46 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2003 Honda Pilot. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Honda Pilot based on all problems reported for the 2003 Pilot.
Reporting an important safety issue I experienced due to random engine stalling on my 2003 Honda Pilot, typically after driving for a few minutes. The engine would crank for several seconds or sometimes start immediately after stalling, but no diagnostic trouble codes were ever stored. The vehicle had stable fuel trims and idle, and multiple components including the egr valve and valve clearance were serviced without resolving the issue. Ultimately, the root cause was traced to a failing pgm-fi (fuel pump) relay located under the driver’s dash. After replacing the relay close to two months ago, the stalling stopped completely. This issue could pose a safety risk if the engine stalls in traffic, especially in a hazardous area where there’s no breakdown lane (construction zone, etc. ) , and I believe this factor should consider this a known failure point in aging vehicles of this model. Attached are two images of the new relay zip tied under the driver’s footwell (could not remove the bad relay since it was too difficult to remove from its bracket).
Water leaked into front floors of vehicle soaking the carpet and the fuse panels in the floor. Yes it is available. Fuse boxes had standing water building up behind them slowly dumping water into them causing shorts in electrical system which could have caused the car to catch on fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed. No the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than mechanic. The only signs of the problem I noticed was the carpet was soaked and couldn't understand why. The battery died randomly one night after locking the doors. No other signs were noted.
Keep getting misfires had mechanic replace coils & plugs but still getting obd codes for misfires of cylinders why ?? also keeps jerking & I nor a mechanic do not know why.
Honda Pilot 2003 cranked up started driving, after a min or two it shut off and wouldn't crank back up. I've replaced the main relay and a new fuel pump but when you put the key in and try to start it, it doesn't turn over all the way. It wants to but won't. Also more electrical issues along with radio and head lights. Something is terribly wrong and ive put alot of money into trying to find out what it is and have been guaranteed that part will fix it but no luck. New parts help but not with turning over and starting.
Vehicle had a lack of computer function would not start. All dash lights lite ignition non functional when test plug put on obd plug all problems cleared vehicle now operates correctly vehicle had just passed state inspection and operated correctly for 3days.
Lo beam headlights stopped working. Bulbs fuses and relays are good. High beams work ok. Lights stopped working and I discovered it at night when I went to drive the car home.
Tl the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start upon turning the key. When the vehicle was driven and then turned off, it was unable to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. While the vehicle was stationary, the key became stuck in the ignition on August 26, 2017. The contact removed the battery to disengage the engine and the ignition key was able to be removed. The vehicle was towed to titans Honda in tysons corner, virginia, but the dealer was unable to reinsert the key into the ignition to start the vehicle. In addition, the dealer stated that there was no recall for the vehicle. On another occasion, while stationary, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the key fell out of the ignition. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided the contact with case number: 06264304. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system) applied directly to the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.
Ignition lock problem. Key is difficult to insert into ignition lock cylinder. Once inserted, the key will not turn.
My Honda Pilot is having difficulty shifting gears in the city and on the highway. I will be moving in a few weeks and traveling about 40 miles on the highway everyday. A few days ago I called Honda after looking up recalls and there was a transmission recall number 04v176000. I was told to take it to the Honda dealer and if it is a problem with the transmission it will be replaced at no charge. I took it to the dealer and told them what Honda told me and they said it is probably the torque converter. (code p0740) the supervisor was going to call Honda and get back to me. I feel very frightened to travel on the highway when my check engine light is still on and having trouble with the transmission. I just can't believe that a 2003 Honda Pilot with only 130,000 miles would have issues with the transmission and/or torque converter !! if it is causing gears to chip or break I don't want to be driving on the highway and possibly be injured or even killed ! or causing injury to others.
Ignition key can pull out while driving.
The ignition key can be removed while the vehicle is still in gear.
About a month ago I tried to use my spare key and the key wouldn't work in my ignition. So, I located my regular keys and they key worked as it should. Last week my normal key would go into the ignition but, the ignition would not turn. After several attempts the key did finally turn and I was able to get home. Later that day, I went to leave my house for work and again the key would go into the ignition but, not turn the ignition. After 20 minutes of inserting and removing the key it finally worked again. It continued to work for the remainder of the day. I spoke with my mechanic and he suggested I get the ignition replaced before it got to a point where it wouldn't start an in his opinion the ignition was deteriorating quickly. He also stated that this would be a dealer only repair. I did ask two other mechanics in the area & I reached out to a locksmith, they all said due to the structure of the alarm & the lazer cut key style it was a dealer only part. I started to google the issue & saw other people have experienced the same problem & I made an appointment with the dealership. The dealership mentioned that the previous owner had work done on the ignition with a previous recall but, they felt this issue was unrelated and would be an out of pocket expense. The next morning the key became stuck in the ignition. The ignition would now turn but, I was unable to remove the key, leaving my car a prime target for theft. I dropped the car off this morning & I made a call into corporate to file a complaint. . Read more...
