Honda Pilot Complaints (2003)

720 consumer complaints on file.

#10628351August 26, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE HAD OUR MECHANIC (WHO WORKED WITH A LOCKSMITH) REBUILD THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAUSE OUR KEYS WERE FAILING TO TURN THE SWITCH, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. THIS REPAIR COST US ABOUT $400. WE ALSO HAD NEW KEYS CUT. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RESURFACED. THE KEYS ARE NOT WORN, BUT THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH UNLESS THEY GO IN "JUST RIGHT" -- WHICH MEANS 15+ MINUTES OF FIDDLING WITH THE KEY TO START THE CAR -- AND SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE LOCKSMITH WILL CHARGE US ANOTHER $400 TO REBUILD THE SWITCH AGAIN -- OR WE CAN PAY $535 (PLUS TAX) TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM REPLACE IT. [THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DOOR LOCKS, BY THE WAY, WHICH WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE OPENED WITH THE OLD KEY -- AND COST ANOTHER $400 TO REPLACE.] WE HAVE STARTED LEAVING A KEY IN THE IGNITION AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN USE THE CAR. ONCE WE GET IT IN THERE, WE JUST LEAVE IT THERE. WE DRAPE A SMALL TOWEL OVER THE STEERING COLUMN TO HIDE THE KEY, BUT THERE IT STAYS. IT'S A RIDICULOUS SITUATION, AND WE ARE NOT ALONE. I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ONLINE. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10620683August 7, 2014
SUSPENSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA PILOT. I AM AN OLDER, CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND HAVE BABIED THIS VEHICLE, DOING ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALER'S, SO IT WOULD RUN IN TOP SHAPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AROUND SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED AT LOWER SPEEDS (20-30 M.P.H.) THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. TO COUNTER THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. LAST WEEK THE D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. I ASKED IF THAT COULD BE MAKING THE CAR SHUDDER AND THEY SAID PROBABLY. I HAD THEM CHANGE IT AND THE SHUDDER HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS MORNING IT WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY SO I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY GAVE ME THE AMERICAN HONDA NUMBER. I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID THE DEALER SHOULD LOOK AT IT. I'VE SEEN SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA IS CHOOSING TO IGNORE; A LITTLE LIKE OTHER AUTO COMPANIES HAVE DONE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS UNTIL A FATALITY HAPPENS. AS I CARRY MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE AND I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10615640July 23, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED BACK INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610317July 14, 2014
POWER TRAIN, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610001July 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR KEY GOES IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT TURN. THIS IS A DANGER WHEN YOU CAN NOT START THE CAR AND GET OUT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I READ ON LINE MANY OTHER PILOTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HONDA HAS A BAD PART. HONDA WANTS $500 TO FIX A BAD PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605699June 24, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT WORK AT NIGHT. LOW-BEAMS PARTIALLY FAILED, BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE UNTIL I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO USE BRIGHTS, AND GO TO A GAS STATION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND CHECKED BY DEALER. DEALER SAID USING 3RD PARTY HEADLIGHT BULBS WAS THE CAUSE. OF INTEREST, THE CAR ALREADY HAD THE LOW-BEAM FAILURE RECALL FIXED. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AFTER THE RECALL, AND USING HONDA OEM BULBS IS THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO GO. 3RD PARTY BULBS WERE PURCHASED FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, AND I'M UNSURE OF THE BRAND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10605465June 23, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE STARTED TO HAVE TROUBLE INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. TODAY THE KEY WOULDN'T EVEN GO IN AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS WIGGLING IT. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES TRYING HAD TO LEAVE CAR BEHIND. NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR AND SEARCHING FOR RECALLS NOTICED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS NONE FOR THIS PROBLEM IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PILOT OWNERS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10596244June 4, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
CLEAR COAT BEGAN COMING OFF OF MANY HORIZONTAL SURFACES. HAS CONTINUED FOR YEARS. NOW THE ACTUAL PAINT IS COMING OFF AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594169May 27, 2014
