Ignition Switch problems of the 2003 Honda Pilot

When I purchase the vehicle. I was informed that it had some issues with the ignition and that they were unable to figure out what was going on. The ignition switch locked up on me. And ended up not being able to move at all. There was a piece stuck inside and I was informed that there is a locking mechanism with it that was jammed and there was nothing I was able to do so I either needed to get it fixed because it was warped or malfunctioned. And I needed to check and see if there's any recalls because they recalled the ignitions before on this year,make and model before. When this happened my vehicle was in park. My vehicle was in a shop. My wheel bearing and hub was being placed on. When they went to remove the vehicle from there mechanic garage it refused to turn over there was an ignition piece was broken off. When they ended up getting it out of their garage it I had to be put in neutral manually from underneath and it just started to roll. So they had to hold the brakes. It had to be towed back to my residence.

Was able to pull my key from the ignition switch when my 2003 Honda Pilot is parked and in the transmission shifter in drive position. I already had my ignition switch repaired twice (using my own dime); Honda has a partial recall (nhsta campaign number 12v573000 and Honda recall no. S73/s74), but a Honda rep told me that my Pilot "is not affected. ".

When the vehicle is in motion and I have to press down on the gas to accelerate/ speed up the vehicle quickly the driver seat bounces backwards/moves and it feels like its going to come off the frame its mounted to like some bolts may be broke or something. The car locks are messed up. The both front door locks have to be unlocked with a key. The inside unlock mechanism only unlocks the driver side passenger door and the trunk. In order to unlock the passenger front and the passenger rear locks a window has to be rolled down and you have to reach in and manually unlock it and those also have to be manually locked back when you exit the vehicle. Also, the passenger air unit does work. It does not blow out air even with the rear control on. The inside car lights have to be manually cut on and off and not set to come on when the door opens and closes because it runs the battery down. Sometimes while driving the headlights flicker. And the power port to charge phones, etc. Works but anything plugged into it gets hot real fast. All that points to electrical issues. The air bag lights kept coming on and going off. The transmission light has been flashing d and did not stop until fluid and filter was changed. So far that seems to have helped. And last but not least, the contacts in the ignition switch act defected. The key has to remain in the ignition switch and the spare key has to be used to unlock the car because if the key is removed, it does not want to go back into the switch to crank the car. The switch does not want to accept the key and turn to crank the engine once it has been removed from the switch. Even trying to turn the steering wheel and pressing the brake to release the switch doesn't work. And the gear shift stick/shaft acts almost like it's not park, but it was put in park.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. While attempting to start the vehicle, the key would not go into the ignition slot entirely. The contact stated that it took several attempts to get the key to enter and once it was in, it took several attempts to turn the key in the ignition. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when she tried to start the vehicle the key had not turned and the vehicle had not started. The vehicle was towed to a dealer mechanic that stated that the ignition switch was bad; however, the vehicle VIN was not included in the recall. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 195,000. Bd.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the ignition key was seized within the ignition switch intermently. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic,who diagnosed that the shift interlock lever needed to be replaced. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number:12v573000 (electrical system) and she adhered to the recall but the remedy has caused the ignition key to seized within the ignition switch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,400. Lb.

2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall problems at dealership. The consumer received a recall letter in the mail. However, when she visited the dealer, they refused to fix it, by stating the vehicle was not in their system. The consumer stated the vehicle was purchased in germany through the military. The consumer has since sold the vehicle.

Issue with Honda Pilot's ignition switch not fully ingaging the park position. Reiceved recall paper work ordering this issue to be fixed at local Honda dealer free of charge. Recall paper work was signed by jennifer timian chief recall management division. Local Honda dealer, williston Honda and Chrysler preformed the recall service on April 4, 2014. The recall job for a Honda Pilot was botched. The service machanic refused to fix. Requested management to investigate this issue. As of today April 18, 2014 an answer to fix or not to fix this issue from the management of williston Honda and Chrysler has not been given.

In April of this year I brought my 2003 Honda Pilot in to the dealership for a recall concerning the ignition switch interlock. After that, it was difficult to put my key in the ignition, but if I jiggled it enough it would finally go in . Now my key does not even go in at all. The Honda dealership said that I need the ignition switch assembly changed, but that it is not covered by any recall. It seems like this is a fairly common problem among other owners of the 2003 Honda Pilot. To be stuck somewhere with my kids in a car that won't start because the key won't go in is a scary thought. It has almost happened to me more than once.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the ignition switch failed the key could not be released from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, which the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 140,000. Li.

