When you have a serious need for passenger space and cargo storage, a Honda Pilot might fit the bill quite nicely. Specifically, the 2005 Honda Pilot is a large crossover SUV that has a lot to offer with a relatively small price tag.
Before you spend your hard-earned money on a 2005 Pilot, of course, you may want to know:
Has the 2005 Honda Pilot had any major problems?
Aside from a handful of recalls, there have been some documented reports of recurring issues such as:
- Loss of engine power
- Rusting unibody frame
- Non-functional control panel lights
- Headlight failure
Read on to find out more about these common complaints about the 2005 Honda Pilot, along with some potential repairs. We hope this information will help inform your next used car purchase!
More about the 2005 Honda Pilot
The 2005 Honda Pilot is a large crossover SUV with plenty to offer growing families. From its motivated 255-horsepower engine to its spacious interior, there’s a lot to love about this versatile crossover.
The 2005 Pilot is offered in a wide range of trim options to suit buyers’ needs. The popular and mid-range EX trim includes such standard features as ambient cabin lighting, six-disc CD player, and a revised power steering system for more control and confidence behind the wheel.
Learn more about the 2005 Honda Pilot and see it in action in the below YouTube review:
Common 2005 Honda Pilot Problems
Loss of Engine Power
NHTSA Complaint IDs: 10787421, 10864599, 11343810
No driver wants to run into a loss of engine power, but this unfortunately seems to be a recurring complaint with the 2005 Honda Pilot.
In one October 2015 complaint, the owner of a 2005 Pilot reported that he or she experienced a sudden loss of power on the highway.
The vehicle had to be pulled off the road onto the shoulder, at which time it was towed to a local dealer. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a radiator leak that had made its way to the transmission.
A similar report was filed with the NHTSA in September of 2015. The owner of this 2005 Pilot claimed that the vehicle lost power and began leaking fluid.
Upon taking the vehicle to a Honda dealer, it was discovered that the same problem had occurred: The radiator had leaked coolant into the transmission and caused damage.
Rusted Unibody Frame
Source: Vehicle History Review
Multiple reviews of the 2005 Pilot on Vehicle History also mention issues with rusting and corrosion, particularly on the vehicle’s unibody frame. One review by Thomas Sanderson mentioned that a dealer discovered the rusted unibody and advised him that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive.
Another reviewer, Michael S., commented in his October 2018 review that the 2005 Pilot’s poor fender design allows water to enter, which encourages rust and corrosion.
Non-Functional Control Panel Lights
NHTSA Complaint IDs: 10446705, 10418459, 10395423
Multiple complaints filed with the NHTSA suggest that the 2005 Pilot also has issues with its interior lighting. Specifically, these complaints report that the climate control lights and other lights on the vehicle’s control panel have gone out completely.
As a result, adjusting the climate controls or other settings on the vehicle can become dangerous while driving at night because the overhead dome light needs to be turned on to see the controls.
None of the owners who filed complaints mentioned anything about having the issue diagnosed by a mechanic. However, it is possible that replacing the fuses associated with these lights could resolve the problem.
Headlight Failure While Driving
NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11192192, 11244746
Several owners have also filed complaints regarding the exterior lighting on the 2005 Honda Pilot, claiming that the headlights shut off without warning while driving. In one March 2019 complaint, the owner reported that the headlights shut off while driving approximately 25 mph.
In another complaint from 2019, the owner of a 2005 Pilot alleged that both of the vehicle’s low-beam headlights shut off while driving at night.
The owner reported that he pulled the vehicle to the side of the road, but the lights would not come back on. Ultimately, he drove the vehicle home using lights from the high beams.
