Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Brakes seem to stop suddenly Must brake slowly to avoid a sudden stop Seatbelt locks up if I do not pull it forward and leave room in the belt so that it isn't completely holding me in Also the driver seat will only adjust sideways.
I was approaching a light where a vehicle was moving but suddenly stopped because of traffic ahead. When I applied my brakes, the brake when immediately to the floorboard and there was a click. My car did not slow down but slid directly into the car in front of me causing front end damage to my car. My rate of speed was 25-30 miles per hour.
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard on several occasions. The brake warning lamp and the ABS warning lamp did not illuminate each time the failure recurred. The contact had to slowly release the brake pedal from the floor and lightly depress the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. Also, the contact mentioned that the brakes failed to work while in reverse. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 13V092000 (service brakes, hydraulic, traction control system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
While going at about 20 MPH in light rain, car in front of me broke suddenly causing me to hit the brakes. Upon stepping on the brakes, I heard a clicking sound. The car kept on rolling and did not stop. I tried moving left onto a turning lane to avoid hitting the car in front. The car skidded off the median, and car jumped the median without losing velocity. The car wound up on incoming traffic, at which point a car collided with me resulting in injuries to the that driver and myself. Problem is similar to complaint on file odi id number : 10117818. Problem will be reported to Honda as a possible defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. While driving at various speeds, the rpms revved and the gauge reading fluctuated without warning. In addition, when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle violently jerked forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The failure recurred on three separate occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 133,000.
In approximately early 2006, I noticed the front wheels would shimmy when I applied the brakes at higher speeds. Typically it would occur as I was driving down steeper grades in the mountains. I brought this to the attention of the Honda dealer in April 2006 when the vehicle had 35,418 miles. The Honda dealer dismissed it and said it was probably due to the front wheel still wanting to provide power while the brakes were applied. Consequently, the brake system checked out fine during their inspection. Unfortunately, the problem still persists and is getting worse. I've also now noticed the problem when I drive on flatter surfaces as well. The problem is most noticeable when stopping at speeds over 50 MPH and is even more pronounced when driving down hills. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. While driving at speeds of 35 MPH and applying the brakes to approach a traffic stop, the brakes did not engage. The contact immediately shifted into a lower gear as the vehicle proceeded through the traffic stop, barely avoiding a crash. The dealer performed a diagnostic and found the master cylinder had failed. The master cylinder was replaced by the dealer however; the contact stated the repair did not address the failure. The dealer was unable to locate the exact cause of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 29000.
Several incidents of gas pedal sticking upon acceleration. On May 14, 2009, I informed Honda dealership and they did a fuel induction cleaning service. However the problem continued. Then on November 10, 2009, I informed the Honda dealer that gas pedal continued to stick and it was hard t push the pedal also. Dealership cleaned throttle body and plate. This problem continues and I have seen on customer Honda websites that this problem is widespread. My wife and I are both in our 70's and are worried about an accident occurring because of the gas pedal sticking. There should be a recall.
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.???
Brake complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 4% of the model year's 544 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Pilot brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Honda Pilot, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Pilot brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.