2003 Honda Pilot Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 7%of 720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 121,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 7% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,500 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Rear subframe mounts completely rusted out. Subframe sitting on exhaust. Just had Pilot at dealership for oil change and inspection and they did not even mention the issue to me, guess they didn't inspect it very well. Found on my own after driving home and hearing noises coming from the rear end. Thankfully the exhaust did not break from the weight of the subframe or the whole rear end would have fallen down.”
NHTSA complaint #11121502, filed 2018-08, 279,000 miles“Honda Pilot '03 started leaking water into the front cabin after the rains. The floor gets wet and the water needs to be vacuumed out after the rain. Not sure what else is being affected because of this water leak.. I already see rust showing up and mold smell coming out because of the water leak. I called in northamerican Honda and lodged a complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10546736, filed 2013-10, 136,000 miles“While on my wayback on i95 from richmond, va to silver spring maryland, I suddenly heard a noise from my back window and I saw my Honda Pilot spoiler fly away and land in front of the upcoming traffic and almost causing an accident. Today, I still have not replaced this back spoiler and I have seen many other Honda pilots on the highway or in the city without this back spoiler.”
NHTSA complaint #10494885, filed 2013-01, 169,500 miles“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“I heard crunching noises coming from the driver's seat cushion. I assumed it was a spring giving way, since the car is 16 years old. I arranged to have the front seats reupholstered and repaired the following week. A couple days later, I got into the car after running an errand, and the driver's seat acted like a rocking chair! This was in the parking lot of sam's club. I slowly and cautiously drove home, since it felt like the driver's seat could let go. Online research indicated a bracket broke that holds the drivers seat down, and this is a well known issue for the Honda Pilot. …”
NHTSA complaint #11258270, filed 2019-09, 135,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10209071Mar 8, 2022Service Bulletin - Corrosion of the frame rail that supports the rear subframe may occur on some vehicles that are commonly driven in harsh environments. The subframe mounts may…
- 10014493Oct 16, 2004Rear tailgate glass broken.
- 10013867Sep 16, 2004Rear tailgate glass broken.
- 10013343Sep 1, 2004Wind noise at the hood air deflector seal.
- 10014059Aug 16, 2004Wind noise at hood air deflector seal.
- 10014117Jul 16, 2004Rear tailgate glass broken.
- 10014108Jul 16, 2004A thumping sound from the rear of the passenger's compartment when accelerating or braking can be caused by the back and forth movement of fuel in the fuel tank.
- 10014213Jun 1, 2004Rodent damage to knock sensor subharness.
- 10014248Feb 16, 2004Water leak at doors and/or floor.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 2% |
| 2024 | 4 | 3% |
| 2023 | 6 | 4% |
| 2022 | 7 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 12 | 1% |
| 2018 | 17 | 4% |
| 2017 | 15 | 2% |
| 2016 | 54 | 3% |
| 2015 | 10 | 9% |
| 2014 | 20 | 17% |
| 2013 | 47 | 17% |
| 2012 | 9 | 5% |
| 2011 | 19 | 6% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 12% |
| 2007 | 15 | 7% |
| 2006 | 26 | 10% |
| 2005 | 23 | 3% |
| 2004 | 42 | 8% |
| 2003 | 47 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Pilot
224 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsAir bags
115 complaintsSeats
40 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 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