Honda Pilot Complaints (2005)

679 consumer complaints on file.

#11744233June 15, 2026
STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708565January 3, 2026
STEERING
Power steering high pressure line leaking on exhaust and almost caused fire Dangerous. Lines need to be recall or replace
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695419October 24, 2025
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11691189October 3, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628163December 1, 2024
SUSPENSION
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618909October 9, 2024
SEATS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577511March 15, 2024
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Airbag is deactivated due to failure of both crash sensors on the vehicle. Replacement parts are on national backorder.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574041February 26, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557678November 30, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527807June 19, 2023
SUSPENSION
The rear subframe attaches to the unibody has rotted and almost fell off the car
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527465June 16, 2023
SEATS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522276May 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Ignition switch locked will not turn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519514April 28, 2023
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518827April 25, 2023
SUSPENSION
My Honda pilot has rust on one of the subframe mounts causing it to come loose from body. Honda issued a technical service bulletin about it for an investigation from nhtsa. But, the dealer is acting like there is no such thing with the known issue and repair kit they made to fix the issue. I will attach the service bulletin below to about the issue of what Honda put out supposedly to fix the problem. They keep saying this bulletin does not exist for my vehicle but the bulletin states all years not VIN specific.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11510523March 7, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11495975December 4, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I parked my car in front of my house at 10pm the following morning my neighbor came to tell me my car was on fire. It had been raining the previous night. My driver window was not completely closed so rain got in my car. There was black smoke coming out of the window. When I opened my door, the driver seat & driver door was on fire. I grabbed the hose & put out the fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469249June 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11460957April 15, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On dry asphalt the vehicle stability control (VSC) periodically activates forcing the car either off the road or into the opposing lane. This has occurred 3 times in the past year, always on dry asphalt going in a straight line. Thankfully I live in a rural area, were there other cars on the road one instant could have caused a head-on collision. The VSC light comes on when this happens but no permanent CEL lights and the VSC light turns off after a restart. The recall work was done with the capacitor added to the circuit to smooth the signal and the ground connection under the driver side kick panel was cleaned according to the TSB, however, based on my experience and what has been reported by numerous other Honda Pilot owners this cheaper fix to replacing or repairing the yaw sensing circuit is concerning, particularly since Honda charges nearly $1000 for an OEM yaw sensor.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11443778December 14, 2021
WHEELS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11436668October 13, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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