2004 Honda Pilot Electrical Problems

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 instrument cluster had been replaced and the air bag and check engine warning lights were inoperable, and the driver’s side air bag had been removed from the vehicle. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11679076

Incident

Aug 7, 2025

Mileage

337,000 mi

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 139,020. The contact stated that after a mechanic had informed the contact that the frame was severely rusted, the contact retrieved the Carfax report history of the vehicle and discovered that the vehicle mileage was 196,000 on August 11, 2018.

NHTSA ID

11659679

Incident

Sep 8, 2024

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 manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11574322

Incident

Feb 15, 2024

MY CAR WAS RUNNING JUST FINE I'VE HAD NO ISSUES THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT TILL NOW AND I CANNOT PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT TAKES ME LIKE 10 MINUTES OR MORE TO PUT THE KEY IN AND IF I TAKE THE KEY OUT WHEN I GET TO MY DESTINATION IT TAKES ME 10 MINUTES OR MORE TO PUT THE KEY IN AGAIN JUST TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR BACK HOME. I'M PRETTY SURE THAT IT SHOULD BE ON A RECALL BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE. AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH WAY I PUT THE KEY IN IT WILL NOT GO IN AND I HAVE THREE KEYS AND EACH KEY DOES THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID

11384391

Incident

Nov 26, 2020

IGNITION LOCK-CYLINDER/ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED WHICH THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR. IGNITION KEY COULD NOT BE EXTRACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARK IN DRIVEWAY AND TURNED OFF TO OPEN GATE. THE KEY COULD NOT TURN NOR BE EXTRACTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327235

Incident

May 3, 2014

Mileage

179,850 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11164119

Incident

Dec 26, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

OKAY I'VE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE ABOUT 5 OR 6 MONTHS WHEN I FIRST GOT IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY TROUBLE AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD BACK UP AND MADE LIKE A GROWLING SOUND BUT NO TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION DROVE IT NO TROUBLE EXCEPT FOR SOME ELECTRICAL TROUBLE FOR SOME REASON MY BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD AT NIGHT IT HAD A GARAGE CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAID THERE'S A SHORT SOMEWHERE AND WE STARTED PULLING BULBS AND FUSES DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING SO I HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY EACH NIGHT SO I DON'T HAVE TO GET A JUMP IN THE MORNING OKAY ON TO THE NEXT ISSUE IS NO PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS PAST SUNDAY THE 7TH OF OCTOBER AND I HAD PULLED INTO A COUNTRY EXXON STATION LEFT IT RUNNING RAN INSIDE THE DOOR FOR 2 SECONDS BACK OUT MY CAR WAS GONE HEAR IT HAD JUMPED GEAR ROLL BACKWARDS AND THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HIT ANYBODY OR HIT THE PUMP IS STOP WITHIN INCHES SO I GOT IN IT PUT IT BACK IN PARK IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND TRY TO PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WHEN GO SO I SHUT IT OFF WAITED 325 MINUTES STARTED IT UP AGAIN IT WENT INTO DRIVE DROVE ONLY ABOUT A THOUSAND FEET AND THEN IT WOULD MOVE AND HAD TO BE TOWED HOME NOW I DON'T HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS BUT I CAN BUT I CAN GET THEM FOR MURPHY'S GARAGE BUT I CAN GET THEM FOR MURPHY'S GARAGE AND MY

NHTSA ID

11140830

Incident

Oct 7, 2018

Mileage

25,600 mi

MY 2004 HONDA PILOT HAS BEEN LOSING POWER.WHILE I'M OUT ON THE ROAD! THREE TIMES IN ONE MONTH AND THEN NO LIGHTS ARE ON ON THE DASH.RUNS GREAT BUT IT JUST LOSES POWER.WHILE I'M DRIVING! IT ALMOST KILLED ME AND MY CHILDREN WHILE TAKING THEM TO SCHOOL

NHTSA ID

11055812

Incident

Dec 19, 2017

Mileage

146,256 mi

IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN WITH KEY INSERTED AND NOW THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11053840

Incident

Dec 11, 2017

Mileage

85,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED. WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION, IT WAS ABLE TO BE EASILY REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (COLONIAL HONDA OF DARTMOUTH, 225 STATE ROAD, DARTMOUTH, MA, 02747), BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11051745

Incident

Jun 14, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

IN 12/2015, THE ENGINE AND VTM4 LIGHT TURNED ON AND CONCURRENTLY, THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AS THE ENGINE REVVED AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTED. UPON INSPECTION BY HONDA, THEY FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN FRONT AND BACK WERE CHEWED ON BY RODENTS. THEY STATED THAT THE SOY COATED WIRES WERE A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MY INSURANCE. STATE FARM STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. I HAD TO PAY THE TOTAL BILL OF $1,543.33.

NHTSA ID

11019436

Incident

Dec 21, 2015

Mileage

77,906 mi

WHEN I STOP, AND TURN OFF THE MOTOR, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES, IT SOMETIMES (MOST OF THE TIME) WONT GO BACK IN. WHEN IT DOES, IT WILL NOT TURN, THUS, YOU CANNOT START THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN ON, AND START THE CAR, BUT MOST OF THE TIME, YOU HAVE TO SIT IN ONE SPOT, AND WAIT TIL IT GETS READY. IM AFRAID THAT IM GOING TO GET STRANDED EVERY TIME I AM ABLE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE UPCOMING COLD WEATHER.

