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.
MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IS LOOSING OIL AT A RATE OF 3 QUARTS PER 7000 MILES WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF THE SMOKE OF BURNING OIL.
Yesterday, the oil pressure light was flashing on my 2003 Honda Pilot EX after driving it across town and back home. CHECKED THE OIL ON MY DIPSTICK AND IT WAS BONE DRY.
Called the Honda Dealer, who has serviced my car on a regular basis since new (like the 3 other Honda vehicles I've owned since 1986). I had it serviced with an oil change 6 months ago back in December 2013 (about 7100 miles had been driven since the last oil change they did). They told me to have oil put in it or TOW IT IN and not to drive it without oil (as if I was a bonehead to do that).
I put in one quart of premium 5W-20 oil, turned on the engine for 5 seconds to see that the oil pressure light was off, then turned it off to check the dipstick again. THE DIPSTICK WAS STILL BONE DRY. Added a 2nd quart of oil and did the same thing. Oil was seen about 1/4 inch above the end of the dipstick but still below the low mark hole on the stick. I looked under the car to see if I was loosing oil. Then I checked the dipstick 10 minutes later to see if more oil had settled in the pan. NOW it was 1/8 inch from the end of the stick, LOWER THAN BEFORE. Thinking I had a massive leak, I called Progessive Insurance to have my car towed into the Honda Dealer.
The Honda Dealer did an inspection and an oil and filter change and told me that they found no oil leaks of any significance. They also told me that it's OK for Honda engines to burn a quart of oil between oil changes.
Well I knew something was wrong with that statement since I, my father, and my two brothers have owned Hondas for years. My 1986 Acura Legend didn't burn oil until it reached 190,000 miles and only about a quart between oil changes. BUT THIS 2003 HONDA PILOT SEEMS TO BE LOSING OIL AT AN ESTIMATED RATE OF 3 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES!!!!!
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE (and I read now that others are having similar problems with the 3.5L V6 engine). There's got to be a fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IS LOOSING OIL AT A RATE OF 3 QUARTS PER 7000 MILES WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF THE SMOKE OF BURNING OIL.
Yesterday, the oil pressure light was flashing on my 2003 Honda Pilot EX after driving it across town and back home. CHECKED THE OIL ON MY DIPSTICK AND IT WAS BONE DRY.
Called the Honda Dealer, who has serviced my car on a regular basis since new (like the 3 other Honda vehicles I've owned since 1986). I had it serviced with an oil change 6 months ago back in December 2013 (about 7100 miles had been driven since the last oil change they did). They told me to have oil put in it or TOW IT IN and not to drive it without oil (as if I was a bonehead to do that).
I put in one quart of premium 5W-20 oil, turned on the engine for 5 seconds to see that the oil pressure light was off, then turned it off to check the dipstick again. THE DIPSTICK WAS STILL BONE DRY. Added a 2nd quart of oil and did the same thing. Oil was seen about 1/4 inch above the end of the dipstick but still below the low mark hole on the stick. I looked under the car to see if I was loosing oil. Then I checked the dipstick 10 minutes later to see if more oil had settled in the pan. NOW it was 1/8 inch from the end of the stick, LOWER THAN BEFORE. Thinking I had a massive leak, I called Progessive Insurance to have my car towed into the Honda Dealer.
The Honda Dealer did an inspection and an oil and filter change and told me that they found no oil leaks of any significance. They also told me that it's OK for Honda engines to burn a quart of oil between oil changes.
Well I knew something was wrong with that statement since I, my father, and my two brothers have owned Hondas for years. My 1986 Acura Legend didn't burn oil until it reached 190,000 miles and only about a quart between oil changes. BUT THIS 2003 HONDA PILOT SEEMS TO BE LOSING OIL AT AN ESTIMATED RATE OF 3 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES!!!!!
TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE (and I read now that others are having similar problems with the 3.5L V6 engine). There's got to be a fix.
- Giuseppe (Joe) D., Wichita, KS, US