2004 Honda Pilot Electrical System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN WITH KEY INSERTED AND NOW THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V573000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHIFTER INTERLOCK DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS IN A RUSH AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS ONE CYLINDER IGNITION AND IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND REMOVED KEY. LATER GOT INTO CAR AND STARTED IT UP FOUND IT. ATTEMPTED AGAIN NOT IN PARK AND IT WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE IT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE IT, WANTED ALMOST $850.00 TO REPAIR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE SO THERE WAS NO RECALL. THEY RECOMMEND THE MECHANICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH BE REPAIRED. UNABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR SO STILL OCCURRING. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 118,000+ MILES. *TR
KEY COULD BE REMOVED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED, BUT CAR DID ROLL AT TIMES. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER AT A COST OF $446.03, (10/05/11, 163538 MILES). DATES AND MILEAGE OF FIRST OCCURRENCE ARE APPROXIMATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T IN PARK. THE ISSUE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLES TO ROLL AWAY, BUT NO ONE HAS YET BEEN INJURED. THE DEALER IS REQUESTING $750 TO FIX THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, I SEE HONDA HAS ALREADY RECALLED OVER 1 MILLION 2003-2005 ACCORD, CIVIC, AND ELEMENTS, BUT FOR SOME REASON, THEY DID NOT INCLUDE THE PILOTS. THIS SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE AND I SEE MANY OTHER PILOT OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE HONDA TO COVER THE SAME YEAR PILOTS. *JS
KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN PARK. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 05/12/11 UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE IGNITION KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN ENGAGED. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND CRASHED INTO AN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A DEFECT WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SIMILAR DEFECT ON A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE 2002 AND 2003 MODEL YEARS UNDER RECALL 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2004 Honda Pilot has 33 Electrical System complaints on file. 4 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.