50 of the
644 complaints about the 2004 Honda Pilot are about the
engine — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,619 miles.
I bought this 2004 Honda Pilot new in 2004 in Louisville. In 2018 I drove to Florida without incident. While here in Florida I have had a problem with oil leaking. Than the compressor for the air went out and I took it straight to the dealer here. They told me it was not worth fixing. Since then I have had 2 mechanics look underneath the car and said it was so rusted that the frame was dangerous and they could not risk fixing it. I have checked with other Honda owners only to find out this is a problem with numerous Honda years and no one fix this problems because of liability . I have photos of the rusted out rear-end and the frame is not attached. You can find owners trying to weld the rear-end back on. No one will repair my compressor because of the rust and damage. When I had it at the dealers they did not mention this problem at all. They just said it was not worth fixing. My car has about 200000 miles but has has its service. This has to be a major recall or replacement. We could have had a major accident over this and didn't know [XXX] Please call or forward communication. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11475588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,300 milesSUN Valley, CA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE CENTER MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING OIL PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-STARTED BUT LACKED FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,300.
NHTSA complaint #11307042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesTucson, AZ
ENGINE
ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED AT 16 YEARS AND 70000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11098197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 213,000 milesColumbia, SC
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS OR ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #11097871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Azusa, CA
ENGINE
CAR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN
NHTSA complaint #11091249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesNewington, CT
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN SECOND GEAR, THE GEAR WOULD SEIZE IN FIRST GEAR AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO SECOND. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SYSTEM, AND THE CLUTCH FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10862155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesHaslett, MI
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS REVVED AND THE GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #10846104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,430 milesPittsfield, MA
ENGINE
HELLO. AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE TYPE FUMES OFF FOR SOME TIME (NO ONE ELSE IN THE FAMILY COULD SMELL IT) AND AFTER CONSULTING THE HONDA PILOT FORUMS, I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FACTORY NGK PZFR5F-11 SPARK PLUGS AT 99,430, RATHER THAN THE HONDA RECOMMENDED 105,000 MILES. I WAS SURPRISED TO DISCOVER THAT THE MIDDLE REAR PLUG WAS ONLY FINGER TIGHT AND AS A RESULT COMBUSTION GASES WERE ESCAPING BETWEEN THE PLUG AND THE HEAD. ACCORDING TO WHAT I READ, LOOSE PLUGS ARE AN ISSUE WITH THIS ENGINE AND CAN EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND COIL PACKS, LEADING TO COSTLY REPAIRS. A SECOND PLUG (PASSENGER REAR) WAS EXCESSIVELY TIGHT WHEN I REMOVED IT BUT THE REPLACEMENT PLUG APPEARED TO THREAD BACK IN FINE.) I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE DESERVES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).?
NHTSA complaint #10715355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,850 milesNewark, NJ
ENGINE
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR COME OUT, GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. PILOT'S IGNITION WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10705893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 6/18/15*CN UPDATED 9/27/2017
NHTSA complaint #10692597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesMilwaukee, WI
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD DISLODGED AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10609156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesYorktown Heights, NY
ENGINE
WHILE VEHICLE IS AT IDLE,VEHICLE MIS-FIRES AND SHAKES ENTIRE VEHICLE. PLACED ON O.B.D. SCANNER AND NO ERRORS OR CODES FOUND. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND DEALER ALSO CANNOT FIND PROBLEMS. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS TWICE,NO LEAKS,NO CROSS CONTAMINATION NOTHING...BUT POOR GAS MILEAGE AND BAD SHAKING AT IDLE...