NHTSA ID

10926066

Incident

Nov 4, 2016

KEYS CAN BE TAKE OUT OF THE IGNITION KEY CYLINDER AT ANY TIME, ENGINE ON OR OFF, IN PARK OR REVERSE OR DRIVE. SEEMS LIKE A WORN OUT IGNITION CYLINDER.

NHTSA ID

10923878

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

185,000 mi

IGNITION KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND DOES NOT TURN. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT HONDA IS CHARGING FOR THE KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TUMBLER SYSTEM USED WITH THEIR SPECIAL KEY SYSTEM. PEOPLE ARE TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR, BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT ALL CARS EXPIRE AT THE SAME TIME AND THE FIX INVOLVES REPLACING THE ENTIRE IGNITION INCLUDING THE KEYS, LEAVING THE OWNER WITH ONE SET OF KEYS FOR THE DOORS AND A NEW SET FOR THE IGNITION. MY QUESTION, IF THE KEYS ARE WORN, HOW DO THEY STILL WORK FOR THE DOORS. ONCE THE SWITCH IS BROKER, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND THE KEY FEELS LIKE IT IS THE WRONG KEY

NHTSA ID

10904845

Incident

Sep 8, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR 4 RECALLS: 12-056 -MANUFACTURERCAMPAIGNID:12-056 LIGHTING SWITCH HARNESS WEAR, MFR CAMPAIGN/SAFETY RECALL NOTICE:13-011 -MANUFACTURERCAMPAIGNID:13-011 SHIFT INTERLOCK, MFR CAMPAIGN/SAFETY RECALL NOTICE:16-047 -MANUFACTURERCAMPAIGNID:16-047 PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR. I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DRIVEN TO ME. I WENT HOME AND IT DROVE PERFECTLY FINE. YESTERDAY, I TRIED STARTING IT AND A COUPLE THINGS HAPPENED, AS I INSERTED MY KEY, IT GOT STUCK HALFWAY OR SO. I PULLED THE KEY OUT AND REINSERTED. IT WORKED AGAIN. I HEADED OUT TO WORK. LEAVING WORK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THE KEY GOT STUCK, I PULLED IT OUT, REINSERTED IT, AND REPEATED THAT A FEW TIMES. THE KEY FINALLY WENT IN. LATER THAT EVENING, I WAS GOING TO THE STORE. THE KEY INSERTED JUST FINE, BUT THEN IT WOULDN'T TURN. THE NEXT MORNING, A REPEAT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10884610

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

KEY SWITCH FAILURE AFTER INTERLOCK WAS REPLACED (HONDA RECALL) KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WON'T TURN OR START VEHICLE. HONDA RECOMMENDS NEW KEY WHICH WILL WORK 3-4 WEEKS THEN TELL YOU YOU NEED NEW IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA ADMITS INTERLOCK FAILURE CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR TO KEY SWITCH AND KEY SWITCH FAILURE BUT ONLY RECALLED AND FIXED INTERLOCK PIN AND NO PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY FAILURE OF THE INTERLOCK PIN. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH PILOTS FROM 2002-2013. EVEN IF KEY SWITCH IS REPLACED YOU ARE ADVISED IT WILL FAIL AGAIN IN 4-5 YEARS PER HONDA DEALER.

NHTSA ID

10881641

Incident

Jun 29, 2016

Mileage

119,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE GEARS ALSO FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,171. UPDATED 2/4/16 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $ 441.67. UPDATED 03/31/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10808050

Incident

Sep 10, 2015

Mileage

174,171 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERLOCK LEVER AND THE IGNITION CYLINDERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,685. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10780790

Incident

Oct 5, 2015

Mileage

143,685 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY WAS INSERTED BUT FAILED TO THE START THE IGNITION .THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10776617

Incident

Jun 19, 2015

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10762415

Incident

Sep 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10712165

Incident

Feb 8, 2013

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR COME OUT, GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. PILOT'S IGNITION WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705893

Incident

May 2, 2014

Mileage

179,850 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IN ADDITION, THE KEY EJECTED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10703096

Incident

Mar 29, 2015

NOTICED AN EXTREME HOT SPOT ON DRIVERS SIDE LOWER SEAT CUSHION WHEN HEATED SEATS ARE ON HI OR LO. SPOT IS SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT LET IT TOUCH YOUR PANTS WITHOUT BURNING YOU. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER HONDA OWNERS THAT ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN A FIRE. NOW DRIVERS SIDE LOWER SEAT CUSHION HEATING ELEMENT NO LONGER WORKS. DRIVERS SIDE BACK AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATING ELEMENTS STILL WORK. *JS

NHTSA ID

10669508

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

148,500 mi

WHEN WE TURN ON THE SEAT WARMER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF OUR HONDA PILOT 2004, WE SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF RUBBER OR FOAM BURNING. NOW OUR SEAT WARMER WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. WE'VE STOPPED USING THE SEAT WARMER DUE TO CONCERNS OF A FIRE STARTING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10618863

Incident

Sep 7, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi