There is a problem with the ignition switch on my 2003 honda pilot. When I try and put my ignition key into the ignition switch, it requires several attempts before it actually goes in to the key slot without resistance. It is as if one is putting the wrong key into the wrong key hole. When it does finally go in, it may take several more attempts for the key to finally turn and start the vehicle.
2003 Honda Pilot electrical complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was trying to leave from work and when I tried entering the key it got stuck half way. I removed it and tried again and the key went it but would not turn. I had to try many times and then called my husband, he said to take the key out and wait couple minutes then try again. I did what he said and after the second try it finally turned. Since that date I keep having the same problem and I recently received a recall letter and thought since its a recall honda would repair at no cost to me. Well to my surprise I just found out that this is not part of the recall and will have to pay for them to repair. The recall I received said the interlock lever in the ignition switch may become deformed. :(
Unable to turn key in ignition. Apparently this is an issue that many 2003 honda pilot owners are having. This can be a safety issue as it can leave someone stranded in a remote area as happened with me. If the malfunction is caused by a faulty part then honda should bare some of the responsibility and cost to correct the problem.
After loading my pilot, tried to put the key in the ignition switch but it did not go easy on the switch and once in the switch it did not turn on the ignition. I tried several times and or use the spare key until the ignition switch worked. Since july 16, 2012, everytime I start my pilot, I have the same problem. I have to keep my spare key all the time to avoid the issue on having to reenter the ignition switch. Everytime I forget to keep the spare key on the ignition switch I have to spend about 20 minutes to try to reengage my key in the ignition switch to have it work.
Key won't turn in ignition due to misaligned wafers. This is the second time in just over a year we have had to fix this problem. At first had to jiggle key to be able to turn it, then can't even get the key in all the way. Taken to locksmith. First occurred 10/2011, then 1/11/2013.
The key would not fit into the ignition without forcing it several times, after a few weeks, the key would not even turn. The vehicle was serviced and the cylinder and ignition switch were replaced at the cost of the owner. This is a very common problem with this model. Honda corporation should be held responsible for it.
I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. I was stranded, with my kids, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. The key issue was reported to honda and I was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. Honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect.
I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. I found myself stranded, with 4 young children, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. The key issue was reported to honda and I was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. Honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that after inserting the key in the ignition, the key would not turn, preventing her from starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While parked with the key removed from the ignition, the vehicle rolled away in reverse independently. The vehicle came to a complete stop when it traveled over a curb on the opposite side of the street. The contact entered the vehicle and noticed that the gear shifter was still in drive. The failure recurred twice on separate occasions. The contact also experienced difficulty turning the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch would have to be replaced. After the repair, the contact noticed that she was unable to remove the key from the ignition unless the vehicle was shifted into park first. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. ...updated11/21/12 *bf updated 11/30/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated the engine was turned off and the key released from the ignition switch upon removing, even though the gear was shifted into the drive position. The vehicle began to roll and came to a stop once the brake pedal was depressed. The gear was then shifted into park. There was currently an open investigation associated with the federal safety agency action number pe12026 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 10/31/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that while trying to start the vehicle, the key seized in the ignition and could not be turned. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was 133,568.
Rear hatch window wiper blew the fuse. The SRS light came on there was nothing wrong with my air bags or my seat sensors. A new fuse fixed the wiper but would not turn off SRS light. Dealer wanted $100 plus dollars to check system and turn off light. Independent mech. Checked system found nothing wrong and reset the light. Why is a wiper motor tied into the seat sensor and air bags?
Ignition locked up. The car could not be shut off. The key could not be removed from the ignition. Dealer wanted $900 to fix the problem.
I have been having a hard time turning the ignition with my key. Now the key will not turn in the ignition. I believe this is a safety issue since there may be a situation where the car may need to be moved in a dangerous situation and cannot be turned. I found this website from 23 other complaints for the same issue on this website alone.
2003 honda pilot ignition - at first we were having issues inserting the key into the ignition. Then it progressed to needing to jiggle the key in order to get it to turn to any position of the ignition. The key would go in but it'd take several attempts, of a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes, before we could get the ignition to start. We read the manual and understood the importance of keeping the wheels straight - that seemed to help for a few attempts. Now the key goes in but doesn't turn at all. With everything that has been documented about this issue from honda customers and the volume of customers it is affecting why isn't honda doing the 'right thing' and issuing a voluntary recall?!
2003 honda pilot ignition switch problem- the first day I was having problems inserting key into ignition and had to jiggle it around in order to turn it to start the engine. The next day the key would go in but it would take several attempts and at least 10-15 minutes trying to start the ignition. I was getting stuck in store parking lots and at home. Now the key goes in and doesn't turn at all. The steering wheel is also locked as well as the gear shift so there is no way to put in neutral to tow it.
The ignition key will not slide into the ignition without a great amount of effort and time. This is a well documented problem. I will have to leave the key in the ignition because of the failure.
The ignition switch locked up and the car would not start. I was stranded at work for several hours. Honda needs to do something about this issue. We should not have to pay $600 for a repair they are well aware do to a parts defect. Previously the vehicle also had started to roll back on the inclined drive way when I removed the ignition key with the shifter still in drive.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the key was removed from the ignition when the vehicle was still in the drive position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that the locking mechanism for the ignition needed to be replaced. The mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
Steering lock allows driver to remove the key from the steering column without placing the gear selector to "park". Car rolled backwards. There (luckily) was no damage and no one was hurt. Car was also brought to the local honda dealer to repair problems with unlocking the ignition switch to start the car. Key regularly became stuck in the keyhole. This could leave someone stranded repair for the ignition switch locking from was $518. The repair also fixed the gear selector issue (can no longer remove the key from the steering column without placing the selector in "park"). The main concern here is the possibility that someone removes the key and the vehicle rolls into an unsuspecting person or strikes another vehicle. Of secondary concern is for someone to be stranded because the mechanical ignition mechanism fails.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated he was able to insert and remove the key from the ignition, but the ignition would not turn to start the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that after inserting the key into the ignition, the key could not be turned and the vehicle could not be started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Neither of the keys will go completely into the ignition switch, therefore the key cannot be turned and the car cannot be started.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated the door locks would not lock and the windows sporadically failed to open and close. The contact also mentioned while driving various speeds, the transmission would shift into gear. In addition, the lights within the buttons on the dashboard stopped working and there was an electrical short in the air conditioner fan. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/15/12 * bf
Tl* the contact owns 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the ignition tumblers would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were 116,000. Updated 04/02/12
Having trouble inserting key into ignition. Have to try multiple times, turning the key upside down, right side up, repetitive in & out, eventually it goes in, but afraid that eventually it will not work. Called american honda as I saw multiple complaints online, but honda said they never heard of this problem and that it's not widespread enough for them to take notice. I'm afraid that I will not be able to get the key to work, so will take it to honda dealership for repair (apparently only dealership has to fix it because new keys will need to be programmed. There are 2 different choices for cost, one to just replace the ignition and get new keys, and another choice is to also change the door locks so that the new keys will open the door.) if you're having the same problem, please log a complaint so that it becomes "widespread enough to take notice" and may be those of us who pay/paid to get this issue repaired can get a refund. Thank you!
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 wonder if the interlock mechanism is common among all these different models, and if so, why honda wasn't required to issue a recall for the pilot, also? The designs must be very similar for so many models to be experiencing the same failure.
The ignition interlock mechanism on our 2003 honda pilot ex failed allowing the ignition key to be removed when the shift lever was not in park thereby allowing the vehicle to roll away. I reported the issue to u.s. Honda (case #[xxx]) who said the issue was rare for that vehicle therefore no recall has been issued covering the defect. When researching the defect, I noted that a recall has been issued for the 2003 honda accord, civic and element models for precisely the same problem. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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