2004 Honda Pilot: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2004 Honda Pilot? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 544 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2004 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2004 Honda Pilot.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2004 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated15.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
15.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2004 Honda Pilot has 544 owner complaints, 29 crash-related complaints, and 13 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Pilot
- Model year
- 2004
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 544
- Crash-related complaints
- 29
- Safety recall campaigns
- 13
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 17
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 15 / 21
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Most Common 2004 Honda Pilot Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Seat-Related Issues
Airbag Malfunctions
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Seat-Related Issues, Airbag Malfunctions. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2004 Honda Pilot?
The 2004 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2004 Honda Pilot
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the transmission and drivetrain for any signs of failure or unusual behavior.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, seat, and airbag repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the transmission and drivetrain for any signs of failure or unusual behavior.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, seat, and airbag repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase, focusing on reported components.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2004 Honda Pilot, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 544 NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Honda Pilot, the data suggests that transmission and drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported concern, followed by seat-related problems and airbag malfunctions. The vehicle has 13 recalls, and 29 complaints are crash-related, though the confidence level is low due to the limited single-year dataset.
- Transmission / Drivetrain accounts for the highest number of complaints at 142.
- Seat-related issues are the second most reported component with 85 complaints.
- Airbag malfunctions are the third most common concern with 81 complaints.
- Transmission / Drivetrain failures are the most frequently reported issue.
- Seat-related problems, including potential defects, are a recurring theme.
- Airbag malfunctions appear to be a significant concern based on complaint volume.
All 2004 Honda Pilot Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Pilot. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 142 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 85 | — | 12 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 81 | 11 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 60 | 7 | 3 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 50 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 42 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 27 | 2 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 22 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 21 | 4 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 16 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 13 | 2 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Honda sold America cars that they knew were rusted less than five years and they still letting people drive these cars that are rusted at the bottom
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the odometer mileage reading was 160,000. After obtaining a Carfax Report it was discovered that the previous mileage was 337,000. The contact also indicated that the instru…
The steering became extremely loose over time on my Honda Pilot posing significant safety concerns because of it. The tires adamantly follow all the divets, lines, grooves, and bumps in the road causing me to lose control of the vehicle very easily in poor driving conditions. Thi…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase September 2024, the vehicle mileage was 139,…
When I took my car for tire installation at Walmart on [XXX] , the technician declined to install the tires, he stated "your vehicle is unsafe to lift up for tire installation because of rust". I was on my driving it to a body shop when something snapped near the right rear tire …
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition briefly failed to turn. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manuf…
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact entered the vehicle and the front passenger attempted to secure the seat belt however, the seat belt failed to retract. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagno…
I heard a loud pop come from under my driver's seat and the seat started rocking backwards. I got out of my car and checked underneath the seat. The front-left bracket securing the seat to the seat frame had completely sheared in half and the seat was no longer securely attache…
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ACTIVATED. I TOOK MY 2004 HONDA PILOT WITH CALIFORNIA LICENSE PLATE NUMBER [XXX] TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN HEMET CALIFORNIA ON DECEMBER 14 2022 TO CHECK THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE BECAUSE THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED …
Transmission locks up when vehicle has been driven for a short time
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP CHARGES $100.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT PART OF THE AIRBAG RECALL AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY. MY VEHICLE IS 20 YEARS OLD. I BELEIVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH AIRBAGS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. IN THE CA…
Brakes seem to stop suddenly Must brake slowly to avoid a sudden stop Seatbelt locks up if I do not pull it forward and leave room in the belt so that it isn't completely holding me in Also the driver seat will only adjust sideways.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the transmission was shifted into drive(D) and the vehicle shuddered. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent m…
lights that illuminate the functions/buttons of the climate control system burned out
Confirmed with local mechanic that the rear cross member of the sub-frame needs to be replaced immediately. Badly rusted and is a safety issue.
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 fi…
I was approaching a stop sign and slowing down to < 10 miles and the engine continued to slow down and the car started to push forward while I was totally pressing on the brake - it did not want to stop and kept pushing forward. I wasn't sure what was happening and quickly put it…
My hood latch isn't holding when I'm highway driving at 60MPH. The hood will pop open. I've seen the new recall on the news for the newer vehicles but it is also happening on my 2004. I believe that year needs to be added to the list.
Transmission locked up while driving and wont drive after I stored the vehicle Iam glad no one was behind me on the freeway there is a extremely huge problem with this transmissions the government needs to get this kind of vehicles checked out at Honda before someone loses his l…
WAS ON HIGHWAY AND STARTED JERKING REAL HARD WHERE I ALMOST HIT A CAR HEAD ON WAS GOING 55 FOR SURE SCARED ME TO DEAD AND PULLED OVER AND CALLED MY BOYFRIEND HE CAME TO ME AND GOT IN IT AND IT WOULDN'T GO FORWARDS BACKWARDS NOTHING SO HE WENT AND GOT TRAILER AND HAULED TO HIS HOU…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Honda Pilot.
2004 Honda Pilot Recalls
13 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Honda Pilot. 13 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2004 Honda Pilot Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2004 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 544 owner complaints, 29 crash-related complaints, and 13 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2004 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Honda Pilot?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (142 complaints). #2: Seat-Related Issues (85 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (81 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Honda Pilot?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Honda Pilot?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2004 Honda Pilot, NHTSA complaints include 29 crash-related reports and 14 fire reports out of 544 total complaints. 36 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes. 13 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Honda Pilot. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 13 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2004 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2004 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2004 Honda Pilot based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.