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EnginePart report

2003 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
3%of 720 total for the year
Median mileage
145,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 3% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 145,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have read on this website and on others that there has been a problem with the engine mounts breaking. I brought my car in for service and, sure enough, my engine mount has broken. The car has never been in an accident and is driven on smooth roads daily. This is a danger to the safety of the driver and passengers in the car. This is a common problem and needs to be recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #10508837, filed 2013-04, 175,000 miles

“In the morning, on january 27, I had my 2 year old and 4 year old in the vehicle and I was driving my son to school. Less than a mile from home, going between 30-35mph, I tapped the brakes as I approached a bend in the road and after a brief initial pause (as you would expect), the car suddenly started rapidly accelerating - I started pressing the brakes to no avail - vehicle did not slow down - at this point I was in the curve and was unable to keep the vehicle on the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10840023, filed 2016-03, 161,000 miles

“The key had trouble turning in the ignition. It got worse over time. Eventually the key wont turn at all. Looked up online and saw many complaints of the same problem with the same model and make of our vehicle. Had it fixed in 2011 and it cost over $500. Now in may of 2013 it's happening again. Sometimes it takes over 10 minutes to get the car started with trying to turn the key over and over again which I'm sure it's just making it worse and worse.”

NHTSA complaint #10512784, filed 2013-05, 100,000 miles

“The Pilot shudders going at slower rates of speed at pretty regular instances. My mechanic informed me that the torque converter, possibly the whole transmission needs to be replaced. I was also informed that this is a very common problem with 2003 Honda pilots.”

NHTSA complaint #10466489, filed 2012-07, 130,000 miles

“I also had both my front and side engine mounts go bad and I had to fix the problem I paid $934.00. I have 3 children that sit in this vehicle at all times so if I know that there is an issue especially with the mounts that hold my engine I have to fix it went to my local Honda dealer dealt with the recalls that came up and had them service the transmission fluid since it was there. I am sure that I got robbed but, what can I do have to keep my kids safe. …”

NHTSA complaint #10513026, filed 2013-05, 59,286 miles

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202614%
20253315%
2024119%
2023139%
20223621%
202111225%
202010121%
201924026%
201815736%
201747651%
201677845%
20152220%
20143127%
20137929%
20123520%
20113111%
20102825%
20093526%
2008108%
2007147%
2006228%
2005487%
2004224%
2003253%

Other parts of the 2003 Honda Pilot

Transmission and drivetrain
224 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsAir bags
115 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsSeats
40 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsSteering
32 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Honda Pilot

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology