2003 Honda Pilot Body & Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear axle separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the subframe replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was not available.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000. *JS

I HEARD CRUNCHING NOISES COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION. I ASSUMED IT WAS A SPRING GIVING WAY, SINCE THE CAR IS 16 YEARS OLD. I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE FRONT SEATS REUPHOLSTERED AND REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT ACTED LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR! THIS WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF SAM'S CLUB. I SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME, SINCE IT FELT LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT COULD LET GO. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATED A BRACKET BROKE THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT DOWN, AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE HONDA PILOT. THEY SAID NO RECALL BECAUSE NOBODY HAD DIED?? THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE RE-UPHOLSTERER HAD THE BRACKET WELDED AS A SIDE-JOB WHEN HE DID HIS WORK. STILL, THIS ISN'T OK. IF THE SEAT HAD LET GO AND SLID FORWARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS.

THE ATTACHMENT POINTS ON THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHES HAVE NEARLY COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE REST OF THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOTS. GIVEN THE PREVALENCE OF THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS NOT FROM MY VEHICLE BUT THE DAMAGE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE.

2003 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 219,000 MILES ON IT. THE TWO REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS THAT ATTACH THE BODY CHASSIS TO THE FRAME WERE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. IN FACT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT. APPARENTLY NO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE REST OF UNDERCARRIAGE. VEHICLE WAS IN VERY GOOD MECHANICAL SHAPE AND MAINTENANCE KEPT UP. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE AT NIGHT NOT SUBJECT TO UNUSUAL WEAR AND TEAR. UPON SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD CRASH AS IF WE'D BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHTS WEREN'T FUNCTIONING SO I WAS PROCEEDING VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE 4 WAY FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND US SO I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION THEN PARKED THE CAR TO CHECK IT OUT BUT NO VISIBLE DAMAGE, NO DEBRIS IN INTERSECTION ETC. DROVE IN TOWN FOR ANOTHER COUPLE DAYS AND IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. THE INCIDENT BOTHERED ME ENOUGH TO TAKE IT IN TO FIRESTONE AND HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON THE LIFT FOR ANYTHING UNUSUAL WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES SAFETY. I WAS CALLED BACK TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME AT ALL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THANKFUL THIS WASN'T WORSE AND NOT ON HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED.

REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. SUBFRAME SITTING ON EXHAUST. JUST HAD PILOT AT DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION AND THEY DID NOT EVEN MENTION THE ISSUE TO ME, GUESS THEY DIDN'T INSPECT IT VERY WELL. FOUND ON MY OWN AFTER DRIVING HOME AND HEARING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END. THANKFULLY THE EXHAUST DID NOT BREAK FROM THE WEIGHT OF THE SUBFRAME OR THE WHOLE REAR END WOULD HAVE FALLEN DOWN.

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISM IS JAMMED NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRICALLY. THIS, I IMAGINE, CAN HAPPEN WITH ANY DOOR. LUCKILY, THE JAM IS IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION ALLOWING THE DOOR TO BE OPENED. WHAT IS NOT SAFE IS THAT DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED LEAVING THE CAR VULNERABLE TO THEFT OR CAR JACKING. IF THE DOOR WAS JAMMED IN THE LOCKED POSITION, THIS CAN BE UNSAFE FOR PASSENGER EXIT IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY (A FIRE OR EMERSION IN WATER). ANY ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISM MADE BY ANY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO FAIL SAFE ALLOWING MANUAL LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE DOOR IN THE EVENT OF ELECTRICAL POWER LOCK MECHANISM FAILURE. THIS IS JUST AS MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AS A JAMMED SEAT BELT OR FAULTY AIRBAG. THIS SHOULD BE A NO COST REPAIR BY MANUFACTURER DEALERSHIPS LIKE THEY DO WITH JAMMED SEAT BELTS OR FAULTY AIRBAGS. AT LEAST THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO FREE UP THE LOCK MECHANISM WITHOUT CHARGE TO CUSTOMERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY REVIEWED AND ADDRESSED BY NHTSA FOR SAFETY WITH POLICY AND REPAIR PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES CLEARLY SPELLED OUT. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF REMOTE KEY ACTIVATION OF THE DOOR LOCKS WITH NO MANUAL PHYSICAL OPERATION OF THE DOOR ITSELF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE REPAIRING THE REAR BRAKE PADS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (SULLIVAN HONDA, 45 MIGEON AVENUE TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT 06790) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THAT DIRT AND MOISTURE WERE COLLECTING IN THE FRAME RAILS, WHICH ENTERED TROUGH HOLES ON THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

