2004 Honda Pilot complaints

SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, THERE WAS A SLOSHING SOUND FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN THE CAR STARTS OR STOPS (AS IF I'M CARRYING AN AQUARIUM). HONDA SAID (7/15/05) IT'S THE TANK'S ALLOY COMPOSITION, AND IS A NORMAL CONDITION. SINCE SAFETY IS NOT AN ISSUE, HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE THE GAS TANK, AND I WILL JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE ANNOYANCE. HONDA IS SORRY; MOST PILOTS DON'T BEHAVE LIKE THIS.

THIS VEHICLE FROM ORIGINAL PURCHASE HAS HAD A WHEEL VIBRATION THAT SEEMS TO BE INCORRECTABLE BY DEALER. I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE HONDA. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO NEEDED BRAKE ROTORS RESURFACED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR PARTS TO HAVE TWO TIE RODS REPLACED.

THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO WORK WHEN THE CAR IMPACTED A VEHICLE HEAD-ON. THE AIR BAG FAILED A 2ND TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED IN THE REAR BUMPER. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE IN THE REAR WAS GOING APROXIMATELY 50MPH. THE CHILDREN IN THE REA SEATING HAD VERY SOAR NECKS FOR A WEEK. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THE VEHICLE WAS A SAFE VEHICLE. I HAD FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TALKED TO THE HONDA MECHANIC, HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT BECAUSE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TWO CARS THE AIR BAG COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS CONFUSED ON WHERE TO SEND THE AIR... I THINK THAT IS WRONG! THERE SHOULD BE A SIGNAL THAT WHEN CONFUSED ON WHERE TO GO, SET ALL OF THE AIRBAGS OFF. BY NOT SENDING ANY OFF, IT INDANGERED MY FAMILY... PLEASE RECONSIDER THE FIVE STAR RATING YOU GIVE A FALSE IMPRESSION.

AFTER NOTICING THE SEATBELT/AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, I ARRANGED TO HAVE IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER, KEN DIXON HONDA OF WALDORF, MD. I ALSO REQUESTED AN OIL CHANGE. WHEN I DROPED THE CAR OFF, THE GENTLEMAN ASKED IF I WAS THERE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. I SAID YES BUT I WAS REALLY THERE TO HAVE THE SEATBELT/AIRBAG SYSTEM CHECKED AND THE LIGHT RESET. HE ASKED IF I WANTED MY CAR WASHED; IT WAS FREE. HALF WAY HOME, (I LIVE ONE HOUR AWAY) I REALIZED THE WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE NEXT DAY, FRIDAY, WE DROVE TO GEORGIA. ON OUR WAY HOME, WE ROLLED THREE TIMES IN OUR HONDA PILOT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED. ALTHOUGH WE WALKED AWAY, WE SUFFERED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES, NONE OF WHICH WERE LIFE THREATENING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE TO GO AND HOW I SHOULD RESPOND. THANK YOU.*AK

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND KNOCKED A POLE DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

VEHICLE GOES INTO A ROLLING STOP AND SLIDES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY CONSUMER.*AK

WHEN EVER I HIT THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT EXL THERE IS A THUMPPING NOISE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND HE SAYS THAT IS NORMAL. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB AND THERE ARE SEVERRAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

I PURCHASED A 2004 HONDA PILOT ON OCTOBER 23, 2003 AND HAVE SINCE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH FOUR TOWING OCCURRENCES AND ON-GOING SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY ESPECIALLY MY TWO TODDLERS EACH TIME I TURN THE IGNITION ON. I HAVE NOT BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL WITH A RESOLVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER MY FOURTH ATTEMPT OF MAIL THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER ONLY OFFER TO REIMBURSE MY $400 TOWING EXPENSES. THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM TO DATE CANNOT GIVE ME AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS. ACADEMY HONDA CLAIMS MY ISSUES COULD RANGE FROM RE-PROGRAMMING KEYS, IGNITION, FUEL PUMPS ETC. I HAVE LOST DAYS FROM WORK, PRE-PAID CHILD CARE AND TUITION EXPENSES AND SUFFERS HORRIFYING EMOTIONAL STRESS FROM THESE INCIDENCES. TO DATED NOT ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE HONDA DEALER HAS CALLED TO SEE HOW VEHICLE IS RUNNING. IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ON-GOING SAFETY ISSUES THAT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE DETAILED SCRUTINY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS MATTER INVESTIGATED. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK, ERRANDS AND FAMILY AFFAIRS. I FEAR THE DEATH OF MY 3 AND 4 YRS OLD TODDLERS, IN ADDITION TO MYSELF AND MY SPOUSE. AT THIS POINT ANY GIVEN MORNING, AFTERNOON OR EVENING I CAN BE STRANDED AT ANY VENUE. ANY EXPEDITED ATTENTION YOU CAN PLACE ON THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *JB

