Faulty electrical issue. Car will just cut off and go dead especially when it rains. This was reported to honda as a safety concern but no one ever followed up with the complaint. This should have been a recall. Car will just cut off and steering wheel locks. This occurs at any speed unexpectly without warning. Occurs while car is in motion without warning. Worsens with heavy rain. This was reported 10 years ago and even. Again about 8 years ago with no response from honda. Occurred again today.
2005 Honda Pilot electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Unexpected for the the key ignition stop working. I never have any kind of problems with ignition key stop working with my other cars. This come to safety concern when if it happen when you on a long vacation trip and all the sudden your car ignition key just stop working and you are far from home and work or don't know anyone around there to help. How could anyone expected that this issue would happen to honda.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. While driving various speeds, the btm-4, bfa, ABS, and tpm warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but hey were unable to duplicate the failure or diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Problems with vsa and vtm 4 lock. Vehicle slow dowm while drive around 30 MPH.
First issue. Honda is failing to make proper notifications concerning recalls and extended warrantees. A warrantee extension notice for my 2009 honda accord was forwarded to me by the person across town who received my notice. Last year the same person forwarded to me a takata airbag recall notice he received for my 2005 honda pilot. I purchased my 2005 honda pilot direct from honda and my accord from a private owner. Both vehicles are in the honda service data base with my correct name, address, and VIN. I have no connection to that address, and the resident there does not have my name or any honda vehicles. I have spoken to honda service and the honda recall center about this. Yet, in march the same issue occurred with my 2009 honda accord. Additionally, I have not received a notice on my 2010 honda accord (purchased from a honda dealer), which, according to the notice, is part of the class of vehicles subject to the same extended warrantee. Honda's national service center could not explain to me how the mistake occurred and could not assure me that their records would be corrected for purposes of safety notifications since honda has had my information correct in their service center database. Second issue: my notice of an extended warrantee on 2008-2010 accords is for a corrosion issue with an internal component in the SRS electronic control unit that could potentially result in SRS failure. The notice stated that if the dashboard SRS light alerts you to an issue, you need to bring the vehicle in for inspection asap. The SRS light in my 2005 honda pilot illuminates intermittently. Honda said it is not covered, but they would diagnose it for $120/hr + repairs. For purposes of vehicle safety, can your office determine if the older honda pilots have the same SRS ecu issue as the 2008-2010 honda accord, and thus should be subject to a recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced for an unknown manufacturer recall, the front driver side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crash sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Airbag light came on intermittently. After I took it in for the recall, the dealer said the sensor was bad and needed to be replaced for $200. I had that done and the second day following, it was on again. It intermittently lit for about 3 months. Now it is almost always on. I see similar issues listed. God forbid they don't work when I need them. Not thrilled with the pilot. Transmission light also intermittently lights (blinking d). I had this fixed years ago after the dealer said new trans for $3,000. I didn't bite on that one because the shifting was seemless. Seems that mechanics maybe rely on computer too much. Had switch changed out and it stopped for about 2 years. Now it's on intermittently again. Tire pressure is another problem. Electronics stink!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that there was a burning odor present inside the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver side seat adjustment control. A police officer using a fire extinguisher extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a burn on the right hand that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,300.
My daughter was driving our family's 2005 honda pilot. She applied the brake lightly which resulted in excessive breaking in the left front wheel and then appearance of the vsa light. I brought the vehicle to the honda dealer who first indicated there was no recall and then indicated there was a vsa wire harness recall (the federal safety agency 13v‑092) but that it did apply the vsa light going on and therefore had nothing to do with the recall. A vsa light diagnostics which I independently paid for indicated a yaw rate failure code (25-01). This light vsa light has continued to intermittently go on and off with an intermittent contemporaneous relationship to braking. On 2/25/15 my daughter was driving the vehicle on the highway (no vsa light on), applied the brakes lightly and the car braked severly even once her foot was off the brake and pulled the car in the same front right direction as before forcing her to swerve along side a passing truck. The vsa light went on after the event occurred. Calling the honda dealer today, the service manager indicated that honda does not have a recall on this matter once the part for the 13v‑092 recall was replaced. In reviewing safer car.gov the federal safety agency campaign id number dp12002 it describes well what has occurred twice and which has not been corrected by the recall service performed. I have also contacted honda USA. I believe honda has inadequately evaluated the relationship of similarly reported events regarding unexpected car brake assist with mild application of the brake since the vsa wire harness recall repair did not resolve the unexpected and inappropriate vsa/ESC/ba system logic response. It is not clear why honda is not addressing my matter under this recall (the federal safety agency 13v‑092) and the referenced the federal safety agency dp12002, and further investigating under a known safety recall.
When on high, the driver side seat warmer will literally leave burn marks on my right leg. It has worked normal until this fall when I was driving and it burned my leg. It can not be on more than a minute or will leave burn marks on the right leg. The left side still seems normal. I checked and there is not a recall on this, but in looking into it had happened to many others and the seat has started to smoke.
