Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I have 1997 Geo Prizm with 85000 miles on it and I never had to try more than once to start it even in harsh winters.
First of all, I LOVE my Pilot. Much more than I thought I would. I love the way it drives. Very quick and nimble. Also, I've really learned to appreciate the simplicity of the instrumentation layout and roominess of the interior.
I've had my Pilot about 4 months and have about 5000 miles on her, all trouble-free until a few days ago when we began experiencing some extended below freezing weather here in the Boston area.
Sometimes I park my Pilot outside overnight. The last two mornings when it's been parked outside overnight, the Pilot started without problem, but then the gas pedal is totally non-responsive in terms of giving gas to the car. I push on the gas pedal, the pedal depresses, but no gas is getting to the engine. The gas pedal is like this until I let the car warm up for a period of time.
My driveway is sort of steep. The first time this happened, I started the Pilot, put it in Reverse and backed down into the street (not realizing that gravity was causing the car to move, not the gas pedal). I then put it in Drive and pushed on the gas pedal. Nothing happened. I pushed again. Nothing. Fortunately, no cars were coming down the road, as I sat helplessly in the middle of the road for a few minutes until the gas pedal became responsive (normal). Kinda scary.
Anyway, anyone else experience this non-responsive gas pedal, especially folks in very cold climates ? I wonder if this is somehow related to the starting problems other folks are having ?
I'll be calling my dealer tomorrow. I'll let you know what they say.
-stuartc
Boston, MA
I called my dealer and spoke with a service rep. He had not heard of this problem. Since I can't reproduce it, he suggested that I bring it in if I have the problem again and they will try to reproduce it. Makes sense to me.
I did not encounter any starting problems. From what I understand for all fuel injection engines when you turn the key to III position before starter kick over you can hear the fuel injector humming for about 2-3 second. You should wait until the injector start working before you start the engine. This holds true with my other cars, and with the temperature holding around 9 to 12 degreed in Michigan, I have no problem starting any of my vehicles. Give that a try I hope this help.
Good Piloting
For me it's random and sometimes takes 3 tries before it kicks over. I called Honda America and filed a complaint. Everyone who is experiencing this problem should also do so. (They say never buy the Company's first year's model. There will always be kinks to take out.)
I've owned 3 Honda's since 1986 and never had a problem.
Interesting today, my auto driver's window would only work manually. I was able to reset it with no problem. The manual says the reason for resetting this would be only if the battery is disconnected or goes dead, or the driver's window fuse is removed. Could this start up problem be and electrical defect?
I'll let you know what the dealer says after they look at the car.
Again, I will also report it to Honda America.
Let us know how you do. Maybe we will get this problem resolved.
The small issues I have are:
1. There is a noice coming from the cushioning just above the driver's side pillar...right next to my left ear when I'm driving. On roads that are not completely smooth it seems to "squeek" all the time. I do not like noise like that...that's why I sold my Tahoe and went to the Pilot.
2. There are times when the driver's side windshield washer fluid squirter lets out some fluid on the hood for no reason. It's not from accidentally grabbing the washer handle instead of the gear shifter, it happens when I'm cruising down the road.
3. The window button on the driver's door that operates the front passenger's window will stick in the "up" position from time to time when rolling that window up. If I don't pay attention it could stick and the motor would continue to run until I shut the vehicle off and open the door.
I'm a little concerned about the pulley recall. I have lived with the other little things, but will be calling my dearer today to get scheduled to have my pulled replaced. I have no idea why I have not received a notice from Honda about this.
Can someone please direct me to an authoritative source of information about this "recall" so that I can can check out the details.
Thanks
I was told after giving my vin # to a customer service rep. that the problem does not exist in every pilot. He suggested I register on ownerlink on the Honda website. This way, if there are any recalls I will be notified quicker through the e-mail rather than through regular mail.
If you have not purchased one. I would definately recommend waiting until the 2004 model comes out. You don't want to waste your time taking your Pilot back and forth to the dealership to get the problems fixed.
Wait until Honda takes the kinks out.
The starting problem. It would fail to start on the first try. I never did smell gas like some here. I did notice however that the green key light would flash. I read the manual and discovered that if I take the key out and reinsert it the car starts fine. It has to do with the chip in the key...if you put the key in too fast and turn it, the chip in the steering column sometimes won't recognize the key. Try it and let us know if it works for you!
I did find the seats uncomfortable at first, with pressure under my legs. I found that if I tilted the seat bottom forward, I felt better. Now, I am very used to it, and feel comfortable all the time (until of course my wife drives it and changes my settings!).
The hard shift problem. I'm not convinced this is a problem. I have had Hondas in the past and they all seem to shift a bit hard compared to other cars I have owned. I read something in an Accord manual that said not to worry about it and that it was normal. My Pilot seemed to have this condition at first, but either it went away with time (I have 7000 miles now) or I'm used to it.
There is one other problem I have noticed...not a big deal but one I will have the dealer look at when I have to bring it in for something else. The front seats sometimes don't feel as if they're locked in place. There seems to be a bit of play. Anyone else notice this?
Other than these items, I have had no problems. I love the way it handles and rides. I love the room for my five kids. I love the visibility. I love the quiet. I love the mileage for its size and weight (I'm getting a solid 21 in town). I love the fit and finish. I'm a very satisfied customer overall and would highly recommend it.
Last week, it was very cold in NY. When I hit my remote the second time upon exit (when you hear the horn honk to ensure the car is locked), the alarm started going off. It hasn't happened again, though. No other problems.
I know that you don't have to hit the lock button twice for the alarm to engage, but I was at a mall and pressed it twice just to be safe. Unnecessarily hitting the lock button a second time can drain the remote battery.
Did you try a new battery for the remote?
Angie
Once you have done this, plug in the opener, hit the 'learn' button and it should begin flashing. When you press your homelink button the learn light should "go solid" (stop blinking, but be on) and then press the homelink button again and the learn light should turn off. It should now be ready to go. Once propgrammed, you seem have to press the homelink button rather firmly to get it to work, but it will. Good luck.
Also agree with msgolf's programming tips. If you don't deviate from the manuals step by step instructions, you should be able to get homelink to work successfully - at least with the rolling code systems.
Honda does recommend all electrical accessories be turned off before a cold start. Is it possible that is causing a problem (I have been leaving the climate contol system on)? I tried the key removal and reinsert trick - did not seem to help. I usually do step on the brake pedal as recommended - also seems to make no difference.
Something is not right - but I am willing to live with it for now. I am just concerned if we get a cold snap the thing will not start - but it seems like the 30-40 degree range is worse than colder temps from what I have read on various forums. That would point to some type of computer issue.
If Honda does issue a TSB on this please advise - I will be all over the dealer at the first schedule maintenance to fix this (unless it gets worse - then it goes back immediately). I actually threw my keys at a Ford Service Tech once when they messed up a repair. Honda does not want to piss me off!
Jim
- no accessories on
- waiting several seconds after inserting the key
- steeping on the brake pedal when cranking over the engine
Seems to have solved the starting issue. I guess the only weird one to me is the brake. The car will start without the brake being pressed, but fires up the first try when cold with the brake on. On a manual tranny - the clutch has to be pressed in or the starter will not engage. Why does Honda let the car turn over but do something in the 'puter to prevent starting. I guess I am wondering the logic that went into how they applied this.
Jim