Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Both headlights went out. Vehicle has been previously recalled and repaired for this problem in 2012. Had to rely on high beams to get home. Replaced only one bulb which on inspection looked good. Both lights came on. Problem solved or so I thought. Wife drove the car yesterday and smoke began to come out from around the steering column. She drives with the headlights on even during the day. After turning off the lights and the car and allowing it to cool off, she made it home without the lights being on. Update 9/15/15 the vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/29/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. While driving various speeds, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the high beam headlights were needed to drive at night. In addition, the brake lights would not illuminate when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the low beam terminal harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Lighting recall. There was a recall in 2012 affecting my 2003 Honda Pilot that I did not know about until my headlights went out while driving and almost wrecked. My low beams do not work but my high beams do, me and my child could of died from this. We were just driving as normal on a highway with no other traffic around and lights just stopped working. After pulling over I realised my hi beams still work. I do not understand why my recall isn't listed when a recall was issued
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. Over time, both plastic headlight covers became very opaque, which caused the headlights to appear dim and made visibility difficult. The contact's wife called a Honda dealer who stated that they were familiar with the issue, but could not assist. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that they could not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Low beam headlights symptom when you turn the combination light switch to the headlight "on" position, the low beams May not come on. Probable cause in a rare case, the wire harness May have been misrouted, causing a terminal in the headlight wire harness connector to become heat-damaged, which May cause the low beam headlights to not come on.
On 9/6/2012 Honda performed recall work on this vehicle, see NHTSA recall 12v-136. On 8/5/2013 I checked the vehicles lights and all were working. On 8/6/2013 while moving vehicle in driveway I noticed that both low beams were not illuminating even though the switch was turned on. The parking lights and high beams both worked, but the low beams did not work. On 8/8/2013 I took the vehicle to the local Honda dealer (roberts in downingtown, pa). The dealer's service representative reported that the recall work was fine and that the headlamp switch was broken. The cost of the headlamp switch is $190. I will pick up the vehicle later today, 8/8/2013. I am reporting this to provide data that might be useful as it relates to the safety recall. [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V320000 (air bags), 14V700000 (air bags), 12V573000 (electrical sysytem), and 12V136000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Honda corporate claims that my 2003 Honda Pilot issue was resolved in April 2014, as recall work (low beams quit working... High beams remain functional). My local dealership has no record of me being there, even though corporate is showing I was. I still have the same problem - my low beams do not work... High beams remain functional. The issue is present regardless of it being stationary, in motion, on any surface of any kind, turning or otherwise.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact received a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bag, exterior lighting, electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The right rear taillight has fallen apart internally. There is a clear "half-dome" over the bulb on the brake light portion, inside the taillight unit that has fallen off and now is loose inside the unit itself. It appears that it is a "snap-on" installation when the unit is assembled. There is no-way to fix this without destroying the sealed unit. Dealer wants $150 for a replacement.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In March 2012, Honda filed a defect report to recall certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v and certain model year 2003 pilot vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the low beam terminal harness or replace the lighting switch as necessary, free of charge. The original recall began in April 2012.
Headlight complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Honda Pilot, 4% of the model year's 720 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Honda Pilot headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-136 (switch, Mar 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Honda Pilot headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.