MileageCurve What breaks, and at what mileage
  1. Home
  2. Honda
  3. Pilot 2003–2008

Honda Pilot 2003–2008

1st generation · YF1 / YF2 (Honda Global Midsize, shared with Odyssey RL3 and Acura MDX YD1)

NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,237 complaints, 2,420 with mileageMethod

Reports with mileage
2,420
Median of reported failures
105,000 mi
Most-reported system
Transmission and driveline (17.9%)
Recalls
13

Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

On this generation, 55% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern.

Figure 1 · Honda Pilot 2003–2008 · 2,420 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 = 170 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Honda Pilot 2003–2008Histogram of 2,420 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 5,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 0 to 5,000 miles with 121 complaints, 5.0 percent of the total. 55% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. A further 170 complaints, 7.0 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 105,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 170 complaints (7.0%), plotted separately
10%
25,000
25%
70,000
Median
105,000
75%
147,000
90%
183,559

Tallest bin: 121 complaints between 0 and 5,000 miles. Based on 2,420 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 5,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–5,0001215.0%
5,000–10,000281.2%
10,000–15,000261.1%
15,000–20,000311.3%
20,000–25,000281.2%
25,000–30,000281.2%
30,000–35,000311.3%
35,000–40,000341.4%
40,000–45,000220.9%
45,000–50,000401.7%
50,000–55,000421.7%
55,000–60,000532.2%
60,000–65,000522.1%
65,000–70,000552.3%
70,000–75,000803.3%
75,000–80,000682.8%
80,000–85,000582.4%
85,000–90,000974.0%
90,000–95,000984.0%
95,000–100,000893.7%
100,000–105,0001194.9%
105,000–110,000783.2%
110,000–115,000682.8%
115,000–120,000753.1%
120,000–125,000823.4%
125,000–130,000803.3%
130,000–135,000733.0%
135,000–140,000622.6%
140,000–145,000702.9%
145,000–150,000562.3%
150,000–155,000853.5%
155,000–160,000341.4%
160,000–165,000743.1%
165,000–170,000371.5%
170,000–175,000421.7%
175,000–180,000291.2%
180,000–185,000391.6%
185,000–190,000190.8%
190,000–195,000200.8%
195,000–200,000271.1%
200,000+1707.0%

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.

Owners filed 3,237 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2008 Honda Pilot, and 2,420 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.

55% of failures occur beyond 100,000 miles — a wear pattern. The car generally reaches substantial mileage before trouble starts.

The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (17.9% of complaints, typically around 110,000 miles), the airbag system (14.4% of complaints, typically around 108,000 miles), the electrical system (9.2% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles).

13 recall campaigns cover this generation.

If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.

How many miles does a 2003–2008 Honda Pilot last?

Half of the failure reports on the 2003–2008 Honda Pilot were filed by 105,000 miles and 90% by 184,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,420 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.

170 reports (7%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Pilot reached that mileage, not that it died there.

Before you buy a 2003–2008 Pilot: the 3-minute check

Generated from 2,420 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  2. 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…
  3. 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.
  4. Check steering. Power steering pump and high-pressure hose leaks producing whine and fluid loss.
  5. Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
  6. 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, a late-failure pattern shifts the question from whether to when. 55% of reported failures occur beyond 100,000 miles, so an example approaching that figure is approaching the range where other owners started reporting problems. The middle half of all failures falls between 70,000 and 147,000 miles.

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 108,000, 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.

What fails, and when

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.

  1. Body structure172 reports102,00060,000–170,000Body structure: 172 reports, median 102,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 170,000 miles.
  2. Brakes156 reports105,00072,000–153,000Brakes: 156 reports, median 105,000 miles, middle half 72,000 to 153,000 miles.
  3. Airbag system465 reports108,00075,000–156,000Airbag system: 465 reports, median 108,000 miles, middle half 75,000 to 156,000 miles.
  4. Transmission and driveline581 reports110,00083,000–136,000Transmission and driveline: 581 reports, median 110,000 miles, middle half 83,000 to 136,000 miles.
  5. Seats187 reports114,00080,000–157,000Seats: 187 reports, median 114,000 miles, middle half 80,000 to 157,000 miles.
  6. Engine141 reports115,00095,000–149,000Engine: 141 reports, median 115,000 miles, middle half 95,000 to 149,000 miles.
  7. Electrical system297 reports120,00085,000–151,000Electrical system: 297 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.

Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Transmission and driveline58117.9%110,00083,000–136,000
Airbag system46514.4%108,00075,000–156,000
Electrical system2979.2%120,00085,000–151,000
Seats1875.8%114,00080,000–157,000
Body structure1725.3%102,00060,000–170,000
Brakes1564.8%105,00072,000–153,000
Engine1414.4%115,00095,000–149,000
Electronic stability control (esc)1384.3%118,00074,000–160,000
Engine and its cooling system1364.2%79,00045,000–100,000
Suspension1304.0%138,00065,000–190,000

Where your car sits

Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.

