2003 HONDA PILOT Seats Problems

SPONTANEOUSLY SNAPPED MOUNTING BRACKET ON DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT, BETWEEN MOUNTED FRAME/SUPPORT AND ADJUSTABLE SEAT COMPONENTS. A POTENTIALLY LETHAL AND ORIGINAL SAFETY RECALL-ABLE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY HONDA, RIGHT FROM THE VERY START OF THE HONDA PILOT MODELS. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF EARLY YEAR PILOTS...

Mileage: 290,000

THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE SLIDING BASE, SPLIT AND BROKE. THE BRACKET SPLIT AND BROKE AT THE TWO RIVET HOLES WHERE THE SEAT ATTCHES TO THE BASE. THE RIVETS ARE STILL IN PLACE ON THE PORTION OF THE BROKEN BRACKET WHICH REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE SEAT. INCIDENT OCCURED WHILE PARKED IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY. I WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND REACHED INTO THE MIDDLE PASSENGER AREA WHEN I FELT THE DRIVER'S SEAT COME LOOSE. I DO NOT KNOW THE MOUNTING BRACKET PART NUMBER, BUT ON THE INTERNET I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM: THE BRACKET WHICH HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE SLIDING BASE, SPLIT AND BROKE.

Mileage: 144,904

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE SEAT INADVERTENTLY MOVED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT WOULD ROCK LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,193.

Mileage: 114,193

NOTICE WHEN WHILE STOPPED, MOVING THE DRIVER'S ELECTRIC SEAT EITHER UP AND THEN FORWARD, IT BEGAN TO ROCK. THE NEXT TIME, WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY, A ROCKING MOVEMENT WAS FELT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED, WITH ONE BOLT OFF. TWO OPTIONS 1) REPLACE FOR $2K OR 2) GET FRAME WELDED, NO GUARANTEE WILL FIX PROBLEM. POWER OPTIONS MAY NOT WORK. A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS NOT CURRENTLY ON HONDA OF AMERICA'S RECALL LIST. CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA TO REPORT THIS; NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. I ASKED IF THIS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND THEY SAID NO. I ASKED WILL THERE HAVE TO BE A DEATH BEFORE ACTION OR RECALL? NO ANSWER. I AM CONTACTING THIS AGENCY AND MY STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, BECAUSE I FEAR THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY HONDA OF AMERICA.

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE/ SPEED UP THE VEHICLE QUICKLY THE DRIVER SEAT BOUNCES BACKWARDS/MOVES AND IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO COME OFF THE FRAME ITS MOUNTED TO LIKE SOME BOLTS MAY BE BROKE OR SOMETHING. THE CAR LOCKS ARE MESSED UP. THE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCKS HAVE TO BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY. THE INSIDE UNLOCK MECHANISM ONLY UNLOCKS THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE TRUNK. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE PASSENGER FRONT AND THE PASSENGER REAR LOCKS A WINDOW HAS TO BE ROLLED DOWN AND YOU HAVE TO REACH IN AND MANUALLY UNLOCK IT AND THOSE ALSO HAVE TO BE MANUALLY LOCKED BACK WHEN YOU EXIT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER AIR UNIT DOES WORK. IT DOES NOT BLOW OUT AIR EVEN WITH THE REAR CONTROL ON. THE INSIDE CAR LIGHTS HAVE TO BE MANUALLY CUT ON AND OFF AND NOT SET TO COME ON WHEN THE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES BECAUSE IT RUNS THE BATTERY DOWN. SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. AND THE POWER PORT TO CHARGE PHONES, ETC. WORKS BUT ANYTHING PLUGGED INTO IT GETS HOT REAL FAST. ALL THAT POINTS TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE AIR BAG LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON AND GOING OFF. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING D AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL FLUID AND FILTER WAS CHANGED. SO FAR THAT SEEMS TO HAVE HELPED. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH ACT DEFECTED. THE KEY HAS TO REMAIN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SPARE KEY HAS TO BE USED TO UNLOCK THE CAR BECAUSE IF THE KEY IS REMOVED, IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO BACK INTO THE SWITCH TO CRANK THE CAR. THE SWITCH DOES NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE KEY AND TURN TO CRANK THE ENGINE ONCE IT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SWITCH. EVEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND PRESSING THE BRAKE TO RELEASE THE SWITCH DOESN'T WORK. AND THE GEAR SHIFT STICK/SHAFT ACTS ALMOST LIKE IT'S NOT PARK, BUT IT WAS PUT IN PARK.

Mileage: 174,000

METAL BRACKET MOUNTING DRIVER'S SEAT TO BASE HAS SHEARED OR TORN AND THE SEAT NOW TILTS AND WOBBLES. VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AS THE SEAT TILTS BACK DURING ACCELERATION AND SHIFTS FORWARD DURING BRAKING.

Mileage: 135,000

I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MARYLAND. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAIN DAMAGE WAS TO MY NECK WHICH RECEIVED A SERIOUS STRAIN AND HAS HURT EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT. BECAUSE THE HEADRESTS ON THE PILOT ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE, THE BACK OF MY HEAD WAS SEVERAL INCHES AWAY FROM THE HEADREST WHEN I WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED OR REPLACED BY HONDA. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID WHIPLASH INJURY IN THIS CAR IF ONE IS HIT FROM THE REAR. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

THE CAR WAS MOVED INTO LOCATION, TURNED OFF, AND THE KEY REMOVED LEADING TO THE DRIVER THINKING THE CAR WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CAR WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO ROLL BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, ROLL OVER A TREE, AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER TREE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *TR

I PICKED UP MY GRANDCHILDREN FROM SCHOOL WHICH IS LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AFTER A STOP, I FELT THE BACK OF THE SEAT GO BACK. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO A PLACE WHERE WE HAVE OUR OIL CHANGED AND TIRES ROTATED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SUPPORT MOUNT BRACKET FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS BROKEN. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE TO FATAL INJURY HAD I BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON. I HAD TO CROSS ROUTE 83 IN BENSENVILLE/WOOD DALE AREA IN ILLINOIS. *TR

Mileage: 150,197

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FRACTURED POWER SEAT FRAME AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

Mileage: 107,000

SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT NOW IS NOT FIRMLY CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL ROCK BACK TO THE RIGHT WHEN SEATED. IT'S NOT SAFE IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS. I KNOW THE CAR IS GETTING OLDER, BUT SOME IMPORTANT PARTS THAT COULD COMPROMISE DRIVER SAFETY SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER A FEW YEARS OF REGULAR USE. *TR

Mileage: 240,000

STEEL BRACKET OR WELD TO STEEL BRACKET HOLDING LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SEAT TO FLOOR BROKE RENDERING SEAT UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. HONDA HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, WEB RESEARCH SHOWS MULTIPLE YEAR HONDA PILOTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HONDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. DEALER COULD DO NOTHING AND SUGGESTED I CALL AMERICAN HONDA WHICH I DID AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PHONE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. THE REP SAID I COULD WRITE AND HAVE MY CASE REVIEWED. I WROTE ON 1/2 AND JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TODAY, 1/8 FROM THE PA AREA CASE REP WHO TOLD ME, AND I QUOTE, "COMMON SENSE TELLS YOU THAT SOMETHING ALMOST 11 YEARS OLD WILL BREAK". I DO NOT BELIEVE A STEEL PART OR WELD HOLDING THE PART TOGETHER SHOULD BREAK. I WAS TOLD BY THE PA AREA CASE REP THAT THE PHONE CALL WAS MY RESPONSE AND I WOULD NOT BE RECEIVING A REPLY IN WRITING. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR

Mileage: 260,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 137,200

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SHEARED OFF ON THE FRONT BAR, LEFT SIDE. THE SEAT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS, I FEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE INFLUENTIAL CAUSAL EFFECT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST BROKE. THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. THIS SEEMS TO PROBLEMATIC AMONG 2003 - 2006 HONDA PILOTS. HONDA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 103,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Mileage: 66,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED AND THE SEAT WOULD MOVE AROUND WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,595.

