MyCarTSB

2004 Honda Pilot Seats Problems

74 owner-reported seats complaints from NHTSA data

74
Complaints
10
Fires
Jan 2011Dec 2011
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (74)

mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2019

UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND WOULD ROCK BACKWARDS AS IF SOMETHING WAS BROKEN. I REMOVED THE SIDE COVER AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FAILED SEAT MOUNT BRACKET THAT HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE UNTIL THE SEAT IS FIXED SINCE THE SEAT SWAYS BACKWARDS ON ACCELERATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN!

NHTSA #: 11286727
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2019

WHEN ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT, I HEARD A "POP" SOUND AND MY DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY HAD A "ROCKING" ISSUE. THE DRIVER SEAT NOW ROCKS BACKWARD WHEN ACCELERATING, AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE AND DOING A VISUAL INSPECTION I FOUND THAT A METAL "L" SHAPED BRACKET THAT MOUNTS THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT FRAME HAS SHEARED OFF AT THE RIVET POINTS. THIS CREATES A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AND I FEAR IN A CRASH, THE SEAT COULD BECOME UNATTACHED FROM VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPLETELY PUTTING OCCUPANT AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH FROM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR EJECTION FROM VEHICLE! DURING AN ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE TO NHTSA...THOSE REPORT NUMBERS ARE 1058303; 10578612; 10567737; 10541789; 10505250; 10489089; 10488805; 10466947; 10455702. I CONTACTED HONDA AND WAS TOLD SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD!!! WHY DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THE ISSUE IS FIXED?!? WITH SO MANY REPORTS ALREADY BEING LOGGED STATING THIS SAME PROBLEM, I WOULD THINK SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THIS IS JUST AS DANGEROUS AT THE AIRBAG ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL.

NHTSA #: 11280268
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE ACCELERATING AND BRAKING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT UNINTENTIONALLY MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. SPREEN HONDA (25050 REDLANDS BLVD, LOMA LINDA, CA 92354, (909) 799-7070) WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA #: 11270640
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2019

ON 06/21/2014, I WAS ENTERING MY VEHICLE WHEN A BRACKET CONNECTED TO THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY (PART# 81630-S3V-A30) BROKE. THIS OCCURRED ON THE DRIVERS SEAT. DUE TO THIS, THE SEAT WAS NO LONGER SECURE TO THE FLOORBOARD AND STARTED ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. I SEARCHED HONDA PART RECORDS AND I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A SPECIFIC PART NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THIS BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE BREAK. BUT, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE SEAT WAS UNSTABLE AND HARD TO KEEP IT STILL. A SEARCH OF NHTSA RECORDS FOUND THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE - 10583003, 10578612, 10567737, 10541789, 10505250, 10489089, 10488805, 10466947, 10455702. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE BROKEN BRACKET. IT APPEARS METAL FATIGUE MAY BE AN ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11221811
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2019

THIS AFTERNOON AS I ENTERED MY CITY STREET PARKED, 2004 HONDA PILOT, FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE, I HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND AS I SAT DOWN. THE DRIVER'S SEAT, SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE SOUND, ROCKED BACK, OBVIOUSLY NO LONGER SECURELY MOUNTED. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE FRONT LEFT 'L' SHAPED SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET HAD SHEARED IN TWO, IN LINE WITH THE TWO HOLES THAT THE SECURING RIVETS PASS THROUGH. THE BRACKET FAILED AND TORE, APPARENTLY THE METAL IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO RESIST THE FORCES PLACED ON THE SEAT. PERHAPS RELATED TO THE SIZE OF THE RIVET HOLES.

NHTSA #: 11209543
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2018

LEANED BACK AND TURNED AROUND TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND LEFT FRONT SEAT BRACKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BROKE. HAVE TO BRACE MYSELF WHILE ACCELERATING FORWARD SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE HAVE READ MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. AFRAID THE OTHER BRACKETS WILL BREAK SHORTLY AFTER. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 11143423
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2018

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH DOWN A CITY STREET, THE DRIVERS SEAT BEGAN TO MOVE- SPECIFICALLY BEGAN TO SHIFT BACKWARDS UPON ACCELERATION. UPON ACCELERATION, THE SEAT LEANS BACK AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL SIGNIFICANTLY. INSPECTION BY MECHANIC SHOWED THE SEAT BRACKETS HAVE SHEERED OFF DETACHING THE FRONT LEFT CORNER FROM THE SEAT FRAME.

NHTSA #: 11113619
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: May 2018

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2004 PILOT. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL KEPT AND MAINTAINED WITH HONDA DEALER. WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN DRIVERS SEAT STARTED FEELING HOT LIKE A BURN ON HER BACK. STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. SHE PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE.THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT WAS SMOKING AND SMOLDERING SO IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. GOT THE FIRE OUT AND BACK PART OF LEATHER HAS A BROWN SCORCH MARK AND LEATHER CRACKED. THE SMELL LASTED FOR HOURS. LEFT THE WINDOWS OPENED ALL NIGHT AND LEFT VEHICLE PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GARAGE FOR FEAR OF FIRE AGAIN. HONDA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS. I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO THINK WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE SO QUICKLY.

NHTSA #: 11091983
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2018

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET HAS CRACKED AND IS NOW SPLIT OPEN. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND DRIVER HAD TURNED AROUND AND LEANED BACK TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN SEAT BRACKET CRACKED. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT NOW IS LOOSE AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFRAID ENTIRE SEAT WILL BREAK LOOSE FROM MOUNTING POINTS. NOTE: MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS SAME DEFECT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED ON THE INTERNET, ACROSS MULTIPLE HONDA PILOT YEARS.

NHTSA #: 11078656
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Dec 2017

THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS BEEN SO HOT THAT IT FEELS LIKE IT CAN BURN YOUR SKIN. TODAY ON THE WAY TO WORK MY DAUGHTER SAID SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. SHE LOOKED DOWN ON HER SEAT AND IT WAS SMOKING AND BURNED THE LEATHER. THE SEAT WAS ACTUALLY CATCHING ON FIRE. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP AND SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS AND PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS TO YOU. I DON'T SEE WHAT YOU ARE REPORTING NO COMPLAINTS OR RECALLS. WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED.

NHTSA #: 11055629
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS A BRACKET THAT BROKE WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND I ALMOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT CAUSED ME TO LEAN BACK VERY FAR IN THE SEAT AND MY STEERING AND ACCELERATION WAS AFFECTED. I WAS EXITING ONTO A FREEWAY AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THIS BRACKET IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVES SIDE THAT HOLDS A MOTOR THAT MOVES THE SEAT UP AND DOWN; IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE LEFT SIDE PANEL FOR THE SEAT CONTROLS. BRACKET HAS TWO RIVETS HOLDING IN PLACE. WAS HOPING THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT BECAUSE I FOUND LOTS OF INCIDENTS REPORTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA #: 11050938
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NOT IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR DRIVING OFF-ROAD. SAT DOWN AND FOUND DRIVER'S SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY WILL NOW TILT BACK, RAISING THE LEFT FRONT OF THE SEAT. THE SEAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SECURE, NOR WOULD IT BE SAFE IN AN ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THE SEAT FRAME IS BROKEN INEXPLICABLY (PART 81660-S3V-A