2003 Honda Pilot: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Transmission · 131,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle violently jolted forward with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The failure had occurred while driving on a major highway. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 04-021; however, the contact was informed that the repair had been performed on the vehicle in 2004. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Jun 19, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Reporting an important safety issue I experienced due to random engine stalling on my 2003 Honda Pilot, typically after driving for a few minutes. The engine would crank for several seconds or sometimes start immediately after stalling, but no diagnostic trouble codes were ever stored. The vehicle had stable fuel trims and idle, and multiple components including the EGR valve and valve clearance were serviced without resolving the issue. Ultimately, the root cause was traced to a failing PGM-FI (fuel pump) relay located under the driver’s dash. After replacing the relay close to two months ago, the stalling stopped completely. This issue could pose a safety risk if the engine stalls in traffic, especially in a hazardous area where there’s no breakdown lane (construction zone, etc.) , and I believe this factor should consider this a known failure point in aging vehicles of this model. Attached are two images of the new relay zip tied under the driver’s footwell (could not remove the bad relay since it was too difficult to remove from its bracket).

Filed Apr 14, 2019 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · AR

Takata recall I was merging onto the highway and experienced total engine power loss. Rpms revved high and car lurched forward. I had already merged into 60mph traffic when my car stalled. Forced the cars behind me to slam on their brakes. Thankfully I was able to pull off to the side of the road and avoid having a major accident. There was no check engine light on or any other indication of failure.

Filed Oct 27, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 197,000 miles · MD

Vehicle will stall while driving and then fail to start unless left off from 15 to 30 minutes vehicle will periodically fail to start. This happened driving on the expressway and was able to drift over to shoulder while avoiding being run into. The last instance a police officer kindly helped push the vehicle off a busy city street as so I could wait for a tow to the dealership again. They continue to say they cannot replicate the problem and have replaced multiple and expensive parts but to no avail.

Filed Sep 15, 2017 · Engine, Suspension · NJ

The truck hesitates in order to get it to move you have to take foot off the gas pedal.happens a lot when driving.sometimes it stalls....driver side rear body mount is rusted out

Filed Dec 8, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 128,000 miles · TX

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 replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2013 · Engine · 170,000 miles · CT

Driving in a residential neighborhood, our 2003 honda pilot stalled and would not re-start. We had it towed to our mechanic who has been servicing our vehicle. He states that the timing belt pulley had ripped out the water pump and caused a bolt to come in contact with the cylinder head.

Filed Feb 25, 2012 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · UT

While driving along a road at about 30 MPH, there was a very intense loud vibrating noise under the front console of our 2003 honda pilot. It was very intense and loud and lasted about 10 seconds. We pulled over and looked but couldn't see anything visibly wrong on the outside. Then the next morning, when pulling it out of our parking stall, it did it again. The first time, we had driven it for a week straight(after buying it) without hearing a problem. Then it happened twice. After looking through multiple forums on this issue, it sounds like there are quite a few people who have had the same problem with the acura mdx and with honda pilots. If there are so many issues, obviously it's a factory defect.

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · FL

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 were no recalls on this issue and did not offer any suggestions. Did a search on the internet and found I was not the only person having this issue. Very disappointed with honda - will not be buying any honda product in the future.

Filed Oct 21, 2010 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · OK

2003 honda pilot, transmission slip between 25 and 40 MPH almost like it's slipping into neutral, usually when it's shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Happens occasionally without warning. Usually stall for several seconds sometimes cannot proceed causing safety hazard in traffic situations. Also told that motor mounts need replaced. Seems to be very common problem can't afford repair. Transmission cooler that honda installed was obvious patch to attempt to extend the life of a faulty design. Are we going to let them get away with this ?

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 127,000 miles · FL

2003 honda pilot transmission: my transmission continues to slip in 2nd gear. I have replaced numerous items on the vehicle - steering column, motor mounts, etc. The list is numerous. I have had transmission problems almost since the beginning of purchasing this vehicle in february 2006. The dealer never told me that the 2003 pilot had any type of transmission problems. I know as a consumer, I should have done my own research, but I had always heard excellent things about honda. My transmission continues to slip, after revving. I took it to the dealer and even then they never said anything about problems. I had my repairman look at it because I was concerned. He is the one that told me this vehicle had transmission problems & all dealers were aware of it. I bought the extended warranty when I purchased the car - but of course, it is no longer valid. I am really upset because I drive my 2 children and the transmission will just stall in the middle of traffic - won't leave 2nd-3rd gear. It just revs at about 20-30 miles. It happens quite often and now the check engine light is coming on. The message boards say this is the end of the line. I will attempt to speak with my local dealer. I contacted american honda who basically offered no assistance. Now, I am learning about the horrible things that have happened with the honda 2003 pilot transmissions and am just disappointed that in the effort to make money, no one thought of consumer safety. Obviously, honda recognizes that this is a huge problem and still they are not offering any help to consumers. It is appalling. My car did have the honda repair patch for the transmission in 2004 according to american honda records, as the transmission had a problem even then. Of course, I have the car fax report and it didn't show this information. Is there somewhere else that you can track repairs on used vehicles?