RoadVitals

2004 Honda Pilot Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
11
Latest Dec 20, 2022
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.
2%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 11 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 exterior lighting

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 20, 2022

lights that illuminate the functions/buttons of the climate control system burned out

NHTSA ID
11498240
Incident
Nov 9, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCHOMP HONDA (303-798-1500, LOCATED AT 1003 PLUM VALLEY LN, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO 80129) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 204,000.

NHTSA ID
11266786
Incident
Oct 4, 2019
Mileage
204,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2018

THE HEADLIGHT PLASTIC COVER HAS BECOME VERY CLOUDY AND PREVENTS THE HEADLIGHTS FROM PROPERLY ILLUMINATING THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THIS CAUSES IMPROPERLY LIGHTING WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL CARS WITH THIS TYPE OF COVER OVER THE HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY ALL MANUFACTURES AS THEY OFFER CLEANING OF THE LENSES FOR A COST. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO THE OWNER AS THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11062153
Incident
May 10, 2011
Mileage
62,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA ID
10810726
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
240,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Oct 28, 2014

THE MODULES HOUSING THE REAR LIGHTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ON MY 2004 PILOT ARE DEFECTIVE; RED, PLASTIC REFLECTORS INSIDE BOTH MODULES OF MY VEHICLE HAVE DETACHED. THE MODULES ARE ONE PIECE IN DESIGN AND CANNOT BE OPENED OR REPAIRED. HONDA KNEW CERTAIN 2004 PILOTS HAD DEFECTIVE LIGHT MODULES BECAUSE IT ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS TO REPLACE THEM. HOWEVER, HONDA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE MODULES ON MY CAR, SAYING THE CAR IS TOO OLD. THERE IS NO EXPIRATION DATE FOR SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650713
Incident
Sep 28, 2013
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 17, 2013

THE HEADLAMPS BEGAN TAKING IN MOISTURE AND THEN SHORTING OUT EVERY TIME IT RAINS. WHEN YOU SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT IS AN OVERWHELMING PROBLEM IN PRIMARILY 2004-2006 HONDA PILOTS. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE WIRING RECALL BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. THEY JUST SHORTED OUT AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES. ALTHOUGH THE WIRING WAS RECALLED, ONLY THE HEADLIGHTS COLLECT MOISTURE AND RUST. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1099 AND THEY HAVE CONTINUALLY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME BUT NEVER HAVE. ER.YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10544153
Incident
Aug 23, 2010
Mileage
79,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2012

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED DUE TO SOME WIRING ISSUE. I NOTE THAT A RECALL WAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ON THE 2003 HONDA PILOT AND 2002-2004 HONDA CRV. MY 2004 HONDA PILOT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE REVIEW THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER THE 2004 HONDA PILOT AS WELL AS THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454230
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 30, 2008

IN MAY 2007, U-HAUL OF KINGSTON, NY INSTALLED A TRAILER HITCH ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT. ON APRIL 4,2008, MY TURNING SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING AND I SMELLED A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL. I SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER FOR APRIL 8, 2008. I STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE. THE CAR ALARM BEGAN TO GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT PROVOCATION. WHEN WE TRIED TO START THE CAR TO BRING IT TO THE SERVICE APPT., IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE TECH'S LOCALIZED THE SMELL TO THE REAR OF THE CAR AND BEGAN INVESTIGATING THE TRAILER HITCH INSTALLATION. THE "HIGH ENERGY 3 TO 2 TAILLIGHT CONVERTER" HAD OVERLOADED AND THE CASING AROUND THE UNIT HAD MELTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229305
Incident
Apr 4, 2008
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 12, 2007

HEAD LIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 2-3MO.S DARREL WALTRIP TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THAT THEY KNOW OF NO RECALLS ON THE VERY EXPENSIVE HALOGEN LIGHTS. I HAVE SPENT APPROX. 200.00 DOLLARS ON HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT. I THINK THIS WOULD WARRANT A FREE CHECK AND REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10211754
Incident
Apr 25, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 27, 2004

THE 2003 PILOT HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY WEAK AND DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATE THE ROAD AHEAD. THIS CREATES A VERY SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD ON THE FREEWAY ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 70 MPH. THE PILOT'S HEADLIGHTS FAIL TO ILLUMINATE THE CURVES IN THE FREEWAY, AND CONSEQUENTLY, PILOTS CAN VEER OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GET INTO CRASHES. APPARENTLY, THE HONDA COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE ANY ACTION. WE APPEAL TO NHTSA TO URGE HONDA TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10055025
Incident
Jan 20, 2004
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2004

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10052602
Incident
Dec 15, 2003
Mileage
1,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .