Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • rpowersrpowers Member Posts: 24
    I have similar issues with my 05. Very noticeable downshifts when braking or slow cornering. So far I have not been happy with the trans in this vehicle. I believe it all relates to the trans, may be worth a trip to the dealer though I have had no satisfaction on my trans issues.
    Good luck!
    Anyone else out there having trans issues? any cure?
  • rpowersrpowers Member Posts: 24
    I have simular issues with my 05. Very noticeable downshifts when braking or slow cornering.So far I have not been happy with the trans in this vehicle. I believe it all relates to the trans, may be worth a trip to the dealer though I have had no satisfaction on my trans issues.
    Good luck!
    Anyone else out there haveing trans issues? any cure?
  • sloreslore Member Posts: 4
    Yes I do have Goodyear Integrity tires-they came with the car and I only have about 15,000 miles on them. I hate to think that I have to buy new tires already but you may be right. We've also had at least 2x where the tire light came on one day and not the next-maybe not related but it makes me nr=ervous about driving the car in less than dry weather.
  • ciacia Member Posts: 10
    hello,if you still don't know how the reset is done,it's simple.

    push and hold down the odometer trip reset button. while holding it down,put key in ignition and turn ignition on. don't start the suv,just turn ignition on. all the lights turn on in your dash,including sevice required light. keep holding the reset button until the light goes out. let go of the reset button and start the suv. the light should be gone.
  • odie6lodie6l Member Posts: 1,173
    Check your Tire Pressures.... because of Colder Temps your pressures maybe are lower, the TPMS will kick in when the pressure in a tire falls below 26psi.

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • awsaulnierawsaulnier Member Posts: 3
    I had the same problem with the rubber rubbing sound. I sprayed all sorts of lubricant with not improvement. However, dry graphite powder worked. I put some in a paper towel and rubbed it over all the rubber in the door and door jamb. Problem solved. However the black rubber has a silverish tint to it, but you can't see it when the door is closed.
  • momto3momto3 Member Posts: 12
    I have a 2006 Pilot with nav I bought in September. Yesterday I got into the car and had an "enter code" message on the nav screen, so I called my dealer. They said to enter the code given with the new vehicle which fortunately I was able to find. I asked why this would happen, and the service dept asked if the battery had died (it hadn't). Has anyone had this happen? I haven't purchased an extended warranty yet, and am now thinking I should.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    Too many things to go wrong with the newer cars.

    Go for the extended warranty. Get the "HONDA" version and negotiate it down to the neighborhood of $1000

    Kip
  • ogie271ogie271 Member Posts: 7
    I have had my 06 Pilot to the dealer 3 times to fix a water leak on the front passenger side. all 3 times they said they found and fixed the problem, this last time the culprit being a "missing body plug". Happy with the Pilot overall, and assuming no more water problems plan to keep it, but I really doubt I would consider Honda again next time I buy a car. Just really makes you wonder.
  • franellafranella Member Posts: 20
    I'm on the west coast of Florida with an '06 Pilot with Nav. I've asked the dealer 3 times to mail me the details of the "Honda" warranty. They have ignored me. They are trying to force me to buy the off brand warranty, so I may not buy a warranty at all. Even told me that the true "Honda" warranty wasn't as good as the off brand warranty. I almost fell off my chair when he said that.
  • awoodawood Member Posts: 1
    Hello,
    I have a 2006 Honda Pilot. I am having problems with the windows fogging up during the cold weather. I run the defrost feature, but the back windows don't seem to want to defog. Does anyone else have this problem? I wonder if I am keeping it too warm inside the car and if that has something to do with it. Since it is still under warranty, I wanted to see if this was normal or if I needed to bring it into the shop. Thanks!!!
  • aspesisteveaspesisteve Member Posts: 833
    you've got 3 years or 36k miles of factory warranty ahead of you to get minor fixes done.

    save your money, forget the warranty.
    the Pilot has a good track record with reliability.
  • odie6lodie6l Member Posts: 1,173
    "save your money, forget the warranty.
    the Pilot has a good track record with reliability.
    "

    You made me laugh so hard I had a few co-workers trying to figure out what I was laughing at.