THE REAR AXLE IS ALMOST DETACHING FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING OF THE CHASSIS, AND THE AXLE MAY COMPLETELY FELL THROUGH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE OTHER 2003 HONDA PILOT OWNERS INFORMED HIM OF RUST ISSUES. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED RUST ON THE REAR SUBFRAME OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER HONDA IN FLORENCE (949 BURLINGTON PIKE, FLORENCE, KY 41042, (859) 283-2727) WHERE THE RUST WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAS METALLIC TAPE COATING. TAPE IS PEELING OFF. 2 OF MY CHILDREN WERE CUT BY THE METAL. KIDS CANNOT OPEN INTERIOR PASSENGER DOOR WITHOUT BEING INJURED. THEY ARE NOW SCARED, AND MAY BE RELUCTANT TO OPEN DOOR IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR END APPEARED TO BE LOWER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, WATER TRAVELED THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ONTO THE FLOORBOARDS. THE FAILURE CREATED MOLD IN THE VEHICLE AND ELECTRICAL WIRING DAMAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 02/11/15 *BF .

DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM STOP I FELT MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SNAP AND GIVE ALLOWING MY BODY TO LEAN BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. VISUAL INSPECTION UNDER SEAT SHOW FATIGUED METAL BRACKET AT FORWARD OUTBOUND POSITION OF SEAT BASE/BRACKET JUST ABOVE RAILS. I WOULD ASSUME INTEGRITY/SAFETY OF SEAT IS COMPROMISED. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN DURING NORMAL ACCELERATION/USE. *TR

HONDA PILOT '03 STARTED LEAKING WATER INTO THE FRONT CABIN AFTER THE RAINS. THE FLOOR GETS WET AND THE WATER NEEDS TO BE VACUUMED OUT AFTER THE RAIN. NOT SURE WHAT ELSE IS BEING AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THIS WATER LEAK.. I ALREADY SEE RUST SHOWING UP AND MOLD SMELL COMING OUT BECAUSE OF THE WATER LEAK. I CALLED IN NORTHAMERICAN HONDA AND LODGED A COMPLAINT. *TR

THE CHROME FINISH ON THE DOOR HANDLES FROM THE INSIDE, THIS CHROME FINISH IS A THINK LATER OF MATERIAL ALMOST LIKE FLEX METAL - IT'S VERY SHARP AND EASILY CREATES CUTS IN HAND WHEN OPENING THE CAR DOORS. APPROX 3 DAYS AGO, I WAS MOVING MY HAND AS I WAS DRIVING AND MY FINGER TOUCHED THE PEALING CHROME FINISH CREATING A DEEP CUT CAUSING PAIN AND BLEEDING. I HAVE KIDS AND THEY MAY GET HURT BY THIS. *TR

WHILE ON MY WAYBACK ON I95 FROM RICHMOND, VA TO SILVER SPRING MARYLAND, I SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE FROM MY BACK WINDOW AND I SAW MY HONDA PILOT SPOILER FLY AWAY AND LAND IN FRONT OF THE UPCOMING TRAFFIC AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TODAY, I STILL HAVE NOT REPLACED THIS BACK SPOILER AND I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER HONDA PILOTS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY WITHOUT THIS BACK SPOILER. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER TO THE INTERIOR, LIKE A NUMBER OF OTHER HONDA OWNERS. HONDA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT...AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE BECAUSE OF MOISTURE ON CRITICAL ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MATS ARE SOAKED WITH WATER ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. ATTEMPTS TO FIND AND REPAIR THE LEAK HAVE FAILED. I SEE MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THIS ON-LINE WHERE CONSUMERS LIKE ME ARE GETTING NO HELP FROM HONDA CORP. I AM CONSTANTLY PULLING UP THE CARPET TO ALLOW IT TO DRY OUT BUT THE RISK OF MOLD, MILDEW, AND RUST ARE HIGH. I ALREADY HAVE A MUSKY SMALL IN THE CAR WHICH IS NOT GOOD FOR THE HEALTH OF MY FAMILY. ADDITIONALLY, I JUST PULLED UP A COVER PLATE ON THE DRIVER-SIDE FLOORBOARD TO DISCOVER MORE WATER POOLED AROUND THE E-BRAKE CABLES. THIS POOL OF WATER COVERED THE E-BRAKE COMPONENTS AND COULD HAVE RUSTED OUT THE CABLES MAKING IT USELESS. *TR

I HAD REPEATED VISITS TO BABYLON HONDA IN BABYLON , NY FOR A REAR TAILGATE SPOILER PROBLEM. WHEN OPENING THE TAILGATE (REAR DOOR) THE SPOILER WOULD HIT AND GRIND AGAINST THE ROOF PANEL. BABYLON HONDA ADDRESSED THE ISSUE BY TIGHTENING THE SPOILER MOUNTS WHICH WORKED FOR AWHILE, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THIS PAST JULY WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 91 AT 65MPH, THE SPOILER FLEW OFF MY CAR AND NEARLY HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. I AM WAITING FOR BABYLON HONDA'S RESPONSE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM - THE SPOILER MOUNTS CRACKED. *TR