Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • jerryoster1jerryoster1 Member Posts: 6
    I have 3100 miles on my 2006 Pilot and the gas cap warning light suddenly came on. My last fuel stop had been 3 days earlier, and I am reasonably sure that I put the cap back on properly. The good news is that removing and re-installing the cap with several clicks made the big bad light go away. It did take 2 days of driving to do it however!
  • jerryoster1jerryoster1 Member Posts: 6
    Thanks for that info; I need an adjustment as well. Has anyone adjusted the fog lights to illuminate a little further forward? They seem to light up the sides of the road and only the immediate area in front of the bumper?
  • ralph9ralph9 Member Posts: 88
    The discussion of the most serious vibration problems has recently been on hiatus. Has Honda ever come up with a solution? It seems as if people with the less serious problems have been able to solve their issues with alignments, new tires, force balancing etc while others have had no luck with any of these obvious solutions. Was the more serious problem ever related to the assembly plant or the manufacturer of particular steering components?
    I ask because I own a 2005 Pilot EX-L which was assembled in Alabama on 5/05 and I have only 10k miles on the vehicle. I am waiting with bated breath for the vibrations at highway speeds to begin, while hoping that my vehicle is not one of the Pilots trying to do the hula on the Interstate. Best wishes. Ralph
  • mropportunitymropportunity Member Posts: 11
    Bought a 2006 Pilot/ NAVI AWD, Only 3 weeks old. This weekend I noticed "VTM-4" light on in dashboard. Owner's manual says this indicates problem w/ AWD. Pilot back to shop for 1st visit; dealership says they need "to order a part". Not exactly confidence inspiring.
    Anybody got info on this/ had similiar experience?
  • ttg911ttg911 Member Posts: 45
    I was hoping someone may be able to advise me (if possible) how avoid having the hit "O.K." everytime the navigation system boots up? I have read the manual but cannot seem to figure it out (and it may not be possible). Thanks for your help and advice. :D
  • silverpiloto5silverpiloto5 Member Posts: 23
    Unfortunately, that is exactly what fog lights are meant to do. The design of the reflector is meant to cast a light UNDER the fog and to the sides. Aiming that light up just blinds people close to you and will get you HIGH BEAMED. You could consider changing to driving lights. Those lights are specifically designed to illuminate far ahead of you, but you high beams already do that. I had a 2003 pilot and now have a 2006. I installed the fog lights on the 03 and still think it helped with the sharp cutoff. The 06 lights seem better with and without the fog lights on.
  • ksayersksayers Member Posts: 59
    Is there a definitive answer to the vibration defect at 70mph common to 2006 4WD Pilots ?

    This is not, apparently, a tire balance/alignment issue, rather a design defect common to most 2006 Honda Pilots.

    Has anyone had tangible success resolving this issue ?

    Thank you
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    Short of reverse engineering and writing sofware, I don't think there is any way to avoid this - thank the lawyers for this aggravation.

    - Mark
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    So...What is causing the vibration?

    Kip
  • solosolo Member Posts: 48
    To ksayers, yes there is a solution to the vibration. I have a 2004 now with 55,000 miles. When one month old took it back to dealer. lucky for me my dealer in chicago is HONEST. Told me the vibration comes from the driveshaft. Honda knows about this (in 2004). Told me Honda will not do anything because that would mean all different engineering. Also told me if I really wanted to stop the vibe I could remove the driveshaft! So thats what I do. In chicago I need the 4 wheel drive in the winter. So from april to November I only Have 2 wheel drive. sometimes I miss 4 wheel, but I get 3 more mpg and a smooth ride at all speeds! The removal takes about 15 min. HOPE THIS HELPS. I posted this on edmunds 2 years ago but got mostly ridicule. Yes the warranty is still good. Seems like people on this Honda forum are very rigid, believe the company when they produce a defective product. Must say the Pilot has been a great car otherwise.
  • levetechlevetech Member Posts: 11
    I just saw this product that is an 8 mil clear vinyl that you can apply on the hood that acts as an invisible car bra. It is supposed to protect the hood (and side mirrors) from paint chips caused by road debris. Has anyone used this and does it work? OR, is this just hype? Thanks for your comments.
  • solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Ralph, So true! The integrities are POOR tires. Cheap too. Never understood why Honda continues to use them. Made the switch to Michelin Cross Terrains @ 5000 miles. Took an o.k. ride and made it great. Only Michelin know how to make a ROUND tire. MG
  • ksayersksayers Member Posts: 59
    Well... congratulations on eliminating the problem, albeit, in a manner that is not particularly complimentary of Honda.

