CarComplaints.com Notes: We all want our SUVs to be able to stop on a dime, just not randomly and without warning. But that's what was happening to 2005 Pilot owners: their vehicles were slamming on the brakes even when they didn't. A government investigation of this problem led to a recall in March of 2013.

Another issue that keeps popping up is transmission fluid mixing with coolant in the radiator which is causing transmission failure, a costly repair to say the least.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,142 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #53

Mar 032023

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was traveling down the road, had an electrical burning smell coming from my dash and around steering wheel. Low beams then shut off going down road pulled over but still had high beams but no low beams.

- Gallatin , TN, USA

problem #52

Dec 032022

Pilot

  • miles
I parked my car in front of my house at 10pm the following morning my neighbor came to tell me my car was on fire. It had been raining the previous night. My driver window was not completely closed so rain got in my car. There was black smoke coming out of the window. When I opened my door, the driver seat & driver door was on fire. I grabbed the hose & put out the fire.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #51

Nov 042020

Pilot

  • 233,000 miles
2005 Pilot was repaired under vsa recall in 2013. As of the last couple of weeks, again I experienced same exact vehicle safety issues prior to repair. This past week while I had my three children in the car, we almost lost our lives. A semi driver instead risked his own lives to keep from slamming in the back of us. We took our Pilot to Honda dealership that has serviced our vehicle over the years and they do not want to recognize issue and instead point to the same thing I am now reading here online. The dealership service department states it is the yaw sensor as the issue, not faulty repair. It is not a coincidence that Pilot owners are now once again are experiencing the same issues all over again. How many lives will be lost or changed for the worst before Honda is forced to reckon with this issue? this is wrong and unacceptable. There are other poor design flaws that we think also may have cost us so much more money, such as the vvt issues. However, the vsa repair issue is not something that can be overlooked and must be dealt with now. Specifically, my experience mostly on flat surfaces with exception of one time on a slight incline at a stop light. Both in town driving and intersate and all dry weather conditions except one occasion. The vsa light flashed, vehicle applied brake at without my foot on brake pedal. My foot was on accelerator at the time vehicle was being harshly stopped by the brakes applied. This caused the vehicle to make a bucking motion or jerking motion, also I've experienced the slight swerve. I was driving in a straight direction all of the times this occurred since the repair in 2013. It depended on the amount of pressure and length of time the vehicle acted up. Everything is just as it did prior to the repair in 2013, nothing is any different, all the same. Yet, Honda wants to say I need to cover repair.

- Bedford, KY, USA

problem #50

Aug 072020

Pilot

  • 161,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the second time this week my 2005 Honda Pilot suddenly loses all power and dies, both times I was in a dangerous intersections. It scared me 2 death.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #49

Jun 012020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 51,000 miles
The yaw rate lateral acceleration sensor is faulty and should be included in Honda's 2013 recall of the vsa. The vehicle has the exact symptoms of the vsa recall, which was fixed on my vehicle. I purchased the car last year with very low miles, only drove for a few months before it started having issues. Started out having the vsa triangle light on dash and losing power (limp mode) only after coming out of a turn after driving vehicle for awhile. Increased to the point where after roughly 30 minutes of the vehicle running the vsa issue would happen at least once during the drive. Severity of the vsa/limp mode got worse, no power for longer at a time and the horrible grinding noise directly underneath cabin. Took to Honda complaining of these issues, couldn't replicate it so nothing was wrong. One month ago, my vehicle started having the un-commanded braking problem. Driving at 55 mph, the slightest touch to the brakes causes the vehicle to hard brake, causing a swerve at least going that fast. It has done this un-commanded braking more than once, I have been afraid to drive it and at least got it 30 minutes to my Honda dealer, which I also purchased the vehicle from. It was diagnosed with the faulty yaw rate lateral acceleration sensor. I have argued with Honda for the last three weeks over the issue, ultimately to be told that it was not included in the final recall, even though the investigation names the yaw sensor as possibly being implicated in the malfunction. $994 for the sensor alone. It is absolutely dangerous and even the dealer recommends it be fixed immediately, yet Honda has declared no fault.

