2004 Honda Pilot: won't start

5 of the 544 complaints about the 2004 Honda Pilot describe won't start.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 45 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2025
3
2024
3
2022
6
2021
16
2020
17
2019
49
2018
17
2017
47
2016
92
2015
1
2014
1
2013
1
2012
1
2011
1
2009
1
2004
5
2003
11

What owners say

Filed Sep 8, 2016 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · VA

Ignition key gets stuck in the ignition and does not turn. Several people have complained about this problem, but honda is charging for the known defect in the tumbler system used with their special key system. People are told that this is normal wear, but this does not make sense that all cars expire at the same time and the fix involves replacing the entire ignition including the keys, leaving the owner with one set of keys for the doors and a new set for the ignition. My question, if the keys are worn, how do they still work for the doors. Once the switch is broker, the car will not start and the key feels like it is the wrong key

Filed Dec 2, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 174,171 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. The contact stated that the key would not turn over to start the vehicle. The gears also failed to shift into park multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and repairs. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v573000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 174,171. Updated 2/4/16 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at a cost of $ 441.67. Updated 03/31/16.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 179,850 miles · NJ

Steering wheel locked, key would not turn nor come out, gear could not be changed. Vehicle would not start. Pilot's ignition would not work at all.

Filed May 30, 2008 · Lights · NY

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. The "high energy 3 to 2 taillight converter" had overloaded and the casing around the unit had melted through.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · VA

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.