2003 Honda Pilot: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Mar 29, 2022 · Engine · 170,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the catalytic convertor was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

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 Feb 8, 2015 · Transmission · 158,700 miles · AR

While accelerating on the gas to pick up speed the transmission slipped and hesitated to shift to a higher gear, once it did engage it then slipped and down shifted causing speed to decelerate while driving between 40-55 MPH. Later the d light came on the dash and the transmission continued to slip at various speeds and at times down shift. Had transmission serviced and the technician reset the d dash light after driving it 3 days problem has now started to occur again and light has again come on on dash.

Filed Mar 22, 2012 · Transmission · 86,600 miles · TX

Highway driving, vehicle suddenly lurched forward after an engine hesitation (heard a loud noise, passenger thought the vehicle had hit something...felt under passenger side footwell.) drove home, next day there were problems getting the vehicle into reverse. Again, it lurched into reverse and made a loud noise. Immediately taken to dealership with only one "racing" engine noise at 35mph. Diagnosed with code #p0740 (torque converter) requiring complete transmission replacement. Vehicle is original owner/all recommended service at correct time intervals (including a double transmission service done at 60,000 and 77,000) no paperwork indicating 2004 recall service was done, however dealership insists it was completed (they're still looking for paperwork.) only major repair: $1100 repair done 82,400 - leaking transmission fluid (replaced front pump seal, o-ring on converter and rear main) now, 2200 miles later, transmission is out and must be replaced. Dealership quoting $5200 (not including labor), after discussions with honda they have offered to cover 40% of repair price (not including labor). I had a reasonable expectation that the transmission would last longer than 87,000 miles, considering the regular maintenance and safe driving record. Thankfully, I have all repair/service paperwork and will be going to bbb arbitration, as suggested in the honda warranty handbook. Also, extremely thankful there was no accident/injury/death related to this severe transmission issue (had I been at full highway speed, 65mph, the outcome may not have been so positive when the vehicle's transmission hesitated and then surged.)

Filed Mar 11, 2011 · Airbags, Engine · TX

2003 honda pilot. Consumer states mechanical problems with the vehicle *tgw the consumer stated the drive light began to flash intermittently from the beginning of ownership. The dealer told the consumer it was related to the gas cap not being secured properly. However, once the transmission was replaced the light no longer flashed. On august 19, 2003 the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to a hesitation issue, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. Four months later, the check engine and SRS lights illuminated. Also, the vtm lights were flashing. On september 8, 2005 the transmission light began flashing. The consumer was informed that a special part had to ordered. The consumer also stated the power steering pump and gear box had to be replaced. Also, the egr, v-tec seals and o-ring were all replaced to rectify the engine light problem. The timing belt and left and right control arm links were replaced. The inner and outer cv boots were replaced. On february 8, 20011 while driving 70 MPH, the transmission suddenly downshifted almost causing a complete loss of control of the vehicle. The next day, the vehicle was taken to the dealership, where the consumer was informed the transmission had failed again.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · WA

While traveling on the highway in 2003 honda pilot, going approximately 60 - 65 MPH, the car violently shook as if the brakes had been applied. Minutes later, it happened again so we exited the freeway and continued slowly. Once home, there was a hesitation when shifting to reverse and it actually rolled forward for a few feet. We could hear it slip into gear after a few seconds with a metallic ping or thud. The next day, we noticed the gears slipping when accelerating around 40 MPH. Took the car to renton honda and they surmised it could be bad gasoline. After paying for a diagnostic test, they determined a new transmission was needed at a cost of $3500 (with a goodwill discount). This car was purchased brand new, has never towed anything, and has had every scheduled maintenance at the dealership. This is why they offered the discount. The car has 117,000 miles and has been pampered. This honda isn't living up to the hype!

