- March 26: Honda Infotainment Lawsuit: All But 1 Claim Dismissed news | 3 days ago
- March 12: Honda Automatic Emergency Braking Problems Investigated investigations | 17 days ago
- February 24: Honda Civic AC Lawsuit Shut Down by Appeals Court news | 34 days ago
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CarComplaints.com Notes: Beware the 2003 Honda Pilot once the odometer reaches 100k miles, when two problem defect trends have shown up: transmission failure & ignition switch problems.
Typically a locksmith can fix the ignition switch or it can be replaced for around $700. However the transmission failure is a far more expensive problem, with the average repair cost at well over $3,000. A major transmission recall of over 1 million Honda vehicles back in 2004 dealt with transmission damage due to overheating, but 2003 Pilot transmissions have continued to fail.
9.1
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $3,470
- Average Mileage:
- 123,600 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 64 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- had to be replaced (31 reports)
- rebuild of torque converter and transmission (12 reports)
- not sure (9 reports)
- replace transmission (9 reports)
- install factory rebuilt transmission (2 reports)
- replace 3rd & 4th gear solenoids on tranny (1 reports)
transmission problem
Helpful websites
- Piloteers Forum - This forum is extremely helpful. You simply need to sign up with an email (it only takes a minute) then enter search criteria. There are many knowledgeable people on there that work on the pilots themselves and can help you out! My name on the forum is dktyson, if you don't believe me. Feel free to browse around and ask for help!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Honda is supposed to be a high quality vehicle.
The Pilot transmission failed twice. When I took it to Honda they never mentioned the recall and they told me it would cost about $5700 to fix. AAMCO fixed it for $3500. No warning, no overloading of the car. Used it to commute work and go on week end trips. I never hauled anything other than luggage in the vehicle.
The second time it failed, it would not shift out of first and then it would bump into second and then work but then it would periodically down shift into first and not shift again. It was so unpredictable I drove to work on city streets instead of the freeways. Honda still never said anything about the recall.
Finally, I just drove it to the dealership where I bought it and went to the finance manager and gave him the keys. I said it was his to do with as he pleased since Honda wasn't honoring their warranty or playing fair with the recall.
I will probably NEVER buy another Honda.
I have a Honda Civic 2002 NGV with their disastrous CVT which is a complete abortion of a transmission. I have a lot of problem with the danged thing not going into gear when it starts in the morning and I have to rev it in gear to get it to bump into gear.
I noticed that Honda is putting the CVT in their new hybrid cars. Why? Why can't Honda build a decent transmission??? Every Honda I have ever had had a transmission issue.
They also have the WORST warranty of any vehicle in their class. My next car with either be Hyundai or a KIA.
I wish someone would sue Honda's ass off for all these consistent transmission problems and this corporate game they play with acting stupid or "We've never had that problem with a Pilot before"...which is just complete nonsense.
- rover26, Riverside, US