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • aspesisteveaspesisteve Member Posts: 833
    not sure I get what's funny.

    all the stuff you've got troubling you is covered under the factory warranty. Just because you're getting poor service or having trouble getting the problem resolved doesn't make the Pilot a bad car.

    Do you want to sell your car?
  • guestguest Member Posts: 770
    It's not just my vehicle, I've read multiple things about the Pilot (any year) and when you said the vehicle is very reliable and you don't need to worry about the extended warranty. I say, Bull, that's when your regular warranty runs out, you will have to spend the extra amount to have all the problems regardless of "being reliable" fixed. Some people need the extra warranty because they put alot of miles on a vehicle and would be out of their warranty quickly. I for example have had my vehicle since July 31st and already have just shy of 12k on it, and on average I put between 24k and 30k on a vehicle in a year. So I may have gotten a fluke with the head liner, but what happens if I did not get the extended warranty and at 37k miles (in just over 1 1/2 years) the headliner drops again, that would be one hefty repair bill because of parts and labor.

    All, I'm saying is with the problems the Pilot has been having, I wouldn't call it reliable and would reccommend the extended warranties.

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    Overall I think an extended warranty is a good idea. It is like an insurance policy. It lets you sleep easier at night. Having said that I wonder if interior trim--headliner--is covered under an extended warranty. Most trim items are not. Hope yours is covered.
  • odie6lodie6l Member Posts: 1,173
    I have the bumper-2-Bumper / Roof-2-Ground coverage 7 yr / 100k warranty. It covers everything in & out of the vehicle.

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • aspesisteveaspesisteve Member Posts: 833
    If it gives you piece of mind then get the warranty

    warranties are sold with hefty commissions and are money makers for the company that sells them, that's why statistically speaking, they aren't worth it imo.

    How about you put the $1,000 in a separate account as insurance. If nothing major happens, you get the money back with interest.
  • mattchalmersmattchalmers Member Posts: 159
    In my situation, I purchased the Honda Extended Warranty for less than $100 above true cost. If you are paying the asking price, you are probably over-paying, but if you do your homework, you can get an extended warranty that even Consumer Report's would buy. :-)
  • blackexv6blackexv6 Member Posts: 503
    Businesses aren't around for the convenience & protection of the consumer - they exist to make money.

    Dealers make little profit on a new car sale but make out on extended warranties. That is why they push them on you.

    I agree with aspesisteve, put your money in a savings account. Afterall, you bought a Honda...they claim their cars are very reliable - you shouldn't need $1000 worth of repairs before 100k miles.
  • martin19martin19 Member Posts: 7
    In the state of Florida, our wonderful legislators have enacted a law to protect us from the Dealers using the extended warranty as a negotiating tool. Now, dealers MUST CHARGE YOU FULL PRICE for the Extended Warranty in Florida. I didn't believe this, figuring this was a sales tactic so I looked it up. Yep, they were right! I feel much better knowing that our lawmakers are keeping me safe! This only applies to dealers extended warranties and not third party extended warranties.

    You don't have to buy the EW from the dealer you bought the car from. You can get it through other dealers around the country for a discount ... look online. If you notice they will say "except Florida."
  • kylehornkylehorn Member Posts: 1
    Guess what - my 2004 Pilot is experiencing these starting issues as well. Please let me know if anyone has a lead on fixing this issue.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Car dealer lobbies are pretty strong in most states. The one in Idaho wrote the lemon law so that you have to give the dealer five or six attempts to fix your car before it qualifies as a lemon. Follow the money - your legislators aren't looking out for the consumer usually. :sick:
  • joesacramentojoesacramento Member Posts: 24
    30k/year and with all your adds-ons, I would get an EW also. What type of off-roading do you do?
  • odie6lodie6l Member Posts: 1,173
    I go on a few old logging trails to get to some prime fishing areas (includes forging through a few streams that are not to deep), plus some heavy duty mountain roads out near Punxy / Dubois / Clearfield PA when I go visit relatives, we also play around on some trails out there and go out to my uncle hunting cabin (I use a camera to hunt with, not a gun).

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • hoshos Member Posts: 31
    I bought a 07 ex-l w/nav two weeks ago and after a few days I get "check fuel cap" message on the dash. Checking the forum, I found taht many others had the same problem. I do not know what caused the message to come on but the manual stated what the dealer told me. It stated that the message would stay on for at least 3 days. First I though that the service department was brushing me off, so I watched for the message to go away after 3 day. In my case, the message disappeared right when the manual had said that it would. I thought I'd send a message in case others have the same experience. Love the car so far. I went from an 8 cylendar 5.7 eng. station wagon to this car and the gas consumption seem to be the same to my surprise!!! I thought I'd get less ! Driving the same route and distance, a tank full (same size tank), lasted 5 days.
  • hoshos Member Posts: 31
    I got a 07 EX-L 4WD with Nav two weeks ago. I went from a '95 buick roadmaster 8 cyl. 5.7 engine to this car (6 cyl, 3.5 engine). Driving the same route and distance and the same size gas tank, I found out that a full tank lasts 5 days for both cars. Can other please share your thoughts/experience on fuel consumption on your pilot? I averaged out about 14 mpg driving short freeway and surface street driving. I had expected to get slightly better fuel economy than this.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    Our 03 4WD AT Pilot consistently yields 17-19 and occasionally 20 mpg in local driving.

    This local driving is mostly driving back and forth to work 2-3 times a week. This involves 2 Stop signs, 5 Traffic lights, and 6 roads. Seven miles each way. 2-3 days a week involve 6+ Lights and 12 miles each way. Mix in some 2-3 mile trips to Home Depot etc..Mostly light traffic.

    Highway mileage is generally 26-27 average with 2 people, running the A/C 50% and driving the posted speed limit.
    I've gotten as high as 28 for a nearly 900 mile trip from Ga to Indiana and Back. Again driving the posted speed limit and working at getting the best mileage possible.

    Worst Highway mileage 24.5 involved a 400 mile one way at 79-80 mpg, 4 people and luggage on board and heavy rain.

    Seems there is a site on these Pilot forums dealing with fuel consumption. If so, jump in there and read it from cover to cover. Good stuff!

    Kip
  • sloreslore Member Posts: 4
    We have 2wd 06 and get an average gas mileage of about 19 mpg highway and 16 non-highway. I had expected better since the info when we bought it said 24mpg hiway and 19 intown. I still like my car but the mileage was disappointing.
  • sloreslore Member Posts: 4
    Thanks Odie and Ralph -- we replaced the tires and now my 06 pilot seems to be doing better with the traction.
  • hoshos Member Posts: 31
    Thanks for the info, kip. You are getting pretty good mpg. Did you get this mileage from day one, or did it build up to this after a while? My driving habits and route is very much similar to yours. What technique did you use to compute your mpg?

    Hos
  • ralph9ralph9 Member Posts: 88
    I'm glad that you decided to get rid of the Integrities. I know that my wife and I feel much safer in wet conditions. Safety is an important consideration in any decision. Take care. Ralph
  • kennynmdkennynmd Member Posts: 424
    Other day a light came on my dash... it was the low tire pressure light..it looks like an exclamation point between parentheses...(!). I added more air in the tire that was shown to have low air, however that light still stays on...anyone know how to reset it?
  • gmoney2gmoney2 Member Posts: 31
    I have a 2003 Pilot EXL. I absolutely loved it. I only have 39k miles on it. Last week, I pulled out of the driveway and it felt sluggish, like the emergency brake was on, but it wasn't. I then noticed the malfunction indicator light (aka check engine light) was on, and the D indicator was flashing. When I put it in park, the car would still try to drive forward. Fearing that I had a transmission problem, I had it towed to the Honda dealer to avoid screwing things up more. I was hoping that since I only drove about 200 feet, no serious damage was done...was I wrong. The dealer found that the solenoid valve was bad. They tried to replace it, but it didn't fix the problem. I was then informed that I needed a whole new transmission. I couldn't believe it...a new transmission with only 39k miles...this is a Honda! Unfortunately, the powertrain warranty on the 2003 Pilots is only 3yr/36k miles, so I was 3k miles over. Luckily, Honda agreed to pay for it anyway. The whole thing would have cost slightly over $3000. Of course, a remanufactured tranny was put in, so I'm a little nervous. I know that they had a lot of problems with the transmissions in the '01/'02 Odysseys, but supposedly they had them fixed.

    This is the second Honda that has crapped out on me with less than 100k miles. I had a 1995 Civic that I had to get rid of at 80k miles because the AC compressor blew, sending metal throughout the system. I was told it was going to cost $2k to fix, so I traded it in for the Pilot. Now I'm having problems with the Pilot. I also have a 2006 CR-V SE. Only time will tell if this one stands up to the Honda name. If it gives me problems, that's 3 strikes, and I'm switching to Toyota.
  • hondalvrhondalvr Member Posts: 2
    Hi hos - I'm having the same luck as Kip with my 2003 Pilot (4WD or AWD...). We have similar driving conditions, and I'm a pretty conservative driver. When the weather is nice and I don't use the AC, I consistently get 19-20mpg around town. Best highway was 28, doing ~75 most of the time. Using the AC drops city mileage to ~16mpg. Maybe yours will "break in" after you've had it a little longer. I'm using my Honda dealer for service now (they're awesome) but used to have a great non-dealer mechanic who worked on my former vehicles. After one tune up on an Integra I went from about 25mpg city to 29mpg! He knew how to make 'em purrrr. Best of luck to you and your new ride! Lori :)
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    Thanks for the info, kip. You are getting pretty good mpg. Did you get this mileage from day one, or did it build up to this after a while? My driving habits and route is very much similar to yours. What technique did you use to compute your mpg?

    The dealer tank got about 15 mpg all local driving. It probably was not full to begin with.

    I fill it and divide the miles driven by the gallons to refill to the nearest 1/10 gallon.

    Keep track of every tank. Sometimes a tank will be a little higher or lower than "Normal". It is so predictable that a high mileage tank will almost certainly result in a lower mileage tank the next fill up. Reason being something about the last fill caused the tank to not fill completely (didn't take as much gas) so it computed to a higher than "Average" mpg. So now there is not as much gas actually in the tank for the next drive. So the next fill will take more gas than the last. etc..

    Local driving it pretty much got 17-18 from the git go.
    Then about 5000 miles I had a need and disconnected the battery. The next few fill ups I wrote the numbers down but didn't do the math. When I finally did, the numbers were down 3-4 mpg for local as well as 1 road trip.

    Did some research and learned that part of a Pilot get ready at the dealer is the Idle Learn Procedure (ILP). Other Pilot owners were doing the Procedure themselves, feeling the dealer had not! With some, poor mileage was becoming reasonable mileage. With others nothing changes. Mine actually regained what I had lost +1. Now that +1 could have simply been the extra break in miles since the poor mileage thing began. FWIW the "Get ready" says the ILP should be done whenever the battery is disconnected, or has gone dead or certain fuses have been pulled.

    A dealer may tell you the ILP does nothing more than teach the engine to idle properly! It made a difference in my mileage!

