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.
8.7
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$510
Average Mileage:
125,550 miles
Total Complaints:
81 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (45 reports)
dealer to replace ingnition and comp at cost of 450+ (10 reports)
replace ignition switch (8 reports)
dealership says not under recall and new switch is required (5 reports)
have a locksmith replace the ignition switch (5 reports)
2003 Ignition Switch Problem- This Is What Honda Corpo Says - I contacted Honda Corp. They gave me two options to register my complaints-I encourage everyonje with this issue, whether you got it fixed like me or not, to log your complaints with 1. the above safety site and by calling Honda Corp directly select option #7 and ask to speak with John. He is aware of this problem and did say that if Honda and the above site receives enough registered complaints there is a possibility of Honda reimbursing us a percentage of the cost. I do not feel this is a waste of your time as we need to ban together as our Pilots are dealt with on individual VIN # cases. We purchased the vehicle when it first came out; how could they have known of this possible issue. I told John it was a wide-spread issue-it is a malfunctioning part. He is waiting to hear from us. The dealerships need to report the service they provide but if you went with a locksmith, that too needs to be reported by you. * Be sure to call and submit at the above site. Thank you! CCVAGRIMES
Http://cr4.Globalspec.Com/thread/58151/2003-Honda-Pilot-Ignition-Key-Ignition-Switch-Problem - I came across a not too difficult procedure to remove the ignition module; once removed you bring it to a locksmith to replace the wafers and then reinstall. Maybe an hour to remove the ignition module and a half hour to reinstall. Cost me $60 for the locksmith work, but others in the post were quoting $20-40.
A few months ago, after mentioning the problem of key sticking going into ignition and at times having difficulty turning key in ignition the dealer promptly checked the starter -- yes that's right the starter -- and reported that everything was ok. HMMM....at any rate the problem continued but was not much more than annoying. Then finally, at around 7:30 pm when I left work, I STUCK the key into the ignition (emphasis important as over time, it became a kind of game to figure out which way the key would go in and make it work) and nothing would turn. It was locked in place. This happened in Wisconsin which is an important fact since a typical night in early March can be 10-20 degrees below freezing -- which it WAS. So, thankfully, I had a cell phone and it was actually charged, so I could call my husband to come and pick me up. Went back later on to give it "one last try" before calling for a tow, and low and behold, I wiggled and jiggled the key just right and got it to turn on. Drove to the dealer and he indicated that there had been a recall on ignition control system or some such and they would try that first to see if that might fix...which of course, it did not. $400 later and with keys for the ignition that DO NOT MATCH key to the door -- (really??? yes - and when I asked why they could not just order the key via my VIN so that I would not have different keys I was told that it would cost a lot more for that. I'm still investigating that one.) This has been really annoying as it already comes on the heals of $2500 in another repair and looking at $800 in yet another. I have loved my Pilot these many years and have serviced it faithfully as the plan has been to keep it until it dies. I guess that when I forked out $33K for a new HONDA 9 years ago I thought that 131K miles with no accident history and each recommended service and maintenance followed to a T would not be even CLOSE to the end for this car. At this time I would be hard pressed to recommend a Honda (or any other "higher end" vehicle for that matter). Seems to me that for all the cash spent in purchase and maintenance and now repair, it may have been a better bet to just get a less expensive vehicle and trade in every 3 years or so....Either way, I'm not too happy with Zimbrick Honda in Madison, nor am I too thrilled with seeing all of these issues over the ignition sticking problem and yet there has been no recall as yet.
Dealer gave me a quote of $500 to fix it- so ignition problem is still not fixed and hope the upcoming interlock lever recall will allow my closest dealer in Reno to fix the lever and ignition switch too under the recall. Getting key into ignition is getting more and more difficult (over the last six months) to the point I worry I will be unable to start car in a dangerous situation/location-like a Sierra Nevada Snow Storm at night. Our temps have been in the minus zero to a little above at night for the past few weeks and that seems to make it a bit harder to fit key in and turn. I know it is just a matter of time before I can't start the car.
Not happy that Honda doesn't include this in the recall right from the start. I have two 16 years old starting to drive the car from time to time and worry they will get stuck somewhere or jam the ignition trying to start the car. We also take long distance trips to go river rafting and that provides many opportunities to have a breakdown in a very remote places. I hope Honda will do the right thing!
My husband was driving the car and came inside and asked if I had any problems with the key lately. All of a sudden, we couldn't get the key in the ignition. After putting some graphite into the ignition, we finally got the key to go in. We did try using the spare and the valet key, with no luck. After about 2 hours, we finally got the car stared. We drove it to our shop and left it there until they opened on Monday. After they took a look a the car, they said we needed a new ignition, which was going to run about $400. The other bad news is that we were going to have one key for the doors and one key for the ignition. My gripe is that it happened all of a sudden with no warning. We are also driving other older cars and none of them had any ignition problems like this. Not happy!!
