Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair

webzion

Has anyone tried lemon law or BBB for this issue? Is that issue significant enough to justify the case? I am thinking about walking down this avenue as after various attempts to different dealers and new tires haven't solved the issue for me.

andy31

Could you tell me if you got the issue with pinging fixed and what was found. My Pilot is pinging at various rpms Thanks

bocapilot

Ditto on my 2005...please let me know what you find out

bbouch57

Not to be disrespectful, but you sound like a fool. Not sure your being completely truthful with your story here. Sounds real fishy that your driving a car with that bad of a vibration. Something would have to be awfully bad to have a vibration like that. I cannot believe there would not be something pretty obvious to fix if it was that bad. It it truly is as bad as you say, you should have it towed to get fixed asap.

Mr_Shiftright

calling someone a fool is pretty disrespectful. Let's avoid such language in the future please.

thank you

MrShiftright
Host

obrien040362

When you take your Pilot for a Lube and Oil I always wonder if they lube anything. Where are the lube points on a pilot?

cj7

I just purchased some aftermarket wheels and tires
18" rims w/yokahama G052 tires (255/55/18)
They look amazing on my pilot, the ride noise was reduced quite a bit.
However, the 06 comes with the TPMS (tire pressure monitor system)
the light comes on and off now that i installed these new wheels, I have checked the tire pressure and it is where it needs to be 32psi.
I was told by a dealer that the changing of the wheels would not affect the system at all. That the sensors are in the hub.
Are they right or does the wheel it self contain the sensors. :confuse:

lauralee131

Thanks for the support! LOL. I'm a fool for buying another Honda - that's for sure. Well, since my last post, the plot has thickened. I took it back to Honda AGAIN insisted that they keep it for the duration until they find what's wrong. They called me an hour after I left there and said that they found the problem...The tire dealer sold me bad tires! They said that 3 out of the 4 had really bad tread wobble and that I need to go to the tire place and have them make it right. The service slip they gave me when I went back to pick it up reads as follows, "C/S that shimmies at 70 to 75 MPH. We told her tires were the problem and she replaced them and still shimmies. Fine balanced all the tires. 3 of the 4 new tires have tread wobble and took a lot of weight." NOW - here's the kicker...read this last sentence from my service write-up - "STILL HAS SHIMMY DUE TO TIRES NOT BOUGHT HERE". Ok, so what do you guys think of that? So I pick up the Pilot, go directly to the tire place who said that they'd look at it. Well, I get there and they tell me they're aware of the vibration issue with the Pilots and the fastest way to solve this problem is to put completely new and different tires on. If it still has vibration, then it's a Honda issue. Sooo...I spent MORE money and got a set of Michelin LTX M&S tires - supposedly the most "perfectly round" tires you can buy. So the technician rolls out one of the existing tires and says he wants to show me something...the wheel was littered with weights - inside and out. He said that Honda never removed the weights when they counter balanced them. SO - now I'm up to just under 800 for new tires and guess what?!? The vibration is STILL there. It's better - definitely better - but still there. I printed out pages and pages of vibrations issues from several websites and brought to Honda - they said they've never heard of this problem. I told them that this stuff is easily found on the internet - and maybe after 7 times of not being able to correct the problem they might want to do some research. So - I had the tire dealer note on my slip about the weights and I'm waiting to hear back from my service department. I'm wondering if I need to A) Threaten (again) with the lemon law or get an attorney to get out of this lease. I'm so sick of this whole issue...and unfortunately it's the only Honda dealer within an hour and a half or so from me so I don't have a lot of choices here. I have a feeling that they're just stalling me until I get to my 30k mile service so they can earn the $350...ARGH

malub

I just bought a new 05 Pilot EX-L and I am still in the proces of getting familiar with it but I have a question about the Heater/AC controls. How do I control the fan in the back. It seems like there is barely any heat coming from the vents. Also, when I change the mode in the front to anything; defrost, feet, anything, there is still a lot of air coming out of the dash vents hitting me right in the face. Is this how it is supposed to function or does mine have a problem that I should get fixed?