- Fillmore, IN, USA

problem #48

Sep 012019

Pilot

  • 137,787 miles
The brakes are applying randomly without applying pressure on the brake pedal. The vsa light remains illuminated and it is unsafe to drive. 13V092 is the recall bulliten I believe applies to my vehicle, but when I search my VIN, it shows no unrepaired recalls. I have verified that the vsa subharness has not been installed prior to my purchase of the vehicle. My manufacture date falls between the timeline of this recall and also my VIN begins with 2hk, which is specified in campaign 13-026 as requiring vsa sub harness installed. I have taken it to my local Honda dealer and they have told me that it does not qualify for the recall because it is "VIN specific".

- Fairbanks, AK, USA

problem #47

Sep 292019

Pilot

  • 174,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Over the last year, we experienced the car's dash warning lights turning on for 1-2 seconds and the radio makes a puff sound prior to this occuring...this has been reported prior on your system. See incident# 10458594. Second issue is regarding the interior lights for the heating / ac console. The lights don't work. This has also been reported on your system. See incident # 10440512, 10418459, 10345735. Both issues occur when driving the vehicle.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #46

Feb 012017

Pilot

  • 220,000 miles
Starter/electrical the lights on the dashboard continues to come on and stay on. Also the starter does not want to start at times.

- Graniteville, SC, USA

problem #45

Apr 072018

Pilot

  • miles
Faulty electrical issue. Car will just cut off and go dead especially when it rains. This was reported to Honda as a safety concern but no one ever followed up with the complaint. This should have been a recall. Car will just cut off and steering wheel locks. This occurs at any speed unexpectly without warning. Occurs while car is in motion without warning. Worsens with heavy rain. This was reported 10 years ago and even. Again about 8 years ago with no response from Honda. Occurred again today.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #44

Jul 212017

Pilot

  • 240,000 miles
Unexpected for the the key ignition stop working. I never have any kind of problems with ignition key stop working with my other cars. This come to safety concern when if it happen when you on a long vacation trip and all the sudden your car ignition key just stop working and you are far from home and work or don't know anyone around there to help. How could anyone expected that this issue would happen to Honda.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #43

Jan 182017

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving various speeds, the btm-4, bfa, ABS, and tpm warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but hey were unable to duplicate the failure or diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lacrosse, WI, USA

problem #42

Sep 142016

Pilot

  • 170,000 miles
Problems with vsa and vtm 4 lock. Vehicle slow dowm while drive around 30 mph.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #41

Mar 012016

Pilot

  • 174,000 miles
First issue. Honda is failing to make proper notifications concerning recalls and extended warrantees. A warrantee extension notice for my 2009 Honda Accord was forwarded to me by the person across town who received my notice. Last year the same person forwarded to me a takata airbag recall notice he received for my 2005 Honda Pilot. I purchased my 2005 Honda Pilot direct from Honda and my Accord from a private owner. Both vehicles are in the Honda service data base with my correct name, address, and VIN. I have no connection to that address, and the resident there does not have my name or any Honda vehicles. I have spoken to Honda service and the Honda recall center about this. Yet, in March the same issue occurred with my 2009 Honda Accord. Additionally, I have not received a notice on my 2010 Honda Accord (purchased from a Honda dealer), which, according to the notice, is part of the class of vehicles subject to the same extended warrantee. Honda's national service center could not explain to me how the mistake occurred and could not assure me that their records would be corrected for purposes of safety notifications since Honda has had my information correct in their service center database. Second issue: My notice of an extended warrantee on 2008-2010 Accord is for a corrosion issue with an internal component in the SRS electronic control unit that could potentially result in SRS failure. The notice stated that if the dashboard SRS light alerts you to an issue, you need to bring the vehicle in for inspection asap. The SRS light in my 2005 Honda Pilot illuminates intermittently. Honda said it is not covered, but they would diagnose it for $120/hr + repairs. For purposes of vehicle safety, can your office determine if the older Honda Pilot have the same SRS ECU issue as the 2008-2010 Honda Accord, and thus should be subject to a recall?

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

problem #40

Nov 242015

Pilot

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for an unknown manufacturer recall, the front driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crash sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- North Mankato, MN, USA

problem #39

Oct 162012

Pilot

  • 120,000 miles
Airbag light came on intermittently. After I took it in for the recall, the dealer said the sensor was bad and needed to be replaced for $200. I had that done and the second day following, it was on again. It intermittently lit for about 3 months. Now it is almost always on. I see similar issues listed. God forbid they don't work when I need them. Not thrilled with the Pilot. Transmission light also intermittently lights (blinking D). I had this fixed years ago after the dealer said new trans for $3,000. I didn't bite on that one because the shifting was seemless. Seems that mechanics maybe rely on computer too much. Had switch changed out and it stopped for about 2 years. Now it's on intermittently again. Tire pressure is another problem. Electronics stink!

- Haverford, PA, USA

problem #38

Sep 102015

Pilot

  • 148,300 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was a burning odor present inside the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver side seat adjustment control. A police officer using a fire extinguisher extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a burn on the right hand that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,300.

- Montauk, NY, USA

problem #37

Feb 032015

Pilot

  • 162,680 miles
My daughter was driving our family's 2005 Honda Pilot. She applied the brake lightly which resulted in excessive breaking in the left front wheel and then appearance of the vsa light. I brought the vehicle to the Honda dealer who first indicated there was no recall and then indicated there was a vsa wire harness recall (NHTSA 13V-092) but that it did apply the vsa light going on and therefore had nothing to do with the recall. A vsa light diagnostics which I independently paid for indicated a yaw rate failure code (25-01). This light vsa light has continued to intermittently go on and off with an intermittent contemporaneous relationship to braking. On 2/25/15 my daughter was driving the vehicle on the highway (no vsa light on), applied the brakes lightly and the car braked severly even once her foot was off the brake and pulled the car in the same front right direction as before forcing her to swerve along side a passing truck. The vsa light went on after the event occurred. Calling the Honda dealer today, the service manager indicated that Honda does not have a recall on this matter once the part for the 13V-092 recall was replaced. In reviewing safer car.gov NHTSA campaign id number DP12002 it describes well what has occurred twice and which has not been corrected by the recall service performed. I have also contacted Honda usa. I believe Honda has inadequately evaluated the relationship of similarly reported events regarding unexpected car brake assist with mild application of the brake since the vsa wire harness recall repair did not resolve the unexpected and inappropriate vsa/ESC/ba system logic response. It is not clear why Honda is not addressing my matter under this recall (NHTSA 13V-092) and the referenced NHTSA DP12002, and further investigating under a known safety recall.

- Altavista, VA, USA

problem #36

Oct 012014

Pilot

  • 130,000 miles
When on high, the driver side seat warmer will literally leave burn marks on my right leg. It has worked normal until this fall when I was driving and it burned my leg. It can not be on more than a minute or will leave burn marks on the right leg. The left side still seems normal. I checked and there is not a recall on this, but in looking into it had happened to many others and the seat has started to smoke.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #35

Nov 252014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 165,300 miles
Electrical components of the car started to fail. Power windows didn't work for a while and then worked again. Now they all work but the main control panel in the driver's side works except for the rear driver's window. It does work if done directly from the door but not from the main control panel. Also, power locks stopped working. I changed the fuse but it blows every time we use the locks. There is some sort of short. Dealership is asking $500 to fix it. There are some other lights in the main panel that go on and off every so often. It just seems that the electrical side to the car is deteriorating by the day.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #34

Aug 232014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 122,100 miles
On numerous occasions during the ownership of the car, especially when it is raining, damp, or snowing while driving the car for no reason it loses power. The steering wheel locks, and the car acts as if the battery has been disconnected. This has happened more than 20 times. This is a defect. I am reporting, because I realize this needed to be reported. It is a safety issue. This loss of electrical power has occurred with the original battery, as well as two other batteries over the life of the car. It appears to be electrically related. The loss of power results in the steering wheel locking and no power. Luckily, each time this has happened, I was driving at 30 miles per hour. If this ever occurred on the highway, it could resulted in an accident.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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