Honda Pilot 2003 - 2008 review

Strengths

- Good crash-test and rollover ratings
- Comfortable, spacious and practical interior
- Eight-seater
- Strong V6 engine
- Automatic four-wheel drive
- Great handling
- Smooth ride
- A lot of cargo space with rear seats folded down
- Good resale value

Weaknesses

- Road and wind noise
- Poor fuel economy, especially in a city
- No telescopic adjustment on the steering
- Paint on some interior plastic trims wears fast
- Rear gate glass doesn't open separately

Overall

Honda Pilot is one of the top choices if you need a mid-size SUV. It offers good crash-test ratings, strong engine, comfortable secure handling and smooth ride. With roomy functional interior and seating for eight, the Pilot could be sportier alternative to a minivan. Don't expect the Pilot to be cheap on gas; if better fuel economy is important for you, look for a 4-cylinder SUV. The 2003-2008 Pilot has been pretty reliable overall, however, it's a complex vehicle - don't expect it to be completely trouble-free. Early models had some issues with an automatic transmission.
Look for models from 2005; the early-year models always have more problems. Consider an extended warranty to protect from unexpected repair costs.
You also may want to look at Toyota Highlander, which is a similar mid-size car based SUV.
Check more Used SUV reviews

What to look for buying a used Honda Pilot

As a first step, check used car history records. A history report may help you to uncover some of the problems the car might have in the past such as accidents, flood damage, rolled back odometer, etc. Follow this link: How to check used car history
- Check the service records if available - it's important to verify that the car was properly maintained.
- If the "check engine" light is on, have the problem assessed with your mechanic or a Honda dealer before buying a car; in worst cases repair might be quite expensive.
- Pay more attention to test automatic transmission. Strong "thump" when shifting into reverse could indicate a problem.
- Check with Honda dealer if all necessary recalls have been performed.
Learn more what to look for when buying a used car
- Prior purchase have the car inspected by a mechanic of your choice.
Shop wisely, check few cars to compare; it's worth to pay a little extra for a well-maintained vehicle in good condition. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Some models may be costly to insure. Get the insurance quotes first.

Few maintenance tips

- Wash and wax your vehicle regularly to protect the paint.
- If you live in the area with high humidity, rustproofing will help to protect the car body from corrosion.
- Regular oil changes are important to keep your engine in a good shape.
- Check your tire pressure regularly, unequal tire pressure will cause increased wear of the 4WD system components.
- Winter tires will provide much better traction on the snow.
- Change transmission fluid in recommended intervals using original Honda transmission fluid.
- Stick with original Honda parts and fluids.
- Follow recommended maintenance schedule and keep all the fluids clean and topped up.
- Have your car inspected, at least once a year, in a garage on the lift (e.g. when doing tire rotation) to keep it safe. Many components (e.g. brakes, steering, suspension) cannot be properly inspected by simple visual inspection at fast lube places; the vehicle must be on the lift.
Check more car maintenance tips

Honda Pilot short specifications (2005 Canadian model)

Links

Where to find repair information

If you want to find technical information about you car such as repair manual, check engine codes description, wiring diagrams, diagnostic procedures, fluid types, maintenance schedule, component location, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc. follow this link:

by Vlad Samarin