NHTSA Complaint #11180840 — 2004 HONDA PILOT

RINSING WITH WATER OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE AFTER EXPOSURE TO SALTED ROADS AFTER SNOWFALL (ROUTINE PRACTICE) I NOTICED FLAKES OF RUST BENEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO OBSERVE EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE CROSS MEMBER THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION STRUTS ARE ATTACHED TO. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AREA WHERE THE STRUT IS CONNECTED IS CORRODED TO THE EXTENT WHERE THE MOUNT IS PARTIALLY EATEN AWAY AND A LARGE HOLE HAS FORMED. THE OTHER STRUT MOUNTING AREA IS CHARTING THE SAME COURSE AND IS SUBSTANTIALLY CORRODED. SHOULD A STRUT DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLE A LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD OCCUR. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS 107000. NO OTHER PARTS OF VEHICLE APPEAR TO BE CORRODED TO A LEVEL APPROACHING THE REAR. I WILL LOOK AT THE FRONT END TO INSPECT MORE CLOSELY FOR CORROSION DAMAGE AND TO TAKE PICTURES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED (STATIONARY) WHEN THE CORROSION WAS OBSERVED.