A15-045
June 30, 2015
02079 Version 1
Warranty Extension: 2009–14 Pilot Front Suspension Rear Lower Arm Bushing
AFFECTED VEHICLES
| Year | Model | Trim | VIN Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–14 | Pilot | ALL | Check the iN VIN status for eligibility |
BACKROUND
American Honda is extending the warranty on the front suspension rear lower arm (compliance) bushings to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
This warranty covers vehicles where the compliance bushing is making noise or leaking fluid.
This warranty extension will not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded or similar title under any state’s law.
There are two bulletins that address the Pilot’s compliance bushings:
- S/B 15-044, Warranty Extension: 2009–10 Front Suspension Rear Lower Arm Bushing, which covers some 2009–10 vehicles. The extended warranty covering these vehicles may have already expired, or will expire before June 30, 2017, based on the original date of purchase. To improve customer confidence, vehicles covered under this bulletin will receive a grace period that covers the compliance bushing until June 30, 2017 (or 120,000 miles) to ensure that all customers receive at least 2 years of coverage. This bulletin will expire June 30, 2017.
- S/B 15-045, 2009–14 Front Suspension Rear Lower Arm Bushing. Vehicles covered under this bulletin will have the warranty on the compliance bushing extended to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this warranty extension in July 2015.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace both front suspension rear lower arm bushings if one is making noise or leaking.
PARTS INFORMATION
| Part Name | Part Number | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Front Compliance Bracket Set (includes two lower arm stoppers, two self-locking nuts, two compliance bushings with bracket, six flange bolts [two different sizes], and two castle nuts) | 04513-SZA-020  |
1 |
REQUIRED TOOLS
| Tool Name | Tool Number |
|---|---|
| Ball Joint Thread Protector 14 mm | 071AF-S3VA000 |
| Ball Joint Remover 32 mm | 07MAC-SL00100 |
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
2009–14 Pilot with no front wheel alignment
| Operation Number | Description | Flat Rate Time |
Defect Code | Symptom Code | Template ID | Failed Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4191J4 | Replace both front suspension rear lower arm bushings (no wheel alignment). | 1.6 hrs | 5YH00 | JQ000 | 15-045A | 51350-SZA-A02 |
2009–14 Pilot with front wheel alignment
| Operation Number | Description | Flat Rate Time |
Defect Code | Symptom Code | Template ID | Failed Part Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4191J4 | Replace both front suspension rear lower arm bushings. | 1.6 hrs | 5YH00 | JQ000 | 15-045B | 51350-SZA-A02 |
| A | Add for front wheel alignment. | 0.4 hr |
REPAIR PROCEDURE
- Raise the vehicle on a lift.
- Remove the front wheels.
- Remove the lock pin from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut.
- Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover.
NOTE:
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
- Do not force or hammer on the lower arm or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
- Remove the mounting bolt from the rear side of the stabilizer bar bushing holder.
- Remove the 14 mm and 16 mm lower arm mounting bolts, then remove the lower arm.
- Remove the lower arm stops.
- Remove the self-locking nut from the rear lower arm bushing, then remove the rear lower arm bushing bracket.
- Install a new bushing bracket on the lower arm, then align the angle of the lower arm center line and the lower edge line of the bushing bracket as shown.
- Install a new self-locking nut, then tighten the nut to 162 N·m (119 lb-ft).
- Install the lower arm stops.
NOTE: Align the slot on the lower arm stop with the lug portion on the front side of the lower arm bushing.
- Install the lower arm with new bolts:
- Lightly tighten the bolts.
- Raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle’s weight before fully tightening the bolts. Do not place the jack against the ball joint on the lower arm.
- Torque the 14 mm bolts to 93 N·m (69 lb-ft), and torque the 16 mm bolt to 162 N·m (119 lb-ft).
- Install the mounting bolt on the rear side of the stabilizer bar bushing holder, and torque it to 39 N·m (29 lb-ft).
- Degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, and the threaded section and the mating surfaces of the castle nut. Connect the ball joint to the lower arm, being careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
- Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification (103–113 N·m [76–83 lb-ft]), then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it. Insert the lock pin.
- Repeat steps 3 thru 14 on the other side of the vehicle.
- Clean the mating surfaces on the brake discs and the inside of the wheels, then install the front wheels.
- Check the front wheel alignment and adjust it if needed.
END
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/CSC-10058376-6246.pdf
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2015/CSC-10058376-4685.pdf
In February of 2018 my 2013 Pilot had 108,000 miles. I had the dealer look at them and was told they were not bad enough. Now the car had 140,000 miles and they are bad enough. But out of the warranty! They want over $900 to replace. The parts are about $100, and they are telling me at least 4 hours of shop time. I see the 1.6 hours listed in the bulletin, but feel that is for both sides. Thoroughly pissed off. This is my 5th Honda and I feel like I am being taken advantage of.
Hello,
As I was preparing files for tax season, I came across the warranty extension letter dated August 2015. This year I have spent $2,975.98 on three visits to two different Honda dealers based on noise and leakage while driving. Neither dealership mentioned or checked to see if the cause of the damage was from the Front Suspension Rear Lower Arm Bushing. In fact, the first dealer required a $129.95 diagnostic before they would even hypothesizing the cause of the noise. They then diagnosed that the front strut assy was busted causing a rough ride and wheel bearing deterioration as well as the front sway bar links with excessive play and one broken all when my 2014 Pilot had 68,178 miles and only 4 years and 5 months old. I was told none of the repairs are covered by my warranty since it was over 65,000. Since that first repair, I still heard the noise and took it to another shop where the front wheel rim needed replacing with additional wheel bearings. Took it back to the second shop shortly afterwards when there were still vibrations and they found the tie rods had to be replaced. There is still a little vibration and noise, but not nearly what it had been. All of these repairs before my Pilot turned 5 years and only local and highway driving, no off road even though it is a 4 wheel drive vehicle. My 1998 Honda Accord is still on the road with little issues. My 2014 Pilot has been a mechanical disappointment. I feel all of these repairs should be covered under the extended warranty.
Similar situation here. I have a 2013 Pilot. Since 2014, I have been complaining about squeaky noises coming from the front end of the vehicle. Honda has always negated any responsibility and said that they could not replicate the noise or could not find the sources of the noise.
After I received the August 2015 notice that bushings would have an extended warranty covering 7 years/100,000 miles, I immediately brought Pilot into Honda. Again Honda told me that they could not any problems. Then I brought it in again in 2017, to complain about noises. Nothing found.
Yesterday I took my Pilot in for brake vibration and squeaky noises again. This time, Honda informs me that the bushings are bad and need replacement. A “discounted” quotation of $1,500. However, now my Pilot has 109,000 miles and conveniently the bushings extended warranty has expired.
I also paid (plus interest, as it was financed) for a regular Honda Extended Service Contract when I purchased the Pilot – 8 years/120,000 miles (I believe). However, Honda has no record of this extended warranty. Ridiculous. I have the bill of sale, stating the extended warranty.
I have been polite with the Honda service person, but now, I am getting frustrated. It’s like I have to defend myself and prove things to Honda, in order to get what I had requested or paid for. The burden is all on me, the customer.
Now , the Honda case manager has informed that since Schaumburg Honda never inputted the correct information into their database, e.g. my complaint of squeaking noises, my complaint of rattling noises, a clicking sound when I turn full right or left, that my request to repair the front rear lower arm bushing is unfounded and that the extended warranty expired, so I have no other choice but to pay out-of-pocket for the bushing repair. They quoted me $1,130, plus $169 to do the alignment.
I extremely detest those who question my integrity and those who try to cheat and act fraudulently. Schaumburg Honda and Honda Corporate is just that.
Hi, I was just informed that my 2009 Honda Pilot touring model needed new compliance bushings. My Pilot has about 80,000 miles. I realize that the warranty was 7 years or 100,000 miles so technically has expired. However, I take my vehicle in for servicing whenever I receive any notifications regarding these types of things. I’d like to know if there’s anything Honda will do to extend this warranty or cover expenses, since this is clearly a known issue.
Sincerely,
Beth
Talk to your dealer, sometimes they will do a good will and cover the repair.
Problem resolved. Honda KSA have relented and called me to book in a free under warranty replacement of all parts related to compliance bushing and control issue.
Mini victory for the consumers!
I am a British National living in Saudi Arabia. I own a Honda Pilot (2011) from new from the local dealership (Abdallah Hashim). Not only did they openly lie and market the car as a fully loaded EX-L and then removed all the “free” non-standard options before sale but they are refusing to honour the control arm warranty.
Can you please help?
This is for US and Canada, in your country warranty may be different if at all.
Yes I am aware of that, but the vehicle was both made and sold to the Saudi via the US. Do you not have any jurisdiction of how Honda customers are dealt with once purchasing American made products?
You can talk to Honda dealer there, but most likely you will have to pay.