My very expensive key takes a bit of jiggling to get into the ignition. When I took it to a mechanic they informed me that this is the 3rd 2003 Honda that they have had in their shop this week for the exact same problem. There should be a less expensive fix for this problem. Has Honda addressed this in later models?
One time before today we had a problem with the ignition key sticking - difficult to get it into the ignition. Tonight after dinner the car started right up, drove 1/2 mile, turned off the engine and 20 minutes later....trouble began.....It became VERY difficult to get the key into the ignition. Once in - it would not turn. Tried spare key with same results. Got the key in and tried jiggling the steering wheel - only to have the steering wheel lock solidly in place. Tomorrow I'll deal with it....call Honda....call my mechanic. This is the first really disappointing mechanical issue with this car. As misery loves company, it was reassuring to see that others have had the same problem. I appreciate the knowledge of how others dealt with this problem.
- Alan E.,
Costa Mesa, CA, US
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This malfunction is THE reason to have a vehicle in warranty. The Pilot is in great shape all engine components, interior wear, exterior needs some TLC, but she is a beauty.
But i can't turn her on. Unless we give 10 minutes of continuous effort to literally ' turn the key'. Estimate of 250 to 800 is a lot of gas or tires in summer. Hate to see her go but once they go bad it is never quite the same, because once the next malfunction arises plus wear...When does it end! I am still discussing the Pilot!!!!
Honda will have to get a few letters through the attorney general, so answers must be given! If anyone starts or started a petition for this repair ...
Please contact me at vpfamilyllc@live.com. subject: pilot problems.
The Honda dealership says this item is not under recall, which is rediculous because this a part that should not break down. To me this is a faulty part. I have had so old vehicles that have taken more abuse than the Pilot and they have no issues.
I took it to the Honda dealer we bought it from, they charged me $150.00 to make 2 new keys. The new keys worked for half a day, I went back the next day they are saying I need to replace ignition cost for parts $202.00, not sure how much labor will cost. when I said what about the $150.00 I just paid yesterday, they said the $202.00 quote on parts included a 20% discount for the $150.00 I had just spent. How crazy is that!!!! They say they can't tell me how much labor will cost yet as they have to have a locksmith come once they replace ignition and not sure how much his/her labor will cost. I went to a locksmith they said they have had several people come to them with same problem with this year and make. For $85.00 they can do something with the ignition as a temporary fix, cannot guarantee how log it will last. they said it is they way the key was designed
WELL THE KEY IS Stuck IN THE IGNITION,IT WONT BUDGE, I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AS DEALERSHIPS RIP YOU OFF! the mechanic can't do anything about it , but he did do temporary electrical work so i don't need a key. I am thinking of taking 1st to a locksmith and then if all fails I will have to take to the dealership. I searched the web and have found out this is common problem in 2003 honda pilots. I THINK IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT!!!!
I am tired of my key not working.I see that this is a huge problem on this Pilot and no one will do anything about it.I am so afraid I am going to get stranded I am 50 years old and do not live in a great neighborhood I am not going to leave my spare key in the car so it can be stole so for now I fight with starting my car everyday for at least 5 minutes.I do not have 500 to fix this problem does anyone know why Honda will not recall?
IT STARTED APPROX. 10 DAYS AGO, AT FIRST THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN RIGHT AWAY THEN IT WOULD TURN AFTER A COUPLE OF TRIES. THEN IT WOULDN'T TURN I HAD TO SIT IN CAR FOR APPROX 1/2 HR I WAS LATE FOR WORK EVENTUALLY I GOT IT TO TURN. THEN I DECIDED SO I WOULDN'T GET STUCK AT WORK TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND USE MY SPARE KEY. I LEFT THE KEY IN FOR A DAY WITHOUT STARTING IT THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FINE AND THEN THE BATTERY DIED. MY BATTERY WAS NEW GOT IT RECHARGED NOW I JUST HAVE TO START IT DAILY. THIS IS TERRIBLE MADISON HONDA IN NJ WANTS TO CHARGE ME 810.00 I CANT AFFORD THIS COST AND BESIDES I THINK ITS A BUNCH OF GARBAGE THAT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS MY PROBLEM. I'M SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS SITE I THINK THAT THIS IS A DEFECT AND HONDA SHOULD PAY FOR THIS. I'VE HAD OLD CARS AND USED CARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A PROBLEM LIKE THIS BEFORE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SO ANNOYING. I WILL BE LODGING A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA CORP IN THE MORNING. IN CONCLUSION I WILL BE USING MY SPARE KEY UNTIL I SAVE UP THE MONEY TO REPAIR OR HONDA MAKES THIS RIGHT MANY THANKS TO THE PERSON WHO PASSED ON "#7 AND ASK FOR JOHN.
