CarComplaints.com Notes: We all want our SUVs to be able to stop on a dime, just not randomly and without warning. But that's what was happening to 2005 Pilot owners: their vehicles were slamming on the brakes even when they didn't. A government investigation of this problem led to a recall in March of 2013.

Another issue that keeps popping up is transmission fluid mixing with coolant in the radiator which is causing transmission failure, a costly repair to say the least.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
26 / 0
Average Mileage:
115,384 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.

2005 Honda Pilot seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Honda Pilot:

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

2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

May 132016

Pilot

  • 156,000 miles

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

Takata recall... please note my car was up to date on all service recalls for my 2005 Honda Pilot. On May 13, 2016 I was involved in an accident where both vehicles were completely totalled. I was hit on the drivers side door (at a angle approx where the firewall is located) all the airbags failed to deploy which everyone assisting with the accident from the firemen, policemen, emts, and hospital employees commented on in surprise. The other car hit mine so hard that my car ended up facing oncoming traffic and the impact caused the other vehicle to fishtail and resulted in his right rear quarter panel making contact with my left quarter panel as well. My vehicle's floor buckled and the drivers side door was so damaged that the firemen had to pry it open to extract me. This happened while both cars were in motion on a main street. I was struck by the other vehicle after taking a left hand turn after stopping at a stop sign exiting from a highway.

- Bozrah, CT, USA

problem #73

Mar 012016

Pilot

  • 174,000 miles
First issue. Honda is failing to make proper notifications concerning recalls and extended warrantees. A warrantee extension notice for my 2009 Honda Accord was forwarded to me by the person across town who received my notice. Last year the same person forwarded to me a takata airbag recall notice he received for my 2005 Honda Pilot. I purchased my 2005 Honda Pilot direct from Honda and my Accord from a private owner. Both vehicles are in the Honda service data base with my correct name, address, and VIN. I have no connection to that address, and the resident there does not have my name or any Honda vehicles. I have spoken to Honda service and the Honda recall center about this. Yet, in March the same issue occurred with my 2009 Honda Accord. Additionally, I have not received a notice on my 2010 Honda Accord (purchased from a Honda dealer), which, according to the notice, is part of the class of vehicles subject to the same extended warrantee. Honda's national service center could not explain to me how the mistake occurred and could not assure me that their records would be corrected for purposes of safety notifications since Honda has had my information correct in their service center database. Second issue: My notice of an extended warrantee on 2008-2010 Accord is for a corrosion issue with an internal component in the SRS electronic control unit that could potentially result in SRS failure. The notice stated that if the dashboard SRS light alerts you to an issue, you need to bring the vehicle in for inspection asap. The SRS light in my 2005 Honda Pilot illuminates intermittently. Honda said it is not covered, but they would diagnose it for $120/hr + repairs. For purposes of vehicle safety, can your office determine if the older Honda Pilot have the same SRS ECU issue as the 2008-2010 Honda Accord, and thus should be subject to a recall?

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

problem #72

Mar 112016

Pilot

  • 170,000 miles
This vehicle which never has had a problem was taken in for the air bag recall to the Honda dealer. The vehicle had ~170K miles. Within weeks of the event the air bag sensor warning light came on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for investigation and repair. The dealer advises that both front bumper air bag sensors simultaneously went bad and needed to be replaced. They said this was not in anyway associated with the recall work. I don't buy it and see that many others have experienced the same identical challenge shortly after recall work was performed. I am certain a authorized replacement part incompatibility exists or a prescribed replacement procedure technique is flawed. This is similar to 10cfr part 21 safety related issue in us commercial nuclear power regulations that I work in and must be acted upon by the ntsb. The airbag safety system was returned non-functional because of my refusal to pay the dealer nearly $500 for repairs I know the process is absolutely accountable for inducing. The replacement is not a like-for-like compatible unit or the dealers are not installing the replacements correctly putting the vehicle occupants at sudden safety risk while the vehicle is in motion at 70 mph. Honda dealer-basney Honda mishawaka, Indiana 574-256-3800

- Edwrdsburg, MI, USA

problem #71

Jan 022016

Pilot

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, there was a collision ahead causing the brake pedal to be depressed abruptly. The contact crashed into the vehicle in front which crashed into the other vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a mild conclusion and whip lash injuries that needed medical attention. The contact stated that the driver in the other vehicle sustained a knee injury that needed medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

problem #70

Nov 242015

Pilot

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for an unknown manufacturer recall, the front driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crash sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- North Mankato, MN, USA

problem #69

Oct 162012

Pilot

  • 120,000 miles
Airbag light came on intermittently. After I took it in for the recall, the dealer said the sensor was bad and needed to be replaced for $200. I had that done and the second day following, it was on again. It intermittently lit for about 3 months. Now it is almost always on. I see similar issues listed. God forbid they don't work when I need them. Not thrilled with the Pilot. Transmission light also intermittently lights (blinking D). I had this fixed years ago after the dealer said new trans for $3,000. I didn't bite on that one because the shifting was seemless. Seems that mechanics maybe rely on computer too much. Had switch changed out and it stopped for about 2 years. Now it's on intermittently again. Tire pressure is another problem. Electronics stink!

- Haverford, PA, USA

problem #68

Jul 312015

Pilot

  • 177,000 miles

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

My airbag light is on. I took my Pilot in for the recall and assumed that would fix the problem. After I picked up my vehicle I noticed that the airbag light is still on. The mechanics failed to notify me of the problem and said this is not related to the recall. This makes no sense to me since my vehicle has never been in an accident.

- Hawthorn Woods, IL, USA

problem #67

May 272015

Pilot

  • 79,371 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under an air bag manufacturer's recall; however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the recall remedy. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag warning light illuminated due to the vehicle being involved in a crash previously. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,371. Updated 01/20/16

- Wellesley, MA, USA

problem #66

Aug 182015

Pilot

  • 170,000 miles
I did not have an incident. I am just reporting that I had to have the driver's side airbag sensor replaced in my Honda Pilot at a mileage of 204,000. After reading through online forums, several other Honda Pilot owners reported air bags not deploying during accidents and problems with airbag sensors. When I had the problem fixed at my local Honda dealer, I asked if this problem would be reported to Honda. The manager told me no it wouldn't. I asked how they kept track of problems then if they didn't monitor common repairs and problems with their vehicles. He said he doesn't know and didn't know who I should contact. This repair was $220 in August of 2015. The airbag sensor light indicator was lit on my dashboard for well over a year, maybe two years until we had the problem fixed. I think Honda should include this potentially serious problem in a recall!

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #65

Aug 142015

Pilot

  • 141,087 miles
I was in the dealership for an airbag recall. They took care of the recal and charged me $114 to diagnose the air bag light. Turns out its the front airbag sensor. This seems to be a common problem looking on online posts. Im pretty upset with the fact I had to pay $114 to find this out. The dealership fixes the recall then says its gonna cost me $380 to do the airbag sensor! im strongly thinking of pursuing legal action against Honda for their failure to make my vehicle safe to drive. Letting me leave with a disabled airbag system and not even caring because they got paid!.

- Taunton, MA, USA

problem #64

Jul 222015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags); however, the parts needed were not available to perform the repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. MA 10/23/15

