10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,889 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #14

May 122020

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 208,000 miles

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

When getting work done by licensed mechanic, I was told that there was a problem with the rear frame being soo rusted that the shock absorber was not attached because there was nothing left to attach it to. I was told they couldn't fix it and I should consider getting rid of it.

- Rhinelander, WI, USA

problem #13

Dec 262018

Pilot

  • 12,000 miles
Key will not not turn in ignition to start car. Tried spare key and all suggestions from google, turning steering wheel, brakes, disconnecting battery. Locksmith charge to repair $300+, per comments on google better to replace or will happen again. Cost to replace $600+. tried tapping around key hole with screwdriver & hammer while someone turned key, did not work.

- Lagrange, GA, USA

problem #12

Jun 042018

Pilot

  • 185,000 miles
Tie rod broke causing loss of control which resulted in rollover accident when traveling at highway speeds

- Superior, CO, USA

problem #11

Oct 142015

Pilot

  • miles

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

I have a 2004 Honda Pilot with roughly 174,000 miles on it. It has been well cared for and the engine seems to run great. I acquired the car about a month ago and upon driving it I noticed a faint shuddering between gears upon acceleration from 2-50 mph. The weeks went on and it is now very scary to drive it shudders terribly while accelerating and decelerating from 2-50 mph. It feels as if the vehicle is going to just stall or possibly lock up and crash off the road I have an infant son and im afraid to have him in the vehicle. The car was bought outright from a certified Honda dealership for over 10,000 $ a few years back, . and like I said the car is barely drivable the steering is very unpredictable and wild it is unresponsive at times when im turning the steering wheel the car continues to go straight. The noise from the front differential area along with the brakes are so loud when going down hill that they can be heard over the radio on level 24-27. I can feel the constant vibration and upset in the front end so bad while driving that I have to mute the radio at times to make sure the vehicle isn't scraping and sparking along due to a transmission lock up cause it just feels like something is terribly wrong. I M too afraid to even go on the freeway unless absolutely necessary because im afraid of being injured or killed by this all too common problem I've been reading about. This fact is very troublesome because I live where the only way to get anywhere is to go on the freeway so I don't know what im going to do. With the amount of complaints on this exact issue im surprised there is no law suit... I am going to try to see what I can do to get one started... if your product has been proven defective like this obviously has then Honda really needs to own up its not fair how much money we all lose by purchasing this pos for the high resale prices we pay!!!

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #10

Jun 102015

Pilot

  • 120,228 miles
Suddenly car started making bad noise from engine. I went to store to fix it. They saying its factory recall and we can't fix it. I didn't find any information from your website. Also it's very risky. I suppose to drive my car from Michigan to Virginia but the auto technican told me wil be risk it's will stop your wheel and you will in big accident. Sears auto didn't fix my car. They refer me to go Honda dealer for recall issue. Please advice me. Thanks

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #9

Oct 152014

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles
We have been having problems with the steering wheel getting locked. We have to regularly take a part off of the steering wheel and push a screw driver in the space until the steering wheel unlocks. This happened too often. There is no reason for this to happen. We do the usual: Place foot on brake, turn wheels, make sure gear is in place, etc. But the wheel stays locked.

- Spring Hill, TN, USA

problem #8

Apr 082014

Pilot

  • 134,505 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, there was a load noise emitted from the vehicle when the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to dealer, who stated that the power steering pump seals failed and reservoir was clogged. As a result, the power steering pump and reservoir needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,505.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 292013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 162,715 miles
The key was difficult to insert into the ignition. Once in, the key was then virtually impossible to remove. Furthermore will not turn as it is stuck in between off and accessory positions. Hours were spent jiggling, bringing a locksmith to make attempts at removing without success. The Honda Pilot had to be towed to dealership. This happened within 1 day of a serviced recall for the interlock lever which involves the ignition and the steering column shifter.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 012010

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The shift interlock allowed the key to be removed without the Pilot being in park. This caused the Pilot to roll backwards in a parking lot. Luckily the lot was fairly flat, so it didn't roll far or hit anything (or anybody!). a Honda dealer confirmed the issue, and contacted Honda about it. Honda said they wouldn't fix the issue due to the mileage, and the fact that I purchased the vehicle used (from carmax).

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #5

Jul 282011

Pilot

  • 51,000 miles
2004 Honda Pilot shakes when you brake on the highway going over 50 mph. The steering wheel also shakes when you go around a curve at 40 mph or more.

- Springfield, PA, USA

problem #4

Sep 162004

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. While driving speeds ranging from approximately 25 to 55 mph, the vehicle began pulling to the right. The vehicle changed lanes within seconds. The contact had to use extreme force to steer the vehicle back into the correct lane. The failure caused the tires to wear before the normal mileage. The dealer replaced the tires at 27,000 miles due to the extreme wear. The steering in the vehicle was repaired by two mechanics; however, the failure continued to occur. The VIN, number of cylinders, and engine size are not available. The current and failure mileage was 33,000.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012004

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Steering wheel shake. Bounces in hand. Cabin noise/vibration.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #2

Jan 012006

Pilot

  • miles
2004 Honda Pilot. Steering wheel vibration at speeds 75 mph. Can't be remedied with balance of tires. Many Pilot owners are complaining about the same issue.

- Arkansas City, KS, USA

problem #1

Dec 012003

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased a 2004 Honda Pilot and ever since we have owned it we have a problem with vibration at speed approaching and over 65mph. We have had it to the dealer two times and the have offere no solution and taken the stance that it is the characteristic of the vehicle.

- Wonder Lake, IL, USA

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