2003 Honda Pilot Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 224about this part
- Share
- 31%of 720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,493miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 224 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 31% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,493 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall I was merging onto the highway and experienced total engine power loss. Rpms revved high and car lurched forward. I had already merged into 60mph traffic when my car stalled. Forced the cars behind me to slam on their brakes. Thankfully I was able to pull off to the side of the road and avoid having a major accident. There was no check engine light on or any other indication of failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11196156, filed 2019-04, 150,000 miles“My car makes a grinding noise around 40-45 MPH. This has been identified as an ongoing problem with this and several other model years with the transmission torque converter. This happens anytime I am accelerating past 40 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #11312049, filed 2020-02, 147,000 miles“Transmission was included in recall but we were never notified. Experienced catastrophic failure at 168,000 miles. Lost power on the freeway going 65 MPH with no warning. Honda refusing to replace transmission because of the age and mileage of my car, despite the known defect in the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10807534, filed 2015-11, 168,000 miles“While driving on city streets in traffic and slow to 29 or 39 MPH I feel a shudder or vibration. Also intermittently my d light flashes when turn on my Pilot but the maintenance light never comes on. This has been happening last 6 months. I have 160,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #10876282, filed 2016-06, 160,000 miles“I just bought a 2003 Honda Pilot with 164,000 miles on it a few days ago and noticed the transmission wasn't shifting correctly. It seemed like it would sometimes over rev before shifting but thought nothing of it. Last night I picked my grandchildren up from town and was heading back up the highway going about 55mph, all of a sudden it jerked back and downshifted to 2nd gear, luckily no one was behind or they would've hit us. I noticed the engine light came on at that time also.”
NHTSA complaint #11133375, filed 2018-10, 164,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V176000Apr 15, 2004On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft…Covers: Honda Pilot 2003–2004, Acura TL 2000–2004, CL 2001–2003 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10194971May 28, 2021Service Bulletin - Case v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. BC 424169 (Third Clutch Transmission Settlement - $25 Credit Vouchers).
- 10018159Jun 16, 2005Pilot- knowngood pcm swap with sidewinder key.
- 10018029Jun 1, 2005Replacing a canon a75 digital camera to take inspection photos for s/b 04-021, safety recall: a/t 2nd gear inspection, or s/b 04-037, safety recall: accord v6 a/t 2nd gear…
- 10016346Apr 16, 2005Automatic transmission fluid (atf) leaks. Honda tech line summary.
- 10016334Apr 1, 2005Hissing between 30 and 50 mph. Honda servicenews.
- 10014514Nov 16, 2004Buzzing or clicking noise on hard acceleration.
- 10013608Oct 1, 2004Replenishing atf on vehicles with automatic transmission oil jet kits. Honda servicenews.
- 10013607Oct 1, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013604Oct 1, 2004Removing a stubborn atf filler bolt. Honda servicenews.
- 10013844Sep 16, 2004Transmission solenoid replacement criteria.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 23 | 11% |
| 2024 | 12 | 10% |
| 2023 | 10 | 7% |
| 2022 | 18 | 11% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 35 | 7% |
| 2019 | 94 | 10% |
| 2018 | 78 | 18% |
| 2017 | 122 | 13% |
| 2016 | 201 | 12% |
| 2015 | 11 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 6% |
| 2013 | 54 | 20% |
| 2012 | 20 | 12% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 12 | 9% |
| 2008 | 11 | 8% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 176 | 26% |
| 2004 | 142 | 26% |
| 2003 | 224 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2003 Honda Pilot
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 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 30, 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