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: steering wheel locks up
7 of the 679 complaints about the 2005 Honda Pilot describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 120,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
- 20253
- 20242
- 20231
- 20202
- 20191
- 20181
- 20171
- 20161
- 20061
- 20057
- 20041
- 20032
What owners say
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and began to vibrate. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop and the vsa warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was unable to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 122,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stability assist (vsa)warning indicator illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The steering wheel independently released after several seconds and the vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 13v092000 (service brakes, hydraulic , traction control system) however, after the recall remedy was performed the failure recurred twice and the vehicle was taken back for repairs each time. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH the front wheels and steering wheel seized abnormally. The contact mentioned that the vsc warning lamp illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable diagnose the failure but stated that they would replaced the yaw sensor and the ABS sensor as a temporary remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 167,000.
I have a 2005 honda pilot which I brought at the end of 2006. Every since I have had the car when I run over a rain puddle the steering locks. I thought it was only when it was a hugh puddle but in march 2009 I rain over a puddle that came from a car wash and the same thing happen. I took it to the dealer ship and they informed me that I need a new belt. I had them replace it and 3 weeks later it rained and the same thing happen on the freeway which almost lead to an accident.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control.
- Risk
- Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
- Remedy
- Owners were notified by telephone on january 25, 2005, and arrangements were made to have their vehicles towed to their dealers and have the repairs performed. The recall began on january 25, 2005.
Recall number 05V039000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2005 Honda Pilot steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2005 Honda Pilot?
7 of 679 owner complaints about the 2005 Honda Pilot (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Honda Pilot?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 Honda Pilot
Shudder 67Airbag light 45ABS 25Transmission failure 24Headlights 23Stalling 18Grinding brakes 16Jerking 14No deployment 13Engine failure 13Check engine light 11Phantom braking 11Harsh shifting 10Loss of power 10Pulling 10Fire or smoke 8Slipping 7Brake failure 6Hesitation 6Overheating 6Sudden acceleration 6Knocking 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Honda Pilot?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history