I never got recalls fixed and dealer service marked as checked but not replaced and srs light has been on since service and I had to pay to get recalled due to emergency interlock was damaged.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the ignition key could not be removed while the gear was in park. The failure occurred without warning. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system) in 2013 and took the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was repaired, but the ignition failure recurred two years later. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key failed to insert in the ignition. After excessive force was applied, the contact was able to place the key in the ignition and start the engine. The failure recurred, but the contact was unable to get the key in the ignition at all. The contact used the spare key to start the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
Tl- the contact owns a a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 15v320000 (air bags), 14v700000 (air bags), 12v573000 (electrical sysytem) and 12v136000 (exterior lighting) however, the part to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Fe.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v351000 (air bag, exterior lighting, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
I parked my car in the hospital lot. After my late afternoon appointment, I was about to go home. I was able to insert the key into the ignition but failed to turn to start the engine. There was no contact or clicking sound even I tried with a little force to turn the key. I called the towing company and he was able to start the engine. I drove the car about 5 miles to get my prescription medicine and parked again in the parking lot. I was about to go home again. I was able to insert the key into the ignition but failed to turn to start the engine. Again, there was no contact or clicking sound even to try with a little force to turn the key. I called again the towing company and he was able to start the engine. I decided to bring my car to the dealership to stay overnight (early bird). I parked my car in the drive through lane and shut-off the engine. I remove the key and inserted again but was not able to turn the key and not able to start the engine again. The dealership checked my car problem and I was advised that the ignition assembly was worn-out. The new ignition assembly was installed and re-keyed, cut and programmed new key. I saved the old part for future reference. I paid $618. 58 for parts and labor. I am thinking this repair was so expensive. The estimate failure mileage was 128,292.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key failed to eject from the ignition and remained in the off position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown but the current mileage was 141,586. Oo.
Parked the car. Came back about 10 minutes later, heard loud like shots fired, rounded the corner to see it was our airbags popping. . . The car was on fire under the hood, and going to the dashboard. Called 911 and by the time the fire dept. Came ( 1 mile away) the whole car was engulfed. The whole car destroyed, all that was left was the shell no seats no dashboard no license plates nothing left. We complied to all recalls and took it to a Honda dealership each time for repairs. We had a steering column fire about 2-3 years ago driving along and the car filled with smoke, it was a electrical fire, but pulling over turning off the engine put out the fire. Had it repaired immediately. A week before the big fire we felt the column and it was hot. . . But cooled after we parked it. Then days later is when it burned to the ground, even the tires were gone. Honda doesn't care about our loss, and of course it's not their fault. P. S. In 2007 we got hurt in that same car we were stopped on the side of the road ( we were in the car) and a truck crossed the line and hit us head on. Our seat belts didn't hold us in, they loosened and airbags did not deploy. We were hurt and Honda said the truck hit us too high is why the airbags didn't deploy. That sounds ridiculous. The seat belt shoulder straps didn't hold us cause we weren't moving also sounds ridiculous. Honda didn't care then either.
We started to have trouble inserting the key in the ignition. Today the key wouldn't even go in after many attempts wiggling it. After twenty minutes trying had to leave car behind. Now I'm without a car and searching for recalls noticed that although there is none for this problem it is a huge problem with other Pilot owners.
Left work at night. Low-beams partially failed, but I didn't notice until I was going 55 mph on the highway. Had to use brights, and go to a gas station. Vehicle had to be towed, and checked by dealer. Dealer said using 3rd party headlight bulbs was the cause. Of interest, the car already had the low-beam failure recall fixed. Looks like this is still an issue after the recall, and using Honda oem bulbs is the only safe way to go. 3rd party bulbs were purchased from advance auto parts, and I'm unsure of the brand.
2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer requests reimbursement for ignition system recall repairs. The consumer stated the dealer completed the repairs outlined in the recall, but charged him for the replacement and installation.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to be could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 . Az.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that he was unable to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 105,000.
There is a recall:. . Read more...
The key gets stuck in ignition and does not turn. After numerous attempts it finally turns and then I can start the car. I have noticed a lot other people are having this issue, called up Honda and they said there is no recall for this sympton.
This problem is extremely common on all Hondas and has never been addressed. The power door lock motors consistently go bad. So far, this has happened to the driver and passenger doors on my Pilot. The Honda dealer is asking for $300 per door!!! this needs to be recalled ASAP.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system) but the contact was able to remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle was not in park. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000. The contact did not provide an email address. Mh.
Unable to turn key in ignition. Apparently this is an issue that many 2003 Honda Pilot owners are having. This can be a safety issue as it can leave someone stranded in a remote area as happened with me. If the malfunction is caused by a faulty part then Honda should bare some of the responsibility and cost to correct the problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after inserting the key in the ignition, the key would not turn, preventing her from starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v320000 (air bags), 14v700000 (air bags), 12v573000 (electrical system) and 12v136000 (exterior lighting) however, the parts to do the repairs was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that when the key was inserted into the ignition, the key failed to turn to the on position. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle started. Sg.
Key won't turn in ignition due to misaligned wafers. This is the second time in just over a year we have had to fix this problem. At first had to jiggle key to be able to turn it, then can't even get the key in all the way. Taken to locksmith. First occurred 10/2011, then 1/11/2013.
Vehicle shudder/shake starting at 50 mph. Advised needed new transmission. Called Honda to check if recall or would be reimbursed. Told no and said wanted problem on record. Replaced transmission at own expense $3045. Drive light periodically flashes. Have not repaired as >$300.