CarModelProblems.com

2003 Honda Pilot Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
720Complaints
14Recalls
38Crashes
11Fires
36Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (16.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Power Train complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train117 · 16.2%RecalledRecall 04V176000
Power Train:automatic Transmission105 · 14.6%RecalledRecall 04V176000
Air Bags100 · 13.9%RecalledRecall 19V182000 · Recall 19V501000 · Recall 19V499000 · Recall 18V268000 · Recall 15V370000 · Recall 14V700000 · Recall 15V320000 · Recall 16V344000 · Recall 14V353000
Electrical System97 · 13.5%RecalledRecall 12V573000
Seats32 · 4.4%No official action
Suspension25 · 3.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN117 · 16.2%
AIR BAGS100 · 13.9%
SEATS32 · 4.4%
Unspecified / other31 · 4.3%
SUSPENSION25 · 3.5%
ENGINE25 · 3.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22 · 3.1%
STEERING22 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 720 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 14 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 2019 · reported 03/06/2019

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V501000 · 2019 · reported 06/27/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · 2019 · reported 06/27/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V268000 · 2018 · reported 04/26/2018

An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 15V370000 · 2015 · reported 06/15/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 14V700000 · 2014 · reported 11/04/2014

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · 2015 · reported 05/28/2015

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V344000 · 2016 · reported 05/23/2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 14V353000 · 2014 · reported 06/20/2014

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 12V573000 · 2012 · reported 12/11/2012

Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

NHTSA campaign 12V136000 · 2012 · reported 03/30/2012

IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:mechanical:carrier/rack

NHTSA campaign 08E013000 · 2008 · reported 02/05/2008

WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 02V226000 · 2002 · reported 08/28/2002

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · 2004 · reported 04/15/2004

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“MY HONDA PILOT 2003 EX 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS "REPAIRED" UNDER A PRIOR RECALL BY DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2004. ON OCTOBER 6, 2006, THE…”NHTSA complaint 10170955 — filed 10/16/2006 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“: THE CONTACT STATED IN 2004, THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL # 04V176000 PERTAINING TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…”NHTSA complaint 10170638 — filed 10/12/2006 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“IN THE SUMMER 2004, I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. INVOLVING AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL. MY CAR WAS SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL…”NHTSA complaint 10170176 — filed 10/06/2006 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

8420127050201496442016342320183314202061120221132024822026

Frequently asked questions

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

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 117 of 720 NHTSA complaints (16.2%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (105), air bags (100), electrical system (97). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2003 Honda Pilot have?

720 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 38 involved a crash, 11 involved a fire, and 36 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2003 Honda Pilot have any recalls?

Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V182000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Honda Pilot's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.