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Honda Pilot 2003

The 2003 Honda Pilot has a 3.5 L engine. It gets 17 MPG combined (15 city, 21 highway), per the EPA. 14 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD AWD
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Honda Pilot
Representative photo of the Pilot. It may show a different year or version. Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,500 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 5 speeds
DrivetrainAWD
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,780 × 1,960 × 1,790 mm (188.2 × 77.2 × 70.5 in)
Wheelbase2,690 mm (105.9 in)
Curb weight2,007 kg (4,425 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

Dimensions and weight: Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC).

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Honda Pilot 4-DR. w/SAB
🇺🇸 Local data
Rollover★★★★★

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
15 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Emissions
325 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

14 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 19V499000 · 2019-06-27 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 19V501000 · 2019-06-27 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 19V182000 · 2019-03-06 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 18V268000 · 2018-04-26 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 16V344000 · 2016-05-23 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 15V370000 · 2015-06-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE 15V320000 · 2015-05-28 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

AIR BAGS 14V700000 · 2014-11-04 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

AIR BAGS 14V353000 · 2014-06-20 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH 12V573000 · 2012-12-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH 12V136000 · 2012-03-30 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL BE NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK 08E013000 · 2008-02-05 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 04V176000 · 2004-04-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE 02V226000 · 2002-08-28 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

7 campaigns🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Airbag 2019323 · 2019-06-28 · Transport Canada
Details

Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Note: This is a new recall campaign that includes vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced under a previous recall or had a replacement airbag installed. The previous recall provided an interim (short-term) repair. Interim repair parts must be replaced with the final repair parts provided in this recall. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver and/or passenger-front airbag inflator. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Airbag 2019117 · 2019-03-07 · Transport Canada
Details

Issue: On certain vehicles, there could be a problem with the driver-front airbag inflator. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, pieces could be propelled toward the occupants. This could also cause damage to the airbag assembly and prevent it from inflating properly. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles that had a Takata airbag inflator installed during a previous airbag recall or collision repair. Safety Risk: In a crash where the airbag deploys, there could be an increased risk of injury. Corrective Action: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the driver-front airbag inflator replaced.

Airbag 2015225 · 2015-05-27 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Note: This recall supersedes special service campaign 2014567. Correction: Dealers will inspect/replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator. All vehicles having received a replacement inflator as part of any previous driver's inflator campaign will have a replacement inflator installed. Note: Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844

Airbag 2014567 · 2014-12-15 · Transport Canada
Details

Honda Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Campaign concerning the driver's airbag inflator on certain vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. Honda will replace the driver's inflator on affected vehicles. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Note: This special service campaign was replaced by recall 2015225. Please see recall 2015225 for more information: <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2015225">Click here for more information</a>

Airbag 2014242 · 2014-06-20 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the passenger airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger airbag inflator. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 2013111. Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844

Powertrain 2012415 · 2012-12-10 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, the ignition interlock blocking mechanism could become damaged if excessive force is applied to the ignition key. If this occurs, it may become possible for the driver to remove the ignition key when the gear selector is in a position other than the Park position. This could allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash causing personal injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install an updated ignition interlock lever and replace the ignition lock cylinder if necessary.

Powertrain 2004143 · 2004-04-23 · Transport Canada
Details

Certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or, in very rare cases, gear breakage can occur. Gear failure could result in transmission lock-up. Correction: On vehicles with 24 000 kms or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to second gear. On vehicles with more than 24 000 kms, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discolouration exists, the transmission will be replaced. If discolouration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2026-04-21 · NHTSA

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Honda Pilot. While having an oil change performed, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 138,000, and at the time of service, it was discovered that the mileage was 217,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2026-01-14 · NHTSA

I am the original owner of my 2003 Honda pilot and had to replace the front driver side door actuator years ago. Now all the remaining 3 doors need to have the door actuators replaced. If you're outside the car you cannot open the door. Using the key remote or putting the key into the front door keyhole will NOT unloc…

POWER TRAIN 2025-09-12 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle violently jolted forward with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The failure had occurred while driving on a…

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 2025-08-25 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2025-06-19 · NHTSA

Reporting an important safety issue I experienced due to random engine stalling on my 2003 Honda Pilot, typically after driving for a few minutes. The engine would crank for several seconds or sometimes start immediately after stalling, but no diagnostic trouble codes were ever stored. The vehicle had stable fuel trim…

STEERING 2025-05-23 · NHTSA

the power steering losses fluid the steering is hard to turn and makes noise and the fluid gets on an area that gets hot i have not had an accident yet

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2025-02-20 · NHTSA

Water leaked into front floors of vehicle soaking the carpet and the fuse panels in the floor. Yes it is available. Fuse boxes had standing water building up behind them slowly dumping water into them causing shorts in electrical system which could have caused the car to catch on fire. Yes the problem has been confi…

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2024-08-15 · NHTSA

Transmission, overheating, loss of oil, loss of gears when driving,

STEERING,SUSPENSION,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2023-11-14 · NHTSA

severe erosion of my undecarriage, metal just falls off from under the car. My fuel tank leaks and gas pours out. It has been deemed unsafe to drive by my Honda dealer, but has a good engine and other parts. It has been severely impacted by rust and erosion. The previous owner was a resident of Chicago, where salt…

AIR BAGS 2023-08-16 · NHTSA

SRS airbag light stays on.

SUSPENSION 2023-07-30 · NHTSA

My 2003 Honda pilot rear subframe suspension is rusting and causing control issues. This is a common problem on the 2003-2008 Honda Pilots. In Honda TSB 21-019 Honda states " The subframe mounts may pull away from the body of the vehicle (see images below), but extensive testing has concluded that vehicle stability …

POWER TRAIN 2023-07-25 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, the vehicle rolled out of the garage and crashed into the neighbor's home. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was …

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Honda Pilot have?
The 2003 Honda Pilot has a 3.5 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Honda Pilot?
It gets 17 MPG combined (15 city, 21 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Honda Pilot have recalls?
14 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Air Bags (2019-06-27).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Honda Pilot?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Air Bags.

Other years

Which Honda Pilot year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Honda

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