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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
117,300 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 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #15

Dec 312020

Pilot

  • 185,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while at a standstill reaching back in his seat the seat riser fractured causing the driver's seat to move back and forth in the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #14

May 162018

Pilot

  • 152,000 miles
The driver seat left front bracket broke. The chair is able to lean back and is unstable. I researched online and I am not he only one with this issue. It seams to of started with the 2004 model and in the CRV. A recall is needed. The dealer wants to charge over a $1000 dollars to replace the base. The bracket part is not being offered. This is crazy. I just sat in my chair and reached to the reached to my backseat for a bag and it snapped. Thank good my wife and kids were not in this thing.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #13

May 032018

Pilot

  • 220,000 miles
The bracket which is used to mount the seat to the vehicle broke and the seat is not stable. The bracket is located under the driver side seat in the front left side (closest to the driver side door). From what I hear on the piloteers web site, several folks have complained about this very same issue. This occurred as I was driving and caused issues controlling the vehicle, since the seat would want to recline backwards when accelerating. I had to brace myself by holding on to the steering wheel.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #12

Apr 172017

Pilot

  • 230,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that a piece of medal frame was fractured from the front driver's seat without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 230,000.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #11

Oct 042016

Pilot

  • miles
The drivers seat frame broke which I feel is a serious safety concern. I am not sure exactly when it broke. It wasn't too bad at first, the seat just rocked a little. After awhile (couple of weeks) the seat rocked more severely with every start, stop and turn. If I were to have been in an accident, I am sure the seat would not have protected me or helped me to maintain control of my 2005 Pilot. I contacted my dealer and was told it would cost $2185 to repair. It took the dealership longer than expected to obtain the necessary repair parts. The actual cost a was bit more $2233 plus tax. After viewing so many other complaints regarding the driver's seat I feel that Honda should be proactively checking and making the necessary repairs. If the seat should become completely detached from the base the driver will lose control of the vehicle. Possibly causing a very serious accident. The cost to repair seems outrageously high for just a couple of small pieces of metal.

- Chillicothe, IL, USA

problem #10

Jul 012016

Pilot

  • 215,000 miles
While leaning back in my seat to get something out of my pocket the left front part of the seat broke free. The seat is very unstable now with the left front corner of the seat able to move upward by several inches. It turns out that a metal bracket cracked completely through. This doesn't give me any confidence that this seat would have been safe in the event of an accident. The vehicle was stationary at the time. Research online has shown this has happened to other people as well. I went to Honda today and it looks like the suspect part is 81630-S3V-A30

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #9

Sep 102015

Pilot

  • 148,300 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was a burning odor present inside the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver side seat adjustment control. A police officer using a fire extinguisher extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a burn on the right hand that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,300.

- Montauk, NY, USA

problem #8

Oct 012014

Pilot

  • 130,000 miles
When on high, the driver side seat warmer will literally leave burn marks on my right leg. It has worked normal until this fall when I was driving and it burned my leg. It can not be on more than a minute or will leave burn marks on the right leg. The left side still seems normal. I checked and there is not a recall on this, but in looking into it had happened to many others and the seat has started to smoke.

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #7

May 182014

Pilot

  • 113,200 miles
My drivers seat back broke on the right side when I entered my vehicle. I heard a pop when I sat down in the Pilot. My seat back now has a lean. The metal slide adjuster on the right side broke in half. I got an estimate from the Honda dealer for 1600 to fix it. This happened while my car was not moving. I feel like that part is defective. I never have had a car seat do this either.

- Woods Cross, UT, USA

problem #6

Feb 212014

Pilot

  • 127,000 miles
Seat heater was used on drivers side.. got very hot, smell smoked, leg had superficial burn. Smell plastic burning.

- Somersville, CT, USA

problem #5

Nov 022009

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles

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

Driver heated seat started acting up a couple years ago. It would work in spurts and then not at all. Brought this to attention of my Honda dealer, who could not find a problem. I am unsure of exact date or mileage since I took them at their word. At this point in 2011 the seat now has one searing hot spot, when it works, and emits a burning odor. The hot spot is searing hot and will literally leave a red burn mark on your thigh. It is obviously a defective heating element with a short and I consider a live electrical short a safety and liability issue. I am reporting this as a fire since their is a burning and smoke odor. I have made an appointment with Honda economy superstore, hixson tn and will update my complaint accordingly.

- Hixson, TN, USA

problem #4

Nov 172011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
The driver side seat split in several places and when we took it to be repaired the specialist noted that the heating element had scorched the seat in several places and was in danger of catching on fire. Whole element had to be repaired and seat replaced.

- Yardley, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 262010

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
The weld failed on the drivers side seat mounting bracket on one side of the seat causing the drivers seat to move and attempt to recline.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #2

Apr 182007

Pilot

  • 20,000 miles
We were in an accident in a 2005 Honda Pilot. The front seats broke on a rearend impact. The backs of the front seats actually broke. I wanted to know if this is a safety feature. My wife and I both have permanent damage to our backs and were wanting to know if Honda was responsible. We are both disabled because of the accident.

- Cahokia, IL, USA

problem #1

Apr 282006

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
: the contact stated while the vehicle is driven over 55 mph with the rear windows open, there is a thumping noise throughout the vehicle. This causes discomfort to the occupant's ears. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. Updated 07/03/06. The leather seats were cracking.

- Leonia, NJ, USA

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