A Honda Pilot should last between 250,0000 and 300,000 miles if it is used sensibly and maintained on a regular basis. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles each year, as the majority of Americans do, it translates to 16 to 20 years of dependable service.
In This Article...
What is the Honda Pilot’s main issue?
The transmission breakdown issue is likely the most significant of all the issues Honda Pilots encounter. Fortunately, this issue mostly affects the 2003 model. Other Pilot models have seen a few rare transmission failure incidences, though.
What Honda Pilot model year is the best to buy?
Overall, we believe that the second generation vehicles from 2009 to 2015 are the greatest deal. They provide greater space than the first-generation aircraft, but won’t cost as much as the third-generation Pilot, which is a relatively recent model.
When did Honda Pilots begin experiencing transmission issues?
We don’t expect you to go out into the wilderness and try to buy an automobile that is over 20 years old. However, you might find one if you’re looking for a cheap used Honda Pilot. We’re here to advise you not to purchase it under any circumstances. This is by far the worst model year Pilot has ever produced. Users of the NHTSA and Car Complaints have encountered a lot of issues since 2003.
Users have specifically reported issues with the drivetrain, electrical, engine, and airbags. There are a lot more difficulties mentioned, but these are the biggest and most expensive. For instance, the NHTSA received reports of 105 gearbox issues, 123 electrical issues, and 112 drivetrain issues. It’s far simpler to avoid this paradigm given how frequently serious, expensive to fix problems like this occur. If you see a 2003 Pilot laying around, do not purchase it.
Furthermore, same issues reappeared for the 2005 model year a few years later. This one is still best to avoid even though they don’t happen as frequently as the 2003 model did. Even if this is a different model year, we wouldn’t anticipate anyone to be purchasing at the moment.
Is a Honda Pilot purchase worthwhile?
The Honda Pilot is a solid midsize SUV, that much is true. With three rows of comfortable seats, a sizable load area, and a high-quality cabin, it succeeds on almost all counts. Thanks to a strong base V6 engine and a good balance of handling ability and ride comfort, driving it is also not boring.
What does a Honda Pilot have high mileage?
Any car or SUV lasting 200,000 miles, much less 300,000, can be challenging to envision. Only 1% of all vehicles exceed 200k miles, 9% of SUVs do, and only 0.3% of all vehicles reach 300k, according to the most recent dependability study from iSeeCars. Despite not making the 300k list, the Pilot came in at number eleven on the list most durable SUVs.
There are outliers and reports that defy the statistics, as there are in most things in life. There is a question and answer section on the website Vehicle History where users can, you guessed it, ask questions and get answers from other users. One such question is “How long do Honda Pilots last?” and the 44 responses range from the low 100,000s to the mid 300,000s.
A 2008 Pilot owner claims to have driven it everyday for 372,000 miles, and a 2004 Pilot owner claims to have driven it every day for 346,000 miles or more.
In fact, the majority of posters who had fewer than 200k miles on their Pilot had only recently bought it, and they all claimed it was still in good shape.
Do the 2003 Honda Pilot’s transmission issues still exist?
Over the years, the 2003 Honda Pilot has received thousands of complaints. The majority of grievances for this model revolve on ignition and gearbox issues. However, there have also been a number of grievances filed regarding the drivetrain, seatbelts, and electrical system.
Many drivers claim that 2003 Pilots with 100,000 miles or more start to have ignition switch issues. When drivers put their keys in their cars and start the ignition, the car no longer turns on. Replace the complete ignition as part of the repair, which might cost $500. That fix is reasonably pricey for an older car.
However, a more serious and expensive issue with 2003 Honda Pilots is transmission failure. After 100,000 miles, the 2003 Honda Pilot transmission seems to fail, costing owners upwards of $3,000 to replace it.
The typical 2003 Honda Pilot is worth between $2,500 and $3,000, so attempting to correct a serious gearbox issue could be a massive financial waste. In these circumstances, selling your damaged car can be preferable to attempting to fix it.
Honda Pilot gearboxes are they dependable?
The 2003 model was the first Pilot to hit the market, and it was prone to certain transmission problems. Many Honda Pilot owners have complained about transmission issues, and these complaints were for a breakdown of the transmission.
An automatic transmission replacement would cost $3000 to fix this issue. Due to issues with this transmission, 1.1 million Honda Pilots were recalled in 2004.
According to reports, there was a gear failure that might have caused a transmission lockup. This transmission failure had the potential to cause the car to crash severely.
In order to enhance the lubrication of the affected transmission gears, all of the recalled cars received an improved oil cooling capability.
