Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I parked my car in front of my house at 10pm the following morning my neighbor came to tell me my car was on fire. It had been raining the previous night. My driver window was not completely closed so rain got in my car. There was black smoke coming out of the window. When I opened my door, the driver seat & driver door was on fire. I grabbed the hose & put out the fire.
Was traveling down the road, had an electrical burning smell coming from my dash and around steering wheel. Low beams then shut off going down road pulled over but still had high beams but no low beams.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was a burning odor present inside the vehicle. The contact noticed smoke and flames coming from the driver side seat adjustment control. A police officer using a fire extinguisher extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a burn on the right hand that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,300.
On June 30th, 2005 I purchased a new 2005 Honda Pilot with 65 odometer miles as a personal family vehicle. On December 27, 2006 my 18 year old son was driving the vehicle go shopping in ventura ca. At approximately 11:00 am when he noticed smoke coming from the A/C / heater vents in the dash area. He pulled the vehicle over to investigate. After he pulled over he turned the ignition switch off and realized that smoke was also coming out of the hood and engine compartment. He called 911 to dispatch a fire truck, but before they arrived the vehicle became engulfed in flames and subsequently the engine area and interior were destroyed. The fire crew put out the flames but could not save the vehicle. It was considered a total loss. …
On June 30th, 2005 I purchased a new 2005 Honda Pilot with 65 odometer miles as a personal family vehicle. On December 27, 2006 my 18 year old son was driving the vehicle go shopping in ventura ca. At approximately 11:00 am when he noticed smoke coming from the A/C / heater vents in the dash area. He pulled the vehicle over to investigate. After he pulled over he turned the ignition switch off and realized that smoke was also coming out of the hood and engine compartment. He called 911 to dispatch a fire truck, but before they arrived the vehicle became engulfed in flames and subsequently the engine area and interior were destroyed. The fire crew put out the flames but could not save the vehicle. It was considered a total loss. …
Airbag light came on intermittently. After I took it in for the recall, the dealer said the sensor was bad and needed to be replaced for $200. I had that done and the second day following, it was on again. It intermittently lit for about 3 months. Now it is almost always on. I see similar issues listed. God forbid they don't work when I need them. Not thrilled with the Pilot. Transmission light also intermittently lights (blinking d). I had this fixed years ago after the dealer said new trans for $3,000. I didn't bite on that one because the shifting was seemless. Seems that mechanics maybe rely on computer too much. Had switch changed out and it stopped for about 2 years. Now it's on intermittently again. Tire pressure is another problem. Electronics stink!
The brakes are applying randomly without applying pressure on the brake pedal. The vsa light remains illuminated and it is unsafe to drive. 13V092 is the recall bulliten I believe applies to my vehicle, but when I search my VIN, it shows no unrepaired recalls. I have verified that the vsa subharness has not been installed prior to my purchase of the vehicle. My manufacture date falls between the timeline of this recall and also my VIN begins with 2hk, which is specified in campaign 13-026 as requiring vsa sub harness installed. I have taken it to my local Honda dealer and they have told me that it does not qualify for the recall because it is "VIN specific".
Over the last year, we experienced the car's dash warning lights turning on for 1-2 seconds and the radio makes a puff sound prior to this occuring...this has been reported prior on your system. See incident# 10458594. Second issue is regarding the interior lights for the heating / ac console. The lights don't work. This has also been reported on your system. See incident # 10440512, 10418459, 10345735. Both issues occur when driving the vehicle.
Unexpected for the the key ignition stop working. I never have any kind of problems with ignition key stop working with my other cars. This come to safety concern when if it happen when you on a long vacation trip and all the sudden your car ignition key just stop working and you are far from home and work or don't know anyone around there to help. How could anyone expected that this issue would happen to Honda.
When on high, the driver side seat warmer will literally leave burn marks on my right leg. It has worked normal until this fall when I was driving and it burned my leg. It can not be on more than a minute or will leave burn marks on the right leg. The left side still seems normal. I checked and there is not a recall on this, but in looking into it had happened to many others and the seat has started to smoke.
NHTSA investigations
Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating
This investigation was prompted by Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.Some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.ODI's PE information request letter asked…
Electrical complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Honda Pilot, 8% of the model year's 679 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Honda Pilot electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 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 2005 Honda Pilot electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.