Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SEATS
1016200410/16/200410014494Second row seatback loose. *eh05/03/2005
70407/16/200410014115Seat noise, second row seatback loose. *sc04/28/2005
80408/16/200410014074Seat noise. *sc04/27/2005
80408/16/200410014076Second row seatback loose. *sc04/27/2005
0916200409/16/200410013870Second row seatback loose. *eh04/26/2005
0618200406/18/200410008030Seat noise & 2nd row seat back loose. *mj07/20/2004
05130405/13/200410007721Front or rear seat noise and second row seat back becoming loose, warped, or delaminated. request for visit. *tt07/08/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SEATS
03/04/2013116300
 While warming up car in driveway, i had turned on the seat heaters to both front seats and went inside. when i came out to leave about 5 minutes later, the drivers seat was smoking and melting the top of the seat cushion. it was on fire. i quickly shut off the heat to the seat and smothered the smoking/melting seat.
12/12/201280000
 The drive side seat warmer gets incredibly warm and feels as though it could burn. called honda for service, and the representative was very rude. he said just don't use it. very concerned for safety issue.
02/11/2013101600
 The seat heater got really hot in one place on my back. it slightly (less than a 1st degree burn) burnt my back. also, the seat smoked. i had the seat heater on for 15 minutes. i notified honda and the dealer. the dealer tested the seat for only 10 minutes; and, said it didn't smoke. i was one of the the first ones into the dealer and the last one out (eleven hour wait!) for a 10 minute check and 2 recalls which should have taken less time. i didn't want to go back another day to have it checked for 15 minutes (i have a family); so, i told the dealer to disable the seat heater so that my toddlers, my wife and i won't get hurt any further or have a disaster with a possible fire. the dealer disabled the seat heater as i requested. i have not heard back from honda (of course).
12/12/201280000
 The drive side seat warmer gets incredibly warm and feels as though it could burn. called honda for service, and the representative was very rude. he said just don't use it. very concerned for safety issue.
02/11/2013101600
 The seat heater got really hot in one place on my back. it slightly (less than a 1st degree burn) burnt my back. also, the seat smoked. i had the seat heater on for 15 minutes. i notified honda and the dealer. the dealer tested the seat for only 10 minutes; and, said it didn't smoke. i was one of the the first ones into the dealer and the last one out (eleven hour wait!) for a 10 minute check and 2 recalls which should have taken less time. i didn't want to go back another day to have it checked for 15 minutes (i have a family); so, i told the dealer to disable the seat heater so that my toddlers, my wife and i won't get hurt any further or have a disaster with a possible fire. the dealer disabled the seat heater as i requested. i have not heard back from honda (of course).
12/12/201280000
 The drive side seat warmer gets incredibly warm and feels as though it could burn. called honda for service, and the representative was very rude. he said just don't use it. very concerned for safety issue.
02/11/2013101600
 The seat heater got really hot in one place on my back. it slightly (less than a 1st degree burn) burnt my back. also, the seat smoked. i had the seat heater on for 15 minutes. i notified honda and the dealer. the dealer tested the seat for only 10 minutes; and, said it didn't smoke. i was one of the the first ones into the dealer and the last one out (eleven hour wait!) for a 10 minute check and 2 recalls which should have taken less time. i didn't want to go back another day to have it checked for 15 minutes (i have a family); so, i told the dealer to disable the seat heater so that my toddlers, my wife and i won't get hurt any further or have a disaster with a possible fire. the dealer disabled the seat heater as i requested. i have not heard back from honda (of course).
12/26/201283000
 The driver's side heated seat got extremely hot under the right leg. it got so intense that i had to turn it off for fear of burning my leg.
02/11/2013101600
 The seat heater got really hot in one place on my back. it slightly (less than a 1st degree burn) burnt my back. also, the seat smoked. i had the seat heater on for 15 minutes. i notified honda and the dealer. the dealer tested the seat for only 10 minutes; and, said it didn't smoke. i was one of the the first ones into the dealer and the last one out (eleven hour wait!) for a 10 minute check and 2 recalls which should have taken less time. i didn't want to go back another day to have it checked for 15 minutes (i have a family); so, i told the dealer to disable the seat heater so that my toddlers, my wife and i won't get hurt any further or have a disaster with a possible fire. the dealer disabled the seat heater as i requested. i have not heard back from honda (of course).
