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.
6.1
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$30
Average Mileage:
83,600 miles
Total Complaints:
17 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
not sure (9 reports)
replace door handles since American honda will not (8 reports)
We bought this car used in 2007 and from the first it has had this problem - the chrome is falling off the inside door handles. This has caused numerous cuts and irritations to members of my family. This really should be the subject of a recall by Honda and the door handles should be replaced for free.
I would like to complain about the chrome peeling off of the interior door handles. This is my wife's car, and she never mentioned this to me, but we were going somewhere, and our daughter cut her finger very bad in the chrome peeling off! I am going to order replacements, but am shocked that Honda would not recall this for replacement on there own WITHOUT getting the pressure of the media. This surprised me that this is occurring on many of the pilots. I think people are starting to speak up, and voice their displeasure, and I'm one of them!
Shame on you Honda for "hoping" this issue would just "go" away! It's not, and if you could of seen my daughter's finger, you would not be happy either!
My son cut his right middle finger very deeply and he is a pitcher for the Varsity Baseball Team. He can not throw the ball right now for a few weeks. This problem is serious, it's like razor blades for door handles and Honda should step to the plate and address it. I have never seen this issue with any other car. Maybe they should make real chrome handles and charge a few dollars extra for their already overpriced vehicles. I will replace these handles since my son is the 4th to be injured by these cheezy inside door handles. It's incredible how some petty problems get recalled and more serious ones get ignored.
- djanicel,
Boscawen, NH, US
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Interior door handles are chrome plated. After a while the chrome begins to peel off. This chrome is very sharp and you will cut your fingers. It is ridiculous that Honda will not cover this as it is an known safety issue...Shameful! This is not random thing. My friend has the exact same problem in his Pilot.
Apparently I'm not the only one with this issue, so I'm guessing it's not normal wear and tear on the vehicle. We are the second owners of the vehicle and they have had this issue of the door handle peeling and cutting my hand when i'm not paying attention. Getting ready to call the dealer and ask them about it since I cannot find the parts anywhere else for some reason! POS cheap Honda parts!! Normally I wouldn't say that about a Honda but....
Several others have reported cuts due to this problem. I sliced two fingers on the driver's door handle (like paper cuts) deep enough that they bled. I'm prone to infections, so this was not at all a good thing for me.
I have not yet talked to my local dealer but am not expecting any sympathy on a 7 year old vehicle with over 100K. But I agree that this is very cheap on a $30K+ vehicle on the part of Honda. I wonder if they have corrected the problem for later models. I'm also surprised that so far none of the aftermarket sites seem to sell this part.
The chrome paint on both front door handles of my 2003 Pilot has peeled off the handle. The drivers door was the worst shape and I had cut myself two separate times before I had them both replaced. To make matters worse the same exact thing happened on my 2003 Honda Civic. Honda really should step up and replace these parts as it's an obvious craftsmanship defect.
I think that its crazy that Honda couldn't use solid metal door handles instead of going through all the trouble of dipping cheap plastic ones in chrome. It's not like the car is going to be too heavy or something & you would think that for the price you pay for on of these cars they could afford to spring for solid door handles. I am the second owner & after we had the car for a couple months we started to notice the door handles chrome layer peeling off revealing this white cheap looking plastic underneath. One fix I am contemplating is just masking the door & taking some nice flat black spray paint to them. Something that will match the rest of the black trim. I just don't want to go through all the trouble & expense of replacing them with the same junk & possibly have them start pealing on me again in a couple years.
Door handle chrome from interior handle is peeling and creates a cutting hazard to users. Both driver and passenger handles. Now starting in rear door handles. American Honda claims this is not a problem that has been reported previously and will not cover since warranty has expired.
Chrome paint is peeling from the interior door handles. It is very sharp. I've cut my finger on it in the past. Now that it's peeled off it does not cut but looks ugly. I'm going to investigate the price of replacing the parts but my car is 5 years old and I've lived with it this long.
The chrome paint is peeling from the interior door handles. It is very sharp, and has cut my son's finger. We will definitely have to replace them soon.
The driver and passenger interior door handles are shiny chrome painted. This chrome paint is now starting to chip and at times can cut a person and the paint tends to get stuck in a persons hand. I will soon have to just have them replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
cheap...cheap...cheap... Honda should recall and replace these!
- bbhensler, Lexington, KY, US