Key cannot be inserted into ignition switch. Takes multiple attempts to insert key and once fully inserted key won't turn ignition. Takes numerous attempts and eventually key will turn ignition.

2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice and seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated he was denied reimbursement twice. The last rejection, was via telephone, in which he was told the symptom fixed at his expense was a sticky tumbler. The consumer explained that the symptoms included an initial interlock failure. The consumer stated the problems started with him being able to remove the key from the ignition, when the gear selector was not in park. A month or two later, the key started to stick in the ignition with the shifter in the park position, and a few weeks later the steering wheel eventually locked with a stuck key. The consumer as since traded the vehicle.

Key got difficult to put into the ignition switch. Then after a few days the key had to be jiggled to turn and then after two weeks the key will not turn. This is a safety hazard if you need to start the car quickly or if you are threatened and need to use your car to escape.

There is a problem with the ignition switch on my 2003 Honda Pilot. When I try and put my ignition key into the ignition switch, it requires several attempts before it actually goes in to the key slot without resistance. It is as if one is putting the wrong key into the wrong key hole. When it does finally go in, it may take several more attempts for the key to finally turn and start the vehicle.

I was trying to leave from work and when I tried entering the key it got stuck half way. I removed it and tried again and the key went it but would not turn. I had to try many times and then called my husband, he said to take the key out and wait couple minutes then try again. I did what he said and after the second try it finally turned. Since that date I keep having the same problem and I recently received a recall letter and thought since its a recall Honda would repair at no cost to me. Well to my surprise I just found out that this is not part of the recall and will have to pay for them to repair. The recall I received said the interlock lever in the ignition switch may become deformed. :(.

I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. I was stranded, with my kids, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. The key issue was reported to Honda and I was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. Honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the key came out of the ignition switch independently and the vehicle continued operating normally. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that she received a recall letter for NHTSA campaign id number: 12v573000 ( electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who refused to perform the repairs free of charge since they believed the vehicle had been tampered with. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.

I was unable to start my car due to faulty ignition switch. I found myself stranded, with 4 young children, and in the cold-unable to even run the heat. The key issue was reported to Honda and I was waiting for help from the company due to the known defect in the key/ignition tumblers, as widely reported to me by a locksmith and a dealer. Honda has been unwilling to issue a recall notice regarding this defect.

2003 Honda Pilot ignition switch problem- the first day I was having problems inserting key into ignition and had to jiggle it around in order to turn it to start the engine. The next day the key would go in but it would take several attempts and at least 10-15 minutes trying to start the ignition. I was getting stuck in store parking lots and at home. Now the key goes in and doesn't turn at all. The steering wheel is also locked as well as the gear shift so there is no way to put in neutral to tow it.

After loading my Pilot, tried to put the key in the ignition switch but it did not go easy on the switch and once in the switch it did not turn on the ignition. I tried several times and or use the spare key until the ignition switch worked. Since July 16, 2012, everytime I start my Pilot, I have the same problem. I have to keep my spare key all the time to avoid the issue on having to reenter the ignition switch. Everytime I forget to keep the spare key on the ignition switch I have to spend about 20 minutes to try to reengage my key in the ignition switch to have it work.

Steering lock allows driver to remove the key from the steering column without placing the gear selector to "park". Car rolled backwards. There (luckily) was no damage and no one was hurt. Car was also brought to the local Honda dealer to repair problems with unlocking the ignition switch to start the car. Key regularly became stuck in the keyhole. This could leave someone stranded repair for the ignition switch locking from was $518. The repair also fixed the gear selector issue (can no longer remove the key from the steering column without placing the selector in "park"). The main concern here is the possibility that someone removes the key and the vehicle rolls into an unsuspecting person or strikes another vehicle. Of secondary concern is for someone to be stranded because the mechanical ignition mechanism fails.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition switch when the gear lever was shifted into park. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The dealer replaced the shift interlock lever and failed to include the replacement of the ignition switch. The failure persisted after the remedy repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Kmj.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated the engine was turned off and the key released from the ignition switch upon removing, even though the gear was shifted into the drive position. The vehicle began to roll and came to a stop once the brake pedal was depressed. The gear was then shifted into park. There was currently an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number pe12026 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Pmb.

I inadvertently turned the ignition switch off with the transmission still in drive, and I was able to remove the key from the ignition. I then exited the car. The car started to roll backward as I was passing behind it, so I had to unlock the door and climb back into the moving vehicle and apply the brake. This same failure warranted recalls for 2003 accords, civics, and elements, but so far not for Pilots. I wonder if the interlock mechanism is common among all these different models, and if so, why Honda wasn't required to issue a recall for the Pilot, also? the designs must be very similar for so many models to be experiencing the same failure.

I inadvertently turned the ignition switch off with the transmission still in drive, and I was able to remove the key from the ignition. I then exited the car. The car started to roll backward as I was passing behind it, so I had to unlock the door and climb back into the moving vehicle and apply the brake. This same failure warranted recalls for 2003 accords, civics, and elements, but so far not for Pilots. I wonder if the interlock mechanism is common among all these different models, and if so, why Honda wasn't required to issue a recall for the Pilot, also? the designs must be very similar for so many models to be experiencing the same failure.

Certified letter (7011 0470 003 0649 3438) from attorney representing his client regarding paid repaired work he had done to his 2003 Honda Pilot and later received recall notices about the problem; he is seeking reimbursement. On December 21, 2012, the key became stuck in the ignition, and could not be removed without the assistance from the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer it would cost $624. 41 to fix the problem, despite the fact it was a known defect, which apparently resulted from an improper setting of the cable connecting the shift lever to the transmission at the shift lever bracket, which was a common problem with Honda vehicles. After the consumer paid for the repairs, he received a recall notice from Honda concerning the ignition interlock switch on his vehicle.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the ignition would lock abnormally and when the failure occurred, the contact was unable to insert the key into the ignition. When the contact was able to insert the key, he was unable to turn the ignition over and the wheels would remain locked. Additionally, the contact would sporadically have problems with inserting the key into the driver side door. The dealer advised that the ignition switch would need to be replaced. The dealer also advised that he would attempt to repair the vehicle so that the key would fit into the ignition. The contact stated that the key was the original key provided with the vehicle when purchased. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 140,000.

2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer writes in regards to defective ignition switch. The consumer stated when her husband returned to the vehicle 30 minutes later, he discovered the vehicle had rolled backwards on an incline in the parking lot, coming to rest against another vehicle, which caused damaged to the front of that vehicle. The consumer stated she was able to remove the key from the ignition, even though the gear was not in park. The consumers husband informed her, there were three other occurrences prior to the accident, where the vehicle would roll backwards, anywhere from a few feet to a few yards.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact was able to remove the ignition key when the shift lever was not in park. He didn't realize that the vehicle was not in park when he turned the ignition off. The vehicle rolled backwards and crashed into another vehicle. There were minor damages to the vehicle. No one was injured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they would replace the ignition switch for $564 at his expense. There were no recalls for his year, make and model vehicle for the ignition switch. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls for the ignition switch. He was also told by the manufacturer that if it does become a recall to keep his receipt and he would be reimbursed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact drove the vehicle to work and, later that day, it would not start. He made several attempts to start the vehicle and it eventually started. He drove the vehicle to his residence and, after turning off the vehicle, it would not restart. The mechanic stated that the ignition switch was possibly defective. The dealer advised him to bring in the vehicle for repairs. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was 10,348 and failure mileage was 7,000.

2003 Honda Pilot ignition interlock failed. The car was stopped, turned off while in drive gear, the key was removed and the driver left the vehicle. The vehicle then rolled down the street and stopped when it hit a brick mail box 2 blocks away. Honda dealer told us that the drive must have forced the key out to be able to remove it while in drive gear and damage the ignition. Drive disputes this. Said the key came right out. We had roughly $2500 damage to the vehicle to repair at the time. Chose not to pay to replace the ignition switch at our cost. Honda did not replace or repair the ignition. It is still broken.

2003 Honda Pilot. Consumer states problem with vehicle ignition the consumer stated he was able to remove the key from the ignition, even though the vehicle was not in park. The dealer found the interlock system had an internal failure. The consumer was informed his vehicle was not on the recall list.