12/26/201283000
 The driver's side heated seat got extremely hot under the right leg. it got so intense that i had to turn it off for fear of burning my leg.
09/26/20121
 Driver seat heater gets unbearably hot to sit on, so hot feels like burning skin through clothing - smells like burning wax, fire concern and safety concern. *tr
09/26/2012
 Driver seat heater gets unbearably hot to sit on, so hot feels like burning skin through clothing - smells like burning wax, fire concern and safety concern
01/02/20131060001
 When turning on the driver's side seat warmer it got extremely hot. recently it actually burned the seat foam and began to smoke. i will not use it anymore for fear of a fire. thank you for looking into this issue. *tr
01/02/2013106000
 When turning on the driver's side seat warmer it got extremely hot. recently it actually burned the seat foam and began to smoke. i will not use it anymore for fear of a fire. thank you for looking into this issue.
11/01/2012390001
 Driver seat heater gets extremely hot to the point that burns are possible. afraid that a fire may occur so stopped using. there appears to be a widespread occurrence when searching the internet. no recall by honda. *tr
12/05/20121040001
 I purchased a used honda pilot in january 2012. i immediately noticed that the driver seat heater would gets so hot that it will actually start to burn my legs. the honda dealer said that it was not an issue, they did not feel it get overly hot. then on december 5, 2012 it just suddenly stopped working. *tr
12/05/2012104000
 I purchased a used honda pilot in january 2012. i immediately noticed that the driver seat heater would gets so hot that it will actually start to burn my legs. the honda dealer said that it was not an issue, they did not feel it get overly hot. then on december 5, 2012 it just suddenly stopped working.
12/24/2012970001
 My wife and i were driving on christmas eve (december 24, 2012) to a destination about 65 miles away. i had the driver's seat heater on the high position, as it is quite cold in this part of the country. along the way, i noticed that my right buttocks was getting extremely hot, almost to the point of burning, before i turned off the seat heater. it was dark when we reached our destination, and it wasn't until two days later when we returned home, that i saw a scorched hole about 1.5 inches long and 0.5 inches wide in the leather driver's seat. reaching my finger down into the hole revealed a lot of crumbling black ashes. although we didn't experience an actual fire, it's quite apparent that there is a fire safety problem with the 2004 honda pilot driver's heated seat. if we had left the car running and unattended with no one sitting on the seat (allowing oxygen into the seat), i suspect the seat would have eventually erupted in flames. it was very, very hot. *tr
12/05/2012104000
 I purchased a used honda pilot in january 2012. i immediately noticed that the driver seat heater would gets so hot that it will actually start to burn my legs. the honda dealer said that it was not an issue, they did not feel it get overly hot. then on december 5, 2012 it just suddenly stopped working.
12/24/201297000
 My wife and i were driving on christmas eve (december 24, 2012) to a destination about 65 miles away. i had the driver's seat heater on the high position, as it is quite cold in this part of the country. along the way, i noticed that my right buttocks was getting extremely hot, almost to the point of burning, before i turned off the seat heater. it was dark when we reached our destination, and it wasn't until two days later when we returned home, that i saw a scorched hole about 1.5 inches long and 0.5 inches wide in the leather driver's seat. reaching my finger down into the hole revealed a lot of crumbling black ashes. although we didn't experience an actual fire, it's quite apparent that there is a fire safety problem with the 2004 honda pilot driver's heated seat. if we had left the car running and unattended with no one sitting on the seat (allowing oxygen into the seat), i suspect the seat would have eventually erupted in flames. it was very, very hot.
12/19/2012105000
 The driver's heated seat got so hot it melted the foam backing causing a horrible smell. the heated seat was turned off or it is possible it would have caught on fire. the seat heated still works but gets much too hot.
