NHTSA Complaint #10758685 — 2003 HONDA PILOT

I PARKED MY CAR IN THE HOSPITAL LOT. AFTER MY LATE AFTERNOON APPOINTMENT, I WAS ABOUT TO GO HOME. I WAS ABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT FAILED TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR CLICKING SOUND EVEN I TRIED WITH A LITTLE FORCE TO TURN THE KEY. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY AND HE WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 5 MILES TO GET MY PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE AND PARKED AGAIN IN THE PARKING LOT. I WAS ABOUT TO GO HOME AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION BUT FAILED TO TURN TO START THE ENGINE. AGAIN, THERE WAS NO CONTACT OR CLICKING SOUND EVEN TO TRY WITH A LITTLE FORCE TO TURN THE KEY. I CALLED AGAIN THE TOWING COMPANY AND HE WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO STAY OVERNIGHT (EARLY BIRD). I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVE THROUGH LANE AND SHUT-OFF THE ENGINE. I REMOVE THE KEY AND INSERTED AGAIN BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND NOT ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED MY CAR PROBLEM AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY WAS WORN-OUT. THE NEW IGNITION ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED AND RE-KEYED, CUT AND PROGRAMMED NEW KEY. I SAVED THE OLD PART FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. I PAID $618.58 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I AM THINKING THIS REPAIR WAS SO EXPENSIVE. THE ESTIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,292.