Electrical components of the car started to fail. Power windows didn't work for a while and then worked again. Now they all work but the main control panel in the driver's side works except for the rear driver's window. It does work if done directly from the door but not from the main control panel. Also, power locks stopped working. I changed the fuse but it blows every time we use the locks. There is some sort of short. Dealership is asking $500 to fix it. There are some other lights in the main panel that go on and off every so often. It just seems that the electrical side to the car is deteriorating by the day.
On numerous occasions during the ownership of the car, especially when it is raining, damp, or snowing while driving the car for no reason it loses power. The steering wheel locks, and the car acts as if the battery has been disconnected. This has happened more than 20 times. This is a defect. I am reporting, because I realize this needed to be reported. It is a safety issue. This loss of electrical power has occurred with the original battery, as well as two other batteries over the life of the car. It appears to be electrically related. The loss of power results in the steering wheel locking and no power. Luckily, each time this has happened, I was driving at 30 miles per hour. If this ever occurred on the highway, it could resulted in an accident.
I tried to turn my headlights on in my driveway and the low beams would not come on. I shut the car off and tried again, and the low beams came on. After the low beams started working again I tried to turn the high beams on, and they would not work, and have not worked since. I spoke to the dealer and they said that the recall for the headlight wiring harness only affects the low beams. They also said that I would have to pay the diagnoses fee. It is noted in the recall which is the federal safety agency recall campaign number : 12v136000 that the dealer will replace either the wiring harness or the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The dealer also said that they had never heard of this issue (which is clearly documented). Honda needs to let the dealers that they are obligated to fix this problem. The dealer also told me that I was not a customer of theirs because I did not buy the car there or receive regular services there, and that I should just pay the diagnoses fee so that they could pay their technicians. Needless to say the dealer was no help and is the only one in my area. Screw you honda, and scholfield honda as well.
Ignition switch failed when I tried to put the key in the slot it had some resistence. Almost like I was using the wrong key. Car was unable to start because the key did not go in properly. Tried to use wd40 to loosen the tumblers but did not work. Had to call a tow truck and take to mechanic. Key still worked on the door.
Some of the A/C illuminated lights went out and back on again shortly afterwards. A few days later the lights for only some of the A/C controls are off and appear not to come back on. Fan speed, off, recirculate, rear defrost, and the mode buttons are the ones currently no longer on.
While driving around a bend towards a red light, without my foot on the pedal my car made a weird shutter or brake pulsing, I thought I had gone over some ripple strips. When the light changed, I proceeded to make a right turn in a busy intersection, when going almost 30 & out of the turn, my pilot came to an unassisted abrupt stop! Im so lucky the person behind me didn't rear end me! It sounded like the transmission was grinding & the tires were locked. I waited a few seconds let go of brakes & the vehicle began to move but in 5 ft it did it again. Towed to dealer who cant seem to find or recreate the problem. Multiple brake, ABS, vsc & electrical alarms were reported by dealer but still no solution. This car is unsafe to drive and by multiple reports this is a widespread problem.
Seat heater was used on drivers side. . Got very hot, smell smoked, leg had superficial burn. Smell plastic burning.
This incident has happened on a few occasions with me driving the vehicle and additionally with my wife driving (she drives it the most). I started the vehicle, placed it in gear and started to drive it up the street. As I approached a traffic light, I glanced at the speedometer, and noticed the maintenance required and SRS light on. This puzzled me because we never experienced any issues with the vehicle other than regular maintenance lights (filters, oil change, etc). I turned the vehicle off for a few seconds, restarted it and the light went out. Afew weeks later, it happened again. The difference was that this time I noticed it right after putting the vehicle in drive and driving off. Thinking it happened because of a possible glitch in the ignition, I immediately pulled over and turned the vehicle off and restarted it. Just like the first time, the light didn't come back on. The 3rd time it happened, it remained on the entire time I drove and to and from the grocery store. Now, it pretty much does it intermittently - cycling intermittent to steady at various times. After searching online for recalls, I read several complaints from drivers in various states (USA), they are experiencing the same problem and have voiced it to honda but they haven't issued a recall; thus stating that the airbag may not deploy during an accident and they are not responsible. Instead honda dealers are willing to charge approx. $120 for diagnostics and $300+ for repair - which is entirely unfair to us consumers. However honda, issued a recall on the 2005 honda odyssey which had very similar (if not exact) problems with its SRS. Honda is aware of this issue and doesn't seem to care about the safety of the motorists. This is clearly a safety issue and need to be recalled on these vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission shifted gears in a jerking motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the computer system would need to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition. The contact was able to remove the key after some time however, the steering wheel then seized. As a result, the contact was unable to reinsert the key into the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure and current mileages were 102,000.