12/11/20121670001
 The front driver seat abruptly flipped upward and startled the driver with momentary disoriented and loss of vehicle control. the dealer denied ever witnessing this problem on a honda pilot, quoted $1500 to replace the seat, and commented i was a big guy putting a lot of stress on the seat. i am 6'3 tall and 200 pounds. it is clear the honda dealership at decatur, alabama does not feel this is a safety issue and went on to boast honda is the only company that replaces defective seat belts. my wife took the vehicle to the same dealer complaining about the front and rear passenger seat belt randomly locking when pulling the safety belt out for engagement and locking and tightening randomly while wearing the seat belt with the vehicle in motion. the dealer made no comment to this statement. a quick search on the internet revealed other honda pilot owners have reported the bracket holding the front left corner of the driver seat was broken near the rivets that hold the bottom of the seat. this is the same defect we have experienced with our front driver seat where the front left bracket holding the seat to the adjustment rail is completely torn the full length of the seat bottom mounting bracket. we feel this is a safety hazard and the dealer clearly does not support that idea. my wife and i have never experienced a seat breaking in such a manner in any vehicle we have owned. *tr
12/19/2012105000
 The driver's heated seat got so hot it melted the foam backing causing a horrible smell. the heated seat was turned off or it is possible it would have caught on fire. the seat heated still works but gets much too hot.
12/11/2012167000
 The front driver seat abruptly flipped upward and startled the driver with momentary disorientation and loss of vehicle control. the dealer denied ever witnessing this problem on a honda pilot, quoted $1500 to replace the seat, and commented i was a big guy putting a lot of stress on the seat. i am 6
12/10/20121580001
 The driver left seat support metal broke off leaving the seat unattached to the frame. the seat moves forward and back. this is a design and manufacturer defect. honda will not replace the seat at no cost and will not assign a recall. this is a serious safety issue and honda should take full responsibility for replacement before an accident causes unnecessary injury to the driver. *tr
12/11/2012167000
 The front driver seat abruptly flipped upward and startled the driver with momentary disorientation and loss of vehicle control. the dealer denied ever witnessing this problem on a honda pilot, quoted $1500 to replace the seat, and commented i was a big guy putting a lot of stress on the seat. i am 6
12/10/20121580001
 The driver left seat support metal broke off leaving the seat unattached to the frame. the seat moves forward and back. this is a design and manufacturer defect. honda will not replace the seat at no cost and will not assign a recall. this is a serious safety issue and honda should take full responsibility for replacement before an accident causes unnecessary injury to the driver. *tr
12/10/2012158000
 The driver left seat support metal broke off leaving the seat unattached to the frame. the seat moves forward and back. this is a design and manufacturer defect. honda will not replace the seat at no cost and will not assign a recall. this is a serious safety issue and honda should take full responsibility for replacement before an accident causes unneccesary injury to the driver.
12/12/20121540781
 The drivers seat over heats to the point of being uncomfortable on my right leg. it is now inoperable. the dealer said it was not covered under warranty or recall. there seems to me a number of similar complains on edmunds threaders discussion board. the bottom point is they will not act on this issue unless they are required to do so by your organization. *tr
12/12/2012154078
 The drivers seat over heats to the point of being uncomfortable on my right leg. it is now inoperable. the dealer said it was not covered under warranty or recall. there seems to me a number of similar complains on edmunds threaders discussion board. the bottom point is they will not act on this issue unless they are required to do so by your organization.
10/16/201027000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. the contact stated the inner cushion underneath the drivers seat over heated and was burning. the contact was not injured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there were no recalls and she would have to pay to have the vehicle repaired. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 27,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. rvk
10/16/201027000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. the contact stated the inner cushion underneath the driver side seat over heated and was burning. the contact was not injured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated there was no recall but she would have to pay for the repairs. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 27,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. mw
07/22/2012900001
 Front seat came loose from car on drivers left side of seat. i can partially lift it out of place! *tr
07/22/201290000
 Front seat came loose from car on drivers left side of seat. i can partially lift it out of place!
