Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 06085 | 05/09/2008 | 06-085 I | 10021968 | Warranty extension: vehicle warranty mileage. *kb 2002 through 2006 and some 2007 fit models. updated 8/18/08. *pe | 06/27/2007 |
| 204 | 02/16/2004 | 10014220 | Honda diagnostic system locked, needs immobilizer release password. *nm | 04/29/2005 | |
| 05012004 | 05/01/2004 | 10013983 | Use the honda diagnostic system to read srs diagnostic trouble codes. *nm | 04/27/2005 | |
| 010103 | 01/01/2003 | 10001788 | Complaints from owners that they can't program homelink. *tt *jb | 07/18/2003 | |
| 802 | 08/16/2002 | 637976 | Subject regarding reading readiness code status with malfunction indicator lamp. *tt | 12/09/2002 | |
| 010702 | 07/01/2002 | 637023 | Subject regarding anti-theft radio serial number. *tt | 11/19/2002 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 01/15/2013 | 250000 | ||
| Unable to turn key in ignition. apparently this is an issue that many 2003 honda pilot owners are having. this can be a safety issue as it can leave someone stranded in a remote area as happened with me. if the malfunction is caused by a faulty part then honda should bare some of the responsibility and cost to correct the problem. | |||
| 06/11/2012 | 169500 | ||
| While on my wayback on i95 from richmond, va to silver spring maryland, i suddenly heard a noise from my back window and i saw my honda pilot spoiler fly away and land in front of the upcoming traffic and almost causing an accident. today, i still have not replaced this back spoiler and i have seen many other honda pilots on the highway or in the city without this back spoiler. | |||
| 01/17/2013 | 125000 | ||
| I parked my car outside a local store with a nearly zero decline. after entering the store and beginning to shop - a fellow shopper came in to tell me that my car had rolled backwards and hit another vehicle. luckily there was no major damage to either vehicle. when i entered my vehicle the gear shift was in fact in park but the car had rolled back anyways and stopped only because it hit another vehicle in the parking lot. | |||
| 12/10/2012 | 122200 | ||
| The key would not fit into the ignition without forcing it several times, after a few weeks, the key would not even turn. the vehicle was serviced and the cylinder and ignition switch were replaced at the cost of the owner. this is a very common problem with this model. honda corporation should be held responsible for it. | |||
| 11/23/2012 | 154500 | ||
| I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. i found myself stranded, with 4 young children, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. the key issue was reported to honda and i was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect. | |||
| 05/17/2012 | 63545 | ||
| I have the same problem with the transmission and being able to remove my key even when it is not in park that has been reported by others. its led to an accident and a near one. | |||
| 06/08/2009 | 59000 | ||
| Ignition locked up. the car could not be shut off. the key could not be removed from the ignition. dealer wanted $900 to fix the problem. s | |||
| 09/07/2012 | 101000 | ||
| I have been having a hard time turning the ignition with my key. now the key will not turn in the ignition. i believe this is a safety issue since there may be a situation where the car may need to be moved in a dangerous situation and cannot be turned. i found this website from 23 other complaints for the same issue on this website alone. | |||
| 08/17/2012 | 65 | ||
| I recently bought a used 2003 honda pilot from jeff wyler of colerain in ohio. the car has 137,000 approximate miles on it. they wanted me to pay over 15,000 for the car and finally after debating for hours over 4. they sold me the car out the door with no warranty offered for 10,500. i was very happy and and i have 2 children and one on the way. i bought the car on august 5, 2012 less than two week go by and i am driving home going 65mph on 71 and the car jerks down gears to 30 miles an hour in a split second. my kneck and my back are both hurting and i do not want to sue nor try to get rich off of this. my complaint is, i took the car to jeff wyler of colerain the next morning they said the transmission was bad and they could do nothing for me. so basically they said i will have to pay for a $7,000 dollar repair. i left the car there and came home did all kinds of research found that car is up for recall on the transmission and thousands of people have the same issue. they even have a facebook page dedicated to fixing this problem! how can honda keep these vehichle's on the road? if my 17 month old would have been in the car with me she would have maybe broke her kneck. go drive 65mph and throw the car in reverse that is what happend to me! and they said i bought a certified used honda? so what do i do ? who do i call? and why can they sell me a car in such a state? with over 4 recall's on parts and one being potentiallt fatal. | |||
| 08/12/2012 | 162000 | ||
| 2003 honda pilot ignition switch problem- the first day i was having problems inserting key into ignition and had to jiggle it around in order to turn it to start the engine. the next day the key would go in but it would take several attempts and at least 10-15 minutes trying to start the ignition. i was getting stuck in store parking lots and at home. now the key goes in and doesn't turn at all. the steering wheel is also locked as well as the gear shift so there is no way to put in neutral to tow it. | |||
| 08/08/2012 | |||
| The chrome finish on the door handles from the inside, this chrome finish is a think later of material almost like flex metal - it's very sharp and easily creates cuts in hand when opening the car doors. approx 3 days ago, i was moving my hand as i was driving and my finger touched the pealing chrome finish creating a deep cut causing pain and bleeding. i have kids and they may get hurt by this. | |||
| 07/31/2012 | 113546 | ||
| The ignition switch locked up and the car would not start. i was stranded at work for several hours. honda needs to do something about this issue. we should not have to pay $600 for a repair they are well aware do to a parts defect. previously the vehicle also had started to roll back on the inclined drive way when i removed the ignition key with the shifter still in drive. | |||
