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.
I tried to turn my headlights on in my driveway and the low beams would not come on. I shut the car off and tried again, and the low beams came on. After the low beams started working again I tried to turn the high beams on, and they would not work, and have not worked since. I spoke to the dealer and they said that the recall for the headlight wiring harness only affects the low beams. They also said that I would have to pay the diagnoses fee. It is noted in the recall which is NHTSA recall campaign number : 12V136000 that the dealer will replace either the wiring harness or the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The dealer also said that they had never heard of this issue (which is clearly documented). Honda needs to let the dealers that they are obligated to fix this problem. The dealer also told me that I was not a customer of theirs because I did not buy the car there or receive regular services there, and that I should just pay the diagnoses fee so that they could pay their technicians. Needless to say the dealer was no help and is the only one in my area. Screw you Honda, and scholfield Honda as well.
Ignition switch failed when I tried to put the key in the slot it had some resistence. Almost like I was using the wrong key. Car was unable to start because the key did not go in properly. Tried to use WD40 to loosen the tumblers but did not work. Had to call a tow truck and take to mechanic. Key still worked on the door.
Some of the A/C illuminated lights went out and back on again shortly afterwards. A few days later the lights for only some of the A/C controls are off and appear not to come back on. Fan speed, off, recirculate, rear defrost, and the mode buttons are the ones currently no longer on.
While driving around a bend towards a red light, without my foot on the pedal my car made a weird shutter or brake pulsing, I thought I had gone over some ripple strips. When the light changed, I proceeded to make a right turn in a busy intersection, when going almost 30 & out of the turn, my Pilot came to an unassisted abrupt stop! im so lucky the person behind me didn't rear end me! it sounded like the transmission was grinding & the tires were locked. I waited a few seconds let go of brakes & the vehicle began to move but in 5 ft it did it again. Towed to dealer who cant seem to find or recreate the problem. Multiple brake, ABS, vsc & electrical alarms were reported by dealer but still no solution. This car is unsafe to drive and by multiple reports this is a widespread problem.
This incident has happened on a few occasions with me driving the vehicle and additionally with my wife driving (she drives it the most). I started the vehicle, placed it in gear and started to drive it up the street. As I approached a traffic light, I glanced at the speedometer, and noticed the maintenance required and SRS light on. This puzzled me because we never experienced any issues with the vehicle other than regular maintenance lights (filters, oil change, etc). I turned the vehicle off for a few seconds, restarted it and the light went out. Afew weeks later, it happened again. The difference was that this time I noticed it right after putting the vehicle in drive and driving off. Thinking it happened because of a possible glitch in the ignition, I immediately pulled over and turned the vehicle off and restarted it. Just like the first time, the light didn't come back on. The 3rd time it happened, it remained on the entire time I drove and to and from the grocery store. Now, it pretty much does it intermittently - cycling intermittent to steady at various times. After searching online for recalls, I read several complaints from drivers in various states (usa), they are experiencing the same problem and have voiced it to Honda but they haven't issued a recall; thus stating that the airbag may not deploy during an accident and they are not responsible. Instead Honda dealers are willing to charge approx. $120 for diagnostics and $300+ for repair - which is entirely unfair to us consumers. However Honda, issued a recall on the 2005 Honda Odyssey which had very similar (if not exact) problems with its SRS. Honda is aware of this issue and doesn't seem to care about the safety of the motorists. This is clearly a safety issue and need to be recalled on these vehicles.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission shifted gears in a jerking motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the computer system would need to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition. The contact was able to remove the key after some time however, the steering wheel then seized. As a result, the contact was unable to reinsert the key into the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure and current mileages were 102,000.
On 6/17/2013 during my daily commute to work I was driving at a normal speed of 65mph when I noticed the "D" gear light on the dashboard started to blink continuously. When I got to work I looked into my owner's manual which informed there may be a problem with the transmission and I should take the vehicle to the Honda dealership. When I took the vehicle to the dealership where I mind you I just spent almost $700 on 6/15/2013 for suspension maintenance informed that this issue is very popular with the Honda Pilot and it's most likely my 4th gear pressure switch for the transmission. They then informed me that it will cost $350 to replace this part. When I previously looked up the part needed and how to possibly diy; I found that the part only cost between $34 and $40 and a beginner can change this part in about 45 minutes to an hour. So why is the dealership charging me $350 to change a part that cost $34 - $40 and an hour labor; does technician make $310 an hour these days?! Honda usa knows that they have a defective part on the Honda Pilot and refuse to conduct a recall because they rather cheat their customers than have a smaller bonus! there are articles on-line of drivers transmissions locking up because of this issue which is extremely dangerous; Honda and all other automotive makers need to be held accountable for all faulty parts within their product just any other company.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the repairs that needed to be performed where unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 125,000.....updated 06-19-13 the consumer stated the overhead interior lights do not come on when doors opened nor when manually switched on. Updated 06/26/2013
The vsa light and warning light come on within a minute of the first movement of the vehicle. When the light comes on there is a loud clunk noise and the front brake and steering locks for a fraction of a second. It has happened more than once on the highway nearly causing me to be hit from behind.
The climate control lights have gone out on the dashboard of our 2005 Honda Pilot and it has been a common complaint of other owners on internet forums. It becomes a hazard at night because the buttons do not illuminate which I believe is an extreme hazard that takes the eyes off the road for longer than needed to adjust settings. No other place in the dash has had the bulbs stop working but it seems to be happening to everyone's climate control lights. I think this is an extreme hazard similar to someone using a phone in the car and Honda should be held responsible to correct the problems.
