CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware the 2003 Honda Pilot once the odometer reaches 100k miles, when two problem defect trends have shown up: transmission failure & ignition switch problems.

Typically a locksmith can fix the ignition switch or it can be replaced for around $700. However the transmission failure is a far more expensive problem, with the average repair cost at well over $3,000. A major transmission recall of over 1 million Honda vehicles back in 2004 dealt with transmission damage due to overheating, but 2003 Pilot transmissions have continued to fail.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
128,914 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Honda Pilot engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #4

Apr 152013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 57,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2003 Honda Pilot with 57,000 miles on it. After taking it to a Honda specialist for scheduled service, the technician reported that the front engine mount & side engine mount are both broken, with a repair estimate of $503.30. The vehicle has not been in a collision, has had all its scheduled services and in no way should the engine mounts be broken. This is a major issue and Honda should be looking into repair as it seems to not have been properly installed to be broken with such few miles.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #3

Aug 172012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 65 miles
I recently bought a used 2003 Honda Pilot from [xxx] of colerain in Ohio. The car has 137,000 approximate miles on it. They wanted me to pay over 15,000 for the car and finally after debating for hours over 4. they sold me the car out the door with no warranty offered for 10,500. I was very happy and I have 2 children and one on the way. I bought the car on August 5, 2012 less than two week go by and I am driving home going 65mph on 71 and the car jerks down gears to 30 miles an hour in a split second. My neck and my back are both hurting and I do not want to sue nor try to get rich off of this. My complaint is, I took the car to[xxx] of colerain the next morning they said the transmission was bad and they could do nothing for me. So basically they said I will have to pay for a $7,000 dollar repair. I left the car there and came home did all kinds of research found that car is up for recall on the transmission and thousands of people have the same issue. They even have a facebook page dedicated to fixing this problem! how can Honda keep these vehicle's on the road" if my 17 month old would have been in the car with me she would have maybe broke her neck. Go drive 65mph and throw the car in reverse that is what happened to me! and they said I bought a certified used Honda? so what do I do ? who do I call? and why can they sell me a car in such a state" with over 4 recalls on parts and one being potentially fatal. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cincinnati , OH, USA

problem #2

Sep 012010

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The Pilot shudders going at slower rates of speed at pretty regular instances. My mechanic informed me that the torque converter, possibly the whole transmission needs to be replaced. I was also informed that this is a very common problem with 2003 Honda Pilot.

- Geneva, IL, USA

problem #1

May 152012

Pilot

  • 168,920 miles
Took Pilot in for headlight recall wiring replacement. Mine had connector completely melted. Replaced. Was told on pickup that all three engine mounts were broke! that explains the clunk with acceleration. I drive this Pilot like an old lady going to church. How all three are broke at the same time the odds are too high for that! bad design"? poor materials??"called Honda mum is the word, no recall on engine mounts, go figure for sure.

- Douglass, KS, USA

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