2004 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS WHILE DRIVING. ONLY 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THIS TO BE A LARGE ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY CONSUMERS. *TR
2004 Honda Pilot complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →
2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVERS SEAT CATCHES FIRE. SEAT HEATER HAVING ISSUES. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT; DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER CATCHES ON FIRE; FUSE NEVER BLOWN. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT BEGAN MAKING SHUTTERING VIBRATING NOISE ON DECELERATION AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. CARRIED BACK TO HONDA DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND TOLD COULD NOT REPRODUCE NOISE OR VIBRATION. I GOT IN VEHICLE WITH SHOP FOREMAN AND WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE NOISE FOR HIM WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS WAS ON THE THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH 102,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. WE WERE TOLD HONDA AMERICA WOULD PAY 40% OF COST FOR "GOOD FAITH". WE STILL PAID $2400.00 FOR THE REPAIR. WE LOOKED ON THE HONDA FORUMS ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF HONDA PILOT OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND NOT CHANGING GEARS CORRECTLY; SHE NOTICED THAT IT WOULD ACCELERATE THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE. THERE WAS A NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING WHICH PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT, BURNED RIGHT THIGH. HEATER SHUT OFF AT SWITCH AND NOW DOESN'T WORK. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT EX WITH 122,000 MILES THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN IN JUNE 2010 AND HAS PERSISTED EVER SINCE. WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION WILL "SHUDDER". IT TYPICALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 25-55 MPH. WHILE THE DURATION IS BRIEF (15 SECONDS OR LESS), IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT, AT LEAST ONE TIME DURING EACH DRIVING OCCURRENCE. IN ADDITION TO THE SHUDDER, AT LOW RPMS THE CAR WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY SHIFTING AND BEGIN TO JERK UNTIL THE CAR IS SLOWED DOWN OR UNTIL THE GEARS ARE ABLE TO ENGAGE AT A HIGHER RPM. AT THIS TIME, I AM NOW AWARE OF A RECALL THAT WAS CONDUCTED IN 2003-2004 THAT INVOLVED NUMEROUS CARS OF VARIOUS MODELS. HOWEVER, MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE POSTS AND DOCUMENTS THAT I HAVE READ FROM NHTSA ON THE RECALL, THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED. *TR
TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSING SERIOUS SHUDDER AND POSSIBLE LOCK-UP. *TR
I OWN A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS ABOUT A 'SHUDDER' THAT OCCURS BETWEEN 30-50 MPH. IT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE YOU ARE DRIVING OVER A WASHBOARD IN THE ROAD AND IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YOU PUSH DOWN OR LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. THE HONDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT, BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP ON THE COMPUTER TESTS. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT MAYBE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT TOOK ME 1 MINUTE ON THE INTERNET TO FIND COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE AS MINE, WITH A DIAGNOSIS. *TR
AROUND 35-45 MPH, LOUD NOISE IS PRODUCED INSIDE MY 2004 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS 117,000 MILES. IT SOUNDS AS IF GEARS ARE NOT ENGAGING, AND ARE RATHER CHIPPING OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO HONDA BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE NOISE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE NOISE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HAPPEN. NOW THE NOISE HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AROUND 35-45 MPH AS I LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR A BIT. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC(WHO I TRUST) AND TOLD HIM TO CHECK IT OUT. HE STATED THAT A RECALL WAS OUT FOR THE 2004 HONDA PILOT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. I TOOK THE CAR THE NEXT DAY TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL, AND THEREFORE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE (TRANSMISSION NUMBER 2 I WILL CALL IT). I ASKED HONDA TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION NOISE TO SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE. HONDA TESTED THE CAR, AND IT NOW AGAIN NEEDS ANOTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IF I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AS THEY RECOMMEND, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR AND I DO NOT EVEN HAVE BUT 117,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE! THE HONDA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE NOISE WILL CONTINUE AND EVENTUALLY LOCK UP...WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT OCCURS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND I AM NOT PLEASED WITH HONDA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THIS INSTANCE. UPON RESEARCHING, I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS POSTS ON THE INTERNET, AND OFFICIAL COM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHICH MOVED IT SIX INCHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED WHILE SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND PARK AT THE SAME TIME IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE BRAKE WERE DEPRESSED WHILE THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE SHERIFF TO PERFORM A FORENSIC EXAMINATION ON IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
2004 HONDA PILOT THAT MAKES A "WASHBOARD" SOUND BETWEEN 30 - 45 MPH. DEALERSHIP FAILED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AS TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH HAS NOW DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. PROBLEM STARTED IN LATE 2008 WHEN VEHICLE WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. I AM AWARE OF NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN HONDAS AND ACURAS. HONDA IS NOT MAKING THE SITUATION RIGHT AND LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITH A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL GEAR THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HE COULD TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL BACKWARDS CRASHING INTO A NEARBY PARKED VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84000.
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT A LOT OF THE HONDA CARS ARE GETTING RECALLED FOR BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED. YOU CAN REMOVE THE KEY WHILE THE GEAR SELECTOR IS NOT IN PARK. MY WIFE ROLLED FORWARD AND HIT A SAFETY POLE. SHE IS ALWAYS AFRAID OF DOING IT AGAIN WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR. I CALLED HONDA ABOUT THE REPAIR AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOME HONDA CARS CAN GET RECALLED BUT MINE WILL NOT. I CALLED HONDA AND ASKED ABOUT THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE. *TR
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. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVELINE VIBRATION. THE 2004 HONDA PILOT WE OWN SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES VERY LOUDLY WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 25-50MPH. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CAR. (FAMILY OWNED SINCE NEW) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO HONDA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. HONDA HAS STATED THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE OR SAID THEY FIND NO PROBLEM. HONDA DID COMPLETE A RECALL AND INSTALLED AN OIL JET KIT AT 12K MILES. THIS WAS THEIR ATTEMPT TO QUELL THE PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND HONDA HAS ISSUED TSB 06-003(9 JUNE 2007) AND IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AMERICAN HONDA HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, THUS CAUSING PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE/MILEAGE AMERICAN HONDA REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND OR TRANSMISSION, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED/DOCUMENTED WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
HONDA DEALER INDICATED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THAT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE MOUNT IS ONE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT PARTS THAT SECURE THE ENGINE AND HONDA MUST TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE PART IS SAFE AND NOT CREAK AND GET WEAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND HONDA SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE AND RECALL AND REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNT IN ALL THOSE VEHICLES WHICH ARE AFFECTED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE HAD DRIFTED AWAY FROM THE PARKING SPACE SHE WAS IN. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V364000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, IGNITION BUT HONDA INFORMED HIM THAT THE 2004 PILOT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,500. UPDATED 12/09/10 UPDATED 12/17/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO THE STORE WINDOW CAUSING BRICKS TO FALL OFF OF THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102600.
I JUST RECENTLY (IN NOVEMBER) PURCHASED A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE TRANSMISSION STARTING CAUSING SHIFTING PROBLEMS. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS LIKE I SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON BUT THANKFULLY I WAS JUST GOING UP OUR DRIVE WAY AND NOT DRIVING FAST. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT KEPT MESSING UP. THEN THE GREEN LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE D WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND PARKED. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY PLUGGED IT INTO THE COMPUTER AND IT WAS A TRANSMISSION CODE. THERE WAS ALSO A 2-3 SHIFT MALFUNCTION. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND MY CAR HAD A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS """FIXED""" IN MAY 2006. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION, JUST INSTALLED AN OIL JET KIT TO KEEP IT LUBRICATED! APPARENTLY THAT DID NOT HELP ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE CHIPS OF METAL IN THE FLUID! EVERYONE I TALK TO JUST TELLS ME MY CAR, BEING AT 104,000 MILES, IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY HAVE TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE! NO CRAP PEOPLE! BUT IF YOU WOULD HAVE FIXED THE DARN THING PROPERLY WHEN IT HAD A RECALL IT WOULD NOT NEED REPLACED ALREADY! HONDA HAS BEEN HORRIBLE THROUGH THIS AND REFUSE TO HELP ME. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN AND I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION AT $4,000 ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS THEIR SCREW UP AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO FIX THEIR RECALL! I AM SO ANGRY AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA AS LONG AS I LIVE AND I WILL TELL ANYONE I KNOW ABOUT THEIR HORRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS AND THEIR BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO COVER THEIR BUTTS ON THIS ONE
TRANSMISSION NOISE/VIBRATION AT LOW RPMS WHILE DRIVING IN 4TH GEAR. DOES NOT MAKE NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN D3. RECALL WORK WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DONE BY DEALER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. RECALL STATED THAT TRANS COULD "LOCK UP" WHILE DRIVING. HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH ACURA MDX WHICH USES THE SAME TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTERS. *TR
OUR 2004 HONDA PILOT BEGAN MAKING NOISES EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AT FIRST, THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE WE HAD RUN OVER A PAPER CUP WITH THE RT FRONT TIRE. THIS SMALL SOUND GOT MORE FREQUENT. WE NOTICED IT HAPPENED MOST OFTEN WHEN WE WERE MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED -- BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER SAYS WE NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE TORQUE AND TRANSMISSION AT $3,500. OUR PILOT HAS 78,000 MILES.WHEN I PULL UP INFORMATION FOR OUR VIN, IT SHOWS 3 SAFETY NOTICES/RECALLS INCLUDING THE ONE FOR THE TRANSMISSION (RECALL NUMBER: 04V176000)THE RECALL BEGAN ON APR 21, 2004 AND I REMEMBER GETTING A NOTICE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HONDA AMERICA SAYS THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NO. AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR OUR PILOT AT ALL. THE RECALL INVOLVED 1099796 UNITS -- INCLUDING THE 2003 AND 2004 MODEL YR PILOTS. HONDA AMERICA DOES NOT WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR VIN WAS -- OR AT THE VERY LEAST SHOULD HAVE BEEN -- IN THE RECALL. THE HONDA AMERICA REP WAS ABRUPT AND REPEATED THE SAME SCRIPTED LINE OVER AND OVER ..."YOUR VIN IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL..." THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE. WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE ANY DISCOUNT FROM EITHER HONDA AMERICA OR THE DEALER. OUR 1999 ODYSSEY HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED JUST OUT OF WARRANTY -- AND THIS WAS THE VEHICLE HONDA PROMISED TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY. WE WILL BE SELLING OR TRADING THE PILO
FRONT AND SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS ON 2004 HONDA PILOT NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 89K MILES OF CITY DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE START JERKING AND SUDDENLY LOCKED-UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE KEPT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY TOLD THE DEALER THAT THEY WILL COVER 50 PERCENT OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT AT 83,000 MILES AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
2004 HONDA PILOT TRANSMISSION GEAR PROBLEMS....GEARS ARE ENGAGING WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. *TR
THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT DEVELOPS A VERY HOT SPOT ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS EITHER THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF OR IT WILL NOT REGULATE THE SEAT HEATER. THE SEAT HEATER ON/OFF SWITCH MUST BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY BEFORE A SKIN BURN OR FIRE WITHIN THE SEAT OCCURS. *TR
GAS PEDAL STICKS IN HONDA PILOT . PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. NOW STICKS EVERY TIME YOU PRESS EVEN WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS. THRUSTS FORWARD. TRIED TO REPAIR 4 TIMES SINCE 20K MILES BY REPLACING CLEANING THROTTLE BODY. NOW 80K MILES. HONDA REFUSES TO FIX. *TR
THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2004 HONDA PILOT BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY HOT WHENEVER I USED IT FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. EVENTUALLY IT CAME TO A POINT WHERE THE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT I COULD NOT USE THE HEATED SEAT ANYMORE. AT THIS POINT THE SEAT NOW REFUSES TO TURN ON, MOST LIKELY BECAUSE OF A BLOWN FUSE FROM THE PROBLEM. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE SEAT FELT LIKE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE. *TR
FUEL FILLER NECK ON MY 2004 PILOT HAD A FUEL LEAK. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED A LEAK IN THE NECK OF THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE WAS DETECTED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 95,000 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO APPROACH A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR AS THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE TRAFFIC STOP, BARELY AVOIDING A CRASH. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER; THE CONTACT STATED THE REPAIR DID NOT ADDRESS THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29000.
DEAR SIR/MADAM, MY 2004 HONDA PILOT HAS 58K MILES ON IT. I SCHEDULED A 60K MAJOR MAINTENANCE ON 3/19/2010. BUT ON 3/18/2010 ON MY WAY BACK HOME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR GOT VIBRATION AND SMOKE. I SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AT ABOUT 7:00 PM ON 3/18/2010. ON 3/19/2010, THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THE NO. 5 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT AND BURNED OUT THE COIL, IT'S A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE DAMAGES: THE SPARK PLUG ONLY HAS THE METAL PORTION LEFT, THE COIL BURNED OUT AND ONLY 1/3 OR 1/2 LEFT, THE CYLINDER HEAD GOT SOME DAMAGE TOO AND SOME METAL CHIPS REMAINED IN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CYLINDER. I DID THE OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP REGULARLY AND DROVE THE CAR GENTLY. I DON'T THINK THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO MY DRIVING STYLE. IT HAS TO BE QUALITY ISSUE ON EITHER THE COIL OR THE SPARK PLUG. BUT I AM NOT A MECHANICS AND DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YEARS/36K MILES), I REALLY THINK IT'S A SERIOUS QUALITY ISSUE. HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM UNLUCKY, THIS HAPPENED TO ME, I AM LUCKY, IT HAPPENED TO ME NOT ON HIGHWAY. HOPE THE AUTHORITY CAN DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND URGE HONDA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT - PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER THAT I AM REFERRING TO IN THIS COMPLAINT - THE PROBLEM: A SERIOUS WATER LEAK PROBLEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. IT HAS GONE THROUGH WARRANTY WORK WITHIN FIRST 10000 MILES BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM AFTER 8 HOURS OF WORK IN THEIR BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A SEVERE WATER LEAK PROBLEM IN TO THE PASSENGER FLOOR EVERY WINTER SEASON (IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST, RAINY SEASON IS THE WINTER SEASON) EVER SINCE THE WARRANTY WORK (THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ROOT CAUSE) WAS DONE IN 2004. I RECENTLY CALLED THE SAME DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I NEED TO PAY A CONSIDERABLE DEPOSIT EVEN FOR THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOMETHING THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX BACK IN 2004 AS A WARRANTY WORK. WITH THIS SERIOUS INTERIOR WATER LEAK CONDITION, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SMELL BAD INSIDE AND TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT (MY OWN TIME IN EVERY WINTER) TO SOAK UP WATER OFF THE CARPET FLOOR INSIDE OF MY PILOT EVERY TIME IT RAINED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE EXTEND OF THE RESIDUAL DAMAGE IT MAY HAVE ON MY VEHICLE THAT I CANNOT VISIBLY SEE WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING INTO INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BUT IT CERTAINLY WILL BRING DOWN THE VALUE OF MY HONDA PILOT IN CASE I WANT TO TRADE OR SELL. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE SITUATION FOR THE HONDA PILOT OWNERS TO TOLERATE. I NEED TO GO OUT THERE AND SOAK UP MORE WATER OUT OF MY PILOT AFTER I SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
FLASHING D INDICATOR IN 2004 HONDA PILOT - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODEL HAS ABOUT 92,000 MILES AND DURING DRIVING DEMONSTRATED A FLASHING "D" DRIVE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY ADVISED PRESSURE SENSOR ON 4TH GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPEARS NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS EXIST ON THE INTERNET FOR 2003 AND 2004 HONDA PILOT VEHICLES. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND MY SRS DASH LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST 3 TIMES. THE LAST TIME WAS WHEN I PLACED MY COMPUTER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. EACH TIME IT COST OVER $100 THE REPAIR/RESET. THIS IS UPSETTING THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
WATER LEAKS IN EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND GETS BOTH FRONT CARPETS WET. HONDA DENIES THE PROBLEM; I KNOW I'M NOT ALONG BECAUSE OTHERS CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB. I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS A BODY SEEM FAILURE BUT HONDA WANTS TO CHARGE YOU HUNDREDS BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT - INSIDE COMPARTMENT WATER LEAK. FOR 2 YEARS WE HAVE HAD WATER COMING IN THE FRONT FOOT WELLS. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND PRIVATE REPAIR SHOPS. THE DEALERSHIPS SAID IT WAS THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH WE HAVE REPLACE TWICE, AND THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP SEALED ALL AREAS THAT COME INTO THE CAR. I'VE CALL HONDA CORPORATION TWICE AND HAVE COMPLAINED. THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH CALLS ON THIS PROBLEM TO MAKE IT A RECALL. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE ON LINE (HONDA.ORG) THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE WATER IS COMING IN UNTIL THE CARPETS ARE SOAKED. *TR
SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2004 HONDA PILOT GETS VERY HOT AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING WHEN TURNED ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT V6. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE INTERIOR FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER CHROME DOOR HANDLE EXHIBITED A CRACKING AND SEPARATION. THERE WAS ALSO A SHARP EDGE ON THE CHROME PLATE SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY TO THEIR FINGER FROM THE DEFECTIVE DOOR HANDLE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE SECOND SERVICE REPAIR COST WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $40. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY WHEN THE D (DRIVE) LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. I DROVE LESS THAN A HALF MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT SCHOOL, I PUT THE CAR IN P (PARK) AND THE D LIGHT KEPT BLINKING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WENT INTO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN, WHEN I CAME BACK OUT AND TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, THE D LIGHT WAS NO LONGER BLINKING. I SPOKE TO A MECHANIC THIS MORNING AND IT IS APPARENTLY A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SO NOW I NEED TO TAKE THE DAY OFF OF WORK AND GO GET IT LOOKED AT. I'M SURE IT WILL ALSO BE A PRICEY FIX IF THE TRANSMISSION IS INVOLVED. I AM DEFINITELY NOT HAPPY CONSIDERING I HAVE JUST OVER 80K MILES ON MY PILOT, AND HONDA VEHICLES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE. WAS THERE A PROBLEM WITH 2004 HONDA PILOT VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS? *TR
ALL FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. NONE OF THE VEHICLE DOORS LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING A REMOTE OR USING THE POWER LOCK BUTTONS ON EACH DOOR. THE PROBLEM IS NOW PERMANENT ON ALL FOUR DOORS. THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED ON THE FRONT TWO DOORS AND EVENTUALLY TO THE REAR TWO DOORS. ALL FOUR DOOR ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. I AM CONCERNED A DOOR WILL BE LEFT UNLOCKED AND MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS WILL BE STOLEN. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ALL FOUR DOORS WHILE I AM DRIVING, SUCH AS IF I FEEL UNSAFE IN A LOCATION I AM DRIVING AND WANT TO IMMEDIATELY LOCK ALL THE DOORS WHILE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT (FOR EXAMPLE, SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND SOMEONE APPROACHES MY CAR). *TR
I OWN A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND WAS TOLD WHEN I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AT 90K THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED PART IF IT IS THAT COMMON. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT. HONDA DEALER TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I NEVER HEARD OF THIS FROM ANYONE. I CHECKED INTERNET FOR OTHER HONDA OWNERS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REPORTING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A PART DEFECT? *TR
TOOK 2004 HONDA PILOT IN FOR SCHEDULED 75,000 MAINTENANCE. TWO MOTOR MOUNT FAILURES. REPLACED FAILED PARTS. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY REFERENCES TO IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR
I OWN A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE SEATBELT SENSOR SWITCH CAME ON AT AROUND 63K MILES. TOOK TO HONDA, THEY SAID PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE SEAT APART TO REPAIR. PROPOSED COST IS AROUND $500. HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET DUE TO COST. INQUIRED WITH OTHER OWNERS IN MY TOWN THAT OWN SAME CARE, MAKE AND MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005. 6 OTHER WOMEN IN MY TOWN HAVE HAD EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR PILOT. I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A WARRANTED PART DUE TO IT BEING A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE OF A DEFECTIVE SENSOR ON THE PILOT. COMPLAINED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, HERB CHAMBERS HONDA, WESTBOROUGH, MA. THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD SOME REPAIRS LIKE THAT BUT NOT ALOT AND IT IS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE IT INVESTIGATED TO SEE HOW MANY HONDA PILOTS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IF IT SHOULD BE A HONDA COST FOR SUCH A DEFECT. HONDA DOESN'T NOT EVEN TELL YOU TO NOT LET ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT INSPITE OF THE SENSOR BEING ON INDICATING A DEFECT. *TR