    They have a design defect. I suppose a way to resolve this is to push it with NTSB. There is no necessity to prove that this is a safety defect. Rather, have Honda prove that it is NOT a safety defect.

    Had I have known I would not have bought the Pilot. I hope Honda reconsiders their situation.
  • clarkkentclarkkent Member Posts: 154
    If the Pilot is such a good car, why would you need an extended warranty? I would not buy a car that the mechanic and sales people suggest an additional warranty past 36000 miles. Do they know somethink we don't???? :lemon:

    CK
  • markjennmarkjenn Member Posts: 1,142
    I'd like to know how you "remove the driveshaft" in 15 minutes.

    - Mark
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    clarkkent Wrote: If the Pilot is such a good car, why would you need an extended warranty?

    Honda doesn't hand build every part on their cars. Many/most of the components come from vendors. Murphy's Law kicks in and things can go terribly wrong. Things also wear out and/or break.

    With all the bells and whistles, computers and gadgets on modern cars, I wouldn't even think of buying one without the extended warranty. Not from any manufacturer.

    Last car my wife had was a '95 Nissan Maxima. Over the period of 8 years and 75,000+ miles The extended warranty payed for itself plus some.

    Last before the Pilot for me was a 98 Ram Pickup. Just out of warranty the steering column started giving trouble. A new steering column was replaced under the extended warranty.

    Go look inside the "SHOP" of any computer store and see the numbers of computers waiting to be worked on. Things break and are sometimes very expensive to fix.

    It is not a matter of "If the Pilot is such a good car,...". Honda Pilot is a great car. If you get one you will know! ;)
  • franellafranella Member Posts: 20
    My last Honda had a 12k, or one year warranty. It never even went back to the dealer for even so much as an oil change. We had no problems and did all the maintenance ourselves. It now has probably 250k mi. on it and still runs like a champ.

    My new 06 Pilot has lots of electronics and I am considering a warranty. But the warranty brochure is ambiguous. I've asked for them to send me a true Honda warranty to compare to the one they offered me. They are telling me the true Honda extended warranty is not as good as the "other" warranty they want me to buy. And they say I can customize the warranty I want, so they won't even quote me a price! I'm inclined to pass on the whole confusing issue.
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    There are dealers that will sell you a Hondacare warranty for about 20 dollars over cost. I would give you the guy's name, but that is not allowed here. I paid $750 for my 100,000 mile 5 year 0 deductible warranty. I received a quote for $735. Check out some of the other Honda Pilot information sites. honda pilot dot org
  • sdirghallisdirghalli Member Posts: 5
    Like the other reader, I am very curious as to how you removed the drive shaft in 15 minutes...VERY curious.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    "Honda Care" Warranty was about $900 on each of our '03s. According the the dealers this was about a $600 discount.
    That is with road side assistance and a rental vehicle for overnight repairs. 7year/70K miles.

    It looks as though mattchalmers was able to wear them down even further than I did. :sick:

    Point is, that dealers obviously have a huge profit potential in Extended Warranties. You have to work that sale just like the car sale!

    "Don't leave home without one" ;)

    Kip
  • rekhrekh Member Posts: 47
    Hi, Have a look at: http://www.jayhondacare.com/Sample_Contract.htm Hope It could be helpful.
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    Here is some data I received about a month ago:

    The following Hondacare warranty plans are for a 2006 Pilot 4WD with less than 6,000 miles on the odometer.

