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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
107,434 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.

2003 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #74

Aug 202015

Pilot

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. While attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not go into the ignition slot entirely. The contact stated that it took several attempts to get the key to enter and once it was in, it took several attempts to turn the key in the ignition. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Demarest, NJ, USA

problem #73

Feb 232015

Pilot

  • 128,292 miles
I parked my car in the hospital lot. After my late afternoon appointment, I was about to go home. I was able to insert the key into the ignition but failed to turn to start the engine. There was no contact or clicking sound even I tried with a little force to turn the key. I called the towing company and he was able to start the engine. I drove the car about 5 miles to get my prescription medicine and parked again in the parking lot. I was about to go home again. I was able to insert the key into the ignition but failed to turn to start the engine. Again, there was no contact or clicking sound even to try with a little force to turn the key. I called again the towing company and he was able to start the engine. I decided to bring my car to the dealership to stay overnight (early bird). I parked my car in the drive through lane and shut-off the engine. I remove the key and inserted again but was not able to turn the key and not able to start the engine again. The dealership checked my car problem and I was advised that the ignition assembly was worn-out. The new ignition assembly was installed and re-keyed, cut and programmed new key. I saved the old part for future reference. I paid $618.58 for parts and labor. I am thinking this repair was so expensive. The estimate failure mileage was 128,292.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #72

May 282015

Pilot

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V320000 (air bags), 14V700000 (air bags), 12V573000 (electrical sysytem), and 12V136000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #71

Jul 122015

Pilot

  • 87,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key failed to insert in the ignition. After excessive force was applied, the contact was able to place the key in the ignition and start the engine. The failure recurred, but the contact was unable to get the key in the ignition at all. The contact used the spare key to start the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.

- Fairless Hills, PA, USA

problem #70

Apr 062015

Pilot

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bag, exterior lighting, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #69

Dec 142014

Pilot

  • 141,400 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the ignition key seized within the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shift interlock lever needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V573000 (electrical system). However, the remedy caused the ignition key to seize within the ignition switch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,400.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #68

Dec 272014

Pilot

  • 141,586 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key failed to eject from the ignition and remained in the off position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V573000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,586.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #67

Feb 282014

Pilot

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Forked River, NJ, USA

problem #66

Mar 092015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 132,000 miles
I was driving my daughter to school and parked my car and took her inside like I always do. When I came outside and unlocked my car (with the key) my key would not go in the ignition - leaving me stuck and late for work and having to use my aaa towing because I couldn't even drive it to the shop - this should be a recall** have seen mannnyyyyyy complaints on this issue even my tow truck guy stated this model and year and (known) for this problem, and now will cost me $450 to fix. A ignition switch is not normal ware and tare - its not like tires or timing belt or any of those things and should be replaced - this is complete disregard for consumers - this will definitely be a problem if someone gets hurt due to the fact that they cant even get the key in there ignition - lawsuits will happen if a recall is not made.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #65

May 012014

Pilot

  • miles
Faulty ignition. Key will not turn. Wafers in cylinder are malfunctioning.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #64

Jan 212015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles

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

I took my 2003 Honda Pilot in to repair the ignition recall. Ever since the repair I've been having a hard time getting my key into the ignition. I never had an issue with it prior to the service. I have to literally wiggle and insert and take out the key many times for it to sit right in the ignition. I have found numerous complaints for the same issue from other Pilot owners. Something needs to be done to resolve this issue. Honda dealer wants to charge me a diagnostic fee just to see if my problem is related to the work they did for the recall. I don't think I should be charged just to check if they caused a problem with my car.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #63

Dec 292014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
SRS light which was under warranty came on,2003 Honda Pilot. The dealership replaced both drivers side and passenger side air bags under a recall. The SRS light still remained on so a diagnostic test revealed a code 15-3 in the opds system and found faulty wiring in passenger seat harness which was under warranty for ten years which we were not aware of until the S rs light came on. After doing my own research I found Honda service. Bulletin 06-009 dated Feb.5,2008, which set the warranty at 10 years or 157000 miles. My vehicle falls within in the mileage parameters but not the years. You would think the time would run from the date of the bulletin. It doesn't seem fair that I have tp pay to replace this part when Honda knew it was a defective part and should replace it without any restrictions on time or mileage.

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

problem #62

Dec 042014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
The car was moved into location, turned off, and the key removed leading to the driver thinking the car was in park, however the car was still in drive. The car was on a slight incline which caused the car to roll backwards down the driveway, across the street, roll over a tree, and crash into another tree causing significant damage.

- Chalfont, PA, USA

problem #61

May 112011

Pilot

  • 170,000 miles
Car ran away in reverse as if it had a mind of its own. Full weight on the brakes but the car kept accelerating. Crashed into utility pole encircled with old car tires. Car bounced off and then crashed into the pole over and over again. Hit gear shift into forward. Engine screaming really high revs, car raced forward and I did everything I could to avoid hitting parked vehicles and a pond as car kept going faster. With nowhere to head but golf course or highway, I steered onto a farm field and drove a half mile until I was able to pull out the keys from the starter which stopped car. I did not think I was injured at time but I ended up with whiplash which meant I lost about six months income. Honda refused compensation, or paid for any of the repairs of the car with exception of the key interface for starter. Honda claimed that nothings wrong with car. Said had my foot on accelerator. However, Honda dealership charged me more than $3,000 to fix a completely destroyed braking system how could I have had my foot on the accelerator and destroyed the brakes? Honda refused to buy my car and decommission it because they said car was perfect. Downright rude afterward. I did not let anyone else drive the car and used it as infrequently as I could. Seven months later, I was in an underground parking garage and same thing happened. The car accelerated into thesolid concrete wall just four feet ahead. The impact destroyed car. Front end crumpled in, the engine damaged and all airbags deployed. This from a four foot collision.

- London Ontario Canada, IL, USA

problem #60

Sep 232014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 220,000 miles
Parked the car. Came back about 10 minutes later, heard loud like shots fired, rounded the corner to see it was our airbags popping...the car was on fire under the hood, and going to the dashboard. Called 911 and by the time the fire dept. Came ( 1 mile away) the whole car was engulfed. The whole car destroyed, all that was left was the shell no seats no dashboard no license plates nothing left. We complied to all recalls and took it to a Honda dealership each time for repairs. We had a steering column fire about 2-3 years ago driving along and the car filled with smoke, it was a electrical fire, but pulling over turning off the engine put out the fire. Had it repaired immediately. A week before the big fire we felt the column and it was hot...but cooled after we parked it. Then days later is when it burned to the ground, even the tires were gone. Honda doesn't care about our loss, and of course it's not their fault. P.S. in 2007 we got hurt in that same car we were stopped on the side of the road ( we were in the car) and a truck crossed the line and hit us head on. Our seat belts didn't hold us in, they loosened and airbags did not deploy. We were hurt and Honda said the truck hit us too high is why the airbags didn't deploy. That sounds ridiculous. The seat belt shoulder straps didn't hold us cause we weren't moving also sounds ridiculous. Honda didn't care then either.

- Hartland, WI, USA

problem #59

Jul 092014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
Car key goes in ignition and will not turn. This is a danger when you can not start the car and get out of a dangerous situation. I read on line many other Pilot with the same problem. Honda has a bad part. Honda wants $500 to fix a bad part that needs to be recalled.

- The Villages, FM, USA

problem #58

Apr 022014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
Left work at night. Low-beams partially failed, but I didn't notice until I was going 55 mph on the highway. Had to use brights, and go to a gas station. Vehicle had to be towed, and checked by dealer. Dealer said using 3rd party headlight bulbs was the cause. Of interest, the car already had the low-beam failure recall fixed. Looks like this is still an issue after the recall, and using Honda oem bulbs is the only safe way to go. 3rd party bulbs were purchased from advance auto parts, and I'm unsure of the brand.

- Gladstone, MO, USA

problem #57

Jun 012014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
We started to have trouble inserting the key in the ignition. Today the key wouldn't even go in after many attempts wiggling it. After twenty minutes trying had to leave car behind. Now I'm without a car and searching for recalls noticed that although there is none for this problem it is a huge problem with other Pilot owners.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #56

Mar 172014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 184,000 miles
I took my vehicle to repair a recall and [xxx] service manger said he will service all the recalls to the vehicle. The recall was something in reference to the ignition. To days later the vehicle will not shout off, the vehicle always make the sound as if the key was in the ignition. I took it back and [xxx] service manger said the do not touch anything around the ignition.... now the vehicle shout off while driving have video. Took it back and [xxx] said I need to pay additional.... if all vehicle recalls where recall by the dealer. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #55

Mar 272014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer requests reimbursement for ignition system recall repairs. The consumer stated the dealer completed the repairs outlined in the recall, but charged him for the replacement and installation.

- Hyde Park, MA, USA

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