2003 Honda Pilot structure problems

“The contact owns a 2003 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the rear axle separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the subframe replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was not available.”

“REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTING LOCATIONS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH ALLOWING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO HANG DOWN. THE FRONT MOUNTING POINTS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE NOT DAMAGED YET. WAS NOTICED AS A NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FOUND DURING TIRE INSPECTION.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000. *JS”

“I HEARD CRUNCHING NOISES COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION. I ASSUMED IT WAS A SPRING GIVING WAY, SINCE THE CAR IS 16 YEARS OLD. I ARRANGED TO HAVE THE FRONT SEATS REUPHOLSTERED AND REPAIRED THE FOLLOWING WEEK. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, I GOT INTO THE CAR AFTER RUNNING AN ERRAND, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT ACTED LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR! THIS WAS IN THE PARKING LOT OF SAM'S CLUB. I SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME, SINCE IT FELT LIKE THE DRIVER'S SEAT COULD LET GO. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATED A BRACKET BROKE THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT DOWN, AND THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE HONDA PILOT. THEY SAID NO RECALL BECAUSE NOBODY HAD DIED?? THIS DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT. THE RE-UPHOLSTERER HAD THE BRACKET WELDED AS A SIDE-JOB WHEN HE DID HIS WORK. STILL, THIS ISN'T OK. IF THE SEAT HAD LET GO AND SLID FORWARD WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I NEEDED TO REPORT THIS.”

“THE ATTACHMENT POINTS ON THE FRAME WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHES HAVE NEARLY COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE REST OF THE FRAME APPEARS TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOTS. GIVEN THE PREVALENCE OF THE ISSUE, IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE SINCE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS NOT FROM MY VEHICLE BUT THE DAMAGE IS IDENTICAL TO THAT SHOWN IN THIS PICTURE.”

“2003 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 219,000 MILES ON IT. THE TWO REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS THAT ATTACH THE BODY CHASSIS TO THE FRAME WERE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. IN FACT ON THE RIGHT SIDE THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE THAT HAD RUSTED OUT. APPARENTLY NO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE REST OF UNDERCARRIAGE. VEHICLE WAS IN VERY GOOD MECHANICAL SHAPE AND MAINTENANCE KEPT UP. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN A GARAGE AT NIGHT NOT SUBJECT TO UNUSUAL WEAR AND TEAR. UPON SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A RED LIGHT I HEARD A LOUD CRASH AS IF WE'D BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. I WAS CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THE LIGHTS WEREN'T FUNCTIONING SO I WAS PROCEEDING VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE 4 WAY FLASHING LIGHTS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND US SO I CLEARED THE INTERSECTION THEN PARKED THE CAR TO CHECK IT OUT BUT NO VISIBLE DAMAGE, NO DEBRIS IN INTERSECTION ETC. DROVE IN TOWN FOR ANOTHER COUPLE DAYS AND IT SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE. THE INCIDENT BOTHERED ME ENOUGH TO TAKE IT IN TO FIRESTONE AND HAVE THE CAR CHECKED OUT ON THE LIFT FOR ANYTHING UNUSUAL WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES SAFETY. I WAS CALLED BACK TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THE REAR OF…”