10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,934 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Honda Pilot drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 5 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Dec 172011

Pilot

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 60 mph up an incline, the transmission down shift into second gear while the engine warning indicator was illuminated. The failure occurred continuously. The contact was unable to drive beyond 30 mph. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V176000 (power train: Automatic transmission). The VIN was ineligible under the recall defect. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic who stated the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #13

Feb 062012

Pilot 6-cyl Diesel

  • 177,211 miles
I took my Honda Pilot to the Honda dealership because the D light was flashing. They found code P1740 indicating a 4th pressure switch failure. I received an estimate for $5,109 + tax to replace the transmission and torque converter. I discovered the recall issued for the transmission on the 2003-2004 Honda Pilot, but when I called Honda, I was told that there was no recall for my vehicle for the transmission. My vehicle is having the same problem that is described in the recall, so I do not understand why Honda would deny servicing my vehicle in accordance with the recall.

- Ruston, LA, USA

problem #12

Jan 022012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
My 2004 Honda Pilot with just 130,000 miles needed to have my transmission replaced.it was making loud noises and the transmission was slipping. On August 6, 2004 my Pilot based on a Honda safety recall - installed a oil jet kit to the transmission because my car had 15, 232 which I think was over by 232 miles required to get a new transmission. My car is completely serviced at the Honda dealer.

- New Milford, CT, USA

problem #11

May 132009

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission shudders intermittently from 20-35 mph. Diagnosed as transmission failure and it needed to be replaced. Owner responsible for 50% of $4000 bill.

- Normandy Park, WA, USA

problem #10

Mar 012011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
I own a 2004 Honda Pilot which was purchased new and has been well maintained with 106000 miles and have been experiencing an automatic transmission/torque converter shudder/vibration that occurs between 35-45 mph. The vibration began occurring at about 90,000 miles. At speeds of 35-45 mph the vibration occurs under light acceleration and continues until I either push down harder on the gas pedal or let off it completely. Research on the internet thru NHTSA has found 43 similar complaints. Apparently this problem is due to a defective torque converter or automatic transmission that is similar to the one on the Honda-made Acura and has been the subject of an Acura recall. The defect will ultimately result in a vehicle safety hazard when the transmission fails. My Honda Pilot is no longer under warranty. The transmission problem is a result of a defective part rather than normal wear and tear and Honda should issue a recall or initiate an owner notification and goodwill consideration for transmission replacement to prevent potential harm to passengers when the transmission fails on the road. Average cost to the customer for such a repair is between $3,000-$5,000 according to the complaints filed. This is a dangerous defect that should be publicly addressed by Honda and should not be a burden that Honda customers should bear.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

problem #9

Oct 142007

Pilot

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot ex. The contact stated that the transmission made a loud noise while the vehicle was in motion. The dealer diagnosed that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact researched NHTSA campaign id number: 04V176000 (power train:automatic transmission), but the VIN was not associated in the recall. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repair to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #8

Oct 042011

Pilot

  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car stalled while driving in the freeway. I paid $4500 for rebuilt transmission.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 092011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 114,546 miles
Transmission began to slip, vehicle lost power during acceleration. Transmission eventually failed altogether. Vehicle undrivable. Unsafe situation. No way to accelerate and no warning to pull over.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Mar 012009

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
I am first owner of my Pilot (my first Honda) and I too am suffering from the 35-45mph shudder from the known transmission problem. It's worse than just shuddering, it is grinding to shift down and sounds like a semi truck gearing down on the interstate. I have had to drive it this way for nearly 2 years. I stay on the interstate as much as possible and speed through town to keep it above 40mph where it happens the worst. Honda corporate insists I pay the local dealer for review (another $90 bill) before talking to me but insists there is no recall beyond what was done in 04V176000, but the problem still exists and I don't have $5000 to spend on rebuilding the transmission. Even private party it's $3K. It is getting worse.

- Fairview Heights, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 042011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 105,922 miles
Not sure if this is consider a power train problem, but no option regarding a transmission or torque converter in the box. My 2004 Honda Pilot shudders very bad when I am going between 35 to 40 mph. I am so embarrassed when someone else is in the vehicle with me and it does it. I have 116,352 miles on my vehicle now and it shudders alot. I have been reading the consumer report and this seems to be very common in the 2004 Honda Pilot. There should have been a recall regarding this problem. It appears this is not an isolated issue. Please help me in resolving this issue. I feel it is a manufactured malfunction and not the owner's fault, but I am a female and it is assumed females do not know anything about their vehicle that they drive everyday to work. Other than this problem, I am very pleased with my Honda Pilot. I do not abuse my vehicle in any way. Please respond and help me correct this problem in the best way possible without a lot of cost to the consumer. Thank you.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #4

Jan 312011

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front engine mounts are bad.

- Kenner, LA, USA

problem #3

Dec 182010

Pilot

  • 116,000 miles
Torque converter shudder /vibration between 35 and 40 mph. I have taken my 2004 Honda Pilot to the service department for over 18 month now trying to get someone to hear or experience what I was with my vehicle. Finally when the vibration was so bad it could be heard and felt. It was finally heard/felt by the service manager at local Honda dealer. When I was told what the problem was and that it would cost $2500 to fix, I got a second opinion, when that opinion was confirmend, I went online to see if there was a recall that I had not been notified of. I did not find any recalls but found the numerous complaints on the manufacturer of powe train/automatic transmissions:torque converter. I was livid that there were so many complaint with the same problems that I don't know how the dealership did not know or if they conveniently chose not to acknowledge my problems.. until I experience this problem I loved my vehicle.

- Island Lake, IL, USA

problem #2

Apr 012010

Pilot

  • 120,000 miles
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.

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 102009

Pilot

  • 90,000 miles
While driving in April of 2009, the drive gear keep blinking. Called the Honda dealer and they said to turn off engine and it should go away. It did go away, once the engine is off. Then in July 2009, it blink again, and it go away once the engine is off. Now the drive gear blinking light is on more frequently then before. I called the Honda dealer and they said they don't know why the D drive is blinking.

- Bellflower, CA, USA

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