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2004 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

37 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

37
Complaints
1
Crashes
Jan 2009Dec 2009
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (37)

mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2020

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.

NHTSA #: 11307042
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2018

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED AT 16 YEARS AND 70000 MILES

NHTSA #: 11098197
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2018

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS OR ACCELERATE.

NHTSA #: 11097871
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2018

CAR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN

NHTSA #: 11091249
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: May 2015

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. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).? *JB

NHTSA #: 10715355
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD DISLODGED AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA #: 10609156
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2014

WHILE VEHICLE IS AT IDLE,VEHICLE MIS-FIRES AND SHAKES ENTIRE VEHICLE. PLACED ON O.B.D. SCANNER AND NO ERRORS OR CODES FOUND. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND DEALER ALSO CANNOT FIND PROBLEMS. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS TWICE,NO LEAKS,NO CROSS CONTAMINATION NOTHING...BUT POOR GAS MILEAGE AND BAD SHAKING AT IDLE... *TR

NHTSA #: 10586402
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2014

HAVING MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE DONE WAS GIVEN NOTICE THAT BOTH FRONT MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE UNUSUAL AND WHILE NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFE DEVELOPMENT AND COULD CAUSE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IF NOT REPLACED OR IS NOT DISCOVERED AND THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10559159
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

NOTICED SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE ENGINE WHILE SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT AT IDLE. I THOUGHT IT WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. NO ENGINE PROBLEMS WERE DIAGNOSED AT A REPAIR FACILITY. AT A LATER DATE WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS AT AN AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER BEING SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 12V-573, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT, SIDE, AND REAR ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I LATER READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE AN ALARMING NUMBER OF PILOT OWNERS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE REPORTING BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS MANUFACTURER SAFETY DEFECT. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND OWNERS WHO HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10505847
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

HONDA SERVICE ADVISOR REVIEWED THE COMPLETED SHIFT INTERLOCK RECALL SERVICE WITH ME AND SAID THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE BROKEN. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEEDED REPAIR. COST TO REPAIR IS $435 FOR FRONT MOUNTS AND $220 FOR SIDE MOUNTS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ENGINE MOUNT FAILURES REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A DESIGN/ENGINEERING DEFECT/FLAW AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON A RECALL AT HONDA'S EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10505712
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2012

TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR 90,000 MILE SERVICE AT LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND RECEIVED CALL STATING THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE BROKEN/CRACKED. MOTOR MOUNTS (FRONT/SIDE) WERE REPAIRED AS IT CLEARLY REQUIRED REPAIR FOR SAFE OPERATION. COST TO REPAIR $475.00, NO LABOR WAS CHARGED FOR THE SIDE MOUNT AS IT WAS ALREADY ACCESSIBLE FOR THE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10473173
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, CLUNKING SOUND FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WAS BROKE.

NHTSA #: 10458704
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2012

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10450707
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2011

MOTOR MOUNTS BROKEN AT 60,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10420752
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2011

HONDA DEALER TELLS ME DURING MY REGULAR SERVICE VISIT THAT MY FRONT ENGINE MOUNT IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY 2004 HONDA PILOT IS HARD TO DRIVE. 113,000 MILES. 526.00. SIDE MOUNTS WILL NEED REPLACING SOON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10390054
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

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"

NHTSA #: 10385568
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE CRACKED. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO MOVE FREELY AND THE STEERING GETS HARDER. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL FAIL AND LEAD TO A LOT MORE DAMAGE/SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10384101
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

MY ENGINE MOUNTS ON MY 2004 HONDA PILOT WENT FOR THE SECOND TIME. MY CAR HAS 115,000. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10381387
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2010

FRONT ENGINE MOUNT FOUND DAMAGED AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT $450 BY HONDA SERVICE. DRIVEN 91K MILES, AND SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF OTHERS ARE REPORTING SAME ISSUE AT SAME MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10351504
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2010

HONDA DEALER INDICATED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THAT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE MOUNT IS ONE OF THE VERY IMPORTANT PARTS THAT SECURE THE ENGINE AND HONDA MUST TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT THE PART IS SAFE AND NOT CREAK AND GET WEAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND HONDA SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE AND RECALL AND REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNT IN ALL THOSE VEHICLES WHICH ARE AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10350674
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jul 2010

FRONT AND SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS ON 2004 HONDA PILOT NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER ONLY 89K MILES OF CITY DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10343336
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2010

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. BUT I AM NOT A MECHANICS AND DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YEARS/36K MILES), I REALLY THINK IT'S A SERIOUS QUALITY ISSUE. HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM UNLUCKY, THIS HAPPENED TO ME, I AM LUCKY, IT HAPPENED TO ME NOT ON HIGHWAY. HOPE THE AUTHORITY CAN DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND URGE HONDA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10321120
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2009

I OWN A 2004 HONDA PILOT AND WAS TOLD WHEN I GOT AN OIL CHANGE AT 90K THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED PART IF IT IS THAT COMMON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10295917
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2009

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT. HONDA DEALER TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE MOUNTS ARE CRACKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I NEVER HEARD OF THIS FROM ANYONE. I CHECKED INTERNET FOR OTHER HONDA OWNERS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REPORTING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS NOT BE A PART DEFECT? *TR

NHTSA #: 10292830
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2009

TOOK 2004 HONDA PILOT IN FOR SCHEDULED 75,000 MAINTENANCE. TWO MOTOR MOUNT FAILURES. REPLACED FAILED PARTS. CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY REFERENCES TO IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10292495
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2009

HONDA PILOT 2004; MOTOR MOUNTS FAILURE NOTED IN 8/09. *TR

NHTSA #: 10283415
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED REPLACED TO PASS PENNSYLVANIA INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10278072
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNTS IN HONDA PILOT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10275454
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2009

I HAVE 2004 HONDA PILOT EX-L WITH 100,000 MILES. TODAY I NOTICED THE DRIVE LIGHT BLINKING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. AFTER I ARRIVED HOME, I STOPPED THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND I DID NOT BLINK AGAIN. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH THIS? *TR

NHTSA #: 10274302
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2009

BROKEN ENGINE MOUNTS FRONT & PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10267873
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2009

DEALERSHIP SERVICE STAFF INFORMED ME THAT MY 04 HONDA PILOT NEEDS TWO MOTOR MOUNTS (FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE) REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY OTHER PILOT OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WITH JUST 75K MILES, AND THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON ISSUE, I WOULD THINK THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS ON ANY OTHER VEHICLES I'VE OWNED: 72 OPEL MANTA; 79 CHEVY MALIBU; 80 AND 88 TOYOTA COROLLA'S; 83 OLDS CUTLASS; 94 GEO PRISM; 98 TOYOTA CAMRY. I HAVE NOT HAD THEM REPLACED AS YET, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACEMENT CHARGE IS ESTIMATED AT $547.00. *TR

NHTSA #: 10266403
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2009

DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNT 2004 HONDA PILOT - SEVERE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10264771
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

TOLD BY HONDA TECHNICIAN THAT TWO OF THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNTS ARE DAMAGED AND NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10259226
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2009

2 ENGINE MOUNTS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT AT 85K MILES ON 04 HONDA PILOT. HONDA DEALERSHIP COST TO REPAIR IS $499. DISCOVERED MANY OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM AND QUESTIONING WHETHER THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10254353
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Aug 2007

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 #: 10198201
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2004

WHILE DRIVING/PARKING CONSUMER SMELLED CHEMICAL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10080039
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2004

2004 PILOT HAS SAME STARTING PROBLEMS AS 2003. IN COOL/COLD TEMPERATURE ENGINE WILL FREQUENTLY NOT TURN OVER ON THE FIRST TRY. ENGINE WILL CRANK BUT WILL NOT START. 2ND OR 3RD ATTEMPT USUALLY WORKS. EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND IS COMPLETELY WARMED, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. HONDA SUGGESTS TURNING THE KEY UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTS (DASH TEST LIGHTS COME ON) AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN TRY. THIS HELPS SOMETIMES, BUT IS A POOR (AND FREQUENTLY INEFFECTIVE) WAY TO START THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG PILOT OWNERS THAT HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR CORRECT. *CB

NHTSA #: 10053254

Other 2004 Honda Pilot Issues