    Plan Code: D56 5yr 60k $0 ded $410.00
    Plan Code: D58 5yr 80k $0 ded $630.00
    Plan Code: D50 5yr 100k $0 ded $735.00
    Plan Code: D68 6yr 80k $0 ded $7055.00
    Plan Code: D60 6yr 100k $0 ded $910.00
    Plan Code: D62 6yr 120k $0 ded $1010.00
    Plan Code: D78 7yr 80k $0 ded $795.00
    Plan Code: D70 7yr 100k $0 ded $1100.00
    Plan Code: D72 7yr 120k $0 ded $1200.00
    Plan Code: D80 8yr 100k $0 ded $1180.00
    Plan Code: D82 8yr 120k $0 ded $1280.00

    this was from Mike Pruitt Honda www.mphonda.com

    I decided to purchase the D50 warranty for $750 from the dealer that I purchased from.

    To estimate the true dealer cost for these warranties, subtract about 20 dollars.
  • silverpiloto5silverpiloto5 Member Posts: 23
    I had a 2003 Pilot and now a 2006 Pilot, but I don't have any issues with vibration. That said, IF you remove the driveshaft (an act I would approach with great caution), take it to a driveshaft reman/rebuild facility and have it balanced. ANYTHING can be balanced and it is very easy to balance a driveshaft. IF a harmonic frequency is setting up at 55/70/65 or whatever speed, that would be a different story. I cannot believe that a driveline would not have been tested for harmonics. Even newly graduated ME's (mechanical engineers} check for first and second order harmonics. I know Honda has more senior engineers and designers working on their platforms. The same cannot be said for some of the domestics ( I know firsthand).
  • karkarkarkar Member Posts: 6
    I have a new 2006 Pilot with all the bells and whistles.
    When I pull into a business where you have to go across the little ditch most businesses have, like Sheetz for example, my Pilot sounds as though the frame is squeaking. No noise when I go over bumps, just when I make a turn and the frame is turn ed a bit. Don't know if this makes sense or if anyone else has experienced this noise. I am considering calling the dealer and have them check it out. Sounds like underneath needs to be greased....if possible??
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    I would suspect the finance person at the average dealer is going to try selling it to us at about double the prices you posted.

    This is great info.

    Thanks
  • momto3momto3 Member Posts: 12
    I have been reading this thread with great interest as I did not purchase the extended care warranty from my dealer. Their prices were much higher than what I have seen posted here. Is it possible to purchase an extended warranty from a different dealer, and if so, can I take the vehicle to any dealer for repairs when needed? I have just over 1000 miles on the vehicle.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    Chances age good that any Honda dealer will be glad to sell you the Honda Care warranty.

    Just keep in mind that the above prices are probably near dealer cost and the dealer will want to make a profit. Chances are good the finance person will do the transaction, and he/she works on commissions from warranty, and finance sales. Therefore they most likely will not sell the warranty for cost.

    At least now you will have a feel for what they actually pay for the product. ;)

    Might not hurt to call around for the best deal. Just compare apples to apples. Most dealers have alternative warranty plans from other insurance companies that may or may not be as good as the HONDA CARE plans.

    Kip
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    You can purchase your warranty from another dealer. Contact xxxxx at Mike Pruitt Honda. He will sell you the warranty at very close to cost.
    www.mphonda.com
    330.633.6060
  • ttg911ttg911 Member Posts: 45
    I recently purchased one for my Honda Pilot EX-L w/Navi. Bought it from Bernardi Honda (hondawarrantyinfo.com) and they were the cheapest I could find (checked MP and Saccucci). Hope this helps. :shades:

    And, yes, you can buy a extended warranty from any dealer (they only take the $ and then submit the all the paperwork to American Honda on your behalf and American Honda then writes the contract between the car and them) and it will be valid at any Honda dealer in the US.

