2004 Honda Pilot Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 2%of 544 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 2% of the 544 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Low beam headlights failed due to some wiring issue. I note that a recall was recently announced on the 2003 Honda Pilot and 2002-2004 Honda crv. My 2004 Honda Pilot had the exact same issue as described in the recall notice, but is not included in the recall. Please review this issue and see if the recall should be expanded to cover the 2004 Honda Pilot as well as this is an obvious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10454230, filed 2012-04, 130,000 miles“The headlight plastic cover has become very cloudy and prevents the headlights from properly illuminating the road at night. This causes improperly lighting when driving at night. This is a problem on all cars with this type of cover over the headlights. The problem is acknowledged by all manufactures as they offer cleaning of the lenses for a cost. This problem should be corrected by the manufacturer at no cost to the owner as this is a safety problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11062153, filed 2018-01, 62,000 miles“Head lights burn out every 2-3mo.s darrel waltrip tells me there is nothing they can do and that they know of no recalls on the very expensive halogen lights. I have spent approx. 200.00 dollars on headlight replacement. I think this would warrant a free check and repair of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10211754, filed 2007-12“The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the low beam headlights on the driver side failed to illuminate intermittently. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 240,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10810726, filed 2015-12, 240,000 miles“In may 2007, u-haul of kingston, ny installed a trailer hitch on my 2004 Honda Pilot. On april 4,2008, my turning signals stopped working and I smelled a burning electrical smell. I scheduled a service appointment with my local Honda dealer for april 8, 2008. I stopped using the vehicle. The car alarm began to go off intermittently, without provocation. When we tried to start the car to bring it to the service appt., it would not start. It was towed to the dealership. The service tech's localized the smell to the rear of the car and began investigating the trailer hitch installation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229305, filed 2008-05Related recalls
- 12V136000Mar 30, 2012Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 through 2004 cr-v; model year 2003 through 2005 pilot; and model year 2002 and 2003 civic vehicles. In march 2012…Covers: Honda Pilot 2003–2005, CR-V 2002–2004, Civic 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10044784Apr 17, 2012Honda: to determine if headlight switches need to have connectors, and harness wires replaced, on certain vehicles, an inspection is required, with permission from owners. Models…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 4 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 9 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 4% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 5% |
| 2005 | 30 | 4% |
| 2004 | 12 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Pilot
142 complaintsSeats
85 complaintsAir bags
81 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsEngine
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsFuel system
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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