Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I bought this 2004 Honda Pilot new in 2004 in Louisville. In 2018 I drove to Florida without incident. While here in Florida I have had a problem with oil leaking. Than the compressor for the air went out and I took it straight to the dealer here. They told me it was not worth fixing. Since then I have had 2 mechanics look underneath the car and said it was so rusted that the frame was dangerous and they could not risk fixing it. I have checked with other Honda owners only to find out this is a problem with numerous Honda years and no one fix this problems because of liability . I have photos of the rusted out rear-end and the frame is not attached. You can find owners trying to weld the rear-end back on. No one will repair my compressor because of the rust and damage. When I had it at the dealers they did not mention this problem at all. They just said it was not worth fixing. …
On July 25 ,2013 around 8:00 am am starting my 2004 Honda Pilot , to move my car to avoid parking tickets at 8:30 am. After 5 minutes of warming the engine I decided to drive around to find a parking space to avoid a ticked.around 8:14 am I found a parking space and the car is parked.later around 3:00 pm I decided to go to my girlfriend house ,I see the my car parked and a free parking space in front of my apartment. To avoid tickets the next day I moved the car. Around 3:02 the car is parked in front of my apartment. Around 9:50 pm am walking home and I see the hood of my car open.the engine was all burned including headlights there was no wire everything melt.neighbors where sitting outside as usual ,they told me that it started around 3:30 and that small amount of smoke was coming out of the left side of the engine .fire department took like 15m !!!!to arrived.car had 105,000 miles. …
Hello. After smelling gasoline type fumes off for some time (no one else in the family could smell it) and after consulting the Honda Pilot forums, I decided to replace the factory ngk pzfr5f-11 spark plugs at 99,430, rather than the Honda recommended 105,000 miles. I was surprised to discover that the middle rear plug was only finger tight and as a result combustion gases were escaping between the plug and the head. According to what I read, loose plugs are an issue with this engine and can eventually damage the cylinder head and coil packs, leading to costly repairs. A second plug (passenger rear) was excessively tight when I removed it but the replacement plug appeared to thread back in fine.) I believe this issue deserves further investigation. Thank you. [redacted] ?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted to the center median. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that black smoke was emerging from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an odor of burning oil present. The vehicle was re-started but lacked forward momentum. The vehicle was driven home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic. The contact also mentioned that the engine was replaced by an independent mechanic previously. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,300.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the engine warning light illuminated and when the vehicle was in first gear and attempting to place the vehicle in second gear, the gear would seize in first gear and was unable to shift into second. The contact stated the vehicle was previously repaired for NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train) however, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed the automatic system, the automatic transmission, system, and the clutch failed. As a result, the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl 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.
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.
Dear sir/madam, my 2004 Honda Pilot has 58K miles on it. I scheduled a 60K major maintenance on 3/19/2010. But on 3/18/2010 on my way back home, the check engine light was on, the car got vibration and smoke. I sent my car to the dealer immediately at about 7:00 pm on 3/18/2010. On 3/19/2010, the dealer called me and said the no. 5 spark plug came out and burned out the coil, it's a very unusual situation. I went to the dealer to check the damages: the spark plug only has the metal portion left, the coil burned out and only 1/3 or 1/2 left, the cylinder head got some damage too and some metal chips remained in the cylinder head and cylinder. I did the oil changes and maintenance at dealership regularly and drove the car gently. I don't think this incident is related to my driving style. It has to be quality issue on either the coil or the spark plug. …
My 2004 Honda Pilot has a shudder at 30 MPH. It feels as though you are driving over the rumble strips. I am starting to experience poor shifts at other speeds now as well. I understand that the problem is most likely the result of a faulty torque converter. Repairs include replacing the torque converter and the transmission as well as updating the PCM. Honda recalled over a million 2003/2004 pilots but my VIN is just passed the last VIN recalled. However, there are many 2005 Pilot owners experiencing the exact same failure. Acura also issued a service bulletin that repairs the faulty components for all 2003 and 2004 mdx owners (inside and outside of warranty). Honda should take responsibility for the failed transmissions in the later 2004 pilots and 2005 years as well.
On the above date while on a local interstate my car failed to respond to acceleration. Instead the engine revved and then began clunking and making horrible noises. I drifted to the side of the road as I had no control of the motor. I had the car towed to my dealership. They said the was a "catasrtophic failure" of my transmission. I had had no warning of any kind. I have always had all my warranty work done in a timely fashion including all transmission work. My dealer estimated a repair job costing $4,400. I got 2 other estimates including one from trusted car mechanic who told me he recommended a jasper transmission (total rebuild) and it included a "work-around" for my make, model, and year car's transmission "problem"
Engine complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 9% of the model year's 544 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Honda Pilot engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.