    Hope this helps.
  • myranassermyranasser Member Posts: 15
    I purchased the 7 yrs. 100,000 miles Honda care Plan for $1200 (W $100 diductable) for my 06 Pilot. Later, I found the same plan for $980.00. Can I cancel and rebuy from another vendor?
  • ttg911ttg911 Member Posts: 45
    I think you can cancel within 60 days as long as it has not been used.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I've heard that if you cancel your Honda extended warranty, you can't buy another one from Honda. I'm not sure of my source anymore, but best check it out before cancelling.
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    This is definitely cheaper than Pruitt in Ohio. Not sure if there are any additional fees, but this looks to be below cost? My understanding was that cost on the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty with 0 deductible was $715, but Bernardi has it for $696. I know that Pruitt sent the package overnight and included a postage paid envelope for overnight return.
  • ttg911ttg911 Member Posts: 45
    I tried to get Bernardi to knock 25 bucks off the cost of their already "lowest price I could find" (basically just to match Saccucci's 25-dollar accessory offer) and they said they were already at cost and they couldn't lose $ on the deal (and I believe them). All I did was fax the one-page sheet over to them (from their website) and they mailed me a receipt (they re-typed all the info on my behalf to American Honda). Very easy transactions. I cannot believe all the crap other dealers try and tell folks to get them to buy the extended warranty through them for way too much $$ albeit - they should be ashamed of themselves. Yes, we all have to make a living, but do it honestly. :shades:
  • osusosus Member Posts: 3
    Does anybody know how to change cabin filter.Is it easy?
  • cmbpmbcmbpmb Member Posts: 9
    So talk about bad luck! We literally bought our new 2006 Honda Pilot one week ago. Over the weekend we were out of town with it and noticed leaking transmission fluid. Took it into the local dealership and they thought it was just a loose test port. But they suggested I take it to the dealer we bought from when we got back home. I did that today... and they said it needed a NEW TRANSMISSION!!!

    I will say that they seem just as shocked as I do. I can accept that things happen - hopefully it is just a fluke because it's certainly not what we expected with our first Pilot. I inquired about having them give me a new car instead of a new transmission - but that's a no go. But I am asking them to at least give me a free extended warranty. I think that's warrented - given the situation.

    Any thoughts on this???
  • solosolo Member Posts: 48
    :cry: It is easy. GET under the car (A jack could make it a little easier! Take a 11 millimeter socket and undo the 4bolts at the transmission flange then the 4 bolts at the rear differential. Then loosen the 2 bolts that hold the culperat , the bearing housing in the middle. I also return the 10 total bolts into their sockets and snug,so I dont loose them. Believe me, this extra 15 min. is better than fighting with Honda. The service man told me Honda does not think the people who by their cars are afficianatoes and the few who notice the problem get ignored . Good luck
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    ...bought our new 2006 Honda Pilot one week ago. Over the weekend...

    I read that as you discovered the problem 3 or 4 DAYS after you bought it and, almost certainly, the Pilot had that defect when you drove it off the lot. And they won't swap it for a nondefective unit?

    tidester, host
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    What is the impact of this modification?
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    Unforeseen things do happen. That is why there are manufacturers warranties. It is also a good argument for extended warranties. "STUFF HAPPENS"!!

    It would be a pleasant surprise if you got a FREE extended warranty. However, your dealer might wish to let you have one at dealer cost .

    If there are other problems like yours, you might get a special warranty from HONDA that covers the transmission only.

    This problem was probably not created by the dealer, so they would have no legal or moral obligation to do anything other than get you going as quickly as possible and offer you a loaner.

    Hang on to any and all paperwork that spells out the problem and solution. It could be valuable later if there is another problem like this.

    Kip
  • cmbpmbcmbpmb Member Posts: 9
    A quick update on my new Pilot that needs a new transmission... The district manager has agreed to pay for the extended warranty I requested. I'm VERY pleased with that - I think it is very fair and, honestly, I almost feel ahead of the game now. I believe it is valued at $1500... so assuming this was a fluke (I agree that 'things' happen) and never happens again - then I'm better off than I was a week ago with my new car and no extended warranty.

    :)
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    WOW! Definitely ahead of the game.

    Which extended warranty are you getting?

