2004 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Caution

Ranks 11th of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 544; 54 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 36.0; 136,064 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 1.1×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 163; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 12
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2003 Pilot 2005 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2004 Honda Pilot?

Only after careful checks. Our reliability score for the 2004 Honda Pilot is 66 out of 100, which rates Caution. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 11th of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is seats, mostly parts breaking or coming apart (83 of 544 complaints). Owners also complain about the transmission and vibration. 163 of the 544 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 12 recalls. Honda also offers a warranty extension that may still apply, for passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on). For comparison, the 2003 scores 61 and the 2005 scores 62.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 06-009 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls
1 Honda warranty extension may cover repairs

Cons

Seats: parts breaking or coming apart83 complaints
Transmission: failure or loss of drive82 complaints
Vibration (cause not stated)34 complaints

How the 2004 Pilot Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.99×	−17
Everyday problems	1.2×	−8
Recalls	2.6×	−9
Score		66

What Owners Report

We read all 544 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
83 complaints (15%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, overheating and a fire. 25 of these 83 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 126,000 miles.
Transmission: failure or loss of drive
82 complaints (15%)
Failure or loss of drive, vibration or shudder and warning lights. 42 of these 82 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
34 complaints (6%)
Vibration or shudder. 1 of these 34 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. In 7 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 100,000 miles.
Ignition or push-button start: sticking or stiffness
33 complaints (6%)
Sticking or stiffness, key removable outside Park and a failure that needed a new part. 23 of these 33 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 113,000 miles.
Engine mounts failure
30 complaints (6%)
A failure, parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 85,000 miles.
Torque converter: vibration or shudder
24 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, a failure and unusual noises. 2 of these 24 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 94,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
20 complaints (4%)
Warning lights, a failure and problems that come and go. Median mileage when it started: about 97,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
18 complaints (3%)
Rust or corrosion and parts breaking or coming apart. 6 of these 18 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 206,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
17 complaints (3%)
Loss of braking, vibration or shudder and unusual noises. 5 of these 17 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 5 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 4 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 42,000 miles.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
12 complaints (2%)
The car rolling away, a feature that stopped working and parts breaking or coming apart. 6 of these 12 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a tow. Median mileage when it started: about 144,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
11 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration, loss of braking and surging. 7 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 103,000 miles.
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
10 complaints (2%)
Water leaking in. 1 of these 10 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 68,000 miles.
Noise (cause not stated)
10 complaints (2%)
Unusual noises. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 28,000 miles.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
9 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash, a feature that stopped working and ejected objects on deployment. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 156,000 miles.
Seat belts: not releasing
9 complaints (2%)
Not releasing, the system not working when needed and locking up. 3 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 110,000 miles.

Show 29 more problems

Steering: loss of steering control
8 complaints (1%)
Loss of steering control, parts breaking or coming apart and a failure. 5 of these 8 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control. Median mileage when it started: about 127,000 miles.
Fuel leak: unusual noises
7 complaints (1%)
Unusual noises, a leak and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 89,000 miles.
Headlights: stopped working
7 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, damage and problems that come and go. 1 of these 7 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 118,000 miles.
Passenger airbag sensor failure
7 complaints (1%)
A failure and problems that come and go. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 74,000 miles.
Accelerator pedal: sticking or stiffness
6 complaints (1%)
Sticking or stiffness. Median mileage when it started: about 65,000 miles.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
6 complaints (1%)
The car not starting and hard starting. 3 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Engine: vibration or shudder
5 complaints (under 1%)
Vibration or shudder, a fire and rough running or misfires. Median mileage when it started: about 128,000 miles.
Fuel system: cannot refuel
5 complaints (under 1%)
Cannot refuel.
Loss of power (cause not stated)
5 complaints (under 1%)
A loss of power and failure or loss of drive. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 174,000 miles.
Door lock actuators: stopped working
5 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and a failure. Median mileage when it started: about 45,000 miles.
Exterior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 113,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
4 complaints (under 1%)
No deployment in a crash, a feature that stopped working and deployment injury. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Interior trim: parts breaking or coming apart
4 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, shattering or cracking and damage. 2 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 124,000 miles.
Paint and rust: rust or corrosion
4 complaints (under 1%)
Rust or corrosion and damage.
Sunroof: water leaking in
4 complaints (under 1%)
Water leaking in, unusual noises and parts breaking or coming apart. 1 of these 4 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 184,000 miles.
AWD or rear differential: the system acting on its own
3 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own and a failure that needed a new part. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 138,000 miles.
Door latches: not opening or unlocking
3 complaints (under 1%)
Not opening or unlocking and sticking or stiffness.
Engine air intake: sticking or stiffness
3 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Airbag sensor failure
3 complaints (under 1%)
A failure. Median mileage when it started: about 160,000 miles.
Power windows or regulator: stopped working
3 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and sticking or stiffness. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome. Median mileage when it started: about 37,000 miles.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: damage
3 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 105,000 miles.
Uneven tire wear: early wear
2 complaints (under 1%)
Early wear.
Engine failure: damage
2 complaints (under 1%)
Damage and a failure that needed a new part.
Ignition coils or spark plugs: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and loose.
Instrument cluster: wrong readings
2 complaints (under 1%)
Wrong readings and a feature that stopped working.
Throttle body: sticking or stiffness
2 complaints (under 1%)
Sticking or stiffness. Both describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving.
Struts or shocks: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart.
Wheel rim: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (under 1%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and damage. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.
Windshield wipers failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and a feature that stopped working.

Reported Once (46)

Show the 46 problems reported once

12V battery failure
A/C compressor failure
Battery drain: draining the battery
Blower motor failure
Check engine light (cause not stated)
Climate controls: stopped working
Control arm bushings failure
Several warning lights at once
CV axles: parts breaking or coming apart
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
Engine oil leak
Fuel economy: high fuel use
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Hood latch: not closing or latching
Ignition or power mode (won't shut off): not shutting off
Screen and audio: works on and off
Mirrors: damage
EGR valve failure
RPM drop (cause not stated)
Air control valve or throttle: sudden acceleration
Air mix motor failure
Brake light switch failure
Cabin water leak (cause not stated)
Child safety seat harness: not closing or latching
Cylinder head: damage
Dashboard smoke: smoke or a burning smell
Door hinges or attachment: parts breaking or coming apart
Fender: damage
Front differential: unusual noises
Fuel cap failure
Fuel tank valve failure
Interior lights: the system acting on its own
Rear suspension: rust or corrosion
Side window glass: shattering or cracking
Trailer taillight converter: smoke or a burning smell
Vehicle alarm: the system acting on its own
Parking brake failure
Power liftgate failure
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
Stall (cause not stated)
Taillights or brake lights: parts breaking or coming apart
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
Tires: a leak
Transmission fluid leak
Wheels seized (cause not stated)
Windshield: water leaking in

How the 2004 Honda Pilot Compares With Other Years

The other Pilot years of the 1st generation, 2003 to 2008, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2009	Good	78	0.34×	13.6	9	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	79	0.33×	12.6	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2007	Good	74	0.39×	14.3	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2006	Good	77	0.48×	15.5	8	Stability control (VSA): the system acting on its own
2005	Caution	62	1.5×	44.7	13	Stability control (VSA): hard braking with nothing ahead
2004 This year	Caution	66	1.1×	36.0	12	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
2003	Caution	61	1.7×	52.2	13	Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts

See every Pilot year

2004 Honda Pilot Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V344000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 23, 2016. By the third quarter of 2017, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 6 more recalls

Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V700000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 4, 2014. By the first quarter of 2016, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 14V353000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 20, 2014. By the fourth quarter of 2015, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Electrical system: switch
Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 12V573000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 11, 2012.
Exterior lighting: switch
If the terminal ends melt within the wiring harness connector, the low beam headlights may become inoperative, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 12V136000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 30, 2012.
Equipment: labels
Certain sport utility vehicle's certification labels may contain incorrect vehicle weight and tire size information.
NHTSA 04V389000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 11, 2004.
Power train: automatic transmission
Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
NHTSA 04V176000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 15, 2004.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 06-009
Passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)
The problem:
The passenger airbag sensor can fail and keep the airbag warning light on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the passenger airbag sensor and its control unit for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on with a listed fault. Other airbag faults are not covered. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. The VIN must show as eligible.
Coverage:
10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-009
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-014
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-046Ended
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2022.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-051Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2026.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Both low beam headlights going out at once
Led to a recall
NHTSA's engineering analysis looked at reports of both low beam headlights failing together. It covered 2002-2003 Civics, 2002-2004 CR-Vs and 2003-2005 Pilots. A worn switch wiring terminal could overheat and melt its connector. Honda recalled vehicles in two stages under recall 12V-136. NHTSA closed the case in September 2012.
NHTSA EA11012 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Sep 12, 2011 to Sep 17, 2012
Ignition interlock failure causing rollaways
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation covered 2003-2004 Pilots and Odysseys whose ignition interlock could fail and let the key come out outside Park. It found 176 complaints, including 48 rollaway crashes and three pedestrian injuries. Honda recalled about 576,117 Pilots and Odysseys, plus Acura MDXs, under recall 12V-573. NHTSA closed the case in January 2013.
NHTSA PE12026 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Oct 2, 2012 to Jan 14, 2013
Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2004 Pilot no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2004 Pilot ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2004 Pilot, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V499000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V501000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V182000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 16V344000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 12 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether this warranty extension applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

06-009: passenger airbag sensor (airbag warning light stays on)

On the Test Drive

Accelerate gently from a stop and again at 20 to 40 mph. Shudder, slipping or harsh shifts are warning signs. Ask for the transmission fluid records.
In drive at a stop, heavy vibration through the cabin is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Seats
Transmission
Vibration
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Pilot Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.