    Shortly after that we traded my wife's 95 maxima for a new 03 4wd AT CR-V. I did the ILP on it within just a few days. Don't know if it needed it, but, It has always gotten excellent mileage. Above "average" from what I've seen on these forums.

    Keep in mind that driving habits contribute a lot to mileage.

    Kip
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    This is from an earlier post:

    Here ya go!
    http://www.hondalac.com/service/Bulletins/x02-029e.pdf
    It is on the left side of page 3.

    The Idle Learn Procedure may not help you at all. However, It only takes a few minutes to do and and can't hurt anything as it is part of the Honda new car get ready.

    Easy version:

    Start with a cold engine.

    Turn on ignition switch and make sure that every accessory is turned OFF. AC,radio,all lights, everything.

    Turn off ignition switch.

    Disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes.

    Re connect cable.

    DO NOT TOUCH THROTTLE. Turn ignition switch on for 2 seconds,................ then start car.

    DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. Let it idle with all accessories turned off.

    DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. In about 10-15 minutes,in 70-80 degree weather, the radiator cooling fans will cycle. (It will take longer in colder weather.)

    DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. After the second cycle let it idle an additional 10 minutes.
    The fans will cycle some more during this additional 10 minutes.

    Here is a TIP. After reconnecting the battery above. DO NOT TOUCH THE THROTTLE. and start the car. Go back in the house and do something for a half hour or so. Then go back out and listen or watch for the fans to cycle twice. Go back in the house and let it idle an additional ten minutes. Then:

    Switch off engine. Reset radio and driver AUTO window.

    It doesn't matter if you missed the first or second cycles. The important thing is that it got AT LEAST 2 fan cycles and the additional 10 minutes, and any cycles that may have occured during that 10 minutes.

    To reset driver window:

    Turn on ignition switch.

    Push down and hold driver window button including that extra little "AUTO" click

    Continue to hold an additional 2 seconds after window reaches the bottom.

    Pull up the switch including the "AUTO" click and hold up an additional 2 seconds after window reaches top and stops moving.

    Release the switch.

    Now press hard and release. The window should go all the way down without holding the button. :)

    Kip
  • boughtalemonboughtalemon Member Posts: 28
    Just bought a 2007 Pilot EXL 4whd with Navi on Nov.25. On Dec. 1 I took it back to the dealership service because of a very annoying, piercing noise coming from under the car. A few hours later they called me and said it was the fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. I drove it for a few days, and then on Dec. 6, an even louder noise started. Took it back again, they said it was the fuel tank this time, but then American Honda gave them instructions not to do anything about it because that noise was "normal" on all 2007 Pilots. I refuse the take the car out of the shop and they say there is nothing they can do as long as Honda says it's a normal noise. Please, if there is anybody with the same problem, let me know. If there is nobody else, obviously the noise is not "normal".
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    good job kip.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    i believe every "new" transmission a company like Honda and others install in a vehicle outside the plant is a "remanufactured" unit. only the case / exterior is re-used; all the internals / guts of the thing are new. i would not worry about getting one of these myself.

    did you ever have the "jet" kit installed in the '03? i believe it was a mod to direct ATF to a particular gear which wasn't getting adequate flow / cooling and prematurely failing. i know my ODY had to get the jet kit - i presume the V6 pilots also required it.

    manufacturers are asking a lot more of the very compact transmissions in these heavier / powerful vehicles these days. hopping over to toyota/lexus might not necessarily be such a great alternative. in a range of vehicles with drive by wire throttle control, some owners are reporting they are having issues with hesitation / shift delay, shift flare, and gear hunting.

    what sort of warranty are they going to provide you with the remanufactured transmission?

    seems like Honda is taking care of you.
  • kipkkipk Member Posts: 1,576
    I would want the service manager to take a ride with me in one of the NEW Pilots on the lot. See if it has the same "NORMAL" noise.

    If it does not, insist on seeing/meeting with a Honda factory rep.

