VehicleVerdict

2004 Honda Pilot transmission problems

The 2004 Honda Pilot has 143 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 22% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

143

Transmission complaints

22%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

04V176000TransmissionApril 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 units

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 INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 19, 2012 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2004 Honda Pilot have?

NHTSA has 143 complaints about the 2004 Honda Pilot transmission — 22% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Honda Pilot transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V176000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.