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #63

Feb 262015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 104,537 miles
Above vehicle was taken to dealership, yonkers ave Honda,500 yonkers avenue, yonkers NY 10704 to have safety recall performed and other routine maintenance on 2/26/15. Dealership was unable to do takata airbag recall because it did not have the part and they would notify me when part was available. A day later my red airbag light comes on in my vehicle and stays on. I am the original owner of this vehicle and this airbag bag light has never stayed on. I believe that the dealership checked the airbag during maintenance to verify what model it was, this was communicated to me by a yonkers Honda employee. After numerous phone calls between myself and their service manager it was agreed that I leave my vehicle with yonkers Honda until they could perform the recall. Vehicle was left with them on 3/7/15 and Honda provided loaner vehicle. It was not until 4/16/15 that yonkers Honda completed recall and I could pick up vehicle. Five days later red airbag light comes on again and stays on. I return to yonkers Honda where they do a diagnostic check ant they tell me it could be a airbag sensor that is not working and they would fix it at cost to me. I refuse to pay for a problem that I believe started the day I left their dealership on 2/26/2015. The dealership brought the vehicle out and now the red airbag light is not on. They have no explanation for this. On 6/3/15 the red airbag light goes on and stays on. I have called Honda and they say that they did the recall and they are not responsible for any other problems. They refuse to correct the problem at their cost. I would ask for your assistance to resolve this matter, I do not feel safe driving this vehicle but I only have one car and feel that I am been given the run around by both the dealership and Honda the company....updated 07/30/15

- Bronxville, NY, USA

problem #62

May 132014

Pilot

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bags); however, the part was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Miami , FL, USA

problem #61

Feb 162015

Pilot 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
I was advised by my Honda dealership (russel & smith Honda) on 2/16/15 that there was a recall in my car's airbags - however the required part was not available to correct the problem. Two months later I a yet to hear from the dealer to schedule my recall fix appointment. In the interim I keep getting letters from Honda that there is a recall but it appears that there is no remedy as the parts are not available. I think Honda should ensure that appropriate parts for the air bag recall should be made available to their local dealers and advice the dealers to fix the problem in a reasonable time frame. I have waited 2 months with no word from russel & smith Honda dealer in houston and I am worried that my vehicle may not be safe for driving.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #60

Apr 302015

Pilot

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact did not receive a recall notice, but the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bags). The part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #59

Nov 292014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving at 2 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000. MA 08/11/15

- Martinsville, IN, USA

problem #58

Apr 032015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
I was parking, when the car jolted forward, I hit the brake, but the car accelerated going onto the pavement of the shopping centre, breaking two sides of a brick pillar. Both sides of the front of the car doors were destroyed and the main front, the car was a total loss. The airbags, never came out.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #57

Feb 052015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
It was a three car accident. My car was in the middle waiting behind another car for a pedestrian crossing the road. Honda Odyssey coming from behind in the other lane, changed the lane and rear-ended my car at ~15 mph. My car hit the front car. Airbags deployed in the car that rear-ended me with substantial engine damage. Driver in my car along with passenger in front passenger seat got a vertical lift with seatbelt constraints holding them in place. My car's airbags did not deploy, which is my primary concern at this point. I have received a safety recall notice from Honda Pilot about drivers front airbag inflator replacement. Is there an issue with the airbags deployment too in the current generation of Honda Pilot? I have this incident noted down with american Honda motor company and they have told me that there is no issue. I want to log in this complaint here, to make sure that we are not ignoring or missing on another recall at the cost of getting humans injured. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #56

Nov 182014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
My car is part of an airbag recall by Honda. I have been trying to get my airbag replaced since November of last year. The miami Honda dealerships I have approached are South motors and brahman Honda. They have been totally uncooperative and have setup systems to give customers the run around. I understand that place with hot, humid climate like Florida, are at higher risk for airbag malfunction. It is outrageous that these dealerships are playing games with my safety and the safety of my family. I do not understand what it is that they are waiting for to take care of this issue. I would like to know what it is that your Agency will do to enforce this mandate. I will be willing to file a complaint with the court or testify if needed. I look forward to hearing from you on this issue.

- South Miami, FL, USA

problem #55

Feb 112015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
Notified of recall for driver side airbag. Have contacted local Honda dealer and Honda America customer service. Matter has not been resolved. What is my next step?

- Monmouth, OR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?