MYRModel Year Report

2003 Honda Pilot

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Honda Pilot
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Pilot Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2006: 266 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 132 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 291 complaints 2012: 170 complaints 2012 2013: 270 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 107 complaints 2015 2016: 1660 complaints 2017: 899 complaints 2018: 425 complaints 2018 2019: 859 complaints 2020: 465 complaints 2021: 400 complaints 2021 2022: 129 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 99 complaints 2024 2025: 156 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2003: 720 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006266
2007211
2008132
2009134
2010111
2011291
2012170
2013270
2014116
2015107
20161660
2017899
2018425
2019859
2020465
2021400
2022129
2023113
202499
2025156
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 16%

16% of complaints: power train — 117 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ERRONEOUSLY CHANGED FROM THE DRIVE POSITION TO THE DRIVE 3 POSITION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191216

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND BEING ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT IN PARK THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. ITS LED TO AN ACCIDENT AND A NEAR ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121006

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 105 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 100 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING ON SR 207 WHEN A TRUCK SIDESWIPED ME WHICH SENT MY CAR TO A DEEP DITCH. IT BRIEFLY LAID ON ITS SIDE THEN UP AND OUT THE DITCH BUT DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191023

TAKATA RECALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171104

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH HIT A POLE, AND NEITHER OF THE FOUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030718

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 97 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SEATS 4%

4% of complaints: seats — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020830 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICL

Campaign 02V226000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 720
R 20040427 — power train

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 TRANSMISSIO

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 T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110912 — EA (closed 20120917)

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

R 20120427 — exterior lighting

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 CER

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 VEHICL

Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20121002 — PE (closed 20130114)

Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway

R 20130222 — electrical system

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock le

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of

Campaign 12V573000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20140912 — air bags

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V370000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160629 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R Date not on file — equipment

HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Campaign 08E013000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (117 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (105 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (100 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E013000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V226000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V573000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V370000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Honda Pilot reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Honda Pilot is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Honda Pilot?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Honda Pilot have?

14 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.