An issue with some of the gears overheating was the root cause of the issue. The transmission would have been irreversibly ruined if the issue had not been fixed in a timely manner.
As we previously mentioned, the transmission needs to be changed and the repairs cost about $3,000. Therefore, if you’re shopping for a Honda Pilot, you should search for one that has been well-maintained and has had its transmission updated.
You’ll get stuck in an everlasting money pit if you choose one with a defective transmission. The cost of the repairs will exceed the car’s actual value. That is definitely not what you desire. Your best chance will be to avoid the 2003 model for this reason. Alternatively, seek for a situation when the transmission was changed.
Because no amount of transmission cooling improvement can ensure that the transmission will remain stable.
Honda Pilots are dependable cars, right?
Breakdown of the Honda Pilot’s reliability rating. The Honda Pilot has a 3.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, which places it 13th out of 26 midsize SUVs. It has cheaper ownership costs than the national average due to the $542 average annual repair cost.
Do Honda Pilots have issues with their transmissions?
One of the most popular Honda models sold in the US is the Pilot. However, class action lawsuits involving the Honda Pilot and other Honda vehicles have been filed, alleging that its gearboxes have a history of recurring flaws such violent shaking, acceleration issues, stalling, lurching, gear changing problems, and transmission failure.
The torque converters in some afflicted Honda car owners’ cars are reportedly defective, and some owners have even experienced torque converter clutches locking up.
We have gathered a sample of complaints sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to give you an idea of the problems some Honda Pilot SUVs are having.
Please be aware that the Honda Pilot SUV complaints have been modified for clarity and language.
which is more trustworthy Toyota Highlander or a Honda Pilot?
The information above makes it evident that the Toyota Highlander outperforms the Honda Pilot in every category, including safety features and fuel efficiency. The Highlander is a much better choice if you’re searching for a three-row SUV that is incredibly dependable in this situation.
Are Honda Pilots fuel-efficient?
Although buyers in the SUV industry have a lot of options these days, the Honda Pilot has been a standout choice for 20 years running.
For a full-size SUV, the Honda Pilot gets fairly good gas mileage. As a result, a brand-new Honda Pilot should have a maximum fuel efficiency of 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the interstate, or 23 mpg overall. If you choose the FWD model over the AWD, you might perform marginally better.
Although an SUV won’t ever match the fuel efficiency of a compact car or hatchback, they are incomparably more convenient if you have a family or lead an active lifestyle.
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Honda Pilot is it 4WD or AWD?
But if you’re like the majority of SUV aficionados in the Culver City area, you might be asking, “Does the Honda Pilot have AWD? Two-wheel drive is standard on the Honda Pilot, but you can upgrade to the Intelligent Variable Torque ManagementTM All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System, which offers improved traction and
How much does a Honda Pilot transmission replacement cost?
Depending on the car, a brand-new Honda Pilot transmission could cost over $3,500, yet basic transmission maintenance like fluid changes and fluid flushes can sometimes be had for less than $150.
How far can a Honda Pilot travel?
Owners of Honda Pilot vehicles have grown to enjoy and value each and every one of the characteristics we just listed over the past 20 years. But the durability attached to Honda Pilots is what people have grown to love and value above all else.
Honda Pilots often have a lifespan of more than 200,000 km. In fact, there are entire message forums on the internet where Honda Pilot owners boast about their vehicles’ 200,000-mile milestones.
And, dare I say it, that’s just the beginning! Many Honda Pilot owners have likewise logged well over 300,000 miles on their vehicles. It’s a major factor in why so many individuals have started to think about purchasing a used Honda Pilot.
Honda Pilots: Are they comfortable?
The Pilot is swift, sophisticated, and comfy, but it’s not exactly fun to drive.
It is a very practical car because to its three rows of seating, spacious interior, and plenty of storage space.
The infotainment system’s touch screen is difficult to reach and responds slowly to touch inputs, making it difficult to use.
Are the Honda Pilot’s seats cozy?
The 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the top eight-seat SUVs, earning a score of 8.4 out of 10. The Pilot has a high-quality interior and offers roomy, comfy seats. In case somebody wishes to bring two drinks, it also has 15 cupholders.
The Pilot’s luxurious interior materials give off a posh, almost expensive vibe. It also has a ton of driver assistance features and technology, which appeals to every driver. The pricing is even more encouraging. With a starting price of just $32,250, the 2021 Honda Pilot is one of the more reasonably priced eight-seaters.
The Honda Pilot was released when?
The Pilot of the first generation went on sale as a 2003 model in April 2002. The Acura MDX and Odyssey minivan for the North American market both use the same platform as the Honda Pilot.