MYRModel Year Report

2004 Honda Pilot

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Honda Pilot
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Pilot Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2004 2005: 679 complaints 2006: 266 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 132 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 291 complaints 2012: 170 complaints 2012 2013: 270 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 107 complaints 2015 2016: 1660 complaints 2017: 899 complaints 2018: 425 complaints 2018 2019: 859 complaints 2020: 465 complaints 2021: 400 complaints 2021 2022: 129 complaints 2023: 113 complaints 2024: 99 complaints 2024 2025: 156 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2004: 544 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006266
2007211
2008132
2009134
2010111
2011291
2012170
2013270
2014116
2015107
20161660
2017899
2018425
2019859
2020465
2021400
2022129
2023113
202499
2025156
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 17%

17% of complaints: power train — 94 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SEATS 15%

15% of complaints: seats — 79 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2004 PILOT. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL KEPT AND MAINTAINED WITH HONDA DEALER. WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN DRIVERS SEAT STARTED FEELING HOT LIKE A BURN ON HER BACK. STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180504

THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS BEEN SO HOT THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT CAN BURN YOUR SKIN. TODAY ON THE WAY TO WORK MY DAUGHTER SAID SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. SHE LOOKED DOWN ON HER SEAT AND IT WAS SMOKING AND BURNED THE LEATHER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171220

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 77 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180613

VEHICLE VEERED OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE, DEAD ON THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT AND DESTROYED THE BUMPER AND FRONT LEFT FENDER, PUSHED THE HOOD INTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH CRACKED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. BRUISING FROM SEAT BELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120528

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050620

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 47 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVERS HEATED SEAT CAUGHT THE SEAT ON FIRE. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20120416

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 44 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 544
R 20040427 — power train

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIO

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE T

Campaign 04V176000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040811 — equipment

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE'S CERTIFICATION LABELS MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT VEHICLE WEIGHT AND TIRE SIZE INFORMATION.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CERTIFICATION LABEL OR TO CONTACT A DEALER TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION FOR THEM. IF THE LABEL IS INCORRECT, OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALERS TO ARRANGE TO HAV

Campaign 04V389000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110912 — EA (closed 20120917)

Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating

R 20120427 — exterior lighting

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V; MODEL YEAR 2003 THROUGH 2005 PILOT; AND MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 CIVIC VEHICLES. IN MARCH 2012, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CER

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICL

Campaign 12V136000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20121002 — PE (closed 20130114)

Ignition Interlock Failure - Rollaway

R 20130222 — electrical system

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock le

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of

Campaign 12V573000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20140912 — air bags

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V353000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150126 — air bags

American Honda Motor Co.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Campaign 14V700000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150701 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 15V320000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160629 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 16V344000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180622 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 18V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190410 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V182000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Campaign 19V499000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190812 — air bags

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Campaign 19V501000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R Date not on file — equipment

HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Campaign 08E013000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (94 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (79 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E013000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V176000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V389000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V136000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V573000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V353000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V700000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V320000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V344000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V268000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V182000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V499000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V501000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2016 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Honda Pilot reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Honda Pilot is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Pilot?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Honda Pilot have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.