Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||||
| 10162004 | 10/16/2004 | 10014494 | Second row seatback loose. *eh | 05/03/2005 | |
| 704 | 07/16/2004 | 10014115 | Seat noise, second row seatback loose. *sc | 04/28/2005 | |
| 804 | 08/16/2004 | 10014074 | Seat noise. *sc | 04/27/2005 | |
| 804 | 08/16/2004 | 10014076 | Second row seatback loose. *sc | 04/27/2005 | |
| 09162004 | 09/16/2004 | 10013870 | Second row seatback loose. *eh | 04/26/2005 | |
| 06182004 | 06/18/2004 | 10008030 | Seat noise & 2nd row seat back loose. *mj | 07/20/2004 | |
| 051304 | 05/13/2004 | 10007721 | Front or rear seat noise and second row seat back becoming loose, warped, or delaminated. request for visit. *tt | 07/08/2004 | |
| 010603 | 01/06/2003 | 10000981 | Row seat will not fold, recline, tilt, or slide. *tt | 04/09/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||
| 12/20/2012 | 66000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph the front driver's side seat frame fractured. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 66,000. da | |||
| 12/19/2012 | 66000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. the contact stated that the driver's seat bracket fractured and the seat would move around while the contact was driving. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the seat frame needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 66,000 and current mileage was 66,595. kmj | |||
| 01/09/2013 | 43000 | 1 | |
| While driving, the front-left bracket of the drivers seat broke, causing the seat to move erratically, leading to temporary loss of control. the incident had the potential of being much more serious, had there been more traffic and/or were i driving at higher speeds. this issue seems to be quite common among honda pilots. further research shows many pilot owners have had the exact same problem, specifically, failure of the front-left drivers seat bracket. as a result, i took my vehicle to my dealership, norm reeves honda, to have the issue remedied. i was quoted a price of $1,600 to have the problem fixed. with no other choice, i agreed to the price and scheduled an appointment for a saturday morning. i took my vehicle in that saturday and waited 8 hours in lobby only to have the service advisor tell me that the repair would have to be delayed, due to the fact that the part ordered for the replacement was defective. this fact only further leads me to believe that there is a serious manufacturer's issue with this part of the vehicle. *tr | |||
| 01/09/2013 | 43000 | ||
| While driving, the front-left bracket of the drivers seat broke, causing the seat to move erratically, leading to temporary loss of control. the incedent had the potetntial of beeing much more serious, had there been more traffic and/or were i driving at higher speeds. this issue seems to be quite common among honda pilots. further research shows many pilot owners have had the exact same problem, specifically, failure of the front-left drivers seat bracket. as a result, i took my vehicle to my dealership, norm reeves honda, to have the issue remedied. i was quoted a price of $1,600 to have the problem fixed. with no other choice, i agreed to the price and scheduled an appointment for a saturday morning. i took my vehicle in that saturday and waited 8 hours in lobby only to have the service advisor tell me that the repair would have to be delayed, due to the fact that the part ordered for the replacement was defective. this fact only further leads me to believe that there is a serious manufactuere's issue with this part of the vehicle. | |||
| 08/14/2012 | |||
| Rear hatch window wiper blew the fuse. the srs light came on there was nothing wrong with my air bags or my seat sensors.a new fuse fixed the wiper but would not turn off srs light. dealer wanted $100 plus dollars to check system and turn off light. independant mech. checked system found nothing wrong and reset the light. why is a wiper motor tied into the seat sensor and air bags? | |||
| 08/03/2011 | 160000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. the contact stated that the driver seat bracket fractured and as a result, the seat would move around while the contact driving. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the seat assembly needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 165,000. kmj | |||
| 08/03/2011 | 160000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. the contact stated that the vehicle driver seat bracket broke as a result the seat move around while driving. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the seat assembly needed to replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 165,000. pm | |||
| 02/01/2004 | 30000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot lx. the contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the driver's side front seat became slightly detached and began rocking back and forth. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 76,000. kmj | |||
| 07/16/2009 | 50000 | ||
| Own a 2003 honda pilot and the middle seat driver side seat broke and won't recline or go down. could cause a safty hazard if the rear passangers can't get out. | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 2000 | ||
| Plastic panel housing drivers seat adjustment controls has become detached from the seat of my 2003 honda pilot. the screw that held it in place is still there but the plastic paneling being held by the screw has broken away from the panel. this happened in the first year that we owned it. tried to get it fixed. told by dealership there was no problem. | |||
| 07/04/2010 | 145000 | ||
| The plastic panel housing the driver's seat adjustment controls has become detached from the seat on my 2003 honda pilot. the screw that held it in place is still seated, but the plastic paneling being held by the screw has broken away from the panel. | |||
| 08/05/2010 | 145000 | ||
| The driver's seat on my 2003 honda pilot has broken away from the frame or bracket in the front and right side. the seat rocks precariously when i drive or accelerate. this is certainly a safety hazard, and i'm wondering if this is a frequently reported problem, and whether honda has an obligation to fix it. thanks. | |||
| 02/13/2010 | 87000 | 1 | |
| There are several issues: 1. the problem began with the key not fitting properly as it once did, perhaps after several attempts. when i turn the key or put the key in the ignition it won't turn to get the vehicle started. i turned the steering wheel all the way to the left and it doesn't matter. the pilot still won't start. when reading the manual, it's a push sign under the ignition but this isn't addressed in the manual. it doesn't tell you the purpose of the push sign. i've tried everything to get the key to turn and i've let others try also. and it doesn't work for anyone. the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left but the wheels are not and it won't turn to the right it all; it's locked. the vehicle won't go in neutral, so i can roll it or nothing. 2. there is knocking noise that is louder when you accelerate on the left front side perhaps it's coming from the drive-train or axle on that side, almost sounds like something is loose and may fall off. 3. the radio turns off for a few seconds randomly and it may not happen again for a while and suddenly does once again. 4. the lock and handle to the glove compartment broke off and cannot be opened. 5. the wire to control the handles for the rear seats to recline and fold down broke from within the seats. i looked inside it's the piece of plastic to hold the wire in place that broke, there needs to be a better replacement part made of steel not plastic. 6. the floor mat sticks in bunches causing the carpet to soil can be hazardous i.e. toyota, only remedy is to replace the floor mat for the truck entirely, very, very expensive... 7. when it reaches 30mph it shakes and you can hear a loud noise like you're driving over something ridged it's scary. 8. the button for four wheel drive does not function 9. the chrome on the door handles peeled off tearing the skin causing injuries to the hand, my finger still feels tingly and numb. please help!!! *tr | |||
| 12/06/2009 | 134000 | 1 | |
| Traffic on a surface road came to an abrupt stop. the 2004 ford f150 did not stop in time and rear-ended our 2003 honda pilot along the right half of the bumper. the impact was severe enough to shove the right frame rail forward several inches, wrinkling the roof and putting the driverside rear door in tension so that it could not be opened. the two front seats were occupied by adults. both the driver's and passenger's seat backs failed. the driver suffered no injuries, but the passenger suffered bruising from the b-pillar and strained back from the collapsing seatback. | |||
| 07/08/2009 | 88000 | 1 | |
| The 2nd row lh (driver | |||
| 09/18/2008 | 1 | ||
| We bought our 2003 honda pilot assuming that it would be a great family vehicle. we have three small children and another on the way so our car is full of car seats. we have a backless boaster seat in the third row on the driver's side, a boaster seat in the third row on the passenger side, and a forward facing car seat in the second row driver's side. it is incredible difficult for me to get the children in the third row buckled because the seat belts are constantly getting stuck and have to be rethread all the way back. this is difficult because they get caught on the boaster seats that then have to be picked up and moved around to get the seat belt off. also, the seat on the seat on the passenger side is too narrow and the seat belt buckles very low, close to the seat and it ends up underneath the boaster seat. these difficulties make it nearly impossible for my preschoolers to buckle by themselves and forces me to climb back in their seat to fix the seat belts and move the booster seat forward to buckle them in. it is incredible difficult and uncomfortable for an adult to climb into the third row seat, especially one that is seven months pregnant. we have tried moving the seats around and can not find any better positions for the car seats. *tr | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 0 | 1 | |
| My 2003 honda pilot is an unsafe vehicle, because the head restraints on the front seats can not be adjusted. that is, they must stay down against the top of the seat and can not be adjusted to fit the back of your head. honda customer service stated they will not fix the problem because that is the way it is designed. this means the vehicle is unsafe and an immediate recall should be issued. how is it that you never discovered this? honda should replace all these vehicles with new safe vehicles. this problem means that in a potential rear ended accident, my neck will be broken. i need your help to fix this problem immediately and alert all usa citizens that honda built an unsafe vehicle. *tr | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 35425 | 1 | |
| Rear-ended. 2003 honda pilot ex: front seat head rest is non-adjustable, and hits head about an inch down from top of my head. there is no cushioning nor protection for my head. honda customer service stated that if i took auto to dealer, dealer would repair under warranty. dealer stated that there was nothing they can do, this is the way it is designed. thus this is a defect in that this is a totally unsafe head rest (constraint). *tr | |||
| 09/15/2003 | 9000 | 2 | 05/24/2003 |
| Just below the leather on the drivers seat the plastic panel that holds the electronic buttons to operate the seat motion has broken two times in less than four months, although the dealer replaced it both times, there appears to be a defect in the screws holding the panel in place. | |||
| 05/30/2003 | 5100 | 1 | 05/17/2003 |
| The base of the driver side leather seat was severely stretched and sagged (and also with 'pointy hairs' protruding from holes on all leather seats front and rears) , and the illed-mannered honda dealer's service department manager(robertson honda in north hollywood, ca) refused to replace it under the covered original honda warranty and denied totally there is anything wrong with it although the defect is so obvious and visible.*ak | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - HEAD RESTRAINT | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 35245 | 1 | 06/26/2003 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. he checked the head rest and noticed that when he got into the vehicle again, he hit his head at one spot about 1 inch down from the top of his head. the consumer stated the front head restraints can not be adjusted. the second and third row seats were fine. the manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to the dealer. the dealer stated that nothing could be done because the head rest was designed in that manner. the current and failure mileages were 35,245. updated 06/03/08. *lj | |||
| 11/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| Consumer concerned about the position of the head restraint on the front seat. *nm the back of the consumer's head would hit the lower edge of the top bar of the head restraint about an inch below the top of the consumers head. *sc | |||
| 02/01/2003 | 1 | 0 | 02/01/2003 |
| Front seat head rests do not adjust upward for tall people (5'-11') and taller causing head restraint bar to rest on top of persons head. this potentially will causing neck or spinal injury injury if vehicle is hit from the rear. the top bar acts as a pivot point with no rear neck support. | |||
| 08/18/2002 | |||
| Cannot rise head rest for a tall person. it could cause neck injuries if consumer hit brakes or in the event of an accident. dealer will be notified.*ak | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - POWER ADJUST | |||
| 09/05/2004 | 4737 | 4 | |
| Although my honda dealer has replaced the driver side seat cover on my 2003 honda pilot that also houses the controls for the power driver saet 4 times in the past 15 months with no problem, i feel this defect needs to be addressed because if this cover fails while driving the power seat could start to move in any direction. the website hondapilot.org. has many complaints about this in thier chat forum, also my dealership told me they had to replace quite a few of these, there was even a backlog on ordering me a new one this last time. | |||
| 05/22/2004 | 48250 | 1 | 05/15/2002 |
| 1. car was parked at a marina for approximately 1.5 hours 2. electrical malfunction in drivers automatic seat controller started a fire and destroyed seat and door 3. honda said it was my fault and said to have my insurance pay for it - i'm electing to take them to court.*ak | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | |||
| 12/06/2005 | 1 | 05/22/2003 | |
| Honda pilot hit in rear by geo, both backs of front seats broke and hit back seats. child in car seat hit feet. drivers head hit dvd player, leg hit under dash from falling back, hurt left shoulder and head. passenger felt hit in back. both had headaches and taking to er. *jb | |||
| 04/29/2004 | 77000 | 1 | |
| The rivets holding the driver seat to the seat frame have popped and the seat becomes unstable. driver can lose control of the vehicle when this happens. *ak | |||