2005 Honda Pilot Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 4%of 679 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 132,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Honda Pilot, 4% of the 679 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 132,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“When the headlight switch is set to low beam, the headlights do not come on. The high beams and courtesy lights work. When switching the lever quickly between high and low, they do come on, but after driving a few miles, the low beam quit working and I have to use the high beams. I noticed a recall for this safety issue for 2005 Honda pilots but when entering my VIN, a recall is not shown.”
NHTSA complaint #11010422, filed 2017-07, 184,000 miles“While driving at night both of our low beam lights suddenly went out. We had to pull over and could not get them to come back on. However, our high beam lights worked and we drove the rest of the way using high beams.”
NHTSA complaint #11244746, filed 2019-08, 131,000 miles“I tried to turn my headlights on in my driveway and the low beams would not come on. I shut the car off and tried again, and the low beams came on. After the low beams started working again I tried to turn the high beams on, and they would not work, and have not worked since. I spoke to the dealer and they said that the recall for the headlight wiring harness only affects the low beams. They also said that I would have to pay the diagnoses fee. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618324, filed 2014-08, 119,000 miles“2005 Honda Pilot, when I first start the car the in the morning the red indicator light for the seatbelt and airbag (drivers side airbag) on the dashboard comes on and stays on the entire day this includes stopping and turning off the engine, going into a store and coming back out, starting the engine again, continue driving for each day until I return back home. But at least two (2) days a month when I first start the car in the morning this same red indicator light on the dashboard stays off the entire day while driving the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11266015, filed 2019-10, 200,000 miles“While driving home after dark, we suddenly lost both dim headlights. Have tried replacing bulbs, fuses, relays, steering column switch and nothing as worked. Checked recalls online and this same problem happened in the 2003 Pilot to which there was a recall. Same parts I understand. Luckily, there was no traffic and we were able to stop and figure out that we still had bright lights and could continue home, but having 3 children in the car and driving blind was a horrific experience and this should be added to the list of recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10467161, filed 2012-07, 140,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V136000Mar 30, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012…Covers: Honda Pilot 2003–2005, CR-V 2002–2004, Civic 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10044784Apr 17, 2012Honda: to determine if headlight switches need to have connectors, and harness wires replaced, on certain vehicles, an inspection is required, with permission from owners. Models…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% |
| 2005 | 30 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Pilot
176 complaintsBrakes
134 complaintsAir bags
120 complaintsElectronic stability control
97 complaintsElectrical system
57 complaintsEngine
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
46 complaintsEngine cooling
43 complaintsSuspension
38 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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