RUST FOUND ON ALL DOORS OF A YEAR OLD HONDA PILOT. *NM

VIBRATION AT 70 MPH . REBALANCING TIRES DOESN'T RESOLVE ISSUE. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT IMPACT COLLISION AT 35 MPH WHEN IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UPON IMPACT.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. *TC

CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL ARE NOT LIGHTED AND ARE THE ONLY WAY TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS DRIVING AND TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BUTTON TO ENGAGE WHEN I RAN ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, LUCKLY THERE WAS NO WRECK. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BUTTON IN THE DARK IS DISTRACTING FROM THE DRIVING PROCESS.*AK

MY QUESTION IS " WHY WOULD A CAR MANUFACTURE INSTALL SEAT BEATS ANCHORS IN A OVER LAPPING FASHION?" I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND I NOTICE THAT THE SEAT BELTS ANCHORS FOR THE THIRD ROW SEAT ( MIDDLE & DRIVER SEAT PASSENGER) OVER LAP EACH OTHER, BUT IN THE SECOND ROW SEATS THEY DON'T OVER LAP. I TOOK MY PILOT TO A HONDA SERVICE CENTER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DONE TO CREATE MORE SPACE FOR THE THIRD ROW PASSENGERS AND IT WAS NOT A FLAW DESIGN. THIS APPEARS TO BE OUT OF THE NORMAL INSTALLATION FOR SEAT BELT ANCHORS. *NM

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES, BOTH HAD PUNCTURES ON THE SIDEWALLS. CONSUMER HAD THIS VEHICLE LESS THEN 2 MONTHS. SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF THE TIRES RUBBING AGAINST ANYTHING OR RUNNING OVER ANYTHING. CONSUMER READ ON LINE THAT THE TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE NOT MADE FOR A SUV, BUT FOR REGULAR PASSENGER VEHICLES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. GOODYEAR, INTEGRITY, SIZE P235/70 R16.*AK

COSCO MODEL # 22269CRK, DOM 02/11/2004. THE STRAP BETWEEN THE LEGS HOLD THE BUCKLE STRAP FROM UNRAVELING. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(04V176000) FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *JB

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE CONSUMER HEARD A THUMP OR KNOCKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AS OF 9/10/04 THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *TC *JB

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE WITH AN AFTERMARKET SUNROOF WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY AN AFTERMARKET SHOP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS A LEGITIMATE OPTION. HE HAD BEEN LIED TO AND NOW THE OWNER FEELS THIS THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS AND WHEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE OWNER FEELS THAT HE IS NOT GETTING ANYWHERE EVEN AFTER TALKING TO THE MANUFACTURER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, A THUMP NOISE WOULD BE PRESENT IN THE REAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. *AK *SC

RECALL 04V176000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. JEFF WYLER HONDA 859-283-2727. DEALERSHIP HAD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ALARM SYSTEM (HORN HONKING) GOES OFF WHEN STARTING THE HONDA PILOT (2004) EX AFTER I CLICK THE LOCK BUTTON. THIS HAPPENS 25% OF THE TIME AFTER I CLICK THE LOCK BUTTON TO LOCK MY DOORS WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVERS SEAT OF THE PILOT AND THEN START THE CAR. IT IS THE ALARM SYSTEM THAT COMES WITH THE PILOT. THE DEALER SAYS THAT HE CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE HE CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED AND JERKED UNCONTROLLABLY ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. TMECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

AIR BAG SYSTEM KEPT DISABLING BY ITSELF, AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO RESET IT UNLESS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES, AND EACH TIME IT TOOK DAYS BEFORE CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE RETURNED.*AK

STATIC AND FAILURE OF RADIO TO PLAY. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY SO THE DEALER HAS YET TO "HEAR" THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK

TACHOMETER SURGES UPWARD BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T GO ANY FASTER AND I AM NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THEN SOME TIMES IT WILL DROP DRAMATICALLY. FIRST VISIT DEALER SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE, SECOND TRIP THEY REPLACED EGR VALVE. IT IS BETTER BUT STILL DOES NOT DRIVE LIKE A NEW VEHICLE.*AK

THE DEALER HAD A SUN ROOF INSTALLED AS PART OF THE PURCHASE PRICE. IT HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS RANGING FROM VIBRATION NOISE AT LOW SPEED TO EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE AND ALSO ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PERHAPS HONDA SHOULD STOP PUTTING IN SUN ROOFS IF THE CAR ISN'T DESIGNED TO ACCOMADATE ONE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5 TO 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES FRONT BRAKES MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE GRINDING. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING/PARKING CONSUMER SMELLED CHEMICAL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. IN ADDITION, DEALER SAID THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT'S NORMAL. *LA *NM

