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.
Unable to turn key in ignition. Apparently this is an issue that many 2003 Honda Pilot owners are having. This can be a safety issue as it can leave someone stranded in a remote area as happened with me. If the malfunction is caused by a faulty part then Honda should bare some of the responsibility and cost to correct the problem.
After loading my Pilot, tried to put the key in the ignition switch but it did not go easy on the switch and once in the switch it did not turn on the ignition. I tried several times and or use the spare key until the ignition switch worked. Since July 16, 2012, everytime I start my Pilot, I have the same problem. I have to keep my spare key all the time to avoid the issue on having to reenter the ignition switch. Everytime I forget to keep the spare key on the ignition switch I have to spend about 20 minutes to try to reengage my key in the ignition switch to have it work.
Key won't turn in ignition due to misaligned wafers. This is the second time in just over a year we have had to fix this problem. At first had to jiggle key to be able to turn it, then can't even get the key in all the way. Taken to locksmith. First occurred 10/2011, then 1/11/2013.
The key would not fit into the ignition without forcing it several times, after a few weeks, the key would not even turn. The vehicle was serviced and the cylinder and ignition switch were replaced at the cost of the owner. This is a very common problem with this model. Honda corporation should be held responsible for it.
I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. I was stranded, with my kids, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. The key issue was reported to Honda and I was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. Honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect.
- Powder Springs , GA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after inserting the key in the ignition, the key would not turn, preventing her from starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while trying to start the vehicle, the key seized in the ignition and could not be turned. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 133,568.
Rear hatch window wiper blew the fuse. The SRS light came on there was nothing wrong with my air bags or my seat sensors. A new fuse fixed the wiper but would not turn off SRS light. Dealer wanted $100 plus dollars to check system and turn off light. Independent mech. Checked system found nothing wrong and reset the light. Why is a wiper motor tied into the seat sensor and air bags?
2003 Honda Pilot ignition - at first we were having issues inserting the key into the ignition. Then it progressed to needing to jiggle the key in order to get it to turn to any position of the ignition. The key would go in but it'd take several attempts, of a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes, before we could get the ignition to start. We read the manual and understood the importance of keeping the wheels straight - that seemed to help for a few attempts. Now the key goes in but doesn't turn at all. With everything that has been documented about this issue from Honda customers and the volume of customers it is affecting why isn't Honda doing the 'right thing' and issuing a voluntary recall?!
The ignition key will not slide into the ignition without a great amount of effort and time. This is a well documented problem. I will have to leave the key in the ignition because of the failure.
Vehicle shudder/shake starting at 50 mph. Advised needed new transmission. Called Honda to check if recall or would be reimbursed. Told no and said wanted problem on record. Replaced transmission at own expense $3045. Drive light periodically flashes. Have not repaired as >$300.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key was removed from the ignition when the vehicle was still in the drive position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that the locking mechanism for the ignition needed to be replaced. The mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated he was able to insert and remove the key from the ignition, but the ignition would not turn to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 115,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after inserting the key into the ignition, the key could not be turned and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the door locks would not lock and the windows sporadically failed to open and close. The contact also mentioned while driving various speeds, the transmission would shift into gear. In addition, the lights within the buttons on the dashboard stopped working and there was an electrical short in the air conditioner fan. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/15/12 *
The contact owns 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the ignition tumblers would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were 116,000. Updated 04/02/12
Having trouble inserting key into ignition. Have to try multiple times, turning the key upside down, right side up, repetitive in & out, eventually it goes in, but afraid that eventually it will not work. Called american Honda as I saw multiple complaints online, but Honda said they never heard of this problem and that it's not widespread enough for them to take notice. I'm afraid that I will not be able to get the key to work, so will take it to Honda dealership for repair (apparently only dealership has to fix it because new keys will need to be programmed. There are 2 different choices for cost, one to just replace the ignition and get new keys, and another choice is to also change the door locks so that the new keys will open the door.) if you're having the same problem, please log a complaint so that it becomes "widespread enough to take notice" and may be those of us who pay/paid to get this issue repaired can get a refund. Thank you!
I inadvertently turned the ignition switch off with the transmission still in drive, and I was able to remove the key from the ignition. I then exited the car. The car started to roll backward as I was passing behind it, so I had to unlock the door and climb back into the moving vehicle and apply the brake. This same failure warranted recalls for 2003 Accord, civics, and elements, but so far not for Pilot. I wonder if the interlock mechanism is common among all these different models, and if so, why Honda wasn't required to issue a recall for the Pilot, also? the designs must be very similar for so many models to be experiencing the same failure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Loganville, GA, USA