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
Transmission locked wheels, shifted to several different gears while at moderate speed (appx 45 mph). *tr
ODI 10449125
Power Train
Vehicle almost stalled in a busy intersection,check engine light came on and vehicle engine was revving at a high rpm. Had a friend check the code with a scanner which came back with code po740 -torque converter solenoid circuit. I think this is a safety issue and should be covered by the manufacturer. It's just a matter of time before someone gets killed because of this issue. Called american honda and said there…
ODI 10446973
Air Bags · Power Train
My car is experiencing a weird slipping on the transmission, it doesnt seem to change gear sometimes. Its always the 2nd gear going to 3rd gear when it starts slipping. But when i stop and pull over for a minute and drive the car, the problems goes away. Also the airbag warning turns on and off for some reason. I called honda a few months ago and asked if my car is included in the recall but i was surprised they…
ODI 10448448
Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle in a residential carport. Approximately thirty minutes later, the contact went back to the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was no longer parked in the carport but had rolled away and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was placed in park and the keys were removed from the ignition when the contact exited the vehicle. The vehicle…
Crash reported
ODI 10482091
Power Train · Vehicle Speed Control
Same issue as every other pilot owner with the 2nd gear not wanting to shift up around 30-40 mph, a delay and rpm's go up causing safety issues. *tr
ODI 10441326
Electrical System · Power Train
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 accords, civics, and elements, but so far not for pilots. I…
ODI 10439033
Power Train
1. Fall of 2011, when attempting to pick up speed car would began to sputter and shake. For safety, i wouldn't drive faster than approx. 35 mph. Arriving at my destination, i put the car in park, took my foot off the brake. The engine revved and surged forward several times. Fuel injection cleaner remedied this. 2. 2012, when initially accelerating, gears would roughly change with a thumping sound. While driving and…
ODI 10536839
Power Train
Transmission going bad. Dealer says it is a bad torque converter and could be a safety issue if it locks up while moving. It appears that there are a lot of these issues with the honda pilot. *tr
ODI 10433937
Power Train
As i was driving down a busy highway this morning my transmission started violently jerking in and out of gears so hard it was throwing me forward and my seatbelt was locking. After the jerking the rpm's went to 5,000 at 55 mph and the malfunction indicator lamp came on. I pulled over and had my vehicle towed home. The jerking was so bad the people behind me slowed down to avoid a collision. I do have two small…
ODI 10432237
Power Train
While driving with my two small children in the car, the vehicle failed to shift to third, and instead shifted to first gear. This gave a serious jolt to the car, and nearly caused an accident. On review by a transmission shop, it was determined that the clutch pack was completely deteriorated and would need to be replaced. Honda of north america s unwilling to admit that there is a design flaw in the transmission.…
ODI 10430428
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
Having difficulties puting car into gear from park to drive especially if vehicle is on a hill. Various friends who have the same car have the same issue. One friend had to replace transmission when it failed on the highway. *tt
ODI 10433074
Power Train
Vehicle transmission would not shift properly in lower gears; vehicle would not downshift to first gear, but would remain in neutral. Intermittently, vehicle would shift from first gear to second gear, then slips into neutral (engine would continue to rev, but vehicle would not move). Intermittent 'clunk' as transmission moves from one gear to another. When vehicle does not shift, poses a safety hazard as you cannot…
ODI 10443349
Power Train
Transmission started slipping with only 115,000 miles. Had to replace transmission for $4,000.00. I purchased it for reliability & this is the 4th honda i've owned. Leaves bad taste in my mouth. *tr
ODI 10453212
Electrical System · Power Train
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. *tr
ODI 10467163
Power Train
The transmission initially started to shudder when the vehicle operated within the 40-60 mph zone. Now the shudder seems to occur in the range of 30 to 60 mph. The transmission is also erratically shifting up and down within the drive range causing for uneven performance. I now operate the vehicle while driving on city streets in the "d3" gear. Although it wastes gas, the car operates smoother and does not have the…
ODI 10434237
Power Train
The transmission would not go in reverse and early was slipping when i was on the high way. *tr
ODI 10471206
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
Car ran away in reverse as if it had a mind of its own. Full weight on the brakes but the car kept accelerating. Crashed into utility pole encircled with old car tires. Car bounced off and then crashed into the pole over and over again. Hit gear shift into forward. Engine screaming really high revs, car raced forward and i did everything i could to avoid hitting parked vehicles and a pond as car kept going faster.…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10640670
Power Train
Car "shudders" at 40-45 mph. Honda has had transmission problems with the 2003 pilot and odyssey. When this happens the car shakes like it is falling apart. Approx. Cost to repair $4,000.00. *tr
ODI 10471336
Power Train
Our transmission keeps slipping around 2 or 3 gear.. There was a recall about this part that was supposedly fixed on our car. Our car only has $116k miles on it, and it seems kind of fishy that it is the same part that was recalled and "supposedly" fixed. Transmissions usually last a lot longer than this before they fail. They need to take responsibility for their faulty vehicle parts! *tr
ODI 10440270
Engine And Engine Cooling · Power Train
The motor mounts on my wife's 2003 honda pilot were replaced in 2010 and i was informed today by the dealership that they need to be replaced again. This vehicle had approx 93500 miles on it when it was replaced the first time and now three years later has 140,939. I have been told by honda customer service that the mounts are warranted for 12 months. The vehicle is used by my wife to drive 20 miles roundtrip to…
ODI 10520777
Engine · Power Train
The pilot shudders going at slower rates of speed at pretty regular instances. My mechanic informed me that the torque converter, possibly the whole transmission needs to be replaced. I was also informed that this is a very common problem with 2003 honda pilots. *tr
ODI 10466489
Power Train
My honda pilot is now at 75,000 miles. I obviously don't drive it a lot. Thank goodness because it has had so many issues. For the last 25,000 miles and 3 years, it revs up and down when stopped anywhere like a light or stop sign or in the pickup line at my child's school. I have to put it into park and press the brake while in park to be sure it doesn't leap forward into another vehicle. I've had this looked at on…
ODI 10503435
Power Train
At about 80,0000 miles on my pilot a vibration and noise while traveling at a steady speed anywhere between 30 - 50 miles per hour. The dealer says that it could be a problem with the torque converter but he is not sure. At times the sound is faint and often times it is quite loud. The dealer is quoting around $4000 to fix it. When i also researched on the internet, i found quite a few people with the same…
ODI 10435355
Power Train
Our honda pilot will shutter while accelerating between speeds of 20 to 50 miles per hour. The shutter will continue if you continue to accelerate, if i let off the gas pedal shutter dissipates and i can resume on accelerating. Occasionally the rear end jumps when accelerating from a stop. It looks to be a problem with multiple pilot/mdx owners. A recall needs to be addressed soon, before serious injury could occur.…
ODI 10401497
Power Train
Bought used 2003 honda pilot in march 2009. Had to replace transmission in april 2009. Purchased a new transmission for over $4,000 to get a 3-yr, 36,000 mile warranty. Previously owned a 2003 honda accord (bought new) that had the transmission replaced under warranty in 2006. Didn't think about pilot having the same transmission, or i would never have purchased the pilot. Now at 166,[redacted] light is blinking…
ODI 10449298