04/18/2012
 The driver's seat frame sheared off on the front bar, left side. there was no outside influential causal effect for this to happen, it just broke. the seat rocks back and forth while driving, a huge safety concern. looking at certain websites (http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2003/honda/pilot/10348948.aspx read the comments at the bottom of the page), this seems to problematic among 2003 - 2006 honda pilots. when is honda going to do a recall? other similar nhtsa complaints: odi id number : 10348948 odi id number : 10372456 odi id number : 10336280 odi id number : 10442043
11/02/2011110000
 Drivers heated seat caught the seat on fire
04/18/2012
 The driver's seat frame sheared off on the front bar, left side. there was no outside influential causal effect for this to happen, it just broke. the seat rocks back and forth while driving, a huge safety concern. looking at certain websites (http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2003/honda/pilot/10348948.aspx read the comments at the bottom of the page), this seems to problematic among 2003 - 2006 honda pilots. when is honda going to do a recall? other similar nhtsa complaints: odi id number : 10348948 odi id number : 10372456 odi id number : 10336280 odi id number : 10442043
11/02/2011110000
 Drivers heated seat caught the seat on fire
04/18/2012
 The driver's seat frame sheared off on the front bar, left side. there was no outside influential causal effect for this to happen, it just broke. the seat rocks back and forth while driving, a huge safety concern. looking at certain websites (http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2003/honda/pilot/10348948.aspx read the comments at the bottom of the page), this seems to problematic among 2003 - 2006 honda pilots. when is honda going to do a recall? other similar nhtsa complaints: odi id number : 10348948 odi id number : 10372456 odi id number : 10336280 odi id number : 10442043
11/02/2011110000
 Drivers heated seat caught the seat on fire
01/01/201060000
 2004 honda pilot driver's side seat heater gets extremely hot and will burn skin. major safety issue.
10/07/200982000
 The right side of the drivers seat bottom seat heater over-heats. dealer wants $900-1000 to fix. this is a much reported failure item for 2004-2005 pilots.
12/19/201063500
 Overheating of drivers side seat heating elements, followed by failure of units.
12/10/201098000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. the driver heated seat control has malfunction. whenever it
01/02/201160000
 2004 honda pilot ex-res. driver side heated seat gets hot enough to burn or catch fire if set to high.
11/11/2010
 2004 honda pilot drivers seat catches fire. seat heater having issues.
10/30/201095300
 2004 honda pilot; drivers side seat heater catches on fire; fuse never blown.
09/30/2010115000
 The driver's side seat cushion heater got extremely hot, burned right thigh. heater shut off at switch and now doesn't work.
06/05/201081000
 The electric seat heater on the driver's seat developes a very hot spot on the seat. it appears either the temperature control will not automatically turn off or it will not regulate the seat heater. the seat heater on/off switch must be turned off manually before a skin burn or fire within the seat occurs.
02/01/2009
 The heated seat in my 2004 honda pilot became uncomfortably hot whenever i used it for about one week. eventually it came to a point where the seat became so hot that i could not use the heated seat anymore. at this point the seat now refuses to turn on, most likely because of a blown fuse from the problem. my biggest concern is that the seat felt like it could catch on fire.
01/10/2010830001
 Seat heater in the driver's seat of my 2004 honda pilot gets very hot and i can smell something burning when turned on. *tr
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - HEAD RESTRAINT
02/12/2004111/04/2003
 When the consumer is in the front seat the head restraint tilts forward, causing the consumer's head to lean forward. consumer is 5'3, and says head restraint cannot be adjusted any lower. the dealer has no remedy or suggestions for this problem. *ak
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - SEAT HEATER/COOLER
02/18/200871000101/18/2005
 I have a 2004 honda pilot ex the driver's seat right side gets extremely hot when the seat heater is turned on. there has not been any injury or accident due to this issue but i have seen where it has online during my research of this problem. i am trying to be proactive and remedy a potential problem before it becomes a hazard. *tr
01/17/200869000109/10/2003
 Seat warmer burned a hole in drivers seat while i was driving the vehicle. it is a very cold day here and i have lots of layers on so i did not feel the burn for a while. when i felt it burn me and smelled the leather burning i shut off the seat warmers. the dealer tells me it will cost $800 to be replaced. yikes - what if the seat warmer accidentally gets turned on when i am outside my vehicle - when it is below zero outside i warm up my car for about 20 minutes -will my car catch on fire? *tr
SEATS - MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
11/23/200410/17/2004
 My question is why would a car manufacture install seat beats anchors in a over lapping fashion? i have a 2004 honda pilot and i notice that the seat belts anchors for the third row seat ( middle & driver seat passenger) over lap each other, but in the second row seats they don't over lap. i took my pilot to a honda service center and i was told that it was done to create more space for the third row passengers and it was not a flaw design. this appears to be out of the normal installation for seat belt anchors. *nm