Thank you
MariL

master1

ATTENTION ALL HONDA PILOT OWNERS:
I have the answer to all of your questions, and concerns. About the vibrations, the rear wheels on Honda Pilot's stick out when extra wait is put on to the car. Because of that, you must rotate your tires frequently, ortherwise many vibrations will occur. You also must replace your rear deffirental fluid around every 7, 000 miles. PLEASE READ YOUR OWNERS MANUAL!!!! IT WILL ANSWER ALL OF YOUR CONCERNS AND TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD REPLACE how often. To answer your question, the tire pressure sensor is not IN the wheel, it is on the car.

nwpilot06

I replaced my stock wheels and tires on my 2006 EXL AWD w/RES with 20" Akuzas with Nitto 420's and I had to buy 4 new tire pressure sensors. I am keeping the old wheels and tires for winter driving so I didn't want to take those off so I purchased new ones from Honda for $58 each. The pressure sensor is a little rectangle shaped thing with the valve stem attached. You don't have to have them but then you will have the light on in your dash and you won't be able to use the TPMS.

My original Integrity tires were rather noisy. The new tires aren't but they do vibrate some when speed reaches over 60 MPH. The Integrity's didn't do this so I know it must be the tire and not the SUV. The new tires are wider and so they have a larger footprint to grab the pavement according to my salesman. He says this is probably the reason for the vibration. It doesn't happen as much on newly paved roads but it does more so on old roads with grooves already in the pavement. Hope this helps.

cj7

Thank you, thank you for the correct information on the TPMS I have looked at my old wheels and sure enough they are on there. I will not need mine for the winter driving where i live, so did the dealer tell you you could use the old ones?
How much did it cost you to get the new ones installed? If you don't mine me asking.

nwpilot06

Yes, you can use the old ones. If I was going to trade in the old wheels and tires that is what I would have done. But seeing as how they would hardly give me anything for them and how the Northwest uses chemicals for de-icing, I didn't want to take a chance ruining the new chrome ones. That's what the tire place recommended although I'm sure they just didn't want to deal with the trade.

Here's the price breakdown - not cheap but it sure looks good!!

wheels: $265 ea.
tires: $236 ea. (supposedly discounted from $250 since my salesman referred and went with me)
new sensors: $232 for 4

Total OTD: $2515

All the salesmen at the dealership loved the look. They had a 2WD on the showroom floor with 20" wheels and it makes the Pilot look SO much better. I'd suggest going back to wherever you got the wheels and tires and asking them to take the sensors off the old ones and put them on the new ones. They shouldn't charge you when you've already spent good money. My tire store owner didn't catch the sensor issue until I went in to get them put on so they had to order them and remount the new wheels when they came in. Kind of unforgivable when that is their business but I guess they can't know all the new equipment on all new vehicles. They were pretty apologetic.

Good luck with your "new look" Pilot!

philipd

I have read many messages but I'm still a bit confused. Are the TPMS sensors located in the wheels or tires??? I would think they would have to be in the wheels because every time you changed your tires, you would have to replace the sensors.

nwpilot06

The sensors are located inside the wheel rim. They replace the normal valve stem. You are right that it would be pretty expensive to replace them each time you got new tires!

sportymonk

You need to investigate before you jump to conclusions. There is a 41 page and growing thread on another site. People have rotated, balanced, force balanced, stood on the roof and whistled Dixie three times on a full moon and the problem has not gone away. Go read the thread and you will see that
1. The problem is widespread, many have it.
2. The problem is sporadic, some have it some don't.
3. Honda dealers say they don't know anything and haven't heard of any problems. (Some Pilot owners have printed the infamous long thread and showed it to their dealer documenting how many dealers have been complained to about the issue. A few dealers say Honda is investigating.
3. There may be no single fix, rotation or force balancing has helped some. the only thing that has seemed to work is taking it somewhere other than a Honda dealer and having a very tight to spec alignment. It may be the Pilot is very sensitive to alignment. There may be Honda dealers that can fix it but so far the alignments that have worked seem to have been done elsewhere.

This problem seems to be as illusive as the seat comfort problems in the new Odys where again some have problems and others don't.

If you have the infamous 70 - 75 mph problem, I would go to the best balance and alignment place you can find and have a really good alignment done.

But don't call people names saying their problem isn't real. Jsut becasue you don't have it doesn't mean others don't and so far few have any 100% fix. Msot simply reduce the vibration. (We had friends that couldn't believe colic was that bad with our first kid. The only thing that helped us was another couple that had had it worse. And a good doctor who believe dcolic was real. Some say it is not. )

robynk

Occasionally, if I am parked facing uphill, even on a very slight grade, I will not be able to put my Pilot in gear after starting it up. (I mean, the gear shifter will not move, even though I am pressing on the brakes.) My service manager has shown me that there is a little covered up button on the steering wheel shaft that I can uncover and press to unlock it, but that's a pain, and it doesn't always work. (When it doesn't work, getting out and rocking the car back and forth does the trick.) The service manager at my dealership suggests that if I engage the parking brake every time I am parked facing even slightly uphill this will prevent the problem, but the problem does not seem like "normal operation" to me and I would like to have it fixed while it is still under warranty, but they say they can't because it is an intermittent problem so they can't get it to do it while the car is in for service.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Robyn

robynk

I had a problem with the rear heat in my 04 Pilot which my dealer was able to fix. In my case it was always either too hot or too cold (can't remember which) and it is better now, but not the greatest. If you push the Rear A/C button, it allows the riders in the back to change the temperature somewhat using their rear control, though in our experience, that doesn't do a whole lot.