Figure 3 · Honda Pilot 2003–2008 · 2,420 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.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Honda Pilot 2003–2008Of 2,420 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 5,000-mile bin edge. 20 percent below 60,000 miles. 37 percent below 90,000 miles. 59 percent below 120,000 miles. Median 105,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 20% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 37% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 59% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it below

The staircase tops out at 93%: the remaining 7.0% of reports (170) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

At 60,000 miles

20% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.

In the reporting window

  • Body structure — middle half 60,000–170,000 mi

Mostly reported later

  • Transmission and driveline — middle half 83,000–136,000 mi
  • Airbag system — middle half 75,000–156,000 mi
  • Electrical system — middle half 85,000–151,000 mi
  • Seats — middle half 80,000–157,000 mi
  • Brakes — middle half 72,000–153,000 mi
  • Engine — middle half 95,000–149,000 mi

At 90,000 miles

37% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.

In the reporting window

  • Transmission and driveline — middle half 83,000–136,000 mi
  • Airbag system — middle half 75,000–156,000 mi
  • Electrical system — middle half 85,000–151,000 mi
  • Seats — middle half 80,000–157,000 mi
  • Body structure — middle half 60,000–170,000 mi
  • Brakes — middle half 72,000–153,000 mi

Mostly reported later

  • Engine — middle half 95,000–149,000 mi

At 120,000 miles

59% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.

In the reporting window

  • Transmission and driveline — middle half 83,000–136,000 mi
  • Airbag system — middle half 75,000–156,000 mi
  • Electrical system — middle half 85,000–151,000 mi
  • Seats — middle half 80,000–157,000 mi
  • Body structure — middle half 60,000–170,000 mi
  • Brakes — middle half 72,000–153,000 mi
  • Engine — middle half 95,000–149,000 mi

Which systems, and when

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 105,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 17.9% of complaints (581 reports, 525 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 14.4% of complaints (465 reports, 212 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 108,000 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 9.2% of complaints (297 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 5.8% of complaints (187 reports, 152 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 114,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 80,000 and 157,000 miles.

Body structure accounts for 5.3% of complaints (172 reports, 127 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 102,000 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 4.8% 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.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 955 complaints — while 2008 drew the fewest at 165. The median year sits at 487.

The first year of the generation, 2003, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 13 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), traction control (1), the electrical system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

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.

Reported severity

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,237 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
215 (6.6%)
Fires
68
Injury reports
169
Fatality reports
9

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.

Documented problems

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.

By model year

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileage
2003877642
2004644485
2005955815
2006330227
2007266164
200816587

Recalls (13) — is your car included?

Recalls are fixed free of charge at any dealer, for any owner. Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The text below is NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. Aug 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 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

    NHTSA campaign 19V501000, reported 2019-08-12.

  2. Aug 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 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    NHTSA campaign 19V499000, reported 2019-08-12.

  3. Apr 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, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi

    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 death.

    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 at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

    NHTSA campaign 19V182000, reported 2019-04-10.

  4. Jun 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 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

    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 customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

    NHTSA campaign 18V268000, reported 2018-06-22.

  5. Feb 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 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

    NHTSA campaign 17V029000, reported 2017-02-27.

  6. Jun 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 have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Ac

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

    NHTSA campaign 16V344000, reported 2016-06-29.

  7. Jul 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 vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda E

    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 causing serious injury or death.

    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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On De

    NHTSA campaign 15V370000, reported 2015-07-01.

  8. Jul 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 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    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 death.

    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. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall alread

    NHTSA campaign 15V320000, reported 2015-07-01.

  9. Jan 2015 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’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 originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon dep

    What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    NHTSA campaign 14V700000, reported 2015-01-26.

  10. Sep 2014 · 2003–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’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 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 service at 1-800-999-1009.

    NHTSA campaign 14V353000, reported 2014-09-12.

  11. Apr 2013 · 2005 · Traction Control SystemSudden 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 manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop.

    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, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.Honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.Acura.com.

    NHTSA campaign 13V092000, reported 2013-04-22.

  12. Feb 2013 · 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 interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

    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 crash.

    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 the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    NHTSA campaign 12V573000, reported 2013-02-22.

  13. Apr 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 year 2003 Pilot vehicles. In august 2012, Honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the

    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 vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    NHTSA campaign 12V136000, reported 2012-04-27.

What owners reported

The accelerator pedal sticks. When the applied the accelerator the vehicle did not respond as it should. The owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer and all they would do is spray the pedal with silicone. They also said that this function is normal for this vehicle. *Jb the problem was said to be due to carbon build…

2003 · 12 miles · Throttle and speed control

While driving my 2003 Pilot at speeds over 40 MPH, opening either the rear window causes a pressure imbalance within the vehicle which unless the windows are immediately closed, causes extreme ear pain to all passengers. This situation can cause a potentially hazardous situation if the vehicle is in high speed traffic…

2003 · 40 miles · Body structure

My Honda Pilot becomes unstable at speeds above 60 MPH, it responds as though there is play in the steering and any small road imperfections cause the vehicle to veer left or right, i took it to cush Honda where i purchased the vehicle and they said three of four tires had 52 pounds of air in the tires, which had to…

2003 · 100 miles · Body structure

Built from 2,420 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page

Other generations