Honda Pilot Owners: Problems & Solutions

[Melissa in CT]

Alan wrote:

We have a 2003 Pilot EXL, the interior is not very quiet. The windows make a slight rattling noise, and if we are going above 65mph, there is a wheezing sound coming through the windows. Has anybody else noticed this too?

We bought our 2003 Pilot EXL in June 2002. It has made this same noise since day 1. The dealer told us there was nothing wrong that could be fixed. Also I warn you about the automatic transmission. Ours completely failed 3 weeks ago and we need a complete new one. A job over 3000.00. This car was 1 owner, never in an accident, had regular servicing & only 142,000 miles on it. I would be very careful to have your transmission fluid changed very frequently. This seems to be a common issue with the 2003-2004 models. There was a recall that was supposedly satisfied back in 2004 by our local dealer. Who's to say that isn't what led to this failure. Makes me nervous to purchase another automatic Honda.

[Michael]

Have a 2004 EXL runs great except the only accessory outlet that works is the one by the radio. Aren't all the accessory outlets on the same fuse ?

[T Yung]

Michael wrote:

Have a 2004 EXL runs great except the only accessory outlet that works is the one by the radio. Aren't all the accessory outlets on the same fuse ?

Nope, the outlet behind the front center console and the one in the rear are tied together separate from the one under the radio.

[Diana]

christine wrote:

I love my 07 honda pilot EXCEPT for the cloth seats. they stain really bad all the time. I wash them every 2 days. I have a 02 Nisson Quest with valour seats and with 108,000 miles on it and the seats look as nice as the day I bought the car, but my Honda Pilot is 6 months old and the seats look terrible. I have no pets or kids in the car, but everything stains them. Any suggestions?

I am having the same problem. I bought my 07 pilot as a program car and comented to the dealer that it needed to be cleaned before I took it home because it looked stained. They did a quick wipe down but not two months later all of the seats look terrible. Even my umprella dripped two spots on it and it stained. I have been searching for how to clean them and then I think I'll try scotchguard.

[Bob4831]

We have a 2005 Pilot that has a starting problem. Occasionally when you turn the key to the start position, something in the engine compartment, or dash, makes a soft buzz, but the engine does not crank. At worst, it did it on 3 successive tries. Usually once. Eventually it starts normally. One time it went from the buzz to starting, while the key was being held in the crank position. It does it in hot or cold weather. The battery is good. Sounds like a bad solenoid or starter to me. The dealership says everything tests OK, and it won’t fail for them. The car is still (barely) under warranty. After much whining, the dealer has agreed to replace the starter/solenoid assembly. Stay tuned.

[Michael]

T Yung wrote:

<quoted text>
Nope, the outlet behind the front center console and the one in the rear are tied together separate from the one under the radio.

Could you please tell me where that 2nd fuse is located ? The owners manual only indicated one.
It is an EXL model.

Your response is greatly appreciated.

[Steve]

I have the same problem. The DVD or Aux works fine for about 40 min then the humming start. In the eaphone jack or in the wireless head set. There also is a slight humming out of the rear speaker

Joe II wrote:

2003 Pilot EX w/DVD. Recently, use of rear headphones/rear earphone jack works fine for approx 10 minutes. After 10 min, only a high shrieking noise is herd on rear headphones/earphones.(DVD player and all cabin speakers work fine) Try next day, same scenario. Dealer unsure, says need to replace entire stereo unit to start. Anyone else with similar issue, resolutions?? Thx

[dennis]

my 2003 Honda Pilot has condensation in the front passenger headlight. Does anyone know what causes this and how to fix it.

[T Yung]

Michael wrote:

<quoted text>
Could you please tell me where that 2nd fuse is located ? The owners manual only indicated one.
It is an EXL model.
Your response is greatly appreciated.

Still working on it.

[T Yung]

dennis wrote:

my 2003 Honda Pilot has condensation in the front passenger headlight. Does anyone know what causes this and how to fix it.

Cause - moisture
Cure - take out bulb and use a blow dryer (blowing in where bulb sits) on medium setting until all signs of condensation has evaporated.
If problems persists, spray inside with a alchohol agent cleanser and repeat dryer method, good luck.

[Holly]

Mybeligh wrote:

I work at the Honda plant here that produces Pilots for export to the US and I assure you these are first quality fully inspected vehicles. Generally problems with Honda products occur ONLY after significant abuse or operator ERROR. The pilot is not designed to be a racecar, and the transmission is designed to operate automatically. If you operated the Pilot correctly you will have no problems.

I'm guessing Honda would not appreciate you speaking for them using this TONE, essentially saying we're all DRIVING WRONG?!

[marina]

I have a 2003 honda pilot and on a road trip last month the engine light and vtm-4 light kicked on. We took it to the dealership and they said the computer read a misfiring piston. They put in injecter cleaner and turned off the light. The light stayed off for a day but then kicked on again. We called the dealership and we were going to bring it in again, but after we filled up the tank, the lights clicked off again. SO we cancelled. SInce then the lights will come on and off while driving(not blinking). WE added fuel injecter cleaner and once the light clicked off only to come on again a day later. It seems the car is fine only this darn misfiring piston, but I can't help feeling that we could be damaging the car by continuing to drive. Any ideas or similar problems?

[Brad]

marina wrote:

I have a 2003 honda pilot and on a road trip last month the engine light and vtm-4 light kicked on. We took it to the dealership and they said the computer read a misfiring piston. They put in injecter cleaner and turned off the light. The light stayed off for a day but then kicked on again. We called the dealership and we were going to bring it in again, but after we filled up the tank, the lights clicked off again. SO we cancelled. SInce then the lights will come on and off while driving(not blinking). WE added fuel injecter cleaner and once the light clicked off only to come on again a day later. It seems the car is fine only this darn misfiring piston, but I can't help feeling that we could be damaging the car by continuing to drive. Any ideas or similar problems?

When filling up the gas tank, make sure the gas cap is REALLY tight, so that it creates a vacuum in the gas tank. If the VTM light and check engine light persist, the EGV value may need to be replaced and intake ports may need to be cleaned by the dealership due to carbon build-up. Lastly, if all else fails, I had to replace a malfunctioning idle sensor that thought the car was stalling or rough idling. I hope that helps.

[ggdraft]

ChaChi wrote:

Just purchased an 06 Pilot which I am delighted with except for one problem - loud, roaring train-like noise coming from front-right wheel area when making left-hand turn and the turning motion seems to make the vehicle unstable. On the other hand, when making a right-hand turn, no noise and turning mechanics seems smoother. Dealership claimed it was a bad front-right wheel bearing which they replaced, but noise still persists. They say this noise coming from only that one side is typical for all 06 Pilots. Any thoughts?

same thing happens with my 07 pilot!!! can't get an explaination from anybody

[elyssa]

My 2003 did the same thing, I made my dealer put a listening device on the transmission (I was convinced that's what it was). After they had my car for a month, they finally determined the noise was coming from the transmission and replaced it. They gave me a huge run around but finally did fix it.

Stephan wrote:

2003 honda Pilot. At 30mph, or at 50 mph, when coasting and RPM's are low (1300-1500) get a slight grinding noise that lasts for half a second, and keeps occuring every 5 seconds until speeds is increased, or gear shifts. Always goes away when dealership tries to diagnose it. When the sound occurs I get a blip in the RPM's too.
Wondering if it is a loose underbody engine panel that vibrates?? Does anyone know what I can do about this strange sound?
<quoted text>

[Scott]

mark wrote:

we have a 2003 pilot with four wheel drive. Some times while you are driving down the road it will start thumping or banging like it has a flat tire. After you stop and drive the car in a circle or stop and go in reverse it will stop. It has been back to the dealer 4 times, we have changed to new tires twice and had the brakes redone twice. Has anyone experienced this problem. Thanks!

Yes I too have had this problem with an 2003 Pilot. If I pull over restart the car it goes away but when it occurs it feels like a flat. Have you found a solution yet?

[Kathy Plainfield]

I have a 2004 Honda Pilot and it has only 49,800 miles on it and the D light started flashing last week. Honda said it would be $108 to run the diagnostic test. I don't know what to do...

[Bill]

I have a 2004 Honda Pilot with just about 63,000 miles. The other day the air conditioning just quit. I pushed the normal buttons and nothing came out. The dealer is working on it as I write. Wish me luck.

[Kristi]

I have a 2003 Honda Pilot EX. The lights on the DVD player have started turning on on their own. If I press up on the DVD player, they turn off, but will eventually turn back on. It is starting to drain my battery and I can't get my car to start in the mornings. Any ideas on how to disconnect the DVD player until I can get it fixed? I looked for a separate fuse, but did not find one. Your help is greatly appreciated!

[Kristi]

So, I fixed this, but I had to take the DVD player down and disconnect the fuse that plugs directly into it. Just in case this happens to anyone else, I thought I would let you know something you can do in the interim before taking it into a shop.