Mileage: 66,000

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT-LEFT BRACKET OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO MOVE ERRATICALLY, LEADING TO TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THE INCIDENT HAD THE POTENTIAL OF BEING MUCH MORE SERIOUS, HAD THERE BEEN MORE TRAFFIC AND/OR WERE I DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE QUITE COMMON AMONG HONDA PILOTS. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS MANY PILOT OWNERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SPECIFICALLY, FAILURE OF THE FRONT-LEFT DRIVERS SEAT BRACKET. AS A RESULT, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP, NORM REEVES HONDA, TO HAVE THE ISSUE REMEDIED. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1,600 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED. WITH NO OTHER CHOICE, I AGREED TO THE PRICE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SATURDAY MORNING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN THAT SATURDAY AND WAITED 8 HOURS IN LOBBY ONLY TO HAVE THE SERVICE ADVISOR TELL ME THAT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE TO BE DELAYED, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE PART ORDERED FOR THE REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS FACT ONLY FURTHER LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE WITH THIS PART OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

REAR HATCH WINDOW WIPER BLEW THE FUSE. THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY AIR BAGS OR MY SEAT SENSORS. A NEW FUSE FIXED THE WIPER BUT WOULD NOT TURN OFF SRS LIGHT. DEALER WANTED $100 PLUS DOLLARS TO CHECK SYSTEM AND TURN OFF LIGHT. INDEPENDENT MECH. CHECKED SYSTEM FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND RESET THE LIGHT. WHY IS A WIPER MOTOR TIED INTO THE SEAT SENSOR AND AIR BAGS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BRACKET FRACTURED AND AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WOULD MOVE AROUND WHILE THE CONTACT DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A BRACKET UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE FROM SIMPLE METAL FATIGUE. UPDATED 07/23/12

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BECAME SLIGHTLY DETACHED AND BEGAN ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Mileage: 30,000

OWN A 2003 HONDA PILOT AND THE MIDDLE SEAT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE AND WON'T RECLINE OR GO DOWN. COULD CAUSE A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE REAR PASSENGERS CAN'T GET OUT. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING DRIVERS SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE SEAT OF MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE SCREW THAT HELD IT IN PLACE IS STILL THERE BUT THE PLASTIC PANELING BEING HELD BY THE SCREW HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE PANEL. THIS HAPPENED IN THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE OWNED IT. TRIED TO GET IT FIXED. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 2,000

THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE FRAME OR BRACKET IN THE FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE. THE SEAT ROCKS PRECARIOUSLY WHEN I DRIVE OR ACCELERATE. THIS IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY HAZARD, AND I'M WONDERING IF THIS IS A FREQUENTLY REPORTED PROBLEM, AND WHETHER HONDA HAS AN OBLIGATION TO FIX IT. THANKS. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

