2003 HONDA PILOT Engine Problems
25 NHTSA complaints on file
Engine Issues in the 2003 HONDA PILOT
25 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 HONDA PILOT. Of these, 3 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 3 resulted in injury.
25
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Engine Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,118.
The contact owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated she was informed by her daughter that the inside passenger side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The fire department arrived afterward and informed that the electronic software was the cause of the fire. The contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries or medical treatments needed. The contact notified a local mechanic regarding the failure and was informed of the same information which the fire department provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
I notice you guys had other 2003 Honda Pilot transmissions recalls. I checked mine with the vin # and my car happens to not be included on that recall. To be honest everything stated on that recall is what exactly is happening on my car Can you please help thanks my car would get high rpms or jerk while driving or just rev and not move it changes all the time seems that also the colder the car is or not ran till the next day seems to drive normal but after car worms up it’s starts to drive then rpm’s jump high I got to let go of the gas in order for it to get its 2 nd shift and randomly it’ll like hard jerk while driving like a hard stop then countinues at speed
TRANSMISSION SLIPS ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION IS SEPARATE SO ITDOES NOT SHOW UP BECAUSE THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME IT DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE COMPUTER DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME SO IT CAN AND DOES WHEN DRIVING IT GOES INTO NEUTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, IT FAILED TO MOVE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT OR WHILE MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IDLING. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER HONDA OF COLERAIN (8950 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251, 513-741-3700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION AND GASKET NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 284,469.
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AND THEN FAIL TO START UNLESS LEFT OFF FROM 15 TO 30 MINUTES VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY FAIL TO START. THIS HAPPENED DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OVER TO SHOULDER WHILE AVOIDING BEING RUN INTO. THE LAST INSTANCE A POLICE OFFICER KINDLY HELPED PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF A BUSY CITY STREET AS SO I COULD WAIT FOR A TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE AND EXPENSIVE PARTS BUT TO NO AVAIL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE EMITTED A LOUD UNIDENTIFIABLE SOUND THAT STARTLED THE DRIVER. THE DEALER (CAPITOL HONDA, 745 CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95136) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEO/RECORDINGS OF THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000. *TT *TR
THE CARS TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING ADEQUATELY THE GEARS WON'T GO WHILE IN 2ND AND THIRD OR REVERSE
THE TRUCK HESITATES IN ORDER TO GET IT TO MOVE YOU HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL.HAPPENS A LOT WHEN DRIVING.SOMETIMES IT STALLS....DRIVER SIDE REAR BODY MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT
IN THE MORNING, ON JANUARY 27, I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD AND 4 YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE AND I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL. LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME, GOING BETWEEN 30-35MPH, I TAPPED THE BRAKES AS I APPROACHED A BEND IN THE ROAD AND AFTER A BRIEF INITIAL PAUSE (AS YOU WOULD EXPECT), THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED RAPIDLY ACCELERATING - I STARTED PRESSING THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL - VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN - AT THIS POINT I WAS IN THE CURVE AND WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. I HIT A SMALL TREE AND CONTINUED CAREENING OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL I CRASHED IN A DITCH, HITTING A WOOD HYDRO POLE (THANKFULLY NOT CONCRETE) - BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED - I SUFFERED A BROKEN ANKLE, BRUISED RIBS AND SEAT BELT ABRASIONS - MY 2 YEAR OLD REQUIRED STITCHES ON HER EYE LID...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
OWNER DRIVER WAS STOPPED ON RED LIGHT ALONG WITH 20 OTHER CARS , THE DRIVER WAS LAST IN THE LANE AND OTHER DRIVER DID NOT APPLIED BRAKES, THIS VEHICLE WAS BANGED FROM THE BACK. BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED BY WESTMINSTER HONDA IN COSTA MESA . CALIFORNIA, BODY REPAIR COST OF $ 3,500 WAS PAID BY INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE PERSON WHO WAS AT FAULT, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT COST OF $ 6,500 WAS RECOVERED FROM THE ME WHO WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE QUESTION IS AT THAT TIME THE AIR BAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED BECAUSE OF FAULT? AFTER THAT I GOT RECALL NOTICE FROM AMERICAN HONDA FOR TWO AIR BAGS DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE, THE NOTICE CAME IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2015, FIRST THEY DELAYED THE REPAIR TASK BY MAKING AN EXCUSE THAT THEY ARE VERY BUSY AND FIRST APPOINTMENT IS AVAILABLE ON FEBRUARY 28 TH AT AUTO...
FAILED FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ON HONDA PILOT 2003. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS. *TR
CAR RAN AWAY IN REVERSE AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. FULL WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. CRASHED INTO UTILITY POLE ENCIRCLED WITH OLD CAR TIRES. CAR BOUNCED OFF AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE POLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HIT GEAR SHIFT INTO FORWARD. ENGINE SCREAMING REALLY HIGH REVS, CAR RACED FORWARD AND I DID EVERYTHING I COULD TO AVOID HITTING PARKED VEHICLES AND A POND AS CAR KEPT GOING FASTER. WITH NOWHERE TO HEAD BUT GOLF COURSE OR HIGHWAY, I STEERED ONTO A FARM FIELD AND DROVE A HALF MILE UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT THE KEYS FROM THE STARTER WHICH STOPPED CAR. I DID NOT THINK I WAS INJURED AT TIME BUT I ENDED UP WITH WHIPLASH WHICH MEANT I LOST ABOUT SIX MONTHS INCOME. HONDA REFUSED COMPENSATION, OR PAID FOR ANY OF THE REPAIRS OF THE CAR WITH...
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2003 HONDA PILOT. I AM AN OLDER, CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND HAVE BABIED THIS VEHICLE, DOING ALL REGULAR SERVICE AT THE DEALER'S, SO IT WOULD RUN IN TOP SHAPE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AROUND SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED AT LOWER SPEEDS (20-30 M.P.H.) THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS. TO COUNTER THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO ACCELERATE AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. I HAVE HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. LAST WEEK THE D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SENSOR. I ASKED IF THAT COULD BE MAKING THE CAR SHUDDER AND THEY SAID PROBABLY. I HAD THEM CHANGE IT AND THE SHUDDER HAS NOT GONE AWAY. THIS MORNING IT WAS PARTICULARLY HEAVY SO I CALLED THE...
FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDA PILOTS. NEVER HAPPENED ON ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE 10 MINUTES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.
I ALSO HAD BOTH MY FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS GO BAD AND I HAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM I PAID $934.00. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT SIT IN THIS VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES SO IF I KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE ESPECIALLY WITH THE MOUNTS THAT HOLD MY ENGINE I HAVE TO FIX IT WENT TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER DEALT WITH THE RECALLS THAT CAME UP AND HAD THEM SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SINCE IT WAS THERE. I AM SURE THAT I GOT ROBBED BUT, WHAT CAN I DO HAVE TO KEEP MY KIDS SAFE. HUSBAND SAID, THAT THE MOUNTS SHOULD LAST ALOT LONGER HE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT CARS HAVE OTHER CARS OVER 180K AND MOUNTS ARE STILL ORIGINAL WHAT IS GOING ON HONDA GETTING JUNKY ON US. I HOPE THEY CAN FIX WHAT IS GOING ON TOO MANY TRANNY PROBLEMS AND ENGINE ISSUES. SHAME ON...