When you have it in a different mode like feet, there shouldn't be air coming out of the vents. That does sound like a problem you should get fixed.

kjjerry

Does the problem also on the 06' ?

I am going to get an 06' EX-L w/ Nav next week but after reading the messages..... I am not sure if that is a good idea.

nepaman1

Finally I get to post a message on this 'problems' forum. No, not happy about it but considering its' a relatively minor issue, I am not complaining.
Yes, I hear the same noise around the seat belt adjustment mechanism. Happens on both sides, second row seats. Its' not loud but its noticeable. Wonder if I should have it checked. In my case, it is only noticeable when driving on not so well paved roads.
To answer your question, I am waiting to see if the noise gets worse as I hate the idea of them ripping open the roof panel to look for the noise.
Would like to know what your dealer had to say.
Nepaman

tcasboy

Robyn: (In my opinion) You should always set the parking brake before while in neutral and before you shut down, particularly if parking on an incline. That way the brakes are holding the vehicle, and not the transmission and engine. The load (the vehicle's weight) on the transmission is what is preventing your vehicle from going into gear. Rocking it back and forth is taking the load off enough for you to get it back in gear. It doesn't sound like a problem with the vehicle to me, just physics.

I always use the parking brake in both of my vehicles, one a manual and one an auto, and I can't figure out why people don't use the parking brake. I guess folks up north don't use them because they freeze when its really cold but that has never been the case for me.

Anyway, I don't think there is a problem with your Pilot. A second opinion could never hurt however, so you might try another shop just for peace of mind.

robynk

The reason why I think it is a problem with my vehicle and not "just physics" is that I've been driving many vehicles prior to this one and never had this problem.

I do live in a climate where a parking brake could freeze, but mainly I don't use it just because I never got into the habit of using a parking brake on an automatic transmission vehicle. "Use the parking brake" is indeed what my dealer told me as well.

What I don't understand is why the Pilot (mine or all of them?) seems to have a bigger problem with this than other vehicles. For what it's worth, my last 2 vehicles were heavier than the Pilot (Sequoia and Expedition), and I have never had this issue with a sedan either.

Thanks for your feedback.

bmperman

My local Honda service manager showed me an official Honda service bulletin that indicates sloshing in the gas tank (tank less than full) is the reason. I noticed the noise also.

robynk

I'm guessing this is a FAQ, but can we search/view the Honda service bulletins somewhere?

master1

ATTENTION!
Hi!! I currently have a Highlander, and I am considering to purchase the Pilot ALL WHEEL DRIVE model, but I would like to know how noisy is the 06 Pilot ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODEL? The 05 Pilot was said to be noisy, but I would like to know any bodies opinion about how quiet, or noisy the 06 pilot ALL WHEEL DRIVE model is. Thanks. I would really appreciate any responses.

qbrozen

I found our Pilot to be one of the quietest vehicles I've ever owned, and that includes a Volvo and Lincoln. Ours was an '03 (which was only available in AWD and was exactly the same as the '05s you have supposedly heard complaints about [i'd like to know what vehicles those complainers compared it to]).

Easiest answer is to test drive and see for yourself.

cpapong

I bought my 2006 AWD EXL Pilot two weeks ago for $200 (rear mudflaps thrown in, paid extra for cargo cover and exhaust finishers) over invoice/destination and have found it to be very quiet as compared to my 2001 Accord. Decide for yourself and take one for a test drive. I have been very pleased with the Pilot, it is very comfortable and rides great. I bought two six foot tables this past week and with the second row down it was no problem fitting them in and closing the tailgate. My only real complaint so far is that there should be some type of handle on the outside of the tailgate to make it easier to close.

ykk

I brought my '05 pilot 3,700 mile on it(MN-severe condition) to dealer to change oil. That was recommended by manual but dealer told me don't have to change until 5,000mile. I have got little confused which is correct. I have read Honda official web article saying Do not change first time oil change until it gets certain mileage which indicates on owner's manual. Please advise me.

spyderred

Does anyone know who makes the DVD player for the 05 EXL RES. I have had a hard time getting Fuji, Imation, Memerox DVD-R disks to play in our 05 EXL RES. Sometimes it doesn't even read the disc and ejects it, sometimes "disc" is displayed on the display screen on the radio console, and sometimes it says "error" on the DVD screen hung from the headliner.

I have used a LG burner and just bought a HP burner to try out thinking it may be the LG, Fuji DVD -R discs, and Nero or sonic with similar errors. Some Fuji -R discs play without a problem, others don't.

I am trying to find out what is the manufacturer of the player, maybe there is some fix) maybe firmware update). I don't want to take it back to the dealer yet, but if I don't find a fix maybe this will be my only solution.

Spyderred.

ra_20

I had the exact same problem with my 2004 pilot since it was new (two years ago). I first reported it to my dealer at the first oil change. They tried to fix it at least three times by putting some foam under the molding around the cd/radio. It made the sound slightly less annoying but it never went away. As the warranty period were approaching its end I became more assertive about the issue. I believe the dealer had finally fixed it this week. The noise was coming from the metal plates that holds the cd/radio. The dealer wrapped insulating tape around the radio. It looks ugly but it seems to work.

biscuit1941

Just went through that drill. May or may be the same in alol but my 2005 EX-L had 2.0.

I got gas as soon as I could after light came on and "topped" it off.

"enquiring minds want to know."

redpilot

Just bought an '06 Pilot EX 4WD this past weekend. All is fine except that I drove it at night for the very first time yesterday and noticed that the headlights have the top 1/3 of the light beams cut off by an internal horizontal divider between the top and middle headlights. This acts similar to a visor on a baseball hat, cutting off the top part of the light. The only way that I can see a full circle of light being projected down the road is if I turn ON the high beams. This is very annoying, and potentially dangerous, as the night vision is limited by this dividing line on the light beam.

Am I doing something wrong, or is this a built-in limitation which I need to get used to?

Redpilot

tsy

The '06 has projector beam headlights which have a much sharper cutoff than your normal halogen lights. Actually, the cutoff is not as sharp as my other car.

The lights may be aimed a little low which should be an easy fix by the dealer.

Congrats on your new Pilot.

tom

master1

Check if the dealer could adjust them, or you could install HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE headlights for much better visibility.

tsy

Actually, HIDs aren't necessarily better. That depends more upon the lens and headlight housing than the actual source of light. Also, aftermarket HIDs may not be legal where you live, and if improperly installed can cause problems.

If you really don't feel there's enough light then you'd probably be better off installing some good driving lights to replace your foglights.

tom

bahondaguy

I agree with most of the other postings here. I too have an 06 EXL and it is true that the top cutoff is quite severe, but the characteristics of the light pattern have more to do with the projector style light than they do with the "horizontal divider" you say. If you take a close look at the assembly, the "divider" is almost out of the way of the focal length of the projector lens as to not have much affect on the beam. I think Honda did that so that the lights would not be so high on their SUV as to cause glare for oncoming traffic.

As to what will fix it.. if, indeed my theory is right about how Honda designed the focal aspects of the projector beam, then there is little you can do with the existing light. The "Fog" lights provided on the EX models and up are of little help, as they cast a short, wide beam too. I too would consider getting aftermarket driving lights, which are typically designed to cast a narrower, longer beam than fog lights are supposed to.

Otherwise, we simply just have to deal with it.

Cheers.

drummer3

Just bought an 06 Pilot EX-L with RES at the end of October. Wanted to see if anybody has experienced some of the same miscellaneous noises that I've noticed and if so what do you know about the cause/origin?
Significant wind noise from driver and passenger windows (at first I thought the window was slightly open)
Sounds on the exterior of the vehicle that sound like an antennae banging against the car (I realize there is no external antennae, but that's what it sounds like)
Odd clanging noises that sound like it's coming from the underside of the vehicle.
On another topic = I can't figure out the benefit of the rear climate control system. The only way I've noticed any air movement from the rear vents is when the MODE is set on FACE only. My kids freeze in the back unless I keep it in this MODE, then my feet freeze in the front. Any suggestions?

