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.
1.6
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
101,962 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.
Had to replace front and side motor mounts on my 2003 Honda Pilot. This was after only 67,118 miles. Mechanic said this is a common problem with the original motor mounts. This could be very dangerous.
My vehicle vibrates at highway speeds between 70-80 mph. I have taken the car into the dealer no less than 5 times for the problem and just recently was told that Honda is aware of the problem and that the vibration is a characteristic of the vehicle. Up to this point the dealer has re-balanced the tires over and over and redone the alignment. I even purchased brand new tires and still there is the vibration. The dealer road force balanced the tires and still the vibration problem. There are many people complaining about this problem on the hondapilot.org website and there appears to be no resolution.
Since owning the vehicle in 8/2002, there has been a slight vibration at speeds around 70 mph. Since chsnging the tires recently, the problem is more pronounced, but only when cold. The vibration borders on a shake, and you can feel it in the steering wheel as well as the floorboards.
The problem has been traced to the upper shock mounts. Their design causes a rattle on small to moderate road irregularities. I was forced to make a personal modification to the mount as Honda would not acknowledge the problem. Others (national web site) have experienced the same symptoms, but Honda says this is charastic of vehicle. I have been a major supporter of Honda in purchases and their customer service is incredibily insensitive. My next purchase may be a VW or Volvo. Since I modified the bracket, the sound is not the issue. The value Honda has placed on my business is. I can document all efforts to resolve the issue, however Honda does not want to admit there is a problem. Surely I can not be the only one to have this issue with Honda as I have remained professional at all times. I will not let the issue die. There should be reasonable expectations that support should go along with product loyalty. Bill price
My Honda Pilot becomes unstable at speeds above 60 mph, it responds as though there is play in the steering and any small road imperfections cause the vehicle to veer left or right, I took it to cush Honda where I purchased the vehicle and they said three of four tires had 52 pounds of air in the tires, which had to have been there on delivery since I have less than 700 miles on the vehicle and it has never been serviced or had air put in the tires, the problem still exists and is unsafe at highway speeds in traffic, the service manager claims all Pilot do it and it is a design problem? please advise.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jamestown, NC, USA