    Kip
  • boughtalemonboughtalemon Member Posts: 28
    Thanks, Kip. I've already done this with the General Manager. The dealership people agree with me that the noise is louder than the others (two other cars on the lot madw noise, but not as loud. I have a meeting with the Honda rep tomorrow, but I already know their position, so I don't think we're going to get anywhere. My position is that no new car should make any kind of piercing noise and a manufacturer should not say that any noise is normal.When you pay 32K on a car you expect a rather quiet ride.
  • justaveragejoejustaveragejoe Member Posts: 268
    I have noticed a high pitched noise, not quite a whistle, on my 2007. I only hear it while I pull out of the garage and my window is down. I haven't tried to track down the source/location. Did replacing the fuel pump solve the problem for those days and is this a new noise or the same only louder?
  • boughtalemonboughtalemon Member Posts: 28
    How high is your high pitched noise? Have you done anything about it?Did you consider it normal? After having changed the fuel pump it was OK for a few days and then it started again, louder. Do you think it is a normal noise for a new car (or even for a used one fo that matter)? I can hear this noise when the engine is running and I stand by the car. Inside I can hear it too, even with the window closed. I will fight Honda on this and I would like to have other 2007 Pilot owner's input.
  • odie6lodie6l Member Posts: 1,173
    I found a good way to get rid of the window vibration / squeaking from the drivers / passenger side windows. I got the Weathertech side window vent shades that use pressure and are mounted in the track. This takes up the little extra space and stops the squeak. Plus the low profile look really blends in to the vehicle. I just wish I would have had pictures of them before I did my Video for Carspace then I could have had them in there.

    Odie
    Odie's Carspace
  • gmoney2gmoney2 Member Posts: 31
    did you ever have the "jet" kit installed in the '03?

    The 2003 Pilots did indeed get recalled for the problem. I did get the jet installed (it was for the 2nd gear) with less than 10k miles on it.

    what sort of warranty are they going to provide you with the remanufactured transmission?


    They are not giving me any warranty on the transmission. I am going to contact Honda and see what I can do about that.
  • justaveragejoejustaveragejoe Member Posts: 268
    The noise is a bit louder than the rest of the engine noise, but enough to notice it. I only have 600 miles on the vehicle so I will give it some time to see if it becomes annoying or goes away. I still haven't looked for the source.
  • boughtalemonboughtalemon Member Posts: 28
    Trust me, it is the fuel pump and it will only get louder and more annoying. I met with a Honda rep this morning and Honda's position is that the noise on the 07 Pilots is from the fuel pump, but it is a normal noise and they will not do anything about it. The fuel pump on my Pilot was changed once, was fine for a few days and then the noise started again. So, it looks like the more you drive, the worse it's going to get. It is unacceptable that Honda knowingly puts in a noisy fuel pump.
  • gymshoegymshoe Member Posts: 80
    I bought an '06 Pilot back in September and it has a noisy fuel pump as well. Took it to a dealer (not the one I bought from) and they said the same thing..it's normal. They pulled another '06 Pilot and it had the same noise. I then went to my neighbor's house who has an '06 Pilot and there's no noise. As for it getting louder...I think it's merely perception. I've got 3k+ miles on it and it's about the same. Everything seems louder as you get used to the car ...seemed like it was dead quiet inside the cabin when I first got it, now it seems louder ..but that's been the same for every car i've had. I called the dealership where I bought the car and they said to bring it in and they'll see what they can do. Just haven't had time to do that yet.
  • gymshoegymshoe Member Posts: 80
    Anyone have this problem or know how to fix it?
    I've got an '06 Pilot with Nav and the darn thing won't switch the brightness setting automatically. In the setup, I have it set to Auto (you can set it off, auto, day, night) which should switch it brighter during the day and dimmer at night. However it stays bright permanently. I have to manually set it to night to make it go dimmer. Is there a light sensor that's covered up somewhere? any ideas?
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