THE NOISE IN OUR CAR HAS PROGRESSIVE GOTTEN WORSE AND THEN WE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH OUR LOCKS AND LIGHTS IN OUR CAR. WE FINALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE DOOR SENSOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS NO LONGER BEING "TURN-OFF" AS IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS APPARENTLY BECAUSE THE DOOR IS SLOWING SEPARATING FROM THE CAR. NOT NOTICEABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE WORSE SYMPTOM IS WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THIS SEEMED PRETTY SCARY THINKING THE DOORS MIGHT OPEN. *TR
HONDA PILOT 2004; MOTOR MOUNTS FAILURE NOTED IN 8/09. *TR
2004 HONDA PILOT V-6 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING, TRANSMISSION TO SLIP WHEN CLIMBING HILLS OR ATTEMPTING TO PASS AND ALSO CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP WHEN TRAVELING AT ROAD SPEED. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED IN RECALL ON OCTOBER 29, 2004 BUT ONLY INCLUDED A LIMITED VIN RANGE. VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED AFTER THE VIN RANGE WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION AND THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT WERE NOT RECALLED AND HONDA DEALERS AND AMERICAN HONDA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. THEY ARE HARD PRESSED TO EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL ITSELF UNLESS YOU TELL THEM YOU REALIZE THERE WAS A RECALL AND GIVE THEM THE DETAILS. *TR
I AND MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN LOYAL HONDA OWNERS SINCE 1984. IN THOSE 25 YEARS WE HAVE PURCHASED 8 HONDA AUTOMOBILES. UNTIL RECENTLY THE SERVICE AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY HONDA AND ITS DEALERS HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL. THAT WAS ALL UNTIL OUR MOST RECENT VEHICLE, A 2004 HONDA PILOT. IT IS A VEHICLE MY WIFE AND I LOVE BUT ONE THAT HAS HAD A HIGH LEVEL OF IRRITATING SMALL PROBLEMS. THE LATEST PROBLEM INVOLVES THE MOUNTING STRUCTURE FOR THE REAR LICENSE PLATE. THE METAL HOLDING THE TWO WELDED ON MOUNTING NUTS IS SO THIN THAT AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF VIBRATING THE METAL BACKING SIMPLY BREAKS AWAY. IN SEEKING A REPAIR TO THE PROBLEM MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER HAD NO CLUE AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND HIS ONLY REMEDY WAS TO SEND ME TO A LOCAL RETAIL BODY SHOP FOR A $234.00 REPAIR. MY LOCAL DEALER INDICATES HE WAS NOT ABLE TO OBTAIN REPAIR SUPPORT FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THESE PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO 'THE USE OF HEAVY LICENSE PLATE HOLDERS'. IN RESPONSE TO THAT DEFENSE LET ME STATE THE FOLLOWING: 1.RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET QUICKLY REVEALS THAT THE HONDA PILOTS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. DOZENS OF HONDA OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. 2.HONDA REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES HAVE ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY IN SOME CASES AND NOT IN OTHERS. 3.THE 'HEAVY LICENSE PLATE FRAME' BEING BLAMED IS AN ITEM SUPPLIED BY THE DEALER AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND DOES NOT REPRESENT AN EXTRA HEAVY BURDEN. 4.THE LICENSE PLATE HAS VIBRATED UPON CLOSING THE REAR HATCH FROM DAY ONE OF PURCHASE. IT IS THE NATURE OF THE D
3 OF 4 ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS UNRESPONSIVE ONE BY ONE, ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY (WITHIN A MONTH OR TWO), EACH DOOR LOCK BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE MASTER/DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS. ALSO DO NOT WORK USING KEY FOB. DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED AND KEY DOES NOT WORK IN FRONT PASSENGER DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE ONLY DOOR LEFT WHERE THE LOCK WORKS PROPERLY IS THE DRIVER DOOR. THE "BROKEN" LOCKS SOUND LIKE THEY ARE WORKING, BUT THEY DO NOT MOVE. DEALER WANTS $200 PER DOOR TO FIX. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING SOUND AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED. SHE STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 04V176000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000. UPDATED 09/16/09 *BF UPDATED 09/17/09.*JB
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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