Honda Pilot 2003–2008 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · YF1 / YF2 (Honda Global Midsize, shared with Odyssey RL3 and Acura MDX YD1)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20262,555 complaints, 1,881 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2003 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 117,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 720
- Recalls naming this year
- 13
Most reported on the 2003
- Transmission and driveline224 reports · median 122,000 mi
- Electrical system129 reports · median 129,000 mi
- Airbag system115 reports · median 111,000 mi
13 recall campaigns name the 2003: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 104,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 544
- Recalls naming this year
- 12
Most reported on the 2004
- Transmission and driveline142 reports · median 106,000 mi
- Seats85 reports · median 128,000 mi
- Airbag system81 reports · median 101,000 mi
12 recall campaigns name the 2004: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 102,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 679
- Recalls naming this year
- 13
Most reported on the 2005
- Transmission and driveline176 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Airbag system120 reports · median 122,000 mi
- Brakes98 reports · median 104,000 mi
13 recall campaigns name the 2005: Air bags — frontal; Air bags; Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 100,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 268
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system61 reports
- Body structure26 reports
- Brakes24 reports
8 recall campaigns name the 2006: Air bags — frontal; Equipment — other. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2007 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 82,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 211
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system54 reports
- Electrical system22 reports
- Exterior lighting17 reports
7 recall campaigns name the 2007: Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2008 Honda Pilot
Close- Median failure report
- 87,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 133
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system32 reports
- Body structure16 reports
- Transmission and driveline11 reports
7 recall campaigns name the 2008: Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2003 reports latest and the 2007 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2003 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2008 Honda Pilot reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 104,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 181,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,881
- Recalls
- 19
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline22.7% of complaints · median 110,000 mi
- Airbag system18.1% of complaints · median 109,000 mi
- Electrical system11.5% of complaints · median 120,000 mi
Owners filed 2,555 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2008 Honda Pilot; the transmission and driveline leads with 22.7% of them, and half of the 1,881 that record an odometer reading came by 104,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 68,000 and 145,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2008 Honda Pilot last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2003–2008 Honda Pilot, half of the 1,881 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 104,000 miles and 90% by 181,000 miles.
439 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 132 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Pilot reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Pilot 2003–2008 · 1,881 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 132 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 132 complaints (7.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 24,000
- 25%
- 68,035
- Median
- 104,000
- 75%
- 145,000
- 90%
- 181,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 97 | 5.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 26 | 1.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 22 | 1.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 26 | 1.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 22 | 1.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 25 | 1.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 24 | 1.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 27 | 1.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 19 | 1.0% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 33 | 1.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 33 | 1.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 40 | 2.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 42 | 2.2% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 44 | 2.3% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 58 | 3.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 57 | 3.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 51 | 2.7% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 68 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 79 | 4.2% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 60 | 3.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 94 | 5.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 61 | 3.2% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 56 | 3.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 55 | 2.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 64 | 3.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 60 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 59 | 3.1% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 41 | 2.2% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 56 | 3.0% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 43 | 2.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 63 | 3.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 31 | 1.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 53 | 2.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 29 | 1.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 26 | 1.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 25 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 30 | 1.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 18 | 1.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 14 | 0.7% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 18 | 1.0% |
| 200,000+ | 132 | 7.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Pilot problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Pilot 2003–2008
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Body structure169 reports101,00060,000–170,000Body structure: 169 reports, median 101,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 170,000 miles.
- Brakes156 reports105,00072,000–153,000Brakes: 156 reports, median 105,000 miles, middle half 72,000 to 153,000 miles.
- Airbag system463 reports109,00075,000–156,000Airbag system: 463 reports, median 109,000 miles, middle half 75,000 to 156,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline579 reports110,00083,000–136,000Transmission and driveline: 579 reports, median 110,000 miles, middle half 83,000 to 136,000 miles.
- Engine141 reports115,00095,000–149,000Engine: 141 reports, median 115,000 miles, middle half 95,000 to 149,000 miles.
- Seats183 reports116,00081,000–158,000Seats: 183 reports, median 116,000 miles, middle half 81,000 to 158,000 miles.
- Electrical system295 reports120,00085,000–151,000Electrical system: 295 reports, median 120,000 miles, middle half 85,000 to 151,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 579 | 22.7% | 110,000 | 83,000–136,000 |
| Airbag system | 463 | 18.1% | 109,000 | 75,000–156,000 |
| Electrical system | 295 | 11.5% | 120,000 | 85,000–151,000 |
| Seats | 183 | 7.2% | 116,000 | 81,000–158,000 |
| Body structure | 169 | 6.6% | 101,000 | 60,000–170,000 |
| Brakes | 156 | 6.1% | 105,000 | 72,000–153,000 |
| Engine | 141 | 5.5% | 115,000 | 95,000–149,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 138 | 5.4% | 118,000 | 74,000–160,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 135 | 5.3% | 79,000 | 45,000–100,000 |
| Suspension | 130 | 5.1% | 139,000 | 66,000–198,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 104,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 22.7% of complaints (579 reports, 523 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 110,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 83,000 and 136,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 18.1% of complaints (463 reports, 210 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 109,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 75,000 and 156,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 11.5% of complaints (295 reports, 225 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 120,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 85,000 and 151,000 miles.
Seats account for 7.2% of complaints (183 reports, 148 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 116,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 81,000 and 158,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 6.6% of complaints (169 reports, 125 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 101,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 170,000 miles.
