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2005 Honda Pilot lights problems

34 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 126,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
34
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
126,000
crashes
2
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Headlights: switch
    3
  • Headlights
    2

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

200320052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Honda Pilot lights

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Headlights 23

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: headlights: switchReported March 30, 2012 · 1,375,217 vehicles affected
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 2005 Honda Pilot owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Lights · 220,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while waiting in line at a gas station, she smelled a burning odor, and there was smoke coming from the steering wheel. The contact was turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that upon activating the low-beam headlights, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle without activating the low-beam headlights, the steering wheel stopped smoking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V136000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · TN

Was traveling down the road, had an electrical burning smell coming from my dash and around steering wheel. Low beams then shut off going down road pulled over but still had high beams but no low beams.

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Lights · 290,000 miles · SC · crash

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, the low beams of the vehicle went out inadvertently, almost causing the contact to crash into another vehicle that was coming from the opposite direction. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she turned on her high beams and was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the terminal ends had melted within the wiring harness connector and the wiring harness connector or the lighting switch needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that her vehicle could not be repaired under the recall for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) as her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 290,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2021 · Lights · 205,326 miles · OH

Started vehicle to go home and turn my lights on but both low beams would not work but the high beams worked.

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Airbags, Lights · 200,000 miles · OK

2005 honda pilot, when I first start the car the in the morning the red indicator light for the seatbelt and airbag (drivers side airbag) on the dashboard comes on and stays on the entire day this includes stopping and turning off the engine, going into a store and coming back out, starting the engine again, continue driving for each day until I return back home. But at least two (2) days a month when I first start the car in the morning this same red indicator light on the dashboard stays off the entire day while driving the car. This includes stopping and turning off the engine, going into a store and coming back out and starting the engine again and continue driving for each day until I get back home. Each time the red indicator light is stays on or off for the day I drive my car I use city streets 25 mpr. And driving on the turnpike at 75 MPH. This started in 2018.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 174,000 miles · IL

Over the last year, we experienced the car's dash warning lights turning on for 1-2 seconds and the radio makes a puff sound prior to this occuring...this has been reported prior on your system. See incident# 10458594. Second issue is regarding the interior lights for the heating / AC console. The lights don't work. This has also been reported on your system. See incident # 10440512, 10418459, 10345735. Both issues occur when driving the vehicle.

Filed Aug 18, 2019 · Lights · 131,000 miles · NJ

While driving at night both of our low beam lights suddenly went out. We had to pull over and could not get them to come back on. However, our high beam lights worked and we drove the rest of the way using high beams.

Filed Mar 28, 2019 · Lights · 187,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the headlights shut off without warning. The contact called valley honda at 630‑851‑5700 (located at 4173 ogden ave, aurora, il 60504) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

Filed May 29, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · CA

Takata recall

Filed Feb 1, 2018 · Lights · MO

2005 honda pilot. Consumer writes in regards to low beam headlight issue. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed as having a "poor connection at the wire harness running up column to switch". The vehicle was repaired.

Questions about the 2005 Honda Pilot lights

Does the 2005 Honda Pilot have lights problems?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Honda Pilot, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2005 Honda Pilot lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 126,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 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 2005 Honda Pilot problems

Transmission 176Brakes 134Airbags 120Driver assistance 100Engine 90Electrical 57Acceleration 46Suspension 38Steering 37Body 23Seats 22Seat belts 13Wheels 9Fuel system 7Tires 7Visibility 6Locks 1

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