE DEGREE OF THE SUDDEN FORWARD MOTION. NOR DID I HEAR REVVING RESOLVE ONCE IT STOPPED. IT WAS A VERY ODD AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE THAT BAFFLED MY MIND. I TRIED TO SORT OUT THE CAUSE FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF MAYBE I HAD WITHOUT KNOWING IT PUT MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS. BUT I DON'T THINK SO. I HAD SANDALS ON, AND IN TRYING TO REPRODUCE THE SITUATION, OR THE POSITION MY FOOT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN IN TO DO THAT, WAS AWKWARD AND I WOULD HAVE FELT THE PRESSURE ON MY FOOT OF PUTTING ON THE GAS. AND I WAS ONLY SLOWLY PRESSING THE BREAK NOT JAMMING ON THE BREAK ' UNTIL I BRAKED TO STOP THE SPEED OF IT LURCHING FORWARD. THE DEGREE OF ACCELERATION WAS AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUT TO THE FLOOR WHICH WAS NOT WHAT MY BREAKING FOOT WAS DOING. THE CAR DID COME TO A STOP JUST IN TIME TO NOT HIT WHAT WAS AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. I DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE NOISE REV AT ALL. MY BEST GUESS AT THE TIME WAS SOMETHING WENT TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THE MECHANICS OR ELECTRICAL SIGNALS OF THE FUEL INJECTION TO MOVE SO SUDDENLY FORWARD. NOW I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO TREAD WEAR. THE TIRES ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/T 684 II. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,281. UPDATED 08/07/07. *JB

ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007, I WAS DRIVING ON I-75 AT 6:20AM AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF MY 2005 HONDA PILOT EX-L BLEW. THE SIDE WALL HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. THE TIRE HAD 43,303 MILES ON IT WITH A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 4 DEGREES AT THE TIME AND I DID NOT RUN OVER AN OBJECT. THE TIRE DEALER THAT I WENT TO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT ON THE OTHER 3 TIRES. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAME THING POTENTIALLY HAPPENING TO THE REMAINING TIRES. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR INTEGRITY (SIZE: P235/70R16). HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS TIRE? IF SO PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. *NM

WE HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR WINDOW MECHANISMS ON THE HONDA PILOT. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURER FLAW THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AND REIMBURSED BY HONDA. AT A COST OF OVER $500 FOR EACH WINDOW, A TOTAL OF $2,000 FOR WINDOWS, THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

SOME OF THE A/C ILLUMINATED LIGHTS WENT OUT AND BACK ON AGAIN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS FOR ONLY SOME OF THE A/C CONTROLS ARE OFF AND APPEAR NOT TO COME BACK ON. FAN SPEED, OFF, RECIRCULATE, REAR DEFROST, AND THE MODE BUTTONS ARE THE ONES CURRENTLY NO LONGER ON. *TR

MY HONDA PILOT AC STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN 5 YEARS. THIS YEAR THIS HAPPENED WHEN AN INFANT IS ON MY CAR DURING A LONG TRIP. WE HAVE TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE THE BABY CAN NOT STAY IN THE HOT CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA PILOT. THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT IT BURNED A WHOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEATING QUILT FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.