My wife got off from work at 12:30AM one time, and tried to start the engine,but could not, because she cannot turn turn the key in the ignition switch, she called me after 30 minutes of trying. I had to pick her up, but before leaving, I tried my own key and the same result, the key won"t turn. The following morning, after about 20 minutes we were able to start it, since then we decided not to use the Pilot for the meantime. I tried starting it on a daily basis but, the key just won't turn.
From the looks of it, this appears to be a widespread issue. Luckily I was able to get the key in the ignition and start the vehicle, otherwise I would still be stuck in the mountains of Wyoming.
This is the 2nd time I have had this problem with my 2003 Honda Pilot, and apparently I"m not the only one. I had it fixed a few years back by a locksmith and until this week, it was fine. Then the past few days it started getting hinky every time I put the key in. Sometimes easy, sometimes it was a struggle. Drove around for 2 days and left my key in the ignition and locked the car with the other key. Just to make sure it wouldnt be a problem and we'd be stuck. TOday I accidentally took the key out. Habit. Now I cannot get it back in to save my life! Tried a little WD-40. Key goes almost all the way in at times, but will not make it fully. I am not stuck at home. Not sure how I"ll get to work tomorrow. Thinking it will have to be towed and then will cost me a bundle for a car I'm ready to sell. SO angry right now. SO sick of this problem and about a dozen other small problems with this car, including the locks on all 4 doors, brakes that need to be fixed over and over, AC not working in the back seat, etc... SO over this HONDA and promise I will NEVER buy another car the first year its on the market.
I can not believe this has not been recalled. I have found hundreds of complaints on the Internet for this same issue with the 2003 pilot. I am livid and upset with Honda for not letting us know.
A common, terribly inconveniencing and costly problem. Helpful post here: http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2003/accessories-interior/key_wont_turn_in_the_ignition.shtml#15
This is the second time my key won't go into the ignition. I got it replaced the first time and now it's happened again. I can't go to work. Single parent with no other means of transportation. Seat belt sensor light is messed up causing the air bag to not work in case I need it. Brand new battery that is hooked up correctly but the engine sucks the juice out of the battery causing my car not to start. I need my vehicle to be in good shape so I can go to work and to take my children places. I'm sick of all of these things going wrong with this vehicle. I take care of this car so it's not neglect. It's like this vehicle is a lemon.
My key started being difficult to get into the ignition a couple of month back. I never really thought much about it, until I was an hour away from home late one afternoon, practically in the middle of nowhere and couldn't get the key in at all. After fiddling with it for almost 15 minutes, and just about to call a tow truck, it finally went in and turned the ignition. Since then I have lived with leaving the key in the ignition and using my spare key to get in and out of the car. I can bring myself to spend $500 to fix it — it seems like highway robbery for a car with normal use to have a failure such as this.
I can not believe that a Honda of all brands, would have this ridiculously bad ignition, that doesn't allow it to turn on. The key started to get stuck, a few months ago, and now it's getting harder. The dealer said they have heard a lot about this issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
A few months ago, after mentioning the problem of key sticking going into ignition and at times having difficulty turning key in ignition the dealer promptly checked the starter -- yes that's right the starter -- and reported that everything was ok. HMMM....at any rate the problem continued but was not much more than annoying. Then finally, at around 7:30 pm when I left work, I STUCK the key into the ignition (emphasis important as over time, it became a kind of game to figure out which way the key would go in and make it work) and nothing would turn. It was locked in place. This happened in Wisconsin which is an important fact since a typical night in early March can be 10-20 degrees below freezing -- which it WAS. So, thankfully, I had a cell phone and it was actually charged, so I could call my husband to come and pick me up. Went back later on to give it "one last try" before calling for a tow, and low and behold, I wiggled and jiggled the key just right and got it to turn on. Drove to the dealer and he indicated that there had been a recall on ignition control system or some such and they would try that first to see if that might fix...which of course, it did not. $400 later and with keys for the ignition that DO NOT MATCH key to the door -- (really??? yes - and when I asked why they could not just order the key via my VIN so that I would not have different keys I was told that it would cost a lot more for that. I'm still investigating that one.) This has been really annoying as it already comes on the heals of $2500 in another repair and looking at $800 in yet another. I have loved my Pilot these many years and have serviced it faithfully as the plan has been to keep it until it dies. I guess that when I forked out $33K for a new HONDA 9 years ago I thought that 131K miles with no accident history and each recommended service and maintenance followed to a T would not be even CLOSE to the end for this car. At this time I would be hard pressed to recommend a Honda (or any other "higher end" vehicle for that matter). Seems to me that for all the cash spent in purchase and maintenance and now repair, it may have been a better bet to just get a less expensive vehicle and trade in every 3 years or so....Either way, I'm not too happy with Zimbrick Honda in Madison, nor am I too thrilled with seeing all of these issues over the ignition sticking problem and yet there has been no recall as yet.
- heatherlwi, Madison, WI, US