Lo beam headlights stopped working. Bulbs fuses and relays are good. High beams work ok. Lights stopped working and I discovered it at night when I went to drive the car home.
2003 Honda Pilot lights problems
32 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 108,900. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 108,900
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Headlights10
- Headlights: switch2
- Brake lights: switch1
- Brake lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Honda Pilot lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Honda Pilot lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012, honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles. In august 2012, honda informed the agency that it was including an additional 820,789 vehicles including certain model year 2004 and 2005 pilots and model year 2002 and 2003 civics. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,375,217. Due to tension from the combination switch wiring harness, wear on the surface of the electrical terminal can occur, yielding copper oxide, which increases electrical resistance. Increased electrical resistance may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.
- Risk
- If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in april 2012. Owners of vehicles involved in the september 2012 expansion will be notified in september 2012. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 12V136000 · Recall details
What 2003 Honda Pilot owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Honda corporate claims that my 2003 honda pilot issue was resolved in april 2014, as recall work (low beams quit working... High beams remain functional). My local dealership has no record of me being there, even though corporate is showing I was. I still have the same problem - my low beams do not work... High beams remain functional. The issue is present regardless of it being stationary, in motion, on any surface of any kind, turning or otherwise.
Lighting recall. There was a recall in 2012 affecting my 2003 honda pilot that I did not know about until my headlights went out while driving and almost wrecked. My low beams do not work but my high beams do, me and my child could of died from this. We were just driving as normal on a highway with no other traffic around and lights just stopped working. After pulling over I realised my hi beams still work. I do not understand why my recall isn't listed when a recall was issued
While driving smoke came from steering column, since that low beams went out but high beams work.
When I driving 95 n going to connecticut there's a huge smoke on the hood and the other motorist behind me, he saw a lot of oil dripping on the street and he gave me a honk. I parked the car beside the highway and I opened the hood remove the negative battery to avoid the fire.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. Over time, both plastic headlight covers became very opaque, which caused the headlights to appear dim and made visibility difficult. The contact's wife called a honda dealer who stated that they were familiar with the issue, but could not assist. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that they could not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving various speeds, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the high beam headlights were needed to drive at night. In addition, the brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the low beam terminal harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v320000 (air bags), 14v700000 (air bags), 12v573000 (electrical sysytem), and 12v136000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Honda replaced the low beam headlight switch (nthsa ref #15v320000) in 2013 and now the same issue has happened again (both headlight low beams went out at the same time) and honda says they are not liable. Its the same problem as before. It appears honda simply replaced the faulty switch with another faulty without any kind of repair of different manufacturing of the new switch.
Both headlights went out. Vehicle has been previously recalled and repaired for this problem in 2012. Had to rely on high beams to get home. Replaced only one bulb which on inspection looked good. Both lights came on. Problem solved or so I thought. Wife drove the car yesterday and smoke began to come out from around the steering column. She drives with the headlights on even during the day. After turning off the lights and the car and allowing it to cool off, she made it home without the lights being on. Update 9/15/15*cw the vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/29/15
Questions about the 2003 Honda Pilot lights
Does the 2003 Honda Pilot have lights problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Pilot lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 108,900 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda Pilot lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 12V136000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Pilot have the most lights problems?
The Honda Pilot model years with the most lights complaints are 2005 (34 complaints), 2003 (32 complaints) and 2007 (18 complaints).
Other 2003 Honda Pilot problems
Transmission 224Electrical 129Airbags 115Engine 62Body 47Seats 40Steering 32Suspension 32Brakes 25Acceleration 20Fuel system 16Visibility 15Tires 10Seat belts 9Locks 8Driver assistance 5Wheels 2
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