| 06/04/2012 | 165000 | ||
| Shuddering and jerking while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. also does the same in reverse. car would not accelerate on highway on-ramp. while at high highway speeds, car felt like it fell out of gear and lost power, until the gear engaged again. | |||
| 06/29/2009 | 62804 | ||
| Front engine mount was broken and had to be replaced. now, at 84105 miles, the side engine mount is broken. i have owned several cars since 1975, and have never had a problem with any engine mount until this 2003 honda pilot. | |||
| 06/04/2012 | 165000 | ||
| Shuddering and jerking while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. also does the same in reverse. car would not accelerate on highway on-ramp. while at high highway speeds, car felt like it fell out of gear and lost power, until the gear engaged again. | |||
| 06/29/2009 | 62804 | ||
| Front engine mount was broken and had to be replaced. now, at 84105 miles, the side engine mount is broken. i have owned several cars since 1975, and have never had a problem with any engine mount until this 2003 honda pilot. | |||
| 06/04/2012 | 165000 | ||
| Shuddering and jerking while shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. also does the same in reverse. car would not accelerate on highway on-ramp. while at high highway speeds, car felt like it fell out of gear and lost power, until the gear engaged again. | |||
| 06/29/2009 | 62804 | ||
| Front engine mount was broken and had to be replaced. now, at 84105 miles, the side engine mount is broken. i have owned several cars since 1975, and have never had a problem with any engine mount until this 2003 honda pilot. | |||
| 05/09/2012 | |||
| Neither of the keys will go completely into the ignition switch, therefore the key cannot be turned and the car cannot be started. | |||
| 04/15/2012 | 113100 | ||
| I am experiencing shudder or problem changing the gear. the engine lights is on now and not clearing up. i have seen the same problem on line from other people and all pointing to a problem with the transmission with this model. | |||
| 04/08/2012 | 168000 | ||
| Having trouble inserting key into ignition. have to try multiple times, turning the key upside down, right side up, repetitive in & out, eventually it goes in, but afraid that eventually it will not work. called american honda as i saw multiple complaints online, but honda said they never heard of this problem and that it's not widespread enough for them to take notice. i'm afraid that i will not be able to get the key to work, so will take it to honda dealership for repair (apparently only dealership has to fix it because new keys will need to be programmed. there are 2 different choices for cost, one to just replace the ignition and get new keys, and another choice is to also change the door locks so that the new keys will open the door.) if you're havnig the same problem, please log a complaint so that it becomes widespread enough to take notice and may be those of us who pay/paid to get this issue repaired can get a refund. thank you! | |||
| 12/14/2011 | 126000 | ||
| The ignition interlock mechanism on our 2003 honda pilot ex failed allowing the ignition key to be removed when the shift lever was not in park thereby allowing the vehicle to roll away. i reported the issue to u.s. honda (case # n012011-12-1500395) who said the issue was rare for that vehicle therefore no recall has been issued covering the defect. whan researching the defect, i noted that a recall has been issued for the 2003 honda accord, civic and element models for precisely the same problem | |||
| 09/02/2011 | |||
| My vehicle is leaking water to the interior, like a number of other honda owners. honda is not doing anything about it...and it will eventually lead to electrical failure because of moisture on critical electrical parts in the steering column. | |||
| 10/30/2010 | |||
| I have a 2003 honda pilot with 137,000 miles on it and it vibrates somewhere around 35-45 mph. my mechanic recommended we have the transmission checked as he has seen 3 or 4 other pilots do the same thing. this has been going on for thousands of miles to the point where i just got used to it. with the thought of a new tramsmission looming, i decided to search if others have this same issue and am shocked to see how many others have dealt with this. i have been a honda owner all my driving life and seeing this issue so prominent definately makes me rethink another one. i do hope honda will rectify this before something serious happens. | |||
| 08/25/2010 | 122000 | ||
| The ignition key for the 2003 honda pilot has been getting stuck in the ignition causing it not to start for over a year.if i wiggled the steering wheel, the key and pumped the brakes the key would turn and the truck would eventually start. on august 25, 2010 the the key remained jammed in the ignition and the truck would not start. i had to have the truck towed and repaired. this is not normal wear and tear of the vehicle. i have researched and found many other 2003 pilot owners who have experienced the same problem with the ignition key. this is a safety issue because in case of an emergency the 2003 pilot owner would not be able to start the truck in a timely manner. | |||
| 12/27/2007 | 70000 | ||
| 2003 honda pilot ignition interlock failed. the car was stopped, turned off while in drive gear, the key was removed and the driver left the vehicle. the vehicle then rolled down the street and stopped when it hit a brick mail box 2 blocks away. honda dealer told us that the drive must have forced the key out to be able to remove it while in drive gear and damage the ignition. drive disputes this. said the key came right out. we had roughly $2500 damage to the vehicle to repair at the time. chose not to pay to replace the ignition switch at our cost. honda did not replace or repair the ignition. it is still broken. | |||
| 06/07/2010 | 94675 | ||
| Ignition lock failure, key stopped working car won't start left us stranded | |||