NHTSA Complaint #11128032 — 2003 HONDA PILOT

2003 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 219,000 MILES ON IT. THE TWO REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS THAT ATTACH THE BODY CHASSIS TO THE FRAME WERE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. IN FACT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT. APPARENTLY NO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE REST OF UNDERCARRIAGE. VEHICLE WAS IN VERY GOOD MECHANICAL SHAPE AND MAINTENANCE KEPT UP. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE AT NIGHT NOT SUBJECT TO UNUSUAL WEAR AND TEAR. UPON SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD CRASH AS IF WE'D BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHTS WEREN'T FUNCTIONING SO I WAS PROCEEDING VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE 4 WAY FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND US SO I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION THEN PARKED THE CAR TO CHECK IT OUT BUT NO VISIBLE DAMAGE, NO DEBRIS IN INTERSECTION ETC. DROVE IN TOWN FOR ANOTHER COUPLE DAYS AND IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. THE INCIDENT BOTHERED ME ENOUGH TO TAKE IT IN TO FIRESTONE AND HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON THE LIFT FOR ANYTHING UNUSUAL WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES SAFETY. I WAS CALLED BACK TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME AT ALL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THANKFUL THIS WASN'T WORSE AND NOT ON HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.