2003 HONDA PILOT Engine Problems

25 NHTSA complaints on file

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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

#11682831 |
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.
#11482224 | Fire
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.
#11444531 |
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
#11191459 |
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
#11186210 |
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.
#11143333 |
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.
#11112029 |
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
#11075273 |
THE CARS TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING ADEQUATELY THE GEARS WON'T GO WHILE IN 2ND AND THIRD OR REVERSE
#11023586 |
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
#10840023 | Crash
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...
#10809021 |
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.
#10706483 | Crash
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...
#10651448 |
FAILED FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ON HONDA PILOT 2003. THIS SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS. *TR
#10640670 | Crash
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...
#10620683 |
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...
#10538479 |
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
#10521735 |
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.
#10513026 |
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...
#10512784 |
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
#10511614 |
ENGINE REVS AT 25-30 MPH, AND RPM'S SHOOT UP. IT APPEARS IT WON'T CHANGE GEARS. *TR
#10508837 |
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
#10508335 |
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
#10471481 |
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...
#10466489 |
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
#10458565 |
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
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