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SeatsPart report

2003 Honda Pilot Seats Problems

Complaints
40about this part
Share
6%of 720 total for the year
Median mileage
95,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 40 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 6% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,500 miles. 4 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.

“During normal acceleration from stop I felt my driver's side seat snap and give allowing my body to lean back and to the right. Visual inspection under seat show fatigued metal bracket at forward outbound position of seat base/bracket just above rails. I would assume integrity/safety of seat is compromised. I also believe that this should not happen during normal acceleration/use.”

NHTSA complaint #10551656, filed 2013-11, 137,200 miles

“Plastic panel housing drivers seat adjustment controls has become detached from the seat of my 2003 Honda Pilot. The screw that held it in place is still there but the plastic paneling being held by the screw has broken away from the panel. This happened in the first year that we owned it. Tried to get it fixed. Told by dealership there was no problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10349910, filed 2010-08, 2,000 miles

“The driver's seat on my 2003 Honda Pilot has broken away from the frame or bracket in the front and right side. The seat rocks precariously when I drive or accelerate. This is certainly a safety hazard, and I'm wondering if this is a frequently reported problem, and whether Honda has an obligation to fix it. Thanks.”

NHTSA complaint #10348948, filed 2010-08, 145,000 miles

“I picked up my grandchildren from school which is less than a mile away. When I pulled out of the parking lot after a stop, I felt the back of the seat go back. My husband took the car to a place where we have our oil changed and tires rotated. The mechanic said that the support mount bracket for the driver's seat is broken. There could have been severe to fatal injury had I been hit by another vehicle while this was going on. I had to cross route 83 in bensenville/wood dale area in illinois.”

NHTSA complaint #10632941, filed 2014-09, 150,197 miles

“I was rear ended while stopped at a traffic light in maryland. There was minor damage to the rear exterior of my vehicle. The main damage was to my neck which received a serious strain and has hurt ever since the accident. Because the headrests on the Pilot are not adjustable, the back of my head was several inches away from the headrest when I was struck from behind. This is a faulty design and needs to be fixed or replaced by Honda. It is impossible to avoid whiplash injury in this car if one is hit from the rear.”

NHTSA complaint #10663412, filed 2014-12, 160,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202614%
202521%
202411%
2023107%
202161%
202031%
201930%
201861%
201730%
201680%
201522%
201373%
201221%
201172%
200975%
200886%
2007168%
2006124%
2005223%
20048516%
2003406%

Other parts of the 2003 Honda Pilot

Transmission and drivetrain
224 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsAir bags
115 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsEngine cooling
37 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsSteering
32 complaintsSuspension
32 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsEngine
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 29, 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