RoadVitals

2004 Honda Pilot Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Aug 31, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 544 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistance
Filed Aug 31, 2016

THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES FREEZES AND I CANNOT PRESS IT DOWN. WHEN I PRESS VERY HARD IT RELEASES AND GOES TOO FAST FROM THE STOP POSITION. I WAS IN THE SCHOOL ZONE STOPPED WHEN I TRIED TO START AGAIN, IT FROZE. THE GUARD WAS TRYING TO MAKE ME GO, I WAS TRYING BUT PEDAL WAS FROZEN. WHEN I PUSHED VERY HARD, IT WENT VERY FAST FROM STOP. THE COP SAW ME CLOCKED ME AND GAVE ME A $360.00 TICKET. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. DID NOT BELIEVE ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER THIS BAD. I HAVE SENT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY.

NHTSA ID
10899801
Incident
Aug 17, 2016
Mileage
121,606 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED FOR YEARS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE AND THEN SLOWLY MANEUVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LIFT BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V35300 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10705688
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2015

WHEN WE STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL, IT STICKS, WHEN YOU PRESS DOWN A LITTLE MORE, THE CAR LURCHES QUICKLY, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE WORST IS WHEN WE BACK OUT OF OUR GARAGE (WE HAVE AN UPHILL DRIVEWAY), BUT IT HAPPENS IN FORWARD FROM A STOP ALSO... *TR

NHTSA ID
10678885
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 21, 2014

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK DURING THE STOPS AND ALSO WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL THE STOP SIGNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND EVEN DURING DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660056
Incident
Sep 20, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 2, 2014

UPON TAKING OFF AT THE STOP LIGHT I ACCELERATED TO 35 MILES AN HOUR THEN CHANGED LANES AS I WAS NEARING MY DESTINATION ,THE CAR SPED OUT OF CONTROL AND REACHED SPEEDS OVER 65 MILES AN HOUR,I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKES WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STOPPED THE VEHICLE, I HAD A NEW IGNITION SWITCH PUT IN AT A COST TO ME OF 700.DOLLARS SIX MONTH IN THE FALL OF 2013..THIS WAS A MOST DANGEROUS INCIDENT, PEOPLE MUST KNOW THIS., I TRIED TO RE[PORT IT ONLINE TO NHTSA IT SAID ''25 '' COMPLAINTS ONLY.??? *TR

NHTSA ID
10595667
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
25 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 5, 2014

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. HAS STUCK SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT FROM DEALER. WAS TAKEN TO DEAL TO GET FIXED, BUT DEALER CLAIMED IT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ABOUT ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/14-PROBLEMS/10677-04-STICKY-ACCELERATOR-PEDAL.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563141
Incident
May 2, 2005
Mileage
25,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 29, 2013

OUR PILOT DRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ONE DAY, WE PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. NOW OUR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE FOUND OUT THAT WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION! WE HAVE LESS THAN 100,000 MI. ALSO, OUR GAS PEDAL STICKS, TO ACCELERATE WE TAKE OFF EXTREMELY FAST FROM A DEAD STOP. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!!! IT STARTED OUT A LITTLE STICKY AND IS NOW VERY BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514147
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 24, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BECOME STUCK. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY MADE IT DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR BECOMING STUCK. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,761 UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10513454
Incident
Apr 14, 2010
Mileage
101,761 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 7, 2012

WHILE DRIVING ON THE GERMAN AUTOBAHN I ACCELERATED FROM 65 MPH TO PASS AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE REVVED BEYOND ANTICIPATED RESPONSE FOR ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, BUT SPEED AND ENGINE RPM CONTINUED TO INCREASE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED, BUT I RE-VERIFIED BY TOGGLING THE SWITCH TO OFF (UNLIGHTED), WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. BRAKES 'FOUGHT' AGAINST CONTINUED ACCELERATION FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS BEFORE I RECOVERED AUTHORITY OVER BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. ESTIMATED MAXIMUM SPEED FOR THE DURATION OF THE INCIDENT WAS 85-90 MPH. I DROVE THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP (APPROX 100 MILES) WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT, AND WITHOUT ATTEMPTING TO USE CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A CERTIFIED HONDA MECHANIC'S SHOP FOR EVALUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10474178
Incident
Sep 1, 2012
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 17, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A COMPLETELY FLAT SURFACE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIGHTLY TO GET THE CAR MOVING, THE CAR ACCELERATED WILDLY. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE, WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TIME TO LOOK DOWN AND SEE THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TO STOMP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING UNTIL IT SMASHED INTO A TREE GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH (ESTIMATED). A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE THE WRECK A PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN BRAKE ERROR LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THE SHOP IT WAS TAKEN TO REFUSED TO LOOK INTO THE BRAKES, ACCELERATOR, MASTER CYLINDER OR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY STATED THERE WERE NO CODES TRIGGERED, THOUGH THEY COULD PROVIDE NO PROOF THAT THEY EVEN HAD THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT TO READ THE CODES. STATE FARM INSURANCE REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS FROM A STAND STILL ON A FLAT SURFACE. IT WAS HORRIFIC. I WOULD LIKE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10471300
Incident
Aug 4, 2012
Mileage
135,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 4, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS THEN ENGAGED WITH EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 187,400.

