Model overview

The Honda Pilot is a mid-size SUV produced by Honda and launched in 2002.

Produced for the North American market, the Pilot is the biggest SUV from Honda and highlights three-row seating. The car is currently assembled in Lincoln, Alabama. The original generation Pilot was unveiled in April 2002 as a 2003 model.

The Pilot shares its platform with the Acura MDX and the Odyssey minivan. 

Before the introducetion of the Pilot, Honda sold the compact crossover CR-V and the Honda Passport. The Honda Passport that was sold within 1993-2002 was a truck-based design. 

The Pilot is sold in North America and the Middle East, while the Honda MDX was sold in Japan and Australia. 

The Honda Pilot comes with six trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite and Black Edition. All models are equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine (280 hp, 262 lb-ft of torque) paired to a six-speed automatic transmission in most of the trims, and a nine-speed transmission in Touring and the trims above. Front-wheel drive is standard on inferior trims, with all-wheel drive standard on Elite and Black Edition trims and optional on other models.

Honda Pilot known problems

Some of the common problems or complaints owners have about the Honda Pilot are:

• The most common recurring problem with the Honda Pilot is related to transmission. Transmission issues can cause the car to jerk, speed up or slow down unexpectedly. In severe cases could even cause the car to stop working completely.
• Many owners report that their car develop emissions system failures. This is seen in more recent model including the 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 models causing the emission systems warning light to light up while driving. 
• The 2003 model has accumulated thousands of complaints over the years around transmission, ignition, electrical system and seatbelts issues.

Honda Pilot PDF owner manual

Posted by, John Mana

A passionate guy about car models, makes, and manuals.