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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,106 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #4

Mar 042006

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,323 miles

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

The incident happened while driving home from school at around 4:30 pm. Just like always around at certain part of the freeway the traffic began and everyone was slowing down. I began to press on my breaks. This is were things all went to fast and are kind of weird. Going about 60 mph, my SUV was not slowing down and it jerked to the left. There were a lot of bad, scary noises, ones that automobiles shouldn't make. Luckily, I didn't hit anyone else. My thought before I got out of the car was that I totally slammed into the center median. However, upon exiting the vehicle I saw that cosmetically the car was pretty much fine. All the commotion that I heard and felt didn't make sense at first but then it all came to fruition. It seems that going 60 mph with 10-15 feet my car came to a dead stop, resting on two right side tires and to left side wheels. The freeway patrolman went up and down the freeway to make sure I didn't hit anything (because I didn't!), and all he found were pieces of my car and nothing else. Again we don't know what happened, but there is a long list of mechanical, body and refinish work that needs to be done and replaced. So far around 7,000+ in damages. Not to mention they are not sure if the transmission and the frame are messed up. The rear sub frame, the piece that holds the suspension together, broke clean in half. We don't know if the front failed and caused the back to fall apart, or if the back failed and caused the front to fall apart. To correct it they are just going to repair everything that needs to be fixed, most which are being replaced with used parts. The only physical injury that occurred was a big burn/cut I got from the side air bag going off. Plus, by replacing the pieces with used parts, how do they know it won't fail again? especially because they don't know what happened in the first place! thanks for your time.

- Whittier , CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 122005

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,600 miles
While driving,45 mph, the consumer experienced 2 tire blow outs without warning. The police came and told him he would have to have it towed. The vehicle was towed to the nearest auto body. The dealer stated they would not have it towed their establishment and he would have to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer said they couldn't tow it to the dealer where it was purchased but they would have it towed to the nearest dealer. The consumer did not want to take it to a different dealer. In order to go to the dealer of purchase, the consumer would have to pay for it himself. The consumer stated the vehicle vibrated at 70 mph.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #2

May 202005

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
At 8,000 miles my 2005 Honda Pilot developed a vibration, or jitter at 65 mph and higher. Moderate steering wheel vibration by 73 mph. Owner had an independent tire dealer check and re-balance the wheels as needed. Vibration remained. 2 more visits to dealer who advised no problem found and go see the Goodyear dealer, who wanted no part of this issue. More trips to dealer who advised the vehicle owner should consider replacing the oem tires (now at only 8,500 miles). Owner replaced oem tires with Michelin ltx M/S ($700) and vibration remains. Dealer re-balanced tires on hunter 9700 machine resulting in minor improvement but basic jitter remains. Next visit the deal acknowledges jitter, it's annoyance, and blames tread pattern on the now non-oem tires. Filed complaint with Honda North America and waited 312 business hours for a return call. Honda responded when I mentioned arbitration. Honda North America reports the dealer said 'no problem found'. now at 14,000 miles. Honda says they have no regional rep covering my area (4th largest metropolitan area in the us) and will call me back, soon. The vehicle jitter remains, 65 mph and higher, making the vehicle tiring to drive on trips of distance (vacation travel). The jitter/vibration is distracting and over rides standard 'road feel'. Honda appears to not be interested in my issue, or does not have a solution. Other Honda Pilot owners in my area, and on internet boards, report the same symptom.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #1

Jul 132005

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
2005 Honda Pilot ex-L was purchased on 7-13-2005 it now has 1210 miles on it. A vibration has occured similiar to out of balance wheels and tires at around 70 mph. Dealer has balanced wheels, sent vehicle out to another tire company for rotation and spin balance. Nothing has cured the vibration. The dealer is helpful, but apparently cannot solve my problem. We feel this is an accident waiting to happen. We also understand this is not an uncommon problem, that Honda refuses to address.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

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