THE KEY HAD TROUBLE TURNING IN THE IGNITION. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. EVENTUALLY THE KEY WONT TURN AT ALL. LOOKED UP ONLINE AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL AND MAKE OF OUR VEHICLE. HAD IT FIXED IN 2011 AND IT COST OVER $500. NOW IN MAY OF 2013 IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES TO GET THE CAR STARTED WITH TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHICH I'M SURE IT'S JUST MAKING IT WORSE AND WORSE. *TR
ENGINE REVS AT 25-30 MPH, AND RPM'S SHOOT UP. IT APPEARS IT WON'T CHANGE GEARS. *TR
I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND ON OTHERS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MOUNTS BREAKING. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND, SURE ENOUGH, MY ENGINE MOUNT HAS BROKEN. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IS DRIVEN ON SMOOTH ROADS DAILY. THIS IS A DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
I OWN A 2003 HONDA PILOT WITH 57,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER TAKING IT TO A HONDA SPECIALIST FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN REPORTED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT & SIDE ENGINE MOUNT ARE BOTH BROKEN, WITH A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $503.30. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION, HAS HAD ALL ITS SCHEDULED SERVICES AND IN NO WAY SHOULD THE ENGINE MOUNTS BE BROKEN. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO REPAIR AS IT SEEMS TO NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED TO BE BROKEN WITH SUCH FEW MILES. *TR
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2003 HONDA PILOT FROM [XXX] OF COLERAIN IN OHIO. THE CAR HAS 137,000 APPROXIMATE MILES ON IT. THEY WANTED ME TO PAY OVER 15,000 FOR THE CAR AND FINALLY AFTER DEBATING FOR HOURS OVER 4. THEY SOLD ME THE CAR OUT THE DOOR WITH NO WARRANTY OFFERED FOR 10,500. I WAS VERY HAPPY AND I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND ONE ON THE WAY. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON AUGUST 5, 2012 LESS THAN TWO WEEK GO BY AND I AM DRIVING HOME GOING 65MPH ON 71 AND THE CAR JERKS DOWN GEARS TO 30 MILES AN HOUR IN A SPLIT SECOND. MY NECK AND MY BACK ARE BOTH HURTING AND I DO NOT WANT TO SUE NOR TRY TO GET RICH OFF OF THIS. MY COMPLAINT IS, I TOOK THE CAR TO[XXX] OF COLERAIN THE NEXT MORNING THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THEY...
THE PILOT SHUDDERS GOING AT SLOWER RATES OF SPEED AT PRETTY REGULAR INSTANCES. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, POSSIBLY THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 HONDA PILOTS. *TR
TOOK PILOT IN FOR HEADLIGHT RECALL WIRING REPLACEMENT. MINE HAD CONNECTOR COMPLETELY MELTED. REPLACED. WAS TOLD ON PICKUP THAT ALL THREE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKE! THAT EXPLAINS THE CLUNK WITH ACCELERATION . I DRIVE THIS PILOT LIKE AN OLD LADY GOING TO CHURCH. HOW ALL THREE ARE BROKE AT THE SAME TIME THE ODDS ARE TOO HIGH FOR THAT! BAD DESIGN?? POOR MATERIALS???CALLED HONDA MUM IS THE WORD,NO RECALL ON ENGINE MOUNTS,GO FIGURE FOR SURE. *JS
Other 2003 HONDA PILOT Problem Areas
Power Train
117 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
105 complaints
Air Bags
100 complaints
Electrical System
97 complaints
Seats
32 complaints
Unknown Or Other
31 complaints
Suspension
25 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
22 complaints
Steering
22 complaints
Structure
19 complaints
Structurebody
19 complaints
Exterior Lighting
18 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
18 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
15 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
13 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
10 complaints
Service Brakes
9 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
8 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Equipment
6 complaints
Seat Belts
6 complaints
Air Bagsfrontal
5 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
5 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
5 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
5 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
4 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
4 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
4 complaints
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
4 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
4 complaints
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
4 complaints
Suspensionrear
4 complaints
Visibilityglass Siderear
4 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
3 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
3 complaints
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
3 complaints
Structureframe And Members
3 complaints
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
3 complaints
Tirestreadbelt
3 complaints
Visibility
3 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
3 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
2 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
2 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
2 complaints
Equipment Adaptivemobility
2 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsmaster Cylinder
2 complaints
Structurebodydoor
2 complaints
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
2 complaints
Traction Control System
2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Sideinflator Module
1 complaint
Air Bagssrs Malfunction Warning Lamplight
1 complaint
Child Seat
1 complaint
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
1 complaint
Electrical Systemsoftware
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiring
1 complaint
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
1 complaint
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
1 complaint
Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemfuel Rail
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestorage
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiongear Position Indication Prndl
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmission
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
1 complaint
Seat Beltsrearother
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilock
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airdiscrotor
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrum
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
1 complaint
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
1 complaint
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Structurebodytailgatehinge And Attachments
1 complaint
Suspensionfront
1 complaint
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemrear Window
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherlinkages
1 complaint
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
1 complaint
Visibilitywiper
1 complaint