NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Pilot. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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. *TR
A BRACKET THAT CONNECTS THE DRIVERS SET TO THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS BRACKET IS ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE APPROXIMATELY BEHIND THE POWER SEAT CONTROLS. THE SEAT IS NOW UNATTACHED FROM THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AND QUITE UNSAFE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE GETTING IN THE VEHICLE. THE BROKEN BRACKET MAY BE PART OF ADJUSTER ASSY., L. RECLINING, 81630-S3V-A30, BUT IT IS HARD FOR ME TO TELL SINCE THE EXPLODED PARTS DIAGRAM THAT I HAVE ACCESS TO DOES NOT SEEM TO MATCH, QUITE, WHAT I SEE. BASED ON PARTS AND LABOR, I ESTIMATE THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT TO BE IN THE $800-1200 RANGE. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOAD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP SEALS FAILED AND RESERVOIR WAS CLOGGED. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,505.
DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY PART BROKE, WHICH SEPARATED THE SEAT FROM THE POWER MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY. SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FEELS LIKE SLIGHT PRESSURE COULD COMPLETELY DISENGAGE THE SEAT FROM THE CAR. SEAT ROCKING WHILE DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
I HAVE 2004 HONDA PILOT LX. WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30-50 MPH. HEAR AND FEEL A VIBRATION WHEN AT CONSISTENT SPEED. SEEMS AS IF IT'S COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. MAYBE FROM A DRIVE SHAFT OR PROPELLER SHAFT OR SOMETHING. IT'S GETTING MUCH AND MUCH WORST AS DAYS GOES BY. I AM WORRIED SOMETHING CAN COME LOOSE WHEN VEHICLE IN MOVING MOTION. *TR
ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR SPED OUT OF CONTROL HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER. FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF! THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAGS SCARRED THE INSIDE OD MY WRIST.
FRONT, DRIVER SEAT, SEAT WARMER WAS ON HIGH. SEAT WAS GETTING VERY WARM. SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE, LEATHER WAS MELTING. THIS OCCURRED UNDER THE DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG. THE SEAT GETTING VERY WARM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR SOME TIME NOW ON BOTH LOW AND HIGH, BUT I TURN THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS STARTED SMOKING. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD TO JUST NOT USE SEAT WARMER. WILL NO LONGER USE SEAT WARMER AS IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
A LOWER SEAT SUPPORT ON DRIVERS SEAT HAS FAILED. CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE DRIVES SEAT TO NOT BE HELD IN PLACE. ON ACCELERATION THE FRONT OF DRIVERS SEAT LIFTS UP CAUSING THE SEAT TO LAY BACK IN A MORE RECLINED POSITION. *TR
EXTREME HOT SPOT IN DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON FOR MORE THAT 3 MINUTES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW DRIVERS REAR SAFETY SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLATCH AND RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE SEAT BELT WAS CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS FELT EXTREMELY HOT IN THE LAST FEW TIMES THAT I USED SEAT HEATER. PULLED INTO WORK AND AS I STARTED TO EXIT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE SEAT. NEVER CAUGHT FIRE AS I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SWITCH AND POUNDED THE SEAT CUSHION. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED AND BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I TURNED THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER TO HI DURING MY DRIVE HOME YESTERDAY, THE HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND FELT IT WAS BURNING MY BACK EVEN WITH A HEAVY COAT ON, ALSO SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. THE SEAT STILL HAS BURNED SMELL TO IT NEXT DAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT IS TURNED ON THE SEAT GETS SO HOT THAT IT LITERALLY BURNS THE SKIN ON ANYONE SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH LOW OR HIGH SETTING. THE SEAT THEN BEGINS TO EMIT SMOKE. *JS
GAS CAN BE EMPTY AND WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO FILL UP TANK IT SHUTS OFF AS IF TANK IS FULL. SPENT 400.15 ON 10/25/13 FOR FUEL VAPOR CONTROL VALVE YONDER DEALER THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE CAUSING IT. THIS WORKED FOR FEW WEEKS THEN IT BEGAN AGAIN BUT SEEMED TO LET US FILL IT UP IF WE DROVE FOR A FEW MILES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK. NOW IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW FAR WE DRIVE THE CAR THE GAS WILL NOT PUMP INTO THE TANK IT CAN TAKE US UP TO 30 MINUTES TO PUMP A FEW GALLONS OF GAS. THE HONDA DEALER IS AS MUCH OF A LOSS AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO TAKE PLACE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND IS CAUSING EXTREME STRESS AS TO HOW AND WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE GAS TO PUMP CORRECTLY. *TR
THE MODULES HOUSING THE REAR LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ON MY 2004 PILOT ARE DEFECTIVE; RED, PLASTIC REFLECTORS INSIDE BOTH MODULES OF MY VEHICLE HAVE DETACHED. THE MODULES ARE ONE PIECE IN DESIGN AND CANNOT BE OPENED OR REPAIRED. HONDA KNEW CERTAIN 2004 PILOTS HAD DEFECTIVE LIGHT MODULES BECAUSE IT ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS TO REPLACE THEM. HOWEVER, HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE MODULES ON MY CAR, SAYING THE CAR IS TOO OLD. THERE IS NO EXPIRATION DATE FOR SAFETY. *TR
WHEN WE TURN ON THE SEAT WARMER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR HONDA PILOT 2004, WE SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF RUBBER OR FOAM BURNING. NOW OUR SEAT WARMER WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. WE'VE STOPPED USING THE SEAT WARMER DUE TO CONCERNS OF A FIRE STARTING. *TR
DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY PART BROKE, WHICH SEPARATED THE SEAT FROM THE POWER MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY. SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FEELS LIKE SLIGHT PRESSURE COULD COMPLETELY DISENGAGE THE SEAT FROM THE CAR. SEAT ROCKING WHILE DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT APPEARS TO BE A SMALL METAL BAR WHICH RUNS FROM THE SEAT ASSEMBLY TO THE "SLIDE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY". IT IS A VERY SMALL COMPONENT OF ITEM REFERENCE NUMBER 14 (P/N: 81660-S3V-A30) OF THE "FRONT SEAT COMPONENTS (L.) (POWER)" FOR THE 2004 HONDA PILOT 5DR EX - KA5AT. SPECIFICALLY, THE METAL BAR SEEMS TO ATTACH TO THE ROD WHICH ROTATES WHEN THE SEAT IS TILTED FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE BAR IS DESIGNED TO BE FIXED TO THE ROD, WHICH WHEN ROTATING, PUSHES THE OTHER END OF THE BAR (ATTACHED TO THE FRONT END OF THE SEAT BOTTOM) UP OR DOWN, RESULTING IN THE SEAT TILTING BACK OR FORWARD. IT IS THE ONLY PART SECURING THE FRONT-LEFT OF THE SEAT TO THE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY. READING AROUND THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF PILOT. *JB
DRIVING AROUND TOWN TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. AVOIDED CRASH. RECALL ON MY VEHICLE WAS NEVER PERFORMED. NOW MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR HONDAS NEGLIGENCE? WE PURCHASE THIS NEW IN 2004 THE RECALL WAS IN THE SAME YEAR. ALWAYS DEALER MAINTAINED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT IN A SERIOUS CRASH!! NOW MY VEHICLE IS AT AAMCO FOR THE REPAIRS. HONDA WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NEVER DONE? HONDA NEVER REPAIRED IT !! I MY FAMILY WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT AGAIN, SORRY BUY MY FAMILY'S WELL BEING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR PROFITS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AROUND 30-50 MILES AN HOUR MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A SHUDDERING NOISE WITH A VIBRATION AND WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING THE RPMS WITH MOVE UP AND DOWN WITH AS THE SHUDDERING PROGRESSES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MAKE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO VERIFY THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY TORCH CONVERTER REPLACED AND IT WILL COST AROUND $1700.00 TO FIX IT. I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AS IT COULD CAUSE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT. *TR
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... *TR
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!!! *TR
I WAS DUE FOR MY YEARLY VEHICLE INSPECTION. PRIOR TO GETTING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE INSPECTION AND TOLD THEM THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE CODE THAT CAME UP WAS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS AND I WAS ISSUED A PIECE OF PAPER TO PLACE IN THE WINDOW THAT GIVES ME 10 DAYS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CAR IS A 2004 HONDA PILOT WITH 158470 MILES.IT HAS SHOWN NO SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY THEN MY CAR WOULDN'T GO FAST WHEN I STOP TO SE WHAT HAPPEN THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY ENGINE TOOK IT TO MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WE GOGGLE AROUND BEFORE TRYING TO FIX IT AND IT SAYS THUS TYPE OF SITUATION IS BEEN RECALL ALREADY. *TR
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE GEAR CHANGE LEVER WAS GLIDING THROUGH R, N, D, ETC. RATHER THAN BEING FIRM IN EACH POSITION. LUCKILY, THE CAR DID NOT FALL OUT OF GEAR. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED FROM THE SHOP THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT IN GEAR AS I DROVE WAS THIS VERY LOOSE LEVER. THIS WAS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE! THE DETERMINATION IS THAT THE SHIFT SELECTOR ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN AND A NEW TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED. I AM DISMAYED TO SEE HOW MANY HONDAS REQUIRE NEW TRANSMISSIONS, AND AM UPSET THAT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND THE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED, NO RECALL HAS OCCURRED. *TR
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. *TR
SRS RED LIGHT ON. NO PREVIOUS COLLISIONS OR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS. DEALER STATES THAT SRS CONTROLLER NEEDS REPLACEMENT, BUT NOT COVERED BY HONDA. AIRBAGS MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT. COST PROHIBITIVE TO REPLACE SRS CONTROLLER IN HOUSTON, TX, THEY WANT $800-$1000 TO REPLACE THIS SAFETY ITEM. CALLING HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT PREMIUM AND EXPLOITIVE PRICES CHARGE BY THEIR DEALERS IN HOUSTON IS OF NO AVAIL. HONDA SHOULD TAKE NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY BEFORE ANYONE GETS INJURED IN CAR CRASH BY FAILURE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. AT MINIMUM, I EXPECT HONDA TO OFFER MINIMUM OR SUBSIDIZED PRICING AND PREVENT CUSTOMER EXPLOITATION BY THEIR DEALERS. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NOTICED THAT THE D WAS FLASHING WHILE ON A MULTI-STOP TRIP TO VISIT FAMILY. THIS FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THERE WERE NO OTHER INDICATIONS THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I STOPPED FOR GAS THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE FINE. I CONTINUED ON TO THE FIRST STOP OF MY TRIP. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I DROVE TO THE 2ND STOP OF MY TRIP AND WHILE DRIVING IN AND AROUND TOWN ON THE 2ND DAY THERE THE D STARTED FLASHING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A TRANSMISSION RECALL AND SO I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR. THAT REPAIR WAS A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD WHICH COST 2638.42. SINCE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE OTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS I FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS REPAIR. *TR
YESTERDAY MY HONDA PILOT STARTED ACTING IRREGULAR AS I WAS PULLING INTO A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION TURNING LEFT. MY PILOT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS NORMAL AND LEFT ME STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHED. TRAFFIC DID SLOW DOWN AND I SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR, AND THAT ALLOWED MY TO MOVE THROUGH SAFELY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. NO ACCIDENT, JUST A ANGRY YOUNG MAN SHAKING HIS HAND AND SCREAMING THROUGH HIS WINDSHIELD. I CALLED HONDA AND OPEN A CASE # THIS MORNING. INTERESTINGLY, I CALL HONDA AND OPENED UP A CASE IN 2010, WITH SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION PROBLEMS AT 50-55 MPH. I BOUGHT NEW TIRES (ONLY 34K ON BRIDGESTONES), CHANGED DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ,VTM-4, EGR VALUE, EVEN HAD DRIVE SHAFT INSPECTED FOR VIBRATION, ANYTHING THAT WAS SUGGESTED TO ME. NOTHING FIXED ISSUE, SPOKE WITH SEVERAL OTHER PILOT OWNER (2003-2004) AND THEY SUGGESTED IT WAS NORMAL OPERATION AND THEIRS DOES THAT TOO. ONLY ITEM LEFT IN MY MIND WAS TORQUE CONVERTER. ASK HONDA FOR HELP. GAVE ME THE 3YRS/36,000 MILE SPEECH. NOW THE "D" INDICATION LIGHT FLASHES GREEN. INDICATING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TAKING TO DEALER THIS MORNING TO INSPECT. BEING VERY CAREFUL AT STOP AND GO LIGHTS. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT WITH ONLY 157,000 MILES ON IT. THANKFULLY, IT WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE AND DID NOT CAUSE ANY INJURIES OR BLOCKED ROADWAYS OTHER THAN A BUSY PARKING GARAGE. *TR
IN MAY 2013 I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE SUNROOF HAD A DEFECT. CLAIM #[XXX] WAS OPENED AND I WAS DIRECTED TO S & C IN HIAWATHA (319-393-2591) AND ON MAY 31, 2013, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL. THE SUNROOF STARTED TO LEAK WHEN IT RAINED SO I HAD IT CHECKED BY SAFELITE AUTO GLASS WHO INSPECTED THE DRAIN TUBES AND CONFIRMED THEY WERE NOT CLOGGED. I TRIED TO CONTACT S & C TO CORRECT THE ISSUE WITH THE WEBASTO SUNROOF AND THE BUSINESS WAS CLOSED. I CONTACTED WEBASTO TO SEE IF THEY COULD CONFIRM THAT THE SERVICE CENTER (S & C) HAD ACTUALLY REPLACED THE SUNROOF. WEBASTO DIRECTED ME TO THE NEXT NEAREST SERVICE CENTER, MID IOWA TRUCK & UPHOLSTERY, 1628 S. DUFF AVENUE, AMES, IA 50010 (515-232-4343) WHICH IS 2-HOURS AWAY AND WEBASTO COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE SERVICE CALL WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE YOU CAN HEAR AN INCREASE IN THE AIR COMING THROUGH THE SUNROOF. I FREQUENTLY TRANSPORT MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS MAY COME OUT OF ITS FRAME AS STATED IN THE RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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. *TR
MY 2004 PILOT EX-RES STARTED A FAINT WHINING NOISE AROUND 73K MILES. THE NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY MORE PRONOUNCED WITH TIME/MILES. THE NOISE IS ONLY AUDIBLE WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IN THIRD GEAR. AS SOON AS THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE NOISE DISAPPEARS. I HAVE 93K MILES ON THE ODOMETER AS OF MAY 2013 AND THE NOISE IS NOW A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE; IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND EASILY AUDIBLE INSIDE THE CABIN EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. I TOOK IT TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THIS NOISE AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL WITH THE TRANSMISSION; THEY ADVISED ME NOT TO DO ANYTHING AT THIS TIME SINCE THE FLUID AND TRANSMISSION PRESSURE LINES ALL CHECKED OUT GOOD. I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SERVICE ADVISER. I TAKE IMMACULATE CARE OF MY CAR WITH ON THE SPOT OIL/FILTER/TRANSMISSION/VTM-4 FLUID CHANGES USING HONDA OEM PARTS AND QUALITY MOTOR OIL. I AM CONCERNED ONE DAY MY PILOT WILL LEAVE ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED ON THE ROAD WITH A HUGE BILL TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. I HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS AND THIS IS THE LAST THING I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT; MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL TO INSTALL THE OIL JET KIT. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD FUSS UP ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A PROPER FIX TO ALL AFFECTED OWNERS, OTHERWISE LOTS OF PEOPLE WILL LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR THEIR NEXT VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED FOR YEARS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE AND THEN SLOWLY MANEUVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LIFT BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V35300 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO INSERT INTO THE IGNITION. ONCE IN, THE KEY WAS THEN VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE. FURTHERMORE WILL NOT TURN AS IT IS STUCK IN BETWEEN OFF AND ACCESSORY POSITIONS. HOURS WERE SPENT JIGGLING, BRINGING A LOCKSMITH TO MAKE ATTEMPTS AT REMOVING WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE HONDA PILOT HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THIS HAPPENED WITHIN 1 DAY OF A SERVICED RECALL FOR THE INTERLOCK LEVER WHICH INVOLVES THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SOLENOID WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR
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. *TR
WHILE WARMING UP CAR IN DRIVEWAY, I HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS TO BOTH FRONT SEATS AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT TO LEAVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND MELTING THE TOP OF THE SEAT CUSHION. IT WAS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE HEAT TO THE SEAT AND SMOTHERED THE SMOKING/MELTING SEAT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATES ON ITS OWN AS IF A SMALL CHILD IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, BUT THE PASSENGER SEAT IS COMPLETELY EMPTY. *TR
AT A TRAFFIC STOP EVERYTHING WA NORMAL, WHEN I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE D INDICATOR STARTED TO FLASH. BEFORE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP I DID A SEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PILOT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 150.00 FOR THEM TO HOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO THEIR COMPUTERS. I NOW FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEM IS A SWITCH FOR THE FOURTH GEAR. MY VEHICLE RUNS GREAT AND SHIFTS VERY SMOOTHLY. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER USE THIS VEHICLE TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL. IT APPEARS THAT HONDA HAS HAD OVER NINE YEARS TO FIX AND ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, WEATHER YOU ARE THE FIRST OWNER OR NOT, AND IF YOU PURCHASED IT FROM A HONDA DEALER SHOULD NOT BE A CONSIDERATION. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHIFTER INTERLOCK DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT IN ONE PLACE ON MY BACK. IT SLIGHTLY (LESS THAN A 1ST DEGREE BURN) BURNT MY BACK. ALSO, THE SEAT SMOKED. I HAD THE SEAT HEATER ON FOR 15 MINUTES. I NOTIFIED HONDA AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER TESTED THE SEAT FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES; AND, SAID IT DIDN'T SMOKE. I WAS ONE OF THE THE FIRST ONES INTO THE DEALER AND THE LAST ONE OUT (ELEVEN HOUR WAIT!) FOR A 10 MINUTE CHECK AND 2 RECALLS WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN LESS TIME. I DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK ANOTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR 15 MINUTES (I HAVE A FAMILY); SO, I TOLD THE DEALER TO DISABLE THE SEAT HEATER SO THAT MY TODDLERS, MY WIFE AND I WON'T GET HURT ANY FURTHER OR HAVE A DISASTER WITH A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE DEALER DISABLED THE SEAT HEATER AS I REQUESTED. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HONDA (OF COURSE). *TR
DRIVING ON FREEWAY TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DIS-ENGAGED ( AS IF I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ). WHILE "COASTING" I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. AFTER APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGED AND WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AGAIN. I TOOK SURFACE STREETS FOR THE TEN MILE TRIP HOME AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HOT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I COULD FEEL IT BURNING MY SKIN THROUGH MY JEANS. AFTER I TURNED IT OFF THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY ACRID BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER GOT BURNING HOT, AND IT BURNT THE LEG AT A SPOT, THE INJURY WAS MINOR; WHEN THE HEATER WAS OFF THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. I AM NOT USING THE HEATER NOW AS IT IS INTOLERABLY HOT AND MIGHT CREATE FIRE HAZARD. *TR
WHEN TURNING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER IT GOT EXTREMELY HOT. RECENTLY IT ACTUALLY BURNED THE SEAT FOAM AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. I WILL NOT USE IT ANYMORE FOR FEAR OF A FIRE. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO INTENSE THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF FOR FEAR OF BURNING MY LEG. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026