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.
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.
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.
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.
Key Points
- The Honda Pilot is a dependable and reasonably priced SUV that, while not the most thrilling car on the road, should satisfy the ordinary driver for a decade or more of devoted service and can easily travel over 150,000 miles with proper maintenance.
- In a recent survey of the cars most likely to travel 200,000 miles, the Honda brand came in second. Although the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the same platform as the Pilot, was listed in the study’s list of 16 cars projected to reach that mileage milestone, the Pilot was not.
- The average annual repair cost for more recent Pilots is $542, which is less expensive than the Ford Explorer’s average annual repair cost of $732.
- Less than 100 complaints on vehicles from 2014 and later indicate that the Pilot has been a reliable vehicle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The Pilot’s track record of dependability has one flaw: In 2013, a class action lawsuit involving an engine problem impacting more than 1.6 million automobiles was resolved. The 3.5-liter V6 engine used in 2009–2013 Pilots may malfunction or burn excessive amounts of oil, according to the lawsuit.
Do all 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.
Are Honda Pilot vehicles dependable?
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.
What Honda Pilot model is the best-of-the-best?
The top-of-the-line Black Edition trim is brand-new for the Honda Pilot lineup for 2020. Based on the Elite trim but featuring unique exterior and interior aesthetic upgrades to set it apart from the competition.
Is Honda Pilot upkeep expensive?
During its first ten years of use, a Honda Pilot will require roughly $7,373 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $1,760 less than the industry average for popular SUV models. Additionally, there is a 21.05% likelihood that a Pilot will need a significant repair within that time. Compared to similar vehicles in this sector, this is 0.45% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Do 2016 Honda Pilots have issues with the transmission?
Although the 2016 Honda Pilot experienced numerous transmission problems, things could have been worse. Although it received a “Beware of the Clunker award” from Car Complaints, the Pilot has had more unstable model years.
For instance, according to Car Complaints, the Pilot had a lot of problems when it was originally released in 2003. In fact, according to Car Complaints, the 2003 Pilot is remains the SUV’s worst model year.
On Car Complaints, the 2005 Pilot had the second-most complaints, and the 2016 Pilot is in third place. Therefore, even if the 2016 Pilot has a fair share of issues, there are worse Pilot model years available. However, it’s interesting to note that both the 2005 Pilot and the 2003 Pilot experienced several gearbox issues.
For instance, transmission failures in the 2003 Pilot and transmission fluid leaks in the 2005 Pilot are two of the Pilot’s greatest issues, according to Car Complaints. Both of those issues, which cost thousands of dollars to correct, occurred on Pilots with more than 120,000 miles on them.
What issues is the 2016 Honda Pilot experiencing?
Leading 2016 Honda Pilot issues
- When braking, warped front brake rotors could vibrate.
- When you open the door, the map light does not come on.
- Rear blower won’t operate if power resistor fails.
- Difficulty starting and rough running have the check engine light on.
- Engine Stalls or Has Erratic Engine Idle Speed.
The 2015 Pilot is trustworthy.
How Dependable Is the Honda Pilot 2015? J.D. Power gives the 2015 Pilot a reliability rating of three out of five. That is approximately normal for the industry but slightly below average for the class.
What distinguishes the Honda Pilot EXL from the EX?
Additional variations between the Honda Pilot EX and EX-L The following features are either standard or offered on the EX-L but are not on the EX: seats with leather trim. system for advanced rear entertainment. electric tailgate
Does the Honda Pilot ride smoothly?
The Honda Pilot is a smooth-riding, roomy vehicle with plenty of power and good fuel efficiency. Additionally, you get a ton of features, a functional cargo compartment, and clever inside storage. One of the most complete three-row SUVs available is this Honda.