How to replace cabin air filter in 2003 pilot

It's ok to cut that bar.No rattle.

the cabin filter is located behind the glove compartment. as bad it is going to taste, you will have to cut the plastic piece that is going across the front of the filter area. Behind this plastic is a metal bar that is going to be removed on both sides. I removed it only on one side and pushed it out of the way. once this is done you should have access to the filter. honda recommends taking it to the dealer at a cost of about $120. the dealer will do the same thing as far as cutting the plastic cover. there is no other way around this. don't worry it won't hurt anything, but it won't set right with your feelings at first. Be sure to keep track of all the parts from the glove compartment that you removed. it is not hard to change. At first it may take you about 30 minutes to do the cutting and replacement. the next time it will take you about 10 minutes.

it is not as bad as it sounds, as soon as you get over the fact that you have to cut some plastic that is molded and is in your way.

the plastic is running from side to side and is clearly visible when you take the glove compartment off. just cut it close to the ends to make it easier on you. the metal bar will have some small screws on the backside. i recall something like 10mm or so. filter comes straight out and goes right back in.

good luck.

i had my honda mechanic tell me how to do this and it worked very easy.

- adam

The cabin filter is located behind the glovebox.
First lower and remove the glovebox
If it has not been changed before, you will need to cut the plastic crossbrace behind the glovebox.
Once out of the way, unbolt the steel reinforcing frame behind the plastic and set it aside.
The cabin filter is mounted vertically behind it.
See images for further explanation:

Remove the four screws on the air filter hood (driver side, behind battery) using 5/16" socket. No need to remove screws all the way. Lift plastic hood just enough to reach air filter. Electrical connector can remain. Slid out old air filter. Insert new one. Replace hood, and tighten the four screws.

If the filter is tight, wiggle it left-right when pulling the filter out.

after you take the glove box out, (if its the first time the filter has been replaced), there is a plastic part of the dash going across the evaporator case, you will need to cut this out. and unbolt the metal brace going across, behind the glove box. Its hard to explain, but when you get the glove box off, you will see what needs to be done to get the filter out. the filter cover is a vertical panel about 1.5" wide and 10"tall. the part that you need to cut is needed when the dash is made, but no longer needed when its bolted into the car.

This solution pertains to a 2008 Honda Pilot...To replace the cabin air filter which is located on the passenger side of the vehicle behind the glove box: Open glove box and remove stored items...while sitting in the passenger seat, pull towards you on each of the two clips on the left and right side of the glove box...this will cause them to become loose and the glove box will tip out completely exposing the inside of the dashboard. (Alternately...carefully pull towards you on the top center of the glove box which will cause the left and right side stops to pull away from the edges and allow the glove box to tip out) Here it gets tricky...the box holding the cartridge for the cabin air filter is the large black box on the left side behind the glove box The filter fits in a removable tray vertically inside that box. A pressure clip at the top of the box allows the vertical cover to be removed exposing the tray with the Cabin air filter... BUT!!! There is a plastic bar an inch or so high which has been placed there by the manufacturer to prevent most from changing the filter without the service department being involved. This bar must be cut with a sharp sheetrock knife or hacksaw and discarded, (it will not be reinstalled). Then there is a flat metal bar behind the plastic bar that can be removed using an 8mm socket and a phillips screwdriver. There are 2 8mm screws and one phillips head screw on each side that must be removed in order to remove the metal bar. THEN you can remove the cover to the cabin air filter box, pull out the tray with the filter (note how the filter is in the box so the new one can be placed the same way) reinsert the tray with the new filter and replace the tray cover. All other steps to finish the job are obvious as everything is the reverse. Actually the whole process is a lot of trouble and unless you are determined to change the filter I would recommend not doing it.

remove two screws to glove box take it out completely and saw offf plastic bar in front of filter(it is only a molding bar for dash bar set-up not needed) then pull out cabin filter and replace and then screw in glove box compartment

The filter comes with the instructions. I just did it last night to my Honda. It is behind the glove box. You need to remove the glove box, cut a plastic beam out, unscrew the metal support beam and then open and r/r the filter. The instructions don't mention that you need to remove the trim that covers the little fuse box located on the side panel--there is a plastic retainer that you unscrew by hand and then it all comes off easiliy!

It's located behind the glove box in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Visit HondaPilot.org to see step by step procedures for replacing the cabin filter.