2003 Pilot CD Player rejecting CDs - need help

[Randeep]

My wife's 2003 Pilot does not have a reliable CD player. The CD player tries to read the CDs and then ejects them out without playing. We replaced the player with a new one from the Dealership and within a year its gone out again. Exactly the same problem. I even bought a CD cleaner disk with no results.

I have started looking for other brands of stereos that I can replace with unit with. The advantage of Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony, etc. is that they will play CDs, WMA, MP3, iPod, etc. and have external USB connections.

I was ordering one from Crutchfield and discovered that I will not be able to use the car subwoofer. Crutchfield is recommending a small external sub along with the stereo.

Has anyone managed to successfully replaced the factory CD player and has good/decent sound output?

I would hate to purchase another factory CD player and have it go dead in a year. They come with a one year warranty.

Please advise.

Thank you.