I PURCHASED A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND EVER SINCE WE HAVE OWNED IT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION AT SPEED APPROACHING AND OVER 65MPH. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THE HAVE OFFERE NO SOLUTION AND TAKEN THE STANCE THAT IT IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 70 MPH THERE IS A VIBRATION WHICH CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, GAS PEDAL, AND AT TIMES THE FLOOR OF THE WHOLE VEHICLE. THIS USUALLY OCCURS AT 73-74MPH. AFTER REPEATED SERVICES AND BALANCING OF TIRES THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE TIRES TO PERFORM A ROAD FORCE TEST. THIS RULED OUT THE TIRES CAUSING THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE 4TH ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE VIBRATION A HONDA CASE MANAGER SAID THAT IT COULD BE A "CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE". THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED BY THE SALES PERSON AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND I BELIEVE IT IS A DEFECT IN THE SUSPENSION OR DRIVETRAIN. I FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS COMPLAINT. SEE WWW.HONDA-PILOT.ORG UNDER FORUMS THEN SUSTAINED VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS OVER 70MPH. THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I WOULD DISAGREE. *AK

A BRAND NEW (2 WEEKS) PILOT WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES. I AM NOW HEARING A CLUNKING/THUMPING NOISE WHEN I SHIFT THE GEAR FROM D->N AND THEN IN TO R. THIS NOISE IS NOT HEARD WHEN SHIFTING JUST FROM N->R. LOOKS LIKE THIS NOISE IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I DIDN'T EXPECT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM SO SOON IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING AND OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. *PH THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND MADE NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. *NM

WIND BUFFETING, SEVERE AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 35 MPH WITH REAR WINDOWS DOWN. *JB

FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED OVERNIGHT DURING DROP IN TEMPERATURE FROM 30F TO 0F. NO VISIBLE BLEMISH OR DAMAGE TO WINDOW PRIOR TO WINDOW EXPLOSION. NO INDICATION OF VANDALISM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN BRAKING. SERVICE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT TO BE ALARMED. *AK

WHEN THE CONSUMER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT THE HEAD RESTRAINT TILTS FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S HEAD TO LEAN FORWARD. CONSUMER IS 5'3," AND SAYS HEAD RESTRAINT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ANY LOWER. THE DEALER HAS NO REMEDY OR SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

HONDA PILOT ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. SINCE PURCHASE DATE OF 10-12-04 IT HAS BEEN IN THE HONDA SERVICE DEPT 3 TIMES. ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND CYLINDERS ARE MISFIRING CAUSING THE PILOT TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FOR AWHILE IT WILL START UP AGAIN AND USUALLY THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE IT WAS IN THE HONDA SERVICE DEPT. *JB

THE 2003 PILOT HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY WEAK AND DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. THIS CREATES A VERY SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD ON THE FREEWAY ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 70 MPH. THE PILOT'S HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE THE CURVES IN THE FREEWAY, AND CONSEQUENTLY, PILOTS CAN VEER OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GET INTO CRASHES. APPARENTLY, THE HONDA COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE ANY ACTION. WE APPEAL TO NHTSA TO URGE HONDA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. *JB

2004 PILOT HAS SAME STARTING PROBLEMS AS 2003. IN COOL/COLD TEMPERATURE ENGINE WILL FREQUENTLY NOT TURN OVER ON THE FIRST TRY. ENGINE WILL CRANK BUT WILL NOT START. 2ND OR 3RD ATTEMPT USUALLY WORKS. EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS COMPLETELY WARMED, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. HONDA SUGGESTS TURNING THE KEY UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS (DASH TEST LIGHTS COME ON) AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN TRY. THIS HELPS SOMETIMES, BUT IS A POOR (AND FREQUENTLY INEFFECTIVE) WAY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG PILOT OWNERS THAT HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR CORRECT. *CB

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO DRIVE UNTIL ANOTHER MOTORIST INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND FOUND THAT A HOLE WAS IN THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THAT THE INTERIOR CAB LIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WILL TURN ITSELF ON AND SHUT ITS SELF OFF AFTER APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS. AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING AS WELL AS FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW GETS STUCK AND WILL NOT GO DOWN. DEALER SERVICE SAYS POSSIBLE GHOST IN VEHICLE!! WILL BRING INTO SERVICE ON JAN 10, 2004. *LA

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATE ROAD. *AK