The brakes account for 6.1% of complaints (156 reports, 140 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 105,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 72,000 and 153,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2003–2008 Pilot
Transmission 2003–2004
Honda 5-speed automatic torque converter lockup clutch judder and third-gear clutch failure — the same defect family that drove Honda's V6 automatic warranty extensions of that era. Symptoms are shudder at light throttle around 40-50 mph followed by slipping and failure.
Engine
J35 timing belt is a scheduled-replacement item (not a chain); belt or tensioner neglect on this interference engine causes catastrophic valve-to-piston contact.
Steering
Power steering pump and high-pressure hose leaks producing whine and fluid loss.
Before you buy a 2003–2008 Pilot: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,881 mileage-tagged complaints, 19 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 19 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2003–2004 cars. Honda 5-speed automatic torque converter lockup clutch judder and third-gear clutch failure — the same defect family that drove Honda's V6 automatic warranty extensions of that era. Symptoms are shudder at light…
- Check engine. J35 timing belt is a scheduled-replacement item (not a chain); belt or tensioner neglect on this interference engine causes catastrophic valve-to-piston contact.
- Check steering. Power steering pump and high-pressure hose leaks producing whine and fluid loss.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 68,000 and 145,000 miles, with a median of 104,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 109,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Pilot problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi21% below | At 90k mi38% below | At 120k mi59% below | At 150k mi77% below | At 200k mi93% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 83,000–136,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 75,000–156,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Electrical system | 85,000–151,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Seats | 81,000–158,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Body structure | 60,000–170,000 | in window | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Brakes | 72,000–153,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Engine | 95,000–149,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Pilot 2003–2008 · 1,881 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 21% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 38% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 93%: the remaining 7.0% of reports (132) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2003–2008 Honda Pilot recalls (19)
NHTSA records 19 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (10), equipment (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (1). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Jun 2019 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Jun 2019 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Mar 2019 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsAn explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic…
What can happen. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service…
Apr 2018 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012…
What can happen. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda…
Jan 2017 · 2005–2008 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2016 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Jun 2015 · 2003 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
May 2015 · 2003–2008 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture…
The defect. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.…
Nov 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Jun 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Mar 2013 · 2005 · Service Brakes, HydraulicSudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles…
What can happen. Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator…
Dec 2012 · 2003–2004 · Electrical SystemRemoval of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the…
What can happen. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a…
The free fix. Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of…
Mar 2012 · 2003–2005 · Exterior LightingIf the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 CR-V; model year 2003 through 2005 Pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 CR-V and certain model…
What can happen. If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of…
Jul 2006 · 2006 · EquipmentThe language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
What can happen. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The free fix. Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the…
Feb 2005 · 2005 · SteeringLoss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
The defect. On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control.
What can happen. Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
The free fix. Owners were notified by telephone on january 25, 2005, and arrangements were made to have their vehicles towed to their dealers and have the repairs performed. The recall began on january 25, 2005.
Nov 2004 · 2005 · Fuel System, GasolineIn a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, some fuel tanks were improperly manufactured.
What can happen. In a crash, the fuel tank could be damaged and leak fuel. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers replaced the fuel tank. All owners were notified by telephone on november 10, 2004.
Aug 2004 · 2004 · EquipmentCertain sport utility vehicle's certification labels may contain incorrect vehicle weight and tire size…
Certain sport utility vehicle's certification labels may contain incorrect vehicle weight and tire size information.
The free fix. Owners will be requested to inspect the certification label or to contact a dealer to perform the inspection for them. If the label is incorrect, owners should contact their dealers to arrange to…
Apr 2004 · 2003–2004 · Power TrainGear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The defect. On some MINI vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear…
What can happen. Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…
Aug 2002 · 2003 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be…
What can happen. If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,555 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 152 (5.9%)
- Fires
- 48
- Injury reports
- 116
- Fatality reports
- 5
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Pilot problems by model year
The 2003 drew the most complaints of this generation, 720, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2008 the fewest, 133. A typical year drew about 406.
The first year of the generation, 2003, drew more complaints than a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 720 | 535 | 117,000 | Transmission and driveline (224) | 13 |
| 2004 | 544 | 410 | 104,000 | Transmission and driveline (142) | 12 |
| 2005 | 679 | 566 | 102,000 | Transmission and driveline (176) | 13 |
| 2006 | 268 | 175 | 100,000 | Airbag system (61) | 8 |
| 2007 | 211 | 124 | 82,000 | Airbag system (54) | 7 |
| 2008 | 133 | 71 | 87,000 | Airbag system (32) | 7 |
What Pilot owners reported
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that shortly after refueling, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration, causing the speed to increase to approximately 45 MPH while approaching stopped traffic. While pressing the brake pedal to avoid a collision, the vehicle continued to…
2005 · 150,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle slowed down unexpectedly, and the brake pedal was hard and slow to respond when depressed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling to the left, and it was difficult to correct the steering wheel. The…
2005 · 173,000 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle violently jolted forward with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The failure had occurred while driving on a…
2003 · 131,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the odometer mileage reading was 160,000. After obtaining a Carfax Report it was discovered that the previous mileage was 337,000. The contact also indicated that the instrument cluster had been replaced and the…
2004 · 337,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 1,881 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Pilot generations
- Pilot 2009–2015 812 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Pilot 2016–2022 1,485 reports with mileage, most about the engine