THE PLASTIC PANEL HOUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT ADJUSTMENT CONTROLS HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE SEAT ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE SCREW THAT HELD IT IN PLACE IS STILL SEATED, BUT THE PLASTIC PANELING BEING HELD BY THE SCREW HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE PANEL. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES: 1. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITH THE KEY NOT FITTING PROPERLY AS IT ONCE DID, PERHAPS AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WHEN I TURN THE KEY OR PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WON'T TURN TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND IT DOESN'T MATTER. THE PILOT STILL WON'T START. WHEN READING THE MANUAL, IT'S A PUSH SIGN UNDER THE IGNITION BUT THIS ISN'T ADDRESSED IN THE MANUAL. IT DOESN'T TELL YOU THE PURPOSE OF THE PUSH SIGN. I'VE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THE KEY TO TURN AND I'VE LET OTHERS TRY ALSO. AND IT DOESN'T WORK FOR ANYONE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT BUT THE WHEELS ARE NOT AND IT WON'T TURN TO THE RIGHT IT ALL; IT'S LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WON'T GO IN NEUTRAL, SO I CAN ROLL IT OR NOTHING. 2. THERE IS KNOCKING NOISE THAT IS LOUDER WHEN YOU ACCELERATE ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE PERHAPS IT'S COMING FROM THE DRIVE-TRAIN OR AXLE ON THAT SIDE, ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND MAY FALL OFF. 3. THE RADIO TURNS OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS RANDOMLY AND IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR A WHILE AND SUDDENLY DOES ONCE AGAIN. 4. THE LOCK AND HANDLE TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BROKE OFF AND CANNOT BE OPENED. 5. THE WIRE TO CONTROL THE HANDLES FOR THE REAR SEATS TO RECLINE AND FOLD DOWN BROKE FROM WITHIN THE SEATS. I LOOKED INSIDE IT'S THE PIECE OF PLASTIC TO HOLD THE WIRE IN PLACE THAT BROKE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER REPLACEMENT PART MADE OF STEEL NOT PLASTIC. 6. THE FLOOR MAT STICKS IN BUNCHES CAUSING THE CARPET TO SOIL CAN BE HAZARDOUS I.E. TOYOTA, ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE FLOOR MAT FOR THE TRUCK ENTIRELY, VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE... 7. WHEN IT REACHES 30MPH IT SHAKES AND YOU CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE LIKE YOU'RE DRIVING OVER SOMETHING RIDGED IT'S SCARY. 8. THE BUTTON FOR FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT FUNCTION 9. THE CHROME ON THE DOOR HANDLES PEELED OFF TEARING THE SKIN CAUSING INJURIES TO THE HAND, MY FINGER STILL FEELS TINGLY AND NUMB. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

Mileage: 87,000

TRAFFIC ON A SURFACE ROAD CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE 2004 FORD F150 DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND REAR-ENDED OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT ALONG THE RIGHT HALF OF THE BUMPER. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO SHOVE THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL FORWARD SEVERAL INCHES, WRINKLING THE ROOF AND PUTTING THE DRIVERSIDE REAR DOOR IN TENSION SO THAT IT COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE TWO FRONT SEATS WERE OCCUPIED BY ADULTS. BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BACKS FAILED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NO INJURIES, BUT THE PASSENGER SUFFERED BRUISING FROM THE B-PILLAR AND STRAINED BACK FROM THE COLLAPSING SEATBACK.

Mileage: 134,000

THE 2ND ROW LH (DRIVER'S SIDE) PASSENGER SEAT IN MY 2003 HONDA PILOT PURCHASED 1/2/2003 WITH ABOUT 90K HAS HAD TWO RELATED PROBLEMS ON THIS SEAT. THIS SEAT IS RARELY SAT IN AND ALMOST NEVER MOVED. IT BECAME JAMMED IN THE UPRIGHT AT SOME POINT IN TIME, LIKELY MUCH EARLIER THAN I DETECTED IT IN JULY 2009. I ATTEMPTED TO FOLD THE SEAT DOWN VIA THE TOP LEVER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO. THE RESULT WAS THE TOP LEVER PLASTIC HANDLE BROKE OFF THE CABLE ACTUATOR. I PAID OVER $200 AT THE DEALER (PRIORITY HONDA IN HUNTERSVILLE NC, 28078 - 704.875.3100) TO HAVE IT FIXED EVEN THOUGH I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE JAMMED CAUSING THE TOP LEVER TO BREAK OFF. AT REPAIR, NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT WOULD CAUSE THE JAM SUCH AS A FOREIGN OBJECT OR ANY DAMAGE. RECENTLY I TRIED TO MOVE THE SEAT FORWARD (SIDE LEVER ENGAGES BOTH BACK FOLD DOWN AND BASE RELEASE) TO ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO EXIT FROM THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND FOUND THAT THIS LEVER WAS NOT WORKING AS WELL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DEALER THE EVENING OF 8/24/09 AND LEFT IT WITH THEM UNTIL THE EVENING OF 8/24. ED JENKINS THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT HE PERSONALLY WORKED WITH THE MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE SPENDING THREE HOURS WORKING ON IT AND COULD NOT REPAIR IT. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT A NEW SEAT FRAME WAS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE SEAT OPERATIONAL. A SEAT SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER 6 YEARS WITH LIGHT USE AND IN MY OPINION SHOULD LAST AS LONG AS OR EXCEED THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IN THE US IS ABOUT THIRTEEN YEARS I CONSIDER THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE AS PASSENGERS MAY BECOME ENTRAPPED IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT. ANY DELAY IN EXITING ESPECIALLY IF THE OTHER SIDE IS OCCUPIED OR SOMEHOW BLOCKED COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 HONDA PILOT ASSUMING THAT IT WOULD BE A GREAT FAMILY VEHICLE. WE HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY SO OUR CAR IS FULL OF CAR SEATS. WE HAVE A BACKLESS BOASTER SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, A BOASTER SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND A FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW DRIVER'S SIDE. IT IS INCREDIBLE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET THE CHILDREN IN THE THIRD ROW BUCKLED BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING "STUCK" AND HAVE TO BE RETHREAD ALL THE WAY BACK. THIS IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THEY GET CAUGHT ON THE BOASTER SEATS THAT THEN HAVE TO BE PICKED UP AND MOVED AROUND TO GET THE SEAT BELT OFF. ALSO, THE SEAT ON THE SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS TOO NARROW AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES VERY LOW, CLOSE TO THE SEAT AND IT ENDS UP UNDERNEATH THE BOASTER SEAT. THESE DIFFICULTIES MAKE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY PRESCHOOLERS TO BUCKLE BY THEMSELVES AND FORCES ME TO CLIMB BACK IN THEIR SEAT TO FIX THE SEAT BELTS AND MOVE THE BOOSTER SEAT FORWARD TO BUCKLE THEM IN. IT IS INCREDIBLE DIFFICULT AND UNCOMFORTABLE FOR AN ADULT TO CLIMB INTO THE THIRD ROW SEAT, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT IS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT. WE HAVE TRIED MOVING THE SEATS AROUND AND CAN NOT FIND ANY BETTER POSITIONS FOR THE CAR SEATS. *TR

MY 2003 HONDA PILOT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE FRONT SEATS CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. THAT IS, THEY MUST STAY DOWN AGAINST THE TOP OF THE SEAT AND CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED TO FIT THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED. THIS MEANS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. HOW IS IT THAT YOU NEVER DISCOVERED THIS? HONDA SHOULD REPLACE ALL THESE VEHICLES WITH NEW SAFE VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM MEANS THAT IN A POTENTIAL REAR ENDED ACCIDENT, MY NECK WILL BE BROKEN. I NEED YOUR HELP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND ALERT ALL USA CITIZENS THAT HONDA BUILT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR-ENDED. 2003 HONDA PILOT EX: FRONT SEAT HEAD REST IS NON-ADJUSTABLE, AND HITS HEAD ABOUT AN INCH DOWN FROM TOP OF MY HEAD. THERE IS NO CUSHIONING NOR PROTECTION FOR MY HEAD. HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THAT IF I TOOK AUTO TO DEALER, DEALER WOULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, THIS IS THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED. THUS THIS IS A DEFECT IN THAT THIS IS A TOTALLY UNSAFE HEAD REST (CONSTRAINT). *TR

Mileage: 35,425

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. HE CHECKED THE HEAD REST AND NOTICED THAT WHEN HE GOT INTO THE VEHICLE AGAIN, HE HIT HIS HEAD AT ONE SPOT ABOUT 1 INCH DOWN FROM THE TOP OF HIS HEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT HEAD RESTRAINTS CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE HEAD REST WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,245. UPDATED 06/03/08. *LJ

Mileage: 35,245

HONDA PILOT HIT IN REAR BY GEO, BOTH BACKS OF FRONT SEATS BROKE AND HIT BACK SEATS. CHILD IN CAR SEAT HIT FEET. DRIVERS HEAD HIT DVD PLAYER, LEG HIT UNDER DASH FROM FALLING BACK, HURT LEFT SHOULDER AND HEAD. PASSENGER FELT HIT IN BACK. BOTH HAD HEADACHES AND TAKING TO ER. *JB

CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSITION OF THE HEAD RESTRAINT ON THE FRONT SEAT. *NM THE BACK OF THE CONSUMER'S HEAD WOULD HIT THE LOWER EDGE OF THE TOP BAR OF THE HEAD RESTRAINT ABOUT AN INCH BELOW THE TOP OF THE CONSUMERS HEAD. *SC

ALTHOUGH MY HONDA DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT COVER ON MY 2003 HONDA PILOT THAT ALSO HOUSES THE CONTROLS FOR THE POWER DRIVER SAET 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 15 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEM, I FEEL THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IF THIS COVER FAILS WHILE DRIVING THE POWER SEAT COULD START TO MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. THE WEBSITE "HONDAPILOT.ORG." HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IN THIER CHAT FORUM, ALSO MY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE QUITE A FEW OF THESE, THERE WAS EVEN A BACKLOG ON ORDERING ME A NEW ONE THIS LAST TIME.

Mileage: 4,737

1. CAR WAS PARKED AT A MARINA FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS 2. ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN DRIVERS AUTOMATIC SEAT CONTROLLER STARTED A FIRE AND DESTROYED SEAT AND DOOR 3. HONDA SAID IT WAS MY FAULT AND SAID TO HAVE MY INSURANCE PAY FOR IT - I'M ELECTING TO TAKE THEM TO COURT.*AK

Mileage: 48,250

FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTS DO NOT ADJUST UPWARD FOR TALL PEOPLE (5'-11') AND TALLER CAUSING HEAD RESTRAINT BAR TO REST ON TOP OF PERSONS HEAD. THIS POTENTIALLY WILL CAUSING NECK OR SPINAL INJURY INJURY IF VEHICLE IS HIT FROM THE REAR. THE TOP BAR ACTS AS A PIVOT POINT WITH NO REAR NECK SUPPORT.

Mileage: 1

THE RIVETS HOLDING THE DRIVER SEAT TO THE SEAT FRAME HAVE POPPED AND THE SEAT BECOMES UNSTABLE. DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *AK

Mileage: 77,000

JUST BELOW THE LEATHER ON THE DRIVERS SEAT THE PLASTIC PANEL THAT HOLDS THE ELECTRONIC BUTTONS TO OPERATE THE SEAT MOTION HAS BROKEN TWO TIMES IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT BOTH TIMES, THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE SCREWS HOLDING THE PANEL IN PLACE.

Mileage: 9,000

THE BASE OF THE DRIVER SIDE LEATHER SEAT WAS SEVERELY STRETCHED AND SAGGED (AND ALSO WITH 'POINTY HAIRS' PROTRUDING FROM HOLES ON ALL LEATHER SEATS FRONT AND REARS) , AND THE ILLED-MANNERED HONDA DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER(ROBERTSON HONDA IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA) REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE COVERED ORIGINAL HONDA WARRANTY AND DENIED TOTALLY THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT ALTHOUGH THE DEFECT IS SO OBVIOUS AND VISIBLE.*AK

Mileage: 5,100

CANNOT RISE HEAD REST FOR A TALL PERSON. IT COULD CAUSE NECK INJURIES IF CONSUMER HIT BRAKES OR IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK