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.
2003 Honda Pilot transmission problems
224 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 123,986. 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 224
- of this car's complaints
- 31%
- typical mileage
- 123,986
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission105
- Manual transmission1
- Axle assembly1
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Pilot transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Honda Pilot transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 72Slipping 46Jerking 25Shudder 23Hesitation 14Won't shift 14Harsh shifting 8
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
What 2003 Honda Pilot owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,118.
Water leaked into front floors of vehicle soaking the carpet and the fuse panels in the floor. Yes it is available. Fuse boxes had standing water building up behind them slowly dumping water into them causing shorts in electrical system which could have caused the car to catch on fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed. No the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than mechanic. The only signs of the problem I noticed was the carpet was soaked and couldn't understand why. The battery died randomly one night after locking the doors. No other signs were noted.
Transmission, overheating, loss of oil, loss of gears when driving,
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle rolled out of the garage and crashed into the neighbor's home. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slow low speeds, the vehicle was difficult to shift into second gear. The SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact about a possible recall. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed there were no open recalls on the VIN. The contact stated the failure was like the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The contact stated 2nd gear is no longer working. Honda stated the recall was fixed, but the contact stated that was incorrect.
Keep getting misfires had mechanic replace coils & plugs but still getting obd codes for misfires of cylinders why ?? Also keeps jerking & I nor a mechanic do not know why
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2021 We traveled down OLD Dallas Hwy toward Gastonia, North Carolina. Transmission slipped and motor revved very high without forward speed. Attempting to put transmission into reverse caused similar slippage. Returning on Hwy 321 toward Dallas, north carolina, the transmission slipped and the car would not reach highway speed. Turning onto Hwy 279 to go home, the Honda would not go into gear at first, then slippage so that other cars almost struck our car which was unreliably stumbling. We have found there is a recall number 04V176000
Purchased 2003 honda pilot ex in 2006. The first owner had brought the vehcile back to the dealer for a transmission problem ( dealer said it was overheating of the transmission). To which there is a recall to install an oil jet with cooler to "fix" the transmission. The "fix" did not cure the transmission from failing. My daughter and where driving down the freeway when it failed. The transmission downshifted to first gear at 65 miles an hour. Fortunitly no one was hurt. The vehicle has 171,000 miles on it. I called honda dealer and because the jet kit was installed there is no recall on the failed transmission. This recall created an unsafe condition in the middle of the freeway. This transmission should be replace under a recall or extended warranty by honda.
My car makes a grinding noise around 40-45 MPH. This has been identified as an ongoing problem with this and several other model years with the transmission torque converter. This happens anytime I am accelerating past 40 MPH.
Questions about the 2003 Honda Pilot transmission
Does the 2003 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 224 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Pilot transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 123,986 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Honda Pilot transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Pilot have bad transmission?
The Honda Pilot model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (224 complaints), 2016 (202 complaints) and 2005 (176 complaints).
Other 2003 Honda Pilot problems
Electrical 129Airbags 115Engine 62Body 47Seats 40Lights 32Steering 32Suspension 32Brakes 25Acceleration 20Fuel system 16Visibility 15Tires 10Seat belts 9Locks 8Driver assistance 5Wheels 2
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