NHTSA Complaint #11403900 — 2018 HONDA PILOT

WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2018 I NOTICED THAT THE HOOD VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND AGAIN AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. BOTH TIMES I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE LIGHTER METALS USED IN THE HOOD TO SAVE WEIGHT, THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL. ON MARCH 5, 2021, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH, I NOTICED A LOUD "SLAPPING" NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM AROUND THE HOOD SIDE LATCH (METAL HOOK) MECHANISM HAD TORN ABOUT 75% OF THE WAY AROUND THE ATTACHMENT POINTS (THREE BOLTS). IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HOOD SHUT, AND FROM SEPARATING, IT HAD TO BE TAPED TO THE VEHICLE BODY. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND ALL WHO INSPECTED IT AGREED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HONDA CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES AGREED.