2004 Honda Pilot Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 11%of 544 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 11% of the 544 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11019436, filed 2017-08, 77,906 miles“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”
NHTSA complaint #11055812, filed 2017-12, 146,256 miles“Apparently I did not place the car in park but was able to take the keys out of the ignition. Left the car and when I came back to the car, the car had rolled backward and crashed into bushes which stopped the car. This has happened to me twice. I now make sure I engage the parking brake to make sure the car does not roll.”
NHTSA complaint #10480648, filed 2012-10, 111,297 miles“When we turn on the seat warmer in the front passenger seat of our Honda Pilot 2004, we smell a strong odor of rubber or foam burning. Now our seat warmer will not work at all. We've stopped using the seat warmer due to concerns of a fire starting.”
NHTSA complaint #10618863, filed 2014-08, 100,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10321120, filed 2010-03, 58,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V573000Dec 11, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001…Covers: Honda Pilot 2003–2004, Acura MDX 2003–2006, Honda Odyssey 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10130038Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10118539Sep 26, 2017Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10117863Aug 31, 2017Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
- 10024565Aug 20, 2012Honda service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: opds unit or opds sensor triggers srs. Csc was received. *nj updated 9/12/12.
- 10032953May 9, 2008Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court…
- 10018264Nov 16, 2005Srs light & diagnostic trouble code 81-64.
- 10018021Jul 1, 2005Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Honda service news.
- 10018176Jun 16, 2005Alternator condition ( no or low output).
- 10016355Apr 16, 2005No or low alternator output - dealer visit request.
- 10016353Apr 16, 2005Transferring odometer mileage at odometer r&r.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 21% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 28 | 19% |
| 2022 | 40 | 24% |
| 2021 | 136 | 30% |
| 2020 | 214 | 44% |
| 2019 | 266 | 29% |
| 2018 | 85 | 19% |
| 2017 | 266 | 28% |
| 2016 | 581 | 34% |
| 2015 | 13 | 12% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 22 | 13% |
| 2011 | 26 | 9% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 18 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 60 | 11% |
| 2003 | 129 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Pilot
142 complaintsSeats
85 complaintsAir bags
81 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology