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.

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,353 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 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Honda Pilot:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #1

Jun 072007

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,353 miles

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

I just got off the expressway and was making a slow turn into a parking lot when the inner tie rod broke. I did not run over anything or hit anything, and the dealer found no evidence of such. The tie rod broke while going less than 5 mph, and I lost control of the left front wheel. I had to have the car towed, rent a car, and did not pick up the car until the Monday night after the incident. I live 3 hours away from where this occurred, and had to leave the truck. The dealer was very surprised and had never seen this before. It was such an unusual incident that no dealers had the part and it had to be special ordered. Honda agreed to pay for the part only after I called to complain but I still had to pay $467 in labor as well as for the rental and tow. I called Honda directly to see if they wanted the parts to inspect ( I have it in my possession) and investigate but they want me to pay for shipping it back to them or deliver it to a local dealer. The main reason I called their headquarters in the first place was to make them aware of a possible safety issue. I do not feel I should make the effort or expense to send it back to them for them to see if there is a defect, which in my opinion there is. My truck had 48353 miles at the time. The repairing dealer gave me the part after I asked for it. If this would have happened a few minutes earlier I would have been driving 55 mph and probably would have lost control of the vehicle.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

Not what you are looking for?