While driving, airbag, (!), vsa, vtc and brake lights all lit up. Horn stopped working as did all controls from steering wheel (cruise, radio airbag light). I pulled over, everything seemed to work but lights would not turn off. Went to Honda in ft pierce, fl. Was told it's probably a low battery. Replaced battery, lights all stayed on. Contacted johnston Honda in stuart, fl. Head mechanic told me he had no idea what would cause this and if he ran it on diagnostics, it could take 8 hours at $80 an hour and he still may not find the problem. Brought this lemon to local mechanic who ran on diagnostics for 2 hours. Could not find problem so he did not charge. As almost all other complaints above, while driving at 35 to 40 the car starts to shudder as though it will turn off. Was told it's possibly defective motor mounts. I have contacted american Honda motor works in California with these issues and they essentially told me to 'gfy'. stated car is not their problem.
All the dashboard lights in A/C heating panel burned out. Every one, and just in this panel. All the other dashboard lights are fine. This seems to be a common complaint with this model and is widely reported in Honda Pilot forums. The is a safety problem when driving at night. One is forced to turn on the interior dome lights to adjust the dashboard controls.
I had just returned from Montana on Saturday night (to spokane, wa); when I attempted to start my car Sunday morning, my key got stuck in the ignition. I worked on it for 90 plus minutes and finally was able to get it out of the ignition. During this time however, the key did not ever turn in the ignition therefore everything remained "locked". I immediately tried the same key on the drivers door; no luck. It did however open the back hatch and the passenger door, both manually (the battery needed to be replaced in the key, so I was using it the old fashioned way until I got a new battery). So, with this information I went down to larry miller Honda, downtown spokane in a borrowed vehicle. While there I was approached by a salesman and I explained my dilemma: "unable to turn key in ignition, therefore unable to get my car moving at all!"..he then instructed me to "spray wd 40 into the ignition switch and the door locks". and informed me that the service depart. Was not open but we went back there because "there were some employees working on some vehicles. When we got back there, the salesman asked the service dept worker if he thought spraying WD40 into my ignition switch would work, the serviceman agreed. So I got some wd 40, sprayed away as directed, no luck. Monday: Went back to Honda, where one of the managers told me "never spray WD40 into ignition, this will gum it up...and now it will cost me $600 or so to replace ignition system. He also stated "they have been doing alot of these lately because of gummed up ignitions on the Pilot." I asked if this did not raise a flag for them and possibly a problem. He then said I would need to get a whole new key, re-program it and then get a new ignition set w/ new keys and re-program them. I said that Honda gave me the wrong information resulting in destroying my ignition and that they should be resp. More.
Vehicle low beams stopped working. Further investigation showed charred wire and melted connector. This issue has been recognized by Honda for the same model on an earlier model year (NHTSA id 12V136000). Honda part designations and failure description match recall. I would recommend Honda expand recall to cover all effected vehicles.
While driving home after dark, we suddenly lost both dim headlights. Have tried replacing bulbs, fuses, relays, steering column switch and nothing as worked. Checked recalls online and this same problem happened in the 2003 Pilot to which there was a recall. Same parts I understand. Luckily, there was no traffic and we were able to stop and figure out that we still had bright lights and could continue home, but having 3 children in the car and driving blind was a horrific experience and this should be added to the list of recall.
The low beams quit working, the wires in the terminal switch kit burned up. This vehicle uses the same kit as the 2003 that was recalled. I have had to replace the wiring twice within three months. I reported this problem to Honda and they will not honor it as a recall even though the same part was recalled for 2003 part. There was smoke coming from my steering column and a burning smell. This appears to be a fire hazard.
This has happened several times to my wife and daughter over the past month or so. They are driving along at any rate of speed and all of a sudden the car looses all power and the vehicle abruptly slows down and then recovers and begins running again. During this time the lights on the dashboard go out and flash and there is a popping sound at times. The last time it happened there was loss of all electrical to dash board system including the radio. The radio needed the code reentered which is normal for when all battery power is lost to the vehicle. I had this checked by a mechanic and they were unable to locate any problems. They checked the alternator, battery, connections and the system for any errors and nothing can be found. This is consistent with all other complaints associated with the esa, vsa/vsc and electrical systems as reported on this forum. I believe there is a major and dangerous bug in the system causing the car to loose power and control and any rate of speed. I also informed Honda customer service but they said that they are unaware of any problems (or I should say owning up to any of thier problems) and to issue a complaint through this forum. I'm afaid it's going to take a major accident and a loss of life, which is bound to happen based on the fact that the car comes to an abrupt halt, in order for Honda to own up to thier responsibility of spending the effort to identify this problem and issue a recall and get this fixed. I've been a Honda owner (currently 3 cars) for over 23 years. I'm beginning to loose loyalty and faith in the company and will definately strongly consider making a change to another make on my next purchase. Please Honda own up to the problem before someone is killed!
My wife called me one morning on her way to the shop. She was frantic saying "my steering wheel is smoking. I don't know what to do. I'm just about a minute from the shop. Should I pull over or just try to make it to the shop?" I told her, if it's not too bad and she is that close just keep coming unless it gets worse. When she made it to the shop, I pulled off the plastic cover around the steering column. And found the yellow wire going to the headlamp switch burnt. The molex plug and headlamp switch were also melted. I called local Honda dealer and asked them if their was a recall for this. They said no. Also saying this never happens. I had to purchase a new headlamp switch and make repairs to the wiring and plug. I own an automotive shop. If not this would have been a very costly repair..I also have pictures of the burnt wire and molten plug and switch if needed...updated 04/19/12 updated 05/11/12 updated 05/17/2012
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Wichita, KS, USA