Filed Oct 20, 2010 · Transmission · 144,000 miles · FL

Owner of 2003 honda pilot. About a year ago "d" light started blinking on the car. Took the car to the dealer and was told that no problems found. About three months latter, car started hesitating when shifting into 2nd - 3rd gear. Went back to dealer and told that no problems found with transmission. The problem became worst and the transmission started slipping out of gear at about 30 MPH. I would have to coast to the side of the road and put it back in gear to continue driving. I returned to the dealer and this time they flushed the trans fluid and said that this should fix the problem. Well it didn't. Now the dealer is telling me that there is a transmission failure and it will cost me $3221.79 to replace the trans (this is after the $1,300.00 that honda corp agreed to pay). I don't understand why honda would take so long to diagnose this problem, it's obvious that there is a transmission problem with this car. Maybe it was because my car was still under the extended warranty when I first complained about the transmission. Vin [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Transmission · AL

2003 honda pilot ex-l: the vehicle shudders and hesitates between 35 - 50 MPH. I was told by a honda service dept. That the transmission and 2 motor mounts need to be replaced at a cost of $4162. This problem is too common to not be considered an immediate safety recall. There have been many complaints of the exact same problem with the same model vehicle. I hope no major injuries are caused from this problem.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Transmission · 124,893 miles · CA

I am the owner of a 2003 honda pilot. I had this problem in june 2010. On a moderate uphill climb, the vehicle slowed down to about 35 MPH and I felt vibration and shaking. From a standing stop, the vehicle hesitated for a few seconds before shifting to the 2nd gear, and then again before shifting to the 3rd gear. The problem came off and on until yesterday. I was again driving on a moderate freeway uphill climb when the vehicle shifted gears, slowed down to about 50 MPH, vibrated before shifting again and picked up speed. I got fortunate that the vehicle behind me was able to slow down and did not hit my vehicle. It could have been a serious accident. This is when I noticed that the drive 'd' indicator was flashing and the engine warning light came on. I got off from the freeway and turned off the engine for about half an hour. When I turned the engine back on, the flashing 'd' disappeared. I took it back to community honda today with the same complaints I told them in june, plus what happened yesterday. I was shocked to hear that my honda pilot needs a new transmission, to the tune of $4,100 plus tax. I searched the internet for the same problem on other 2003 honda pilots and I found out that it is very common for this particular model. What infuriates me is that honda issued a service bulletin (06-003 dated june 9, 2007) for the 2003 acura mdx which is basically the same as the 2003 honda pilot. This problem could have been avoided. Because of honda's failure to issue the same service bulletin for the 2003 honda pilot, I believe that honda should be paying for the transmission replacement on my vehicle.

Filed Oct 3, 2009 · Transmission · OH

2003 honda pilot w/45,500 miles hesitation/surging while maintaining speed or while lightly accelerating from maintained speed. Humming noise during hesitation/surge. Very noticeable between 25-40mph. Advised by honda dealer that transmission needs to be replaced. I am the original owner of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 30, 2009 · Suspension, Tires · 138,400 miles · CT

Our 2003 honda pilot locked up on the highway due to transmission failure of the 2nd gear. We were traveling in the 3rd lane over 60 MPH when both front tires locked and we skidded to a halt in less than 200 yards on the highway. Prior to our vehicle breaking down, there were no signs of danger, no unusual sounds, no blinking lights or any hesitation with the car. Our vehicle had 138,400+ miles and has been serviced regularly according to honda's recommended maintenance schedules, including all transmission fluid changes. On may 7, 2004 with 36,384 miles, our vehicle had received a retrofit of the a/t oil jet kit due to honda's 04-021b safety recall on the automatic transmission second gear. Luckily no one was injured and there were no other vehicles involved in the incident. The car behind us stopped just in time to avoid a collision. Our car could not be rolled into the breakdown lane as both front wheels were locked and we were stranded in the 3rd lane. A police officer was called to the scene and logged the incident as a disabled vehicle. The officer requested for immediate towing since we were in a dangerous location. The car was towed to a honda dealer, who provided the following diagnosis and estimate: "transmission internal failure both front axles twisted needs 2 tires - flat spots alignment $5,199.14 plus tax" we opted not to repair the honda and instead purchased a new non-honda vehicle and received a trade-in value for 'as-is' condition.

Filed May 7, 2009 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving between 15-20 MPH on normal road conditions, the automatic transmission hesitated intermittently when shifting from first to second gear. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent transmission shop for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that there were mechanical failures in the transmission. Through online research, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v176000 (power train;automatic transmission). The authorized dealer was notified and stated that there was an earlier recall repair performed on the vehicle in 2004; however, it has not corrected the failure addressed in the safety recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 81,000 and current mileage was 82,000. Updated 6/01/09 *cn updated 06/02/09.