2004 HONDA PILOT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

644

Owner Complaints

41 Crashes 19 Fires

13

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

39

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2004 HONDA PILOT

The 2004 HONDA PILOT has received a total of 644 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 13 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 39 technical service bulletins have been issued by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (94 complaints), Seats (79 complaints), and Air Bags (77 complaints).

Recalls for the 2004 HONDA PILOT

NHTSA has recorded 13 recalls for the 2004 HONDA PILOT, potentially affecting up to 14,255,446 vehicles.

Recall 19V499000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 3,947 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

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Recall 19V501000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,657,752 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that...

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

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Recall 19V182000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,101,534 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The...

Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is...

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Recall 18V268000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,335 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this...

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Recall 16V344000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 1,790,894 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),...

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2,...

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Recall 15V320000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 6,281,043 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to...

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238,...

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Recall 14V700000 — AIR BAGS

Defect: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida,...

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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Recall 14V353000 — AIR BAGS

| 133,207 vehicles affected

Defect: American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger...

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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Recall 12V573000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

| 807,161 vehicles affected

Defect: Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

Consequence: Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge....

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Recall 12V136000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

| 1,375,217 vehicles affected

Defect: HONDA 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, HONDA FILED A DEFECT REPORT TO RECALL CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 THROUGH 2004 CR-V AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 PILOT VEHICLES. IN AUGUST 2012, HONDA INFORMED THE AGENCY THAT IT WAS INCLUDING AN...

Consequence: IF THE TERMINAL ENDS MELT WITHIN THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL HARNESS OR REPLACE THE LIGHTING SWITCH AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE ORIGINAL RECALL BEGAN IN APRIL 2012. OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2012 EXPANSION WILL...

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Recall 04V389000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

| 1,528 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE'S CERTIFICATION LABELS MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT VEHICLE WEIGHT AND TIRE SIZE INFORMATION.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE CERTIFICATION LABEL OR TO CONTACT A DEALER TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION FOR THEM. IF THE LABEL IS INCORRECT, OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALERS TO ARRANGE TO HAVE A CORRECTION STICKER PLACED OVER THE...

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Recall 04V176000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

| 1,099,796 vehicles affected

Defect: ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Consequence: GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL...

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Recall 08E013000 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

| 2,032 vehicles affected

Defect: HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

Consequence: WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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Owner Complaints for the 2004 HONDA PILOT

644 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 HONDA PILOT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Train
Complaints: 94 4 Crashes 2 Injuries
Seats
Complaints: 79 11 Fires 9 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 77 9 Crashes 7 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 47 5 Crashes 3 Fires
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 44 1 Fire
Structurebody
Complaints: 29 2 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 22 1 Fire
Suspension
Complaints: 22 2 Crashes
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 19
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 18 1 Crash 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 16 4 Crashes 4 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 15 2 Crashes
Structure
Complaints: 12 3 Injuries
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 9
Seat Belts
Complaints: 9 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Service Brakes
Complaints: 9 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 7
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 6 2 Fires 3 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 6
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 5 1 Crash
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 5
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 4
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 4
Wheels
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 3
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 3
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 3
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Child Seat
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Power Trainautomatic Transmissiontorque Converter
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 2
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 2
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 2
Child Seatharnessstrapwebbing
Complaints: 1
Electrical System12v24v48v Batterycables
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherlabels
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Traindriveline
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedriveshaft
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Seatsmidrear Assembly
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1 3 Injuries
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1 2 Injuries

Most Recent Complaints

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.
#11679046 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles
Honda sold America cars that they knew were rusted less than five years and they still letting people drive these cars that are rusted at the bottom
#11664243 | STEERING | | N/A miles Crash
The steering became extremely loose over time on my Honda Pilot posing significant safety concerns because of it. The tires adamantly follow all the divets, lines, grooves, and bumps in the road causing me to lose control of the vehicle very easily in poor driving conditions. This is especially exaggerated during inclement weather such as snow or rain. Recently, due to the steering looseness, I lost control of the vehicle and hit a mailbox damaging the entire right side of the vehicle. Please help to work with Honda to resolve this issue. Thank you!
#11664243 | SUSPENSION | | N/A miles Crash
The steering became extremely loose over time on my Honda Pilot posing significant safety concerns because of it. The tires adamantly follow all the divets, lines, grooves, and bumps in the road causing me to lose control of the vehicle very easily in poor driving conditions. This is especially exaggerated during inclement weather such as snow or rain. Recently, due to the steering looseness, I lost control of the vehicle and hit a mailbox damaging the entire right side of the vehicle. Please help to work with Honda to resolve this issue. Thank you!
#11664243 | WHEELS | | N/A miles Crash
The steering became extremely loose over time on my Honda Pilot posing significant safety concerns because of it. The tires adamantly follow all the divets, lines, grooves, and bumps in the road causing me to lose control of the vehicle very easily in poor driving conditions. This is especially exaggerated during inclement weather such as snow or rain. Recently, due to the steering looseness, I lost control of the vehicle and hit a mailbox damaging the entire right side of the vehicle. Please help to work with Honda to resolve this issue. Thank you!

View all Power Train complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2004 HONDA PILOT

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 HONDA PILOT in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 HONDA PILOT

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has issued 39 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 HONDA PILOT. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

A18-051 — AIR BAGS

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.

A18010J — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.

SB-12-025 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HONDA: 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 CIVIC GX, HYBRID SI AND PILOTS. MODEL YEARS 2002-2005. *PE

04-063 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD TO PRESS. *EH ACCELERATOR PEDAL FEELS LIKE IT POPS WHEN FIRST PRESSED. UPDATED 4/1/08. *NJ

04040 — POWER TRAIN

NOISE AND JUDDER FROM THE REAR WHEN TURNING. *TT

060105 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

FRONT IMPACT SENSOR REPLACEMENT AFTER CRASH. *JB

060105 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

NO SOUND FROM DVD IN VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. *JB

05162005 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE-CRANKS WON'T START, IMMOBILIZER LIGHT FLASHES. *SC

04012005 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HISSING BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MPH. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT

205 — STEERING

DEALER VISIT REQUEST FOR STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. *TT

Showing 10 of 39 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 HONDA PILOT

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the HONDA PILOT

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