2004 Honda Pilot: check engine light

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Electrical · 337,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Transmission · 136,000 miles · VA

Purchased a 2004 honda pilot used at 136k miles. Within a week of driving the check engine light came on. Engine codes p0700, p0705, p0740 were all present, which are all in relation to the automatic transmission. The transmission shop confirmed that this is a common issue across honda & acura vehicles in the '03-'04 range (see 2003-2004 acura mdx service bulletin 06-003). A design flaw in the torque converter causes it to break down & shed metal fragments, which compromises the rest of the transmission. The only real fix is to rebuild or replace the transmission. Honda americas customer service refused to review my case any further, even under goodwill consideration.

Filed Apr 29, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 200,000 miles · CT

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 20, 2015 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact noticed transmission fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission slipped between second and third gears. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 110,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2013 · Transmission · 158,470 miles · NY

I was due for my yearly vehicle inspection. Prior to getting the vehicle inspected the check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to the dealer for the inspection and told them the engine light came on. I was then told that the code that came up was for the transmission and that it needs to be replaced. The vehicle did not pass inspection because of this and I was issued a piece of paper to place in the window that gives me 10 days to have the vehicle repaired. The car is a 2004 honda pilot with 158470 miles.it has shown no signs of transmission problems.

Filed May 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 45,000 miles · IA

Our pilot drive light started flashing one day, we pulled over, shut off the vehicle, then restarted it and the light went out. This has happened about 5 times over the past 3 years. Now our engine light came on and we found out that we need a new transmission! We have less than 100,000 mi. Also, our gas pedal sticks, to accelerate we take off extremely fast from a dead stop. I am afraid that this will cause an accident!!! It started out a little sticky and is now very bad.

Filed Jun 12, 2012 · Transmission · 98,100 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. The contact was driving 70 MPH when the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the failure and advised that the transmission needed to be replaced. There was a previous recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v176000 (power train: automatic transmission). The vehicle was repaired under the recall previously bu the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted who advised that they would file a complaint on the contact's behalf and have a representative give him a return call. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 99,104.

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. The contact stated that the check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the check engine light was reset several times, but the failure was not corrected. The check engine light remained illuminated and the contact took the vehicle to two different mechanics for diagnosis. Both diagnostics located the failure at the transmission torque and the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 122,000.

Filed May 14, 2010 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · NY

Fuel filler neck on my 2004 pilot had a fuel leak. My check engine light came on and when the vehicle was serviced a leak in the neck of the gas tank filler tube was detected and replaced. The vehicle had about 95,000 miles.

Filed Mar 19, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 58,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Fuel system · 48,000 miles · NH

Vtm-4 light and check engine light illuminating. Was told that gas cap being loose may cause this to happen but I have been ensuring that it is properly seated every time I refil the vehicle.