Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the vehicle slowed down unexpectedly, and the brake pedal was hard and slow to respond when depressed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was pulling to the left, and it was difficult to correct the steering wheel. The vehicle was difficult to control. The VSA light was illuminated. There was a triangle with an exclamation mark symbol displayed on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the VSA module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,273.
A stuck ignition lock cylinder on a 2005 Honda Pilot. Hello I purchased this car from the second owner and they had the ignition lock replaced less than 2 years ago. This device has now failed again. Its a poor design by honda and was never fixed or recalled. This has lead countless people to be stranded. With repairs upwords of $500.
1st incident-I was traveling at a slow rate of speed (approx. 25-30 MPH). Heard a growling sound & car suddenly braked on its own. I also felt as if I had lost steering ability. The vsa light flashed on then off during the incident. 2nd incident- same as above only a week later. 3rd incident- about 2 weeks later. My wife was driving the car. Had slowed down to enter the ramp to get on the highway. Again the car made a grinding sound, the vsa light came on momentarily while the car applied the brakes on its own. All of these incidences occurred after the car was serviced for the vsa recall(13-026) on May 6, 2015. Previous to this service, we had never had any issues with the vsa. We believe that by having this recall performed, has caused another malfunctioned as a result. I have read some much more frightening incidences than ours on your site. …
2005 Honda Pilot with 145K miles suddenly started to apply brakes without warning while driving on straight, flat, dry roads at moderate speeds. If has also occurred at highway speed, but never associated with skidding, sliding, etc. The brakes appear to apply differentially, causing a swerve that needs to be corrected quickly to avoid collision with traffic. The vsa light comes on, and the triangular vsa disconnect light comes on. They both go out after the car is shut off and restarted. The local Honda dealer says there is no recall for this, but that they had reprogrammed the car's vsa during an earlier service visit.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While making a left or right turn, the steering wheel made a bump or popping noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the struts, power steering pump, and sway bar failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 287,000.
Braking and steering problems happened several times in a 11 or 12 month time frame took it to dealer 4 times and they could not get problem to duplicate and no repairs done. Accident occurred due to these problems a month ago Honda will not take ownership of problem.
Felt no power when turning steering wheel and had to pullover. After resting the vehicle I it was OK. I felt it last year in May also and dealer hillside Honda in ny just did service and power steering fluid change and charged me. I will go back thus week.
Power steering high pressure line leaking on exhaust and almost caused fire Dangerous. Lines need to be recall or replace
My wife lost control , 2 lane paved road 45 MPH (car damage from bumper till rear end) coming to stop in a ditch to her left. No other vehicle/involved, report was filed with insurance, car repaired ( over $10,000 ) I arrived as police officer was interviewing my wife @ our driveway, she was still crying, never had any accidents before, or speeding tickets ( very passive driver, our kids where in the car 3 and 4 years old @ the time) her explanation: the car was going out of the road to my right on its own, I tried to corrected but the steering was not responding,I felt the car going into the ditch, I pulled hard , it responded crossing the lane violently, tried to control it came back to the right hitting the stop ahead sign, swerved again to the left and stopping @ the ditch.150 feet from the intersection,between telge rd. Westbound and grant rd. …
I was driving under slightly wet conditions at a fairly low speed (approx. 25 - 30 MPH) and the car seemed, momentarily, as if the left front tire had gone flat and an indicator light with a triangle and an exclamation point and the vsa light simultaneously came on. I pulled over, checked the tire, turned the car off, restarted it and everything was fine for the rest of that day. The next morning, I experienced the same thing after the car had sat all night. After turning it off and back on, the indicator and vsa lights were out, but then came back on less than 30 minutes later while idling. The weather conditions this day were cold, but dry. I made an appointment and took the car to leith Honda. I experienced the same condition while driving it to the dealer. …
Related recalls
Steering › Column
On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column May be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Owners were notified by telephone on January 25, 2005, and arrangements were made to have their vehicles towed to their dealers and have the repairs performed. The recall began on January 25, 2005.
Steering complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Honda Pilot, 5% of the model year's 679 complaints. The component named most often is column (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Honda Pilot steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-039 (column, Feb 3, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Honda Pilot steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.