Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Honda Pilot Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005
6821 messages, Last post on Oct 21, 2009 at 8:45 AM
You are in the Honda Pilot Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
Hey all, just wanted to relate my experiece with my plain-looking but sturdy Honda Pilot. Type: 2003 Honda Pilot AWD LX 53,000 miles Pros: 1) Utility, utility, utility (people are amazed this is an 8 person crossover, and it delivers, even if it's not the most comfortable in the 3rd row); 2) pretty dependable; 3) looks better with age; 4) peppy - you can punish guys on the highway if you want; 5) cargo capacity plus seats are very easy to use/fold (amazing with seats down); 6) safe (all the airbags you could ever want); 7) i don't think the headlights are bad; 8) AWD works great in the wet (i have NEVER hydroplaned, etc in this thing); 9) smooth and sweet with great passing power and speed; 10) interior lighting (complete and impressive); 11) the little things Honda doesn't forget (lights automatically turn off to preserve the battery, lots of storage space everywhere including cell phone holders and outlet plugs) Cons: 1) stereo (first thing I replaced, OEM speakers are good and deserve a 2nd chance with a new head unit); 2) mileage (I can only blame myself, but the Pilot is heavy and driving habits really matter, especially in the city; 3) high-speed vibration issues at 75+ mph (improved dramatically with Continental Conti-tracs); 4) hesitant transmission (particularly when going downhill, definitely not efficient in upshifting to lower rpms) - this did improve with changing the fluid, but not completely; 5) looks (you won't impress girls with this thing, lol); 6) cheapy interior: the aluminum-lookalike paint scratches easily and there is quite a bit of scratchable/cheap plastic, but fit/finish is impeccable (no creaks here) Verdict: 11 major Pros, and 6 nit-picky cons. Looks like a winnah! |
|
|
Replying to: jd000 (Feb 25, 2007 5:29 pm) Most car parts places sell power ports you can easily install yourself. Find a place to mount it, run the wires directly to the battery thru the fuse that usually comes with this type thing. Presto! You have a 24/7/365 live power outlet and have not done anything to cause future problems with the car wiring. Kip
|
|
|
Replying to: kipk (Mar 06, 2007 7:21 am)  I don't feel my needs are unique. While on vacation I _NEED_ to travel with refrigerated medication and _NEED_ constant power for the little Coleman powered cooler in the rear of the ODY. (This is easily done in a GM product) A 90 day supply of this medication is $5000 so I cannot risk not having constant power. What do folks do who have MOBILITY needs? For example, how does one power the hoist that lifts the electric scooter in the back of the vehicle? Power needed for this has to be properly done and when it is, I cannot see how it becomes a warranty issue. The switched outlets isn't just a Honda oversight (IMHO), Toyota, Chrysler products and perhaps other do the same thing. GM can do it, why cannot others? |
|
|
Hi, We have been looking for an '03 Pilot for a few months, and got a call from a local dealer who said he has an '03 EX-L with leather seats which are heated and a moonroof. I was under the impression that the '03s didn't come with these options, and from what I've read under other posts, I expect that this is a Canadian model. Does anyone have any advice regarding the Canadian vs. US models? How about difficulty in finding repair parts, or issues with quality? Thanks!
|
|
|
Replying to: jandd4 (Mar 15, 2007 11:22 am) When we bought ours in Georgia, a moon roof was not a factory item. It is possible that heated seats were part of a package we didn't get. I believe your Honda dealer can "RUN" the vin number and tell you how it was equiped when new. He can also tell you which Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) apply to that vehicle and whether or not they have been done. There were several TSB that were important, regarding the engine timing belt, transmission lubrication, seat belt sensor sensitivity, etc.. We have enjoyed the dickens out of our Pilot. For some reason the 03's seem to have less "Quirks", squeaks, water leaks, popping noises, and get better mileage than later models. I would get an extended warranty!  Kip |
|
I have one that tops all problems that has ever happened so the dealership and Honda tells me. I am going down the road driving normal and straight and all of the sudden my brakes go off without any warning. Yes my brakes deploy while my foot is on the gas pedal. I have had this happen to me roughly 5 times. Once when I first purchased the vehicle in 2005 which I just figured it was the VSA going off, so I turned off the car and reset the VSA.(According to the manual) The next time well I will say three times because they occured in the same day. It was more of a rapid stop with grinding and then severe jerking movements. Long story short the service dept had never heard of this happening so they ran test and called Honda and some how came up with THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH was bad. So I asked the manager what kind of guarantee do I have that this won't happen again and he said he couldn't give me one but that he believed the problem had been fixed. So two months later I am driving down the road and bam it happens again....I am furious this vehicle that I spent 33k on and I bought it because it was supposed to be safe was putting my life in danger...again!! Luckily I have avoided accidents because I have been in traffic or normal everyday road running when my brakes did this. So at this point I no longer trust my car. I am not willing to not have a guarantee when it comes to my brakes. So I spoke with my dealership and hopefully we are reaching some sort of agreement. The best thing is that so many people look at me like I am crazy when I tell them my situation and Thank God it happened to my salesman when he drove it!! THANK YOU GOD!! 
|
|
|
Replying to: 1000yds (Jan 29, 2006 7:38 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: mopilot (Jan 30, 2006 1:52 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: atpcpll (Sep 17, 2007 8:27 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: atpcpll (Sep 17, 2007 8:27 pm) |
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Honda Pilot Honda Pilot 2003 through 2005
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Honda Pilot
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
