Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair

bbug1

Be prepared to take the Pilot to the dealer to reprogram the SRS control unit.

sjwsmw

I am experiencing a loss of time in the clock. Noticed it from the start but set it at 7,500 and now at 15,000, it's about 5 minutes off.
I thought I saw a post from another. But was wondering if anyone has this problem and if the dealer will correct.

dako_tian

sjwsmw, How fast did you drive those 15,000 miles? I mean, maybe it's a relativity thing!?! ;-)

superdavid

How come you guys have so much problem with the Pilot? On paper this car is terrific, much cheaper than the Highlander and the sibling MDX. I can understand the old Passport was no good since it was manufactured by Isuzu. But this is a Honda!! I own a 95 Accord and never, never had any problem.

opus5

Well, for one, not sure if this forum even existed in 1995. Secondly, approximately 370 posts about problems covering over 100,000 vehicles. Every model of car has its problems, for which owners come to a forum like this in an attempt to get the problem solved or to inform others. Keep things in perspective. Remember, people are more apt to complain about something than to comment that everything is working well.

sjwsmw

To lose the 5 minutes, it took about 5 months.

I am happy that this is the biggest problem I have with the Pilot!!

jay_24

I agree, number of posts has nothing to do with the number of problems.
Chevy Tahoe has 4000+ posts total and doesn't even have a 'Problems and Solutions' page. So over 1000 less posts than the Pilot and many more trucks on the road... Pilot has about 5700 combining the two boards...Guess Chevy is problem free. (I know better.)
Subaru boards have well over 40,000 posts and not nearly that many problems. We just like to talk about car things. (new models, features we would like, other cars, etc...) Very active over there!

--jay

qbrozen

the dedicated honda pilot site i referred to earlier is coming up on 5,000 members and still VERY few complaints any more serious than something like the clock or a squeaking door seal.

I also like how on some message boards you'll get a message from someone claiming something catastrophic happened to their vehicle (i'm specifically thinking of that report a little while back about a failed differential) and the poster gives that one comment and disappears afterwards. Not exactly what I would call a reliable source.

larry51k

Does anyone else find their pilot dvd player to be super sensitive to imperfections(?) in the disc? Frequently, a dvd that plays fine indoors will begin playing in the pilot and eventually "err" will display and the dvd stops(as though pause was pushed). I've pushed que but nothing happens. Yesterday when this happened I removed the dvd and started it over. It played fine with no "err" the second time. On other occasions the "err" displayed at the same part of the movie over and over. Taken indoors, it plays fine.

rlonn1

I just returned to San Diego after about 100 miles of listening to several DVD, 4 to be exact. No problems even when going over several road bumps. O4 EXL

edpedron

We recently bought a '04 Pilot and dropped it off
the dealer to install the options we chose. The
following day, one of the salesman left a message
saying that some of the part were not in and we
could not pick it up. Then he calls back again
and says there was a problem when they tried to
install the running board in that they had scratch
the side of the Pilot. Okay. We then called back
to tell the dealer not to fix the problem b/c we
wanted to see the damage first. The person then
told us it was hit by a truck and the rear door
and panel would need to get replaced. My wife
called back again and she was told it was hit by
an 18-wheeler while parked at the dealer.

We went to the dealership and looked at the damage
and immediately one of the salesman told us that
they would fix it to make it brand new again and
that it would not de-value the cost and it could
be sold as if it was brand new. We asked him
how can that be since there would be some record
on it since someone will claim it on the insurance
to pay for the damages. He assured us it would
not show up anywhere and can be sold as if it was
brand new.

We asked to talk to the general manager and we
asked for a new vehicle. The GM of sales told us
he would get back with us on our request after
they speak with the company who hit our Pilot.

My question is do we have any legal stance on this
issue? We would like a new vehicle. Is the
salesman correct in that the value of the Pilot
will not go down even after they fix it?

Any suggestions on what angle to take is
appreciated. Currently, we're awaiting their
decision on a new vehicle.

Thanks for your input

qbrozen

YIKES!

well, i don't know about your legal position, but the damage WILL decrease the value. Any appraiser worth his weight will be able to tell the difference. Just go ask some of the dealers and salepeople here on Edmunds. They'll tell you they can spot even the best repairs. So when you go to trade that in 5 years from now, a dealer will say "so, its been damaged an repaired, huh?"

itsmedude

If you had not taken delivery of that vehicle yet then you have every right to refuse it and back out of the deal. Trust me. I did it and then bought it somewhere else. It is Massachusetts state law and I assume it is the same everywhere else. Email me and I can give you a complete story.

But remember, until you sign and drive it away, it is not yours. If this is the case I would not take that vehicle and demand a new one.

nutfan

Does anyone have a problem similar to mine? I hat the Honda towing package installed by the dealer when I bought my 2003 EXL. I don't tow very often but every time I do I blow a fuse. It is not the same fuse every time. I have blown the tail light, break light, and turn signal fuses at different times. The owners manual is almost worthless in identifying blown fuses as many functions are disabled by each of these fuses. One of these fuses actually disables the control that allows the transmission to be taken out of park, thus preventing the car from being driven. Since different fuses blow, I don't think there is a short in the trailer wiring, but I don't know what may be wrong.

Nutfan

01r1

Nutfan-

I've never blown fuses while trailering (three different trailers). Maybe have your dealer double check the wiring harness.

Could it be your trailer's wiring?

toca

Don’t know whether or not it will show up on some report down the road if someone researches your VIN, but if the rear door and panel are replaced with brand new parts, it will look good as new. The only thing I’d worry about is a slight difference in the color of the new parts vs the original body. However, a good auto body shop can make a perfect match.

But I’d try for a new car first. Good luck.

qbrozen

just ask any appraiser worth his salt. It will NEVER be an exact match to factory. NEVER.

toca

"just ask any appraiser worth his salt. It will NEVER be an exact match to factory. NEVER".

Your appraiser worth his salt could probably pick out paint problems on many brand NEW cars sold today with paint mismatches right from the factory - so there aren’t any guarantees. Based on experience I have never had an issue come trade in time with both my cars (door and front panel). And my current Pilot had a rear panel replaced and I can’t tell the difference – and that’s all that matters.

Anyway, an appraiser isn’t an issue with Edgar’s problem. One more thought Edgar, (if you don't get the GM to agree to a new vehicle) you could call one of those vehicle history companies and ask how they get their info and if they report on minor accidents. I checked Carfax’s website and they list the following:

Our reports can reveal:
Totaled in an accident/Salvaged
Flood damage
Odometer rollbacks
Lemon histories
Junked Titles
State emissions inspection results
Lien activity, and/or
Vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)

Again, push for a new Pilot!

qbrozen

yer right that as long as you are happy, its all that matters.

toca

you're probably going to be keeping your new vehicle for a few years - perhaps longer - and by the time you get rid of it it will have encountered more dirt, grime, chips, shopping carts and car-door-dings making that replaced panel/door an after thought.

With all that said, I would still do as Edgar and pursue a new one.

edpedron

Thanks for everyone's input. Fortunately, they
have agreed on getting us a new Pilot after
talking with corporate. I think they are trying
to get some stuff from the company that hit
it also, but in any case we are happy on getting
a new one especially my wife.

dako_tian

You aren't going to replace your wife over this deal too, are you?!? I know these days it seems no one needs an excuse for such things, but this really sounds like a lame reason too me. I mean, she wasn't even driving the van at the time!... ;-)

Sign me,
Purposely silly and clueless in Dallas

sacstate1

Good, I wouldn't take a 'new' car that had been damaged by the semi. How fast was the semi travelling when it impacted the Pilot? Maybe there is unidentifiable damage you or the dealer aren't aware of or will admit.

toyhon1

I've noticed several postings about steering wheel shake occurring at speeds over 65-70mph. This is happening to me, too. Also, the dealer I brought my Pilot to can't figure it out. Has anyone found a resolution to this problem.

Thanks in advance for any help.

mirant, hairong, sdesai6, alethridge all have mentioned the same issue in the Edmunds forum over the past couple of months.

troutbeer

Some believe that vibration problems are associated with the GY Integrity tires. Many tried to have them rebalanced and couldn't due to manufacturing defects. When they changed tires, their problems vanished. Do you have Integrity tires? I have not noticed any problems with my Pilot, but I was lucky and got one that came with Bridgestone Duelers. I'm very happy with them so far. First snow will be the real test though.

Good luck.

Trout

sdesai6

I had the same problem while driving over 70mph.

I took my Pilot to the Honda dealer two separate times and they end up balancing the wheels two times. The problem was not solved. They kept on blaming on the tires (size and GY). I was not satisfied, so I went to another Honda dealer and I end-up going their two times too. They balanced the wheels again. So the second time I went back to the Honda dealer and requested to have the Foreman of the Shop to test drive my Pilot, he then replaced my tires with new tires and rims from another New Pilot, and we test drove the Pilot, it was a lot better. After that I have made a trip and drove over 1k miles and the ride was lot better with no Steering Wheel shake. The Foreman of the Shop was very friendly and helpful. He did say that because I only had 3k miles on my tires it was not a big problem to replace the tires.
I would strongly suggest requesting to replace the tires.

Let us know what happen.

Good Luck

terumi1

I have a Pilot 2004 EX-L. I recently noticed that the Automatic opening feature of the drivers side electronic window opener doesnt work. Switch feels good...but window will only go down while pulling the switch, even though have gone past the notch enabling the auto-down feature.

Anyone else had this problem? Any home fixes? My wife actually likes this! So she isnt going to like taking it back to the dealer for repair! And after reading edpedron's post about his car getting hit by the semi at the dealer, I'm not too anxious to take it back, either!!

01r1

Yes, you can fix that yourself. It's in the owner's manual. Sorry, I don't have mine in front of me or I'd relay the info. It happens anytime the battery is disconnected, was yours? If it was, you'll need to perform the Idle Learn Procedure too.

If it's never worked, take it back to the dealer and make them perform the PDI that you payed for and they never did.

Good Luck!

qbrozen

01r1 is right, its in the manual. i also forget the exact procedure. Its something like go all the way down, then all the way up and hold the switch for 10 more seconds (the only thing i'm hazy on is how long you hold it for - might be 30 seconds or something).

terumi1

Thank You 01r1! That sounds good to me! I am in Bolivia right now (business), but will look at the owners manual to fix this.

I do think the battery has been disconnected. When I bought the car about 3 weeks ago, I had to return it to the shop about 2 weeks later to get the accessories put on. Part of those accessories I bought were fog lights. They might have disconnected the battery for that. And it was after I received the car back that the switch didnt work. It did work previously, so I am assuming they did their PDI inspection on initial delivery.

But, as I dont have the manual in front of me (love the car, but just hate carrying those manuals around with me <grin>), would there be any other functions that wouldnt work if they had disconnected the battery? The radio presets...for example? But thinking about it, I think I programmed those for my wife after I got the car back from the accessory additions anyway. So cant use that as a gauge. Im assuming this Idle Learn Procedure will cover all that anyway.

As a side note....I also got running boards installed. I was just looking at an aftermarket web page for genuine honda parts and noticed the chrome running boards. Wow...very nice. I wish I would have thought of doing that to begin with! Really jazzed up the look of the conservative Pilot. I put the black running boards on and they do add a nice line. But I think the chrome ones would have been a much smarter look. Oh well.

www.handa-accessories.com

I did go ahead and order the chrome exhaust tips and wheel locks. So lets see how this company, handa-accessories, does.

Looking forward to the Idle Learn Procedure in the manual! Should be interesting!

Thanks again!

01r1

While the Auto window up procedure is in the owner's manual, the Idle Learn is not. Here's a link to the PDI Service Bulletin, in which you'll find the Window Auto Up and Idle Learn procedures.

http://www.eferdie.com/Pilot/pdi.pdf

Have fun in Bolivia!
-Pete

terumi1

Thanks Pete, I'll check it out.

itsmedude

Mine worked perfectly after leaving dealership. Then 3 weeks later it stopped working. Power windows still worked but not the auto one touch. Made appointment with dealer but 2 days after it stared working again. Battery was never disconnected. Called and cancelled with dealer.

itsmedude

did that attachment I sent worked for you as far as removing the warning screen. It is so easy and I have burned over 15 movies for the kids on DVD+R and without the warning it works awesome.

itsmedude

Mine worked perfectly after leaving dealership. Then 3 weeks later it stopped working. Power windows still worked but not the auto one touch. Made appointment with dealer but 2 days after it stared working again. Battery was never disconnected. Called and cancelled with dealer.

01r1

Yes, thanks for that info. I haven't tried it yet since I'm in the middle of packing for a move. Somehow all the blanks got packed ahead of the rest of the computer equipment. I will try it once I get unpacked in the new house.

Thanks,
Pete

terumi1

Thank you, 01r1, for the Idle Learn Program. On returning home, I did it for the Window Auto up/down. It worked perfect.

Thanks!

wardair

I own an '03 pilot and the only negative about the vehicle is the fact that the second row of seats can only be set in one postion. I understand that this has now been changed on the '04's. Has anyone investigated whether the 03 second row seats can be replaced with the 04's and if so, what it costs to do so?

dgi007

rec. my pilot last week ,I read about front seat comfort it is true head rest is useless you can not adjust it and head can not rest on it like accord or civic. noise in the cabin . bad good year int. tires. when you push seat belt button it hits the pillar and makes marks on the pillar. any one has a way to stop it?

terumi1

Your message was difficult to understand.

To respond to what I think you said,

you can adjust the front seat headrests. Buttons are on either post at the base. You can raise the headrests while pushing these buttons.

Would recommend not just pressing the seatbelt button and letting the seat belt mechanism fly. It will hit the pillar and leave marks over time. Just give it a helping hand to guide it for maybe six inches, and it will not build up the speed to allow it to bounce off the pillar.

toca

terumi1, don't disagree with your solution as it does minimize the blemishes - but most people won't do it consistently, imo. Of the many vehicles I have owned, this is the first one where the seat belt puts nicks into the pillars once it is released from its buckle. Owners essentially have to change their behavior over a very sensitive piece of plastic.

terumi1

I know what you mean, toca. But nothing else is to be done about it. Unless you go in and change the spring of the intertial reel that is housed in the seatbealt mechanism. Which is a big no.

So I think people have to change their behavior. Not the best fix, but I dont know what else can be done.

toca

I don't think the belt retraction is any different than other manfacturers, but I just don't think the plastic quality on the pillar is "up to snuff". I've got a 6 year old Subaru and couldn't find a scratch on its pillar. I actually complained to my dealer about this early on and without thinking about it, they replaced the drivers side pillar under warranty. Being extra careful has helped since the replacement, but there are still noticable dings. I'm sure Honda is aware and perhaps will do something about it in the future - although too late for the '03 / '04 crowd.

isellhondas

Your message was, indeed hard to understand.

Terumi has the right idea. I'm sorry, but some people are just hard on their cars and this is a good example of this.

I cringe whenever people SLAM car doors. There is no reason to do this. Enough slamming and parts will loosten up. A gentle touch works wonders.

It's amazing...some of our trade-ins come in with over 100,000 miles and they look like new, inside and out. Other cars are trashed in half those miles.

skoonj

Recently experiencing a hard time starting the engine on cold mornings. On some occasions, it takes 4 to 5 tries and pressing down on the accelerator. Anyone have any insight into why this may be occurring? Also to note- had the last oil change done at a quick lube shop where they installed another brand oil filter. I recall someone posting up a comment advising to use genuine Honda filters because they have a "check valve". Is this true and would a generic filter be causing these starting problems?

toca

removing ones seatbelt isn't quite the same as slamming a door. Unless a person turns around and throws the seatbelt assembly back towards the retractor, I find it difficult to categorize any type of seatbelt removal as abuse. Bottom line here is the coating on the B-Pillar is to soft and susceptible to being easily scratched. Never happened with all the previous vehicles I&#146;ve owned and I&#146;m not aware of any other newer vehicles that currently experience this issue.

dako_tian

skoonj: I answered you in the regular Honda Pilot topic.

In the Odysseys folks discovered that the dash material was actually painted-over plastic. Could that be the situation with the pillars? It would seem to make marks much more likely to show than on a molded-in-all-the-way-trough-color plastic....

dgi007

I think if there is a clip or extra loop on the belt between retractor and seatbelt buckle which will stop the belt before it hits the pillar could help.

amici45

I just have my Pilot for 2 weeks and , surprise, I have a mechanical problem.
Anyone experience a "clicking" noise from the rear of the vehicle, after break, full, or partial stop, a second, the a click, or moving part, from the rear. Anyone can help? Thank you.
My Honda servive give me 1st appointment to inspect the car in 3 weeks from now. Wow... What a welcome news from Honda.....

qbrozen

I don't want to sound difficult, but could you explain your problem a little clearer? I'm not following you. Is it a constant noise? Or do you just hear it once the first time you brake? I'm having great difficulty reading your description. It sounds like maybe you are saying that you hear a clicking noise after you brake, then there is a second-long pause, then a click?? Am I getting this right?