NHTSA ID
10457445
Incident
May 3, 2012
Mileage
187,400 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Sep 23, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH THE VEHICLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BEFORE THE CRASH OCCURRED. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHICH MOVED IT SIX INCHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED WHILE SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND PARK AT THE SAME TIME IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE BRAKE WERE DEPRESSED WHILE THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE SHERIFF TO PERFORM A FORENSIC EXAMINATION ON IT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE HONDA MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10357202
Incident
Sep 5, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2010
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO THE STORE WINDOW CAUSING BRICKS TO FALL OFF OF THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A HONDA DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102600.

NHTSA ID
10348479
Incident
Aug 7, 2010
Mileage
102,600 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 20, 2010

GAS PEDAL STICKS IN HONDA PILOT . PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. NOW STICKS EVERY TIME YOU PRESS EVEN WHILE STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS. THRUSTS FORWARD. TRIED TO REPAIR 4 TIMES SINCE 20K MILES BY REPLACING CLEANING THROTTLE BODY. NOW 80K MILES. HONDA REFUSES TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10331453
Incident
May 20, 2010
Mileage
20 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 13, 2008

I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE FIRST TIME THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WAS AT 19K MILES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT SO BAD ON THE HIGHWAY I HAD TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE TO PREVENT FROM CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK AND IT COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND ALSO CLEANED IT BUT MADE IT WORST. THE LAST TIME THAT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE WAS IN APRIL 7, 2008 AND AGAIN I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE REALLY IS NOT MUCH THEY CAN DO AT THIS POINT. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX AND WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND I AM ASKING FOR THIS TO BE RECALLED. MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE GONE TO THE HONDA PILOT FORUM AND READ THAT I AM NOT ALONE. I REALLY AM ASKING NHTSA TO CONSIDER A RECALL FOR THE HONDA PILOT. YES, I UNDERSTAND THAT I DID NOT EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT NOR INJURIES BUT I BELIEVE THAT A NEAR ACCIDENT SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ID
10230947
Incident
Sep 30, 2004
Mileage
19,118 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 1, 2007
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND TWO OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THROTTLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM 1 YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 09/18/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10198201
Incident
Jul 27, 2006
Mileage
22,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESPONDED IT SURGED FORWARD. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED TO STICK. AT 1034 MILES, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PEDAL WAS STICKING AND CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAKING AN UPGRADE FOR THE COMPONENT. WHEN THE UPGRADE WAS AVAILABLE, IT WAS INSTALLED. TWO MONTHS LATER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STARTED STICKING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE GASKET AND CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AT 3395 MILES. THE VEHICLE WORKED PROPERLY IN WARMER CONDITIONS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN STICKING WHILE DRIVING 9 MONTHS AFTER THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AGAIN, THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN HOME. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON A BRIDGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF THE BRIDGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE MECHANIC FROM THE DEALERSHIP RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE FROM THAT LOCATION AND DETERMINED IT TOOK 2 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM AND THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED EVERY 15,000 MILES. THE THROTTLE BODY HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 16,000 MILES. IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE VEHICLE, A NEW CABLE WAS INSTALLED TO THE THROTTLE BODY 2 DAYS AGO, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO CURRENT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10150363
Incident
Feb 13, 2006
Mileage
19,565 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 22, 2005

2004 HONDA PILOT DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION, BRAKING AND THE STEERING VIBRATES.*MR WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING AS THEY NORMALLY DID. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND THE RPM'S WENT UP BETWEEN 1800 AND 2100. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10137778
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 15, 2005

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER, AND KNOCKED A POLE DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE KEY OFF IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10118888
Incident
Jun 7, 2004
Mileage
8,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 1, 2004

CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL ARE NOT LIGHTED AND ARE THE ONLY WAY TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS DRIVING AND TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BUTTON TO ENGAGE WHEN I RAN ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, LUCKLY THERE WAS NO WRECK. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BUTTON IN THE DARK IS DISTRACTING FROM THE DRIVING PROCESS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10100901
Incident
Nov 29, 2004
Mileage
3,400 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2004

TACHOMETER SURGES UPWARD BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T GO ANY FASTER AND I AM NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THEN SOME TIMES IT WILL DROP DRAMATICALLY. FIRST VISIT DEALER SAID COULD NOT DUPLICATE, SECOND TRIP THEY REPLACED EGR VALVE. IT IS BETTER BUT STILL DOES NOT DRIVE LIKE A NEW VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10080614
Incident
May 24, 2004

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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