SEATS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED POWER SEAT FRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586527May 5, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SLIPPED BETWEEN GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586558May 5, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO REPAIR A RECALL AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID HE WILL SERVICE ALL THE RECALLS TO THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL WAS SOMETHING IN REFERENCE TO THE IGNITION. TO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHOUT OFF, THE VEHICLE ALWAYS MAKE THE SOUND AS IF THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. I TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SERVICE MANGER SAID THE DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AROUND THE IGNITION.... NOW THE VEHICLE SHOUT OFF WHILE DRIVING HAVE VIDEO. TOOK IT BACK AND [XXX] SAID I NEED TO PAY ADDITIONAL.... IF ALL VEHICLE RECALLS WHERE RECALL BY THE DEALER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583785April 21, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER COMPLETED THE REPAIRS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL, BUT CHARGED HIM FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND INSTALLATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583435April 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT'S IGNITION SWITCH NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE PARK POSITION. RECEIVED RECALL PAPER WORK ORDERING THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED AT LOCAL HONDA DEALER FREE OF CHARGE. RECALL PAPER WORK WAS SIGNED BY [XXX] CHIEF RECALL MANAGEMENT DIVISION. LOCAL HONDA DEALER, WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER PERFORMED THE RECALL SERVICE ON APRIL 4, 2014. THE RECALL JOB FOR A HONDA PILOT WAS BOTCHED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC REFUSED TO FIX. REQUESTED MANAGEMENT TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. AS OF TODAY APRIL 18, 2014 AN ANSWER TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX THIS ISSUE FROM THE MANAGEMENT OF WILLISTON HONDA AND CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583543April 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10577652April 8, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEMS AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE VISITED THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT, BY STATING THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN GERMANY THROUGH THE MILITARY. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574428March 24, 2014
SEATS
SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT NOW IS NOT FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL ROCK BACK TO THE RIGHT WHEN SEATED. IT'S NOT SAFE IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT SOME IMPORTANT PARTS THAT COULD COMPROMISE DRIVER SAFETY SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER A FEW YEARS OF REGULAR USE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573617March 19, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULDN'T ACCEPT THE KEY. RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS/27572-2003-PILOT-IGNITION-SWITCH-PROBLEM-SOLUTION.HTML, I FOUND MANY OTHER REFERENCES TO THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. ONLY 160,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND IN EXCELLENT MECHANICAL CONDITION SO VERY UNEXPECTED AND SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES WITH OVER 250,000 MILES AND NEVER HAD THIS CONCERN. NEW IGNITION PARTS INSTALLED OVER $500 AND TOLD ME TO SAVE MY PAPERWORK AS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I'M FORTUNATE IT WAS DAYLIGHT, I WAS AT WORK, AND HAD AAA IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FORCE HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559403January 10, 2014
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THERE IS A RECALL: HTTP://WWW.HONDA.COM/NEWSANDVIEWS/ARTICLE.ASPX?ID=7018-EN IN ADDITION THE KEY AND LOCK MECHANISM CAN BE WARN OUT WHERE THE KEY CAN FALL OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE ON A FREEWAY OR STREET. THE CAR DIES AND YOU CAN'T PUT THE KEY BACK IN AND MOVE THE CAR. HAPPENED TO ME HAD TO TOW THE CAR HAVE THE RECALL DONE AND HAD TO PAY FOR THE IGNITION WITH REPLACEMENT. THE WEB SHOWS 100 OR 1000 OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10559047January 8, 2014
SEATS
STEEL BRACKET OR WELD TO STEEL BRACKET HOLDING LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT TO FLOOR BROKE RENDERING SEAT UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. HONDA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE YEAR HONDA PILOTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. DEALER COULD DO NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CALL AMERICAN HONDA WHICH I DID AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. THE REP SAID I COULD WRITE AND HAVE MY CASE REVIEWED. I WROTE ON 1/2 AND JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY, 1/8 FROM THE PA AREA CASE REP WHO TOLD ME, AND I QUOTE, "COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT SOMETHING ALMOST 11 YEARS OLD WILL BREAK". I DO NOT BELIEVE A STEEL PART OR WELD HOLDING THE PART TOGETHER SHOULD BREAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE PA AREA CASE REP THAT THE PHONE CALL WAS MY RESPONSE AND I WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING A REPLY IN WRITING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10557450December 27, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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