    Kip
  • franellafranella Member Posts: 20
    Yes, which warranty are you getting? I was presented with a non-Honda extended warranty when I picked up the car, and it was so confusing as to what it covered, at least on the Platinum level, that I refused it. Then I requested that they mail me a Honda Warranty, which they admitted existed. I've asked twice now and they said they would, and nothing has come in the mail. Someone on this site was kind enough to send me a copy of the Honda Warranty. Looks fine, but I don't understand why the dealer won't show it to me themselves. Of course, they want me to buy the other one. But what was particularly troubling was that the guy was saying the Honda Warranty wasn't as good as the other one. He said there was more "good will" given with the other one, instead of holding to the letter of the agreement. Not a good thing when a Honda dealer tells you their warranty is not good.
  • solosolo Member Posts: 48
    It is tough to balance ANYTHING. The Pilot has a 2 piece drive shaft. A CV joint joins the two and the housing for this is bolted to the frame. This is the source of the problem. I also notice that Honda's sound and vibration deadening system is only offered on 2 wheel drive models! Does that tell you something? My pilot is like a different car operating in 2wd. Quiet, and faster, more mpg. If I lived down south I would not purchase the 4wd.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    cmbpmb

    Is your car repaired now? New Transmission?

    As the Extended warranty is coming from the "District office" , is it a Honda warranty?

    Kip
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    I don't know what might have changed since '03, but our '03 4WD Pilot drives very smooth. I notice such stuff!... For instance, my wife's 4WD '03 CR-V has an annoying vibration, like tires slightly out of balance, for the first 2-3 miles after it has been sitting over night.

    I feel sure it is the Bridgestone Dueler tires, as I had them on a car before, and had the same problem.

    The Pilot doesn't do that!

    You paid for 4WD and have a right to have a smooth driver for $30K+. Seems to me that Honda and an arbitration board concerning the Lemon Law need to be convened.

    FWIW our Pilot developed a MOANING noise from the rear when slightly moving forward or rearward and the steering wheel turned fairly sharp, as coming out of the drive way or backing out of a parking space.

    It turned out to be the rear end dope needed changing. The car only had 18K on the odometer. I believe the recommended mileage to change the rear end dope is 30K.

    An 87 Montero, we bought used, would vibrate at times and it turned out to also be the rear end dope. Might be worth looking into.

    Whatever your problem, it needs to be fixed by Honda.

    It is ridiculous to have to disable something that you paid for in order to achieve a smooth drive. :mad:

    Kip
  • tndavetndave Member Posts: 3
    Wondering what kind of mileage Pilot owners have been getting from a set of tires before they need replacing.

    Also, has anyone had any tire wear issues with the Pilot’s independent rear suspension?
  • ralph9ralph9 Member Posts: 88
    I got rid of my Goodyear Integrity tires at 10K, not because of wear, but because I got tired of the hydroplaning in the rain and snow. I believed that they were a safety hazard for my wife and me. I used the consumer survey results in the tirerack site and selected the Goodyear Fortera Triple treds based on being the number one rated tire with highest ratings in hydroplaning avoidance, and snow/ice treaction. We're planning on a car trip in November and I didn't want to take a chance with these tires.
    I ordered the tires through Discount tire direct site and had the tires sent to me. They didn't charge for shipping which made them cheaper than purchasing them through tirerack. They arrived in 3 days and I took them to my local Honda dealer for road force balancing and correct install of the tpms on each tire. Best wishes. Ralph
  • tplanktplank Member Posts: 2
    Dont know if a solution has been posted yet or not but found a quick fix for the seatbelt warning light/beep on another website for the Honda Pilot. Use any long thin flat object that will fit into the seatbelt receptacle. Push down until it clicks or stops and slide the tool out. The receptacle is fooled into thinking the belt is in. When you want to use the seatbelt just press the red button then insert your seatbelt normally. Hope this helps I was getting tired of people lecturing about safety with no solutions to this annoyance.
  • solosolo Member Posts: 48
    Good luck with the Goodyears. In another forum a lot of talk about the poor tires the pilot comes with. I too replaced my integreties with 5000m. Even the $18,000 Ford Escape come with Michelin Cross Terains which Tire rack sells for $135. The Goodyears go for about $55! Have to sound naive, but what is "road force balancing". Have you watched Honda do it?
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