Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In the morning, on January 27, I had my 2 year old and 4 year old in the vehicle and I was driving my son to school. Less than a mile from home, going between 30-35mph, I tapped the brakes as I approached a bend in the road and after a brief initial pause (as you would expect), the car suddenly started rapidly accelerating - I started pressing the brakes to no avail - vehicle did not slow down - at this point I was in the curve and was unable to keep the vehicle on the road. I hit a small tree and continued careening out of control until I crashed in a ditch, hitting a wood hydro pole (thankfully not concrete) - both airbags deployed - I suffered a broken ankle, bruised ribs and seat belt abrasions - my 2 year old required stitches on her eye lid and eyebrow due to impact with her cup that she was holding at the time (we're lucky her sight wasn't affected). …
Driving vehicle on freeway, went to accelerate vehicle did nothing. Took my foot off gas, tried again, nothing. Got in slow lane, finally engaged but had to go slow on freeway. Engine light comes on. Next day vehicle wont shift from 3rd gear, can only go 35 MPH and engine revs up. The drive light starts flashing. Next day cant shift into reverse either. Take to transmission shop, they say no reverse, no 3rd gear, fluid is full but smells burnt. Pulled codes p0730 incorrect gear ratio and p0780 shift malfunction. Recommended transmission replace. I only have 139,000 miles and don't drive it crazy. Also found there was a transmission recall on this year Pilot. I call Honda so they can look it up, he says yes it was done to my car, but doesn't show on my carfax report?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the brakes failed to engage and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact attempted to utilize the emergency brake but to no avail. The vehicle then proceed through traffic and crashed into an embankment. The air bags deployed from the compartment but failed to inflate. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, the front seat passenger sustained injuries to the head and the rear passenger sustained injuries to the face. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 127,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. While driving, the vehicle would erroneously accelerate to approximately 20 MPH without the driver depressing the accelerator pedal. Also, while the vehicle was parked, the rpms would continuously rev up to 3,000. The vehicle was taken to hall Honda in virginia beach, virginia, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
The car will not stop. It is at full throttle. Very scary and dangerous. Only way to stop it is to turn ignition off/start up again okay for 5 miles, then it takes off full speed, brakes cannot stop it. Please look into this asap before something terrible happens. Afraid to drive the car. Does not matter where it is main/y street, city or highway.
I am the original owner of a 2003 Honda Pilot. I am an older, cautious driver and have babied this vehicle, doing all regular service at the dealer's, so it would run in top shape for many years to come. Around six months ago I noticed at lower speeds (20-30 m.p.h.) the vehicle shudders. To counter the problem I have to accelerate and then it goes away. I have had the dealer check it three times and each time they say they cannot replicate the problem, which is hard to believe. Last week the d light started to flash. I took it into the dealer right away and they said it was a sensor. I asked if that could be making the car shudder and they said probably. I had them change it and the shudder has not gone away. This morning it was particularly heavy so I called the dealer again and they gave me the American Honda number. I called them and they said the dealer should look at it. …
I'm not of that scared of sticking gas pedals kind on person. Just want to file this incident to probably help others to avoid problems in the future. After car being parked for three weeks at airport when first started it I had and issue with the stuck gas pedal. Fortunately I was in the parking gear when I first pressed the pedal, otherwise could be an accident on the parking lot if I was in the drive gear. I just pulled the pedal back with my toe and pressed and pulled it couple times more before it started working OK. Before that I felt it little mushy after long parking periods especially in the relatively cold days in georgia autumn/winter but it was coming away after driving the car daily. When I got back home I rectified the problem by pouring some oil in the throttle cable jacket and lubricated the pedal axis as well. Had no problems since than so far.
During the freezing weather in jacksonville. Fl. Specifically on the 7th & 8th jan. 2010, the gas pedal on my 2003 Honda Pilot was sticking. After starting the vehicle, I had to apply extra foot downward pressure to make the gas pedal move and make the vehicle accelerate. This happened on several occasions during the 2 weeks that it was freezing on consecutive days in this area. I bought this vehicle brand new in 2003 and never had this problem arise until this time. The problem 'seems' to disappear after the vehicle has been running & warmed up. I also called Honda [phone] and informed the Honda customer rep. About the issue. Honda informed me to take it to Honda service or mechanic for diagnostic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH the vehicle felt as though it was surging forward. The contact pulled over and put the vehicle into park and the RPM's started to rev-up on its own. The contact has taken the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test. Thecontact stated the vehicle has many safety problem and thinks the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/06/10. The door lock cylindeers and ignition switch was replaced. The engine and steering locked up and the vehicle would not start. The key door lock broke and had to be replaced. The heater motor failed. Updated 07/06/10.
The accelerator pedal sticks. When the applied the accelerator the vehicle did not respond as it should. The owner has taken the vehicle to the dealer and all they would do is spray the pedal with silicone. They also said that this function is normal for this vehicle. The problem was said to be due to carbon build up. The steering made a clicking and or groaning sound when making left turns as if the transmission was slipping. The noise was near the rear differential.
Acceleration complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 3% of the model year's 720 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Pilot acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Honda Pilot, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Pilot acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.