NHTSA complaint #10586402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesPowell, OH
ENGINE
HAVING MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE DONE WAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT BOTH FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE UNUSUAL AND WHILE NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFE DEVELOPMENT AND COULD CAUSE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IF NOT REPLACED OR IS NOT DISCOVERED AND THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10559159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesBronx, NYFire
ENGINE
ON JULY 25 ,2013 AROUND 8:00AM AM STARTING MY 2004 HONDA PILOT , TO MOVE MY CAR TO AVOID PARKING TICKETS AT 8:30AM. AFTER 5 MINUTES OF WARMING THE ENGINE I DECIDED TO DRIVE AROUND TO FIND A PARKING SPACE TO AVOID A TICKED.AROUND 8:14AM I FOUND A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR IS PARKED.LATER AROUND 3:00PM I DECIDED TO GO TO MY GIRLFRIEND HOUSE ,I SEE THE MY CAR PARKED AND A FREE PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT. TO AVOID TICKETS THE NEXT DAY I MOVED THE CAR. AROUND 3:02 THE CAR IS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY APARTMENT. AROUND 9:50 PM AM WALKING HOME AND I SEE THE HOOD OF MY CAR OPEN.THE ENGINE WAS ALL BURNED INCLUDING HEADLIGHTS THERE WAS NO WIRE EVERYTHING MELT.NEIGHBORS WHERE SITTING OUTSIDE AS USUAL ,THEY TOLD ME THAT IT STARTED AROUND 3:30 AND THAT SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE .FIRE DEPARTMENT TOOK LIKE 15M !!!!TO ARRIVED.CAR HAD 105,000 MILES. I WASN'T USING THE CAR THAT OFTEN ,THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FIRE I DROVE THE CAR FOR 15 MILES BACK AND FORWARD. MY ENSURES DON'T COVER FIRE. NO MORE HONDA THANKS!!!
NHTSA complaint #10534568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,513 milesDallas, TX
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION FAIL-DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM: HEAT BUILD UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE. CONTACTED HONDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS VIN AND BECAUSE THE SERVICE WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED BY HONDA THEY CLAIM NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. A VERY EXPENSIVE ENGINEERING/DESIGN PROBLEM THAT WAS FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING AND THEN BURDENED/BLAMED BY HONDA ON THE CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #10521446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesCaledonia, IL
ENGINE
THE TRANSMISSION SHAKES AND STUTTERS AS IF IT IS STALLING AT SPEEDS OF 35 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR. IT WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. ENGINE STARTS BUT IT WILL NOT GO.
NHTSA complaint #10511188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,035 milesBrea, CA
ENGINE
NOTICED SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT AT IDLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. NO ENGINE PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED AT A REPAIR FACILITY. AT A LATER DATE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 12V-573, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I LATER READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE AN ALARMING NUMBER OF PILOT OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE REPORTING BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER SAFETY DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #10505847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,345 milesPerry, FL
ENGINE
HONDA SERVICE ADVISOR REVIEWED THE COMPLETED SHIFT INTERLOCK RECALL SERVICE WITH ME AND SAID THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEEDED REPAIR. COST TO REPAIR IS $435 FOR FRONT MOUNTS AND $220 FOR SIDE MOUNTS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ENGINE MOUNT FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING DEFECT/FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL AT HONDA'S EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10505712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 59,340 milesWilmington, MA
ENGINE
WENT TO DEALER FOR A RECALL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE, ALSO ASK DEALER TO CHECK FOR AN ISSUE ABOUT CAR MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND SOME WHERE IN FRONT ENGINE WHEN TURN RIGHT. THEY FOUND THE FRONT/RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKEN, NEED TO BE REPLACED BOTH OF THEM AND COST $820. I FOUND A LOT OF PILOT OWNERS HAS SAME ISSUE. I THINK HONDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10504253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
ENGINE
WENT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID VEHICLE HAS BAD ENGINE MOUNTS, AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. NOTE THAT WE ALSO HAVE A 2003 ACURA MDX, AND THE DEALER ALSO TOLD US THAT SOME ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WE CHECKED SOME BLOGS FOR ACURA MDX AND HONDA PILOT OWNERS, AND FOUND A LOT OF OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUES. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS. WE OWNED A V6 TOYOTA FOR 15 YEARS, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. WE HOPE NHTSA WILL CHECK THIS, BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE TO OWNERS AND ACURA/HONDA WILL NEVER ADMIT. I'M SURE IF NHTSA WILL GET REPAIR RECORDS FOR THIS "ENGINE MOUNT" ISSUES, IT WILL BE A LOT. FROM WHAT I READ, THIS AFFECTS DRIVE SHAFTS DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10503900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,619 milesFayetteville, AR
ENGINE
TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 90,000 MILE SERVICE AT LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND RECEIVED CALL STATING THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE BROKEN/CRACKED. MOTOR MOUNTS (FRONT/SIDE) WERE REPAIRED AS IT CLEARLY REQUIRED REPAIR FOR SAFE OPERATION. COST TO REPAIR $475.00, NO LABOR WAS CHARGED FOR THE SIDE MOUNT AS IT WAS ALREADY ACCESSIBLE FOR THE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10473173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, GA
ENGINE
I'VE HAD VIBRATION/NOISE ISSUES AROUND 40 MPH WHILE IN TOP GEAR, I'VE NOTED ACCELERATING FORCES A DOWNSHIFT, OR I CAN MANUALLY SHIFT TO D3. EITHER ACTION GETS RID OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10465430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,452 milesNovato, CA
ENGINE
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, CLUNKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #10458704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesEdwardsburg, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2004 HONDA PILOT HAS A SHUDDER AT 30 MPH. IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE DRIVING OVER THE RUMBLE STRIPS. I AM STARTING TO EXPERIENCE POOR SHIFTS AT OTHER SPEEDS NOW AS WELL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROBLEM IS MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. REPAIRS INCLUDE REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS UPDATING THE PCM. HONDA RECALLED OVER A MILLION 2003/2004 PILOTS BUT MY VIN IS JUST PASSED THE LAST VIN RECALLED. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY 2005 PILOT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. ACURA ALSO ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT REPAIRS THE FAULTY COMPONENTS FOR ALL 2003 AND 2004 MDX OWNERS (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY). HONDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILED TRANSMISSIONS IN THE LATER 2004 PILOTS AND 2005 YEARS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10450707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSpringfield, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MOTOR MOUNTS BROKEN AT 60,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10420752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesFremont, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HONDA DEALER TELLS ME DURING MY REGULAR SERVICE VISIT THAT MY FRONT ENGINE MOUNT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY 2004 HONDA PILOT IS HARD TO DRIVE. 113,000 MILES. 526.00. SIDE MOUNTS WILL NEED REPLACING SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10390054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesChesapeake Beach, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON THE ABOVE DATE WHILE ON A LOCAL INTERSTATE MY CAR FAILED TO RESPOND TO ACCELERATION. INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED AND THEN BEGAN CLUNKING AND MAKING HORRIBLE NOISES. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE MOTOR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE WAS A "CATASRTOPHIC FAILURE" OF MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD HAD NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD ALL MY WARRANTY WORK DONE IN A TIMELY FASHION INCLUDING ALL TRANSMISSION WORK. MY DEALER ESTIMATED A REPAIR JOB COSTING $4,400. I GOT 2 OTHER ESTIMATES INCLUDING ONE FROM TRUSTED CAR MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME HE RECOMMENDED A JASPER TRANSMISSION (TOTAL REBUILD) AND IT INCLUDED A "WORK-AROUND" FOR MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR CAR'S TRANSMISSION "PROBLEM"
NHTSA complaint #10385568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesPort Washington, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CRACKED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MOVE FREELY AND THE STEERING GETS HARDER. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL FAIL AND LEAD TO A LOT MORE DAMAGE/SAFETY CONCERNS.
NHTSA complaint #10384101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesMerrick, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY ENGINE MOUNTS ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT WENT FOR THE SECOND TIME. MY CAR HAS 115,000. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10381387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesLivermore, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FRONT ENGINE MOUNT FOUND DAMAGED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT $450 BY HONDA SERVICE. DRIVEN 91K MILES, AND SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF OTHERS ARE REPORTING SAME ISSUE AT SAME MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10351504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.