2003 Honda Pilot Power Train Problems
- 105
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 105 stored complaint records:
- 6 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- needed replaced · 12 records
- torque converter · 10 records
- failure mileage · 10 records
- check engine · 9 records
- engine light · 8 records
- replaced repaired · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 45 |
| 150–400k mi | 35 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train
While driving, i was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green i made a right hand turn and started to increase my speed. The rpm's increased at a very rapid rate, but the car did not shift. I was unable to accelerate my speed and there was a whirling noise in the engine. I tried manually shifting into a lower gear, but i was still unable to accelerate without the rpm's rising. I eventually had to shift…
ODI 10823242
Power Train
Transmission was included in recall but we were never notified. Experienced catastrophic failure at 168,000 miles. Lost power on the freeway going 65 mph with no warning. Honda refusing to replace transmission because of the age and mileage of my car, despite the known defect in the transmission.
ODI 10807534
Engine · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph and the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be…
ODI 10809021
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer in 2004 for nhtsa campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The dealer repaired the oil cooler, but did not replace the transmission. The transmission failed and the manufacturer refused to replace it. The vehicle was never fully repaired. The vin was not available.…
ODI 10724802
Power Train
On may 26, 2015, i was traveling north on i-5 at 60 mph when the wheels of my car seized. At which point the car began a rigorous slide, black smoke billowed as the tread of my tires peeled off. The force of the slide eventually jammed the tires sideways causing the car to hop as it propelled forward, finally coming to a stop about a mile from the starting point. Needless to say it was a horrific ride, which still…
ODI 10926964
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving 30 mph, the contact discovered an abnormal grinding noise and a transmission leak. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was inoperable for 20 minutes. The contact restarted the vehicle and took it to the dealer. It was diagnosed that the transmission and seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10730370
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Driving vehicle on freeway, went to accelerate vehicle did nothing. Took my foot off gas, tried again, nothing. Got in slow lane, finally engaged but had to go slow on freeway. Engine light comes on. Next day vehicle wont shift from 3rd gear, can only go 35 mph and engine revs up. The drive light starts flashing. Next day cant shift into reverse either. Take to transmission shop, they say no reverse, no 3rd gear,…
ODI 10693871
Power Train
While accelerating on the gas to pick up speed the transmission slipped and hesitated to shift to a higher gear, once it did engage it then slipped and down shifted causing speed to decelerate while driving between 40-55 mph. Later the d light came on the dash and the transmission continued to slip at various speeds and at times down shift. Had transmission serviced and the technician reset the d dash light after…
ODI 10681971
Power Train
Vehicle began making a fluttering noise underneath and has continued to be problematic when driving from 35-50 mph. Torque converter/transmission issue. Mechanic says car unsafe to drive because transmission may lock up, causing possible loss of vehicle control. *tr
ODI 10670214
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the torque converter clutch solenoid valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10817131
Power Train
My honda pilot shutters at 25-50 mph i had it check with my local dealer honda and it seems like its coming from transmission issue's. *tr
ODI 10637888
Power Train
Anywhere between 35-50 mph i get a shudder that sounds like driving over a rumble strip on the freeway. The problem started out to where it sounded like a gush of air was flowing underneath the car for about 15 seconds, then progressed to a rumble strip noise. At that point, i had it looked at. Mechanic says failed torque converter and will have to replace transmission. I have 132,000 miles on the car. Haven't…
ODI 10633450
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact downshifted and the vehicle automatically shifted back into gear. The failure occurred twice. The dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
ODI 10615640
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated from 65 mph to 30 mph without warning. An independent mechanic located a failure code at the transmission speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 154,000.
ODI 10610317
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the transmission suddenly slipped between gears. The contact mentioned that the failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The…
ODI 10586527
Electronic Stability Control · Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
My honda pilot starts slipping when it changes from 3rd gear to 4 gear. Now it starts shaking/jugging. With speed 60mph or 65 mph, it is very dangerous if it starts jugging because you never know how the car behind you reacts and your car will do. *tr
ODI 10549647
Power Train
Loud scraping noise comes from car during cruising at around 35-40mph around 2000rpm. Car seems to stutter at these speeds causing abrupt vibrations. Other drivers have reported the same occurrence, many report it is from a bad torque converter. *tr
ODI 10543779
Power Train
2003 honda pilot transmission started slipping in low gear after engine warmed up. Whenever vehicle is going from a stop to movement, such as red lights, stop signs and traffic, vehicle doe not click into gear right away. Took vehicle to honda dealer who stated transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $4100 + 12 hrs labor for installation. Vehicle only has @78,00 miles on it. Luckily my transmission has not…
ODI 10531825
Power Train
We purchased our 2003 honda pilot ex-l new at danbury honda on february 20, 2003. We have had ongoing issues with the "d" or drive light flashing intermittently since the car was new and had it checked at the dealer each time, with a report back that there was nothing wrong and it would go away. The dealer has done almost all of the preventative maintenance to our vehicle and we also do proactive care to our…
ODI 10526196
Power Train
Transmission slips when going around 30 miles. I have changed the transmission fluid multiple times. It seems like this year honda pilot has a lot of transmission issues like this. *tr
ODI 10547794
Power Train
Car starts shimmering at 35 - 45 mph. Had mechanic check car and said no mechanical issue. Had new tires put on car. Still shimmering. Have similar characteristics as others on the honda web site that mentioned that the diagnosis is a bad torque converter. Strong shimmer at 35 - 45 mph intermittent problem. *jb
ODI 10538475
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 04v176000 (power train) but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…
ODI 10509571
Power Train
This is a 2003 honda pilot that i had never had any problems until i had to travel almost [redacted]--for my job. On the way home of my 4 hour trip my pilot like got hot and then just stopped pulling. Honda of richmond kentucky put one transmission in already, buy the 2nd or 3rd oil change after the transmission was replaced, we had to have it replaced again. Not its about 1 thousand miles from another oil change…
ODI 10663508
Power Train
We bought a 2003 honda pilot in 2006. 3 months ago we found out it had been recalled in 2004 for the powertrain. That apparently was fixed at that time. In april, we had an issue with the rpms showing 3000 while we were driving only 35 mph. We took it to the dealer who informed us that the powertrain needed to be replaced. This cost us over $6,000 to replace including over $700 to lease a car. American honda said…
ODI 10525146
Power Train
While driving at 40-45 mph with shift lever in "d" the vehicle began to shift down a gear very hard and then back into the previous gear. It does this repeatedly. Was told by a honda dealer repair shop that the transmission needs to be replaced. The car has been well maintained. The transmission on a vehicle like this with 160k miles should not be failing. *tr
ODI 10505336