Other than these unusual noises, I LOVE my Pilot and have enjoyed it for the past month.

roxon

Any one know how to make the driver seat go back further? The drivers seat does not seem to move back very far, at least not for me. I have the 2006 EX-L. I imagine this is pretty much impossible, but maybe one of you is smart!

aappel

My 05 Pilot EX-L is in the dealer for the same problem - soaked floor mats and rugs in the front driver and passenger side. Did you problem get fixed? What did they say was wrong?

crv77

Do a search on honda-pilot.org. I read that someone was able to do a mod which allowed the seat to be pushed back another 1.5"

skulesz

I too have JUST bought a 2005 Pilot- less than 24 hours ago! This morning I took the car on the Interstate for the first time and noticed once I get above 50 mph there is significant noise that does sound like a window is open. Could this be the tires? Has anyone experienced this and has anyone found a solution to reduce the noise? Haven't gone back to the dealer but I am considering it.

qbrozen

without a telescoping steering wheel, I don't see why you'd want to mod your seat to go back further. I always had to drive ours with the seat all the way back to accomodate my legs, but then I was so far from the wheel that I could not rest my elbow on the armrest and still reach the wheel. A telescoping wheel is the only feature I really felt our Pilot was lacking (well, it was lacking others, but this is the only one I noticed to cause a problem).

laurasf

Hi,

I have a 2005 pilot and the seal on the outside of the rear window has fallen down. My friend tells me that the dealer should pop the rear window out and glue a new seal in. The dealership tells me that they just pull them out because even if replaced, it will just fall out again. They implied that this is a problem with all the pilots, and that it is not a problem not to have the seal (then why is it there in the first place?). Have any of you heard of a problem like this? How can I find out if there is any kind of service bulletin about this problem?

Thanks,

Laura

roxon

Thanks for the reply, but honda-pilot.org did not turn anything up. search goes on.

kjjerry

I just got my 06 Exl with Nav last week and the gas milage is just about 16 mpg. Mixed city and highway. Maybe is becuase is still in the break in period. :confuse:

Anyway, does any body know if 2006 model year also need to preform the idle learn procedure?

I look at the the installation manual of the most of the accessories for the 2005 model it requires to perform idle learn procedure when ever the better was disconnected.

Don't see any where on the 2006 model year.

Any one got the 2006 pre delivery instruction? :confuse:

malub

I am so glad that you posted. I have had my '05 Pilot for just under a month and have had it to 2 dealerships because of the climate control unit. It is worthless! The first dealership is 3 hours away and said that system is not working properly and to bring it back in during the week. This was not feasible so we took it to the local dealership and they said it is working perfectly.

The absolute only way that you have heat in the back is if the mode is set to FACE only and the 2nd dealership told me that I had to have the temperature dial in the front set exactly in the middle gray area, which means that you can't control the temp at all. If my kids are in the car, one of us is always cold.

I am not even convinced that the rest of the system has a purpose; my side and rear windows are frosted over (on the inside) all of the time and if I set the mode to DEFROST/FEET the windshield will only defrost to about the half way point. I am the only one in the car most of the time and I don't breath that hard. Also, the 2 far outside vents on the dash always blow even when the mode is set on something else. This may be a little thing, but it is becoming a big issue for me. My windows frost over to where I can't even see to change lanes and I have a freezing baby in the back seat.

Between this and the horrible wind noise my Chevy loving husband is about to tell the dealership where to stick their Honda.

If you hear of any solutions, please let me know.

chiefmac

I don't know if we have the same issue, however my 2003 has made a clink or clunk sound the first time brakes are applied going forward after backing. My dealer was aware of the noise on pilots and told me it was a design issue and not a safety or performance problem. I now have 40000 miles on the vehicle and have been very satisfied. Still don't need a brake job. Surprised the brake mechanism hasn't been redesigned though.

golfbuddy1

Hi All Pilot Owners/Shoppers.

Anyone have a comment on any differences (quality or otherwise) on the assembly point of the 05 or 06 Pilots?

rudy99

Hi,
I have 2000 miles on my 200 pilot w/ nav and back up camera. Since the temperature decreased to freezing I have had some problems with the sound system. When I first turn the car on there is no sound from the radio or voice activation. Visibly one can see everything is on. Then about 3-5 minutes later it comes on after a short crackling noise. This has happened 3 times. Then the sun roof had some problems with opening and closing. Otherwise I love the car. Can you help? The dealership here has not been as helpful. Thanks

skulesz

Just wanted to comment on the "horrible wind noise" you mentioned. I too have recently bought a 2005 Pilot and had what I would describe a "horrible wind noise.: I took it to the dealership and after 3 hours of elimination, it was discovered that a cross bar had been installed backwards. The salesman told me this is not uncommon- don't know why that is. Anyway- it may be something to have checked out. Sorry about your climate control. So far, that doesn't seem to be an issue with my Pilot (knock on wood.)