2003 Honda Pilot engine problems
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2003 Honda Pilot — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware…”
filed Aug 25, 2025
“The contact owned a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated she was informed by her daughter that the inside passenger side of the vehicle was on fire. The contact extinguished the fire with water. The fire department arrived afterward and informed that the electronic software was the cause of the…”
filed Aug 31, 2022
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES…Campaign 02V226000 · Aug 28, 2002
Engine problems in other Pilot years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pilot | 30 | 15% |
| 2024 Pilot | 10 | 9% |
| 2023 Pilot | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 Pilot | 28 | 18% |
| 2021 Pilot | 104 | 24% |
| 2020 Pilot | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 Pilot | 233 | 26% |
| 2018 Pilot | 156 | 36% |
| 2017 Pilot | 465 | 51% |
| 2016 Pilot | 767 | 45% |
| 2015 Pilot | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 Pilot | 31 | 27% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Honda Pilot
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.