2003 Honda Pilot: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 19, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · FL

Honda pilot 2003 cranked up started driving, after a min or two it shut off and wouldn't crank back up. I've replaced the main relay and a new fuel pump but when you put the key in and try to start it, it doesn't turn over all the way. It wants to but won't. Also more electrical issues along with radio and head lights. Something is terribly wrong and ive put alot of money into trying to find out what it is and have been guaranteed that part will fix it but no luck. New parts help but not with turning over and starting.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 226,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Lights · TX

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.

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Lights · 170,000 miles · OR

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

Filed Jul 18, 2017 · Lights · 168,000 miles · VA

While driving smoke came from steering column, since that low beams went out but high beams work.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Body, Lights · 85,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2016 · Lights · 180,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 174,000 miles · GA

When the vehicle is in motion and I have to press down on the gas to accelerate/ speed up the vehicle quickly the driver seat bounces backwards/moves and it feels like its going to come off the frame its mounted to like some bolts may be broke or something. The car locks are messed up. The both front door locks have to be unlocked with a key. The inside unlock mechanism only unlocks the driver side passenger door and the trunk. In order to unlock the passenger front and the passenger rear locks a window has to be rolled down and you have to reach in and manually unlock it and those also have to be manually locked back when you exit the vehicle. Also, the passenger air unit does work. It does not blow out air even with the rear control on. The inside car lights have to be manually cut on and off and not set to come on when the door opens and closes because it runs the battery down. Sometimes while driving the headlights flicker. And the power port to charge phones, etc. Works but anything plugged into it gets hot real fast. All that points to electrical issues. The air bag lights kept coming on and going off. The transmission light has been flashing d and did not stop until fluid and filter was changed. So far that seems to have helped. And last but not least, the contacts in the ignition switch act defected. The key has to remain in the ignition switch and the spare key has to be used to unlock the car because if the key is removed, it does not want to go back into the switch to crank the car. The switch does not want to accept the key and turn to crank the engine once it has been removed from the switch. Even trying to turn the steering wheel and pressing the brake to release the switch doesn't work. And the gear shift stick/shaft acts almost like it's not park, but it was put in park.

Filed Jul 7, 2015 · Lights · TN

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.

Filed Jul 2, 2015 · Lights · 195,000 miles · NC

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

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · MO

Left work at night. Low-beams partially failed, but I didn't notice until I was going 55 MPH on the highway. Had to use brights, and go to a gas station. Vehicle had to be towed, and checked by dealer. Dealer said using 3rd party headlight bulbs was the cause. Of interest, the car already had the low-beam failure recall fixed. Looks like this is still an issue after the recall, and using honda oem bulbs is the only safe way to go. 3rd party bulbs were purchased from advance auto parts, and I'm unsure of the brand.

Filed Aug 8, 2013 · Lights · 139,925 miles · PA

On 9/6/2012 honda performed recall work on this vehicle, see the federal safety agency recall 12v‑136. On 8/5/2013 I checked the vehicles lights and all were working. On 8/6/2013 while moving vehicle in driveway I noticed that both low beams were not illuminating even though the switch was turned on. The parking lights and high beams both worked, but the low beams did not work. On 8/8/2013 I took the vehicle to the local honda dealer (roberts in downingtown, pa). The dealer's service representative reported that the recall work was fine and that the headlamp switch was broken. The cost of the headlamp switch is $190. I will pick up the vehicle later today, 8/8/2013. I am reporting this to provide data that might be useful as it relates to the safety recall. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).