On 6/17/2013 during my daily commute to work I was driving at a normal speed of 65mph when I noticed the "d" gear light on the dashboard started to blink continuously. When I got to work I looked into my owner's manual which informed there may be a problem with the transmission and I should take the vehicle to the honda dealership. When I took the vehicle to the dealership where I mind you I just spent almost $700.00 on 6/15/2013 for suspension maintenance informed that this issue is very popular with the honda pilots and it's most likely my 4th gear pressure switch for the transmission. They then informed me that it will cost $350.00 to replace this part. When I previously looked up the part needed and how to possibly diy; I found that the part only cost between $34.00 and $40.00 and a beginner can change this part in about 45 minutes to an hour. So why is the dealership charging me $350.00 to change a part that cost $34.00 - $40.00 and an hour labor; does technician make $310.00 an hour these days?! Honda USA knows that they have a defective part on the honda pilots and refuse to conduct a recall because they rather cheat their customers than have a smaller bonus! There are articles on-line of drivers transmissions locking up because of this issue which is extremely dangerous; honda and all other automotive makers need to be held accountable for all faulty parts within their product just any other company.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the repairs that needed to be performed where unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 125,000. *tr....updated 06-19-13 *bf the consumer stated the overhead interior lights do not come on when doors opened nor when manually switched on. Updated 06/26/2013
The vsa light and warning light come on within a minute of the first movement of the vehicle. When the light comes on there is a loud clunk noise and the front brake and steering locks for a fraction of a second. It has happened more than once on the highway nearly causing me to be hit from behind.
The climate control lights have gone out on the dashboard of our 2005 honda pilot and it has been a common complaint of other owners on internet forums. It becomes a hazard at night because the buttons do not illuminate which I believe is an extreme hazard that takes the eyes off the road for longer than needed to adjust settings. No other place in the dash has had the bulbs stop working but it seems to be happening to everyone's climate control lights. I think this is an extreme hazard similar to someone using a phone in the car and honda should be held responsible to correct the problems.
While driving, airbag, (!), vsa, vtc and brake lights all lit up. Horn stopped working as did all controls from steering wheel (cruise, radio airbag light). I pulled over, everything seemed to work but lights would not turn off. Went to honda in ft pierce, fl. Was told it's probably a low battery. Replaced battery, lights all stayed on. Contacted johnston honda in stuart, fl. Head mechanic told me he had no idea what would cause this and if he ran it on diagnostics, it could take 8 hours at $80 an hour and he still may not find the problem. Brought this lemon to local mechanic who ran on diagnostics for 2 hours. Could not find problem so he did not charge. As almost all other complaints above, while driving at 35 to 40 the car starts to shudder as though it will turn off. Was told it's possibly defective motor mounts. I have contacted american honda motor works in california with these issues and they essentially told me to 'gfy'. Stated car is not their problem.
All the dashboard lights in A/C heating panel burned out. Every one, and just in this panel. All the other dashboard lights are fine. This seems to be a common complaint with this model and is widely reported in honda pilot forums. The is a safety problem when driving at night. One is forced to turn on the interior dome lights to adjust the dashboard controls.
I had just returned from montana on saturday night (to spokane, wa); when I attempted to start my car sunday morning, my key got stuck in the ignition. I worked on it for 90 plus minutes and finally was able to get it out of the ignition. During this time however, the key did not ever turn in the ignition therefore everything remained "locked". I immediately tried the same key on the drivers door; no luck. It did however open the back hatch and the passenger door, both manually (the battery needed to be replaced in the key, so I was using it the old fashioned way until I got a new battery). So, with this information I went down to larry miller honda, downtown spokane in a borrowed vehicle. While there I was approached by a salesman and I explained my dilemma: "unable to turn key in ignition, therefore unable to get my car moving at all!"..he then instructed me to "spray wd 40 into the ignition switch and the door locks". And informed me that the service depart. Was not open but we went back there because "there were some employees working on some vehicles. When we got back there, the salesman asked the service dept worker if he thought spraying wd40 into my ignition switch would work, the serviceman agreed. So I got some wd 40, sprayed away as directed, no luck. Monday: went back to honda, where one of the managers told me "never spray wd40 into ignition, this will gum it up...and now it will cost me 600.00 or so to replace ignition system. He also stated "they have been doing alot of these lately because of gummed up ignitions on the pilot." I asked if this did not raise a flag for them and possibly a problem. He then said I would need to get a whole new key, re-program it and then get a new ignition set w/ new keys and re-program them. I said that honda gave me the wrong information resulting in destroying my ignition and that they should be resp. More.
Vehicle low beams stopped working. Further investigation showed charred wire and melted connector. This issue has been recognized by honda for the same model on an earlier model year (the federal safety agency id 12v136000). Honda part designations and failure description match recall. I would recommend honda expand recall to cover all effected vehicles.
While driving home after dark, we suddenly lost both dim headlights. Have tried replacing bulbs, fuses, relays, steering column switch and nothing as worked. Checked recalls online and this same problem happened in the 2003 pilot to which there was a recall. Same parts I understand. Luckily, there was no traffic and we were able to stop and figure out that we still had bright lights and could continue home, but having 3 children in the car and driving blind was a horrific experience and this should be added to the list of recall.
The low beams quit working, the wires in the terminal switch kit burned up. This vehicle uses the same kit as the 2003 that was recalled. I have had to replace the wiring twice within three months. I reported this problem to honda and they will not honor it as a recall even though the same part was recalled for 2003 part. There was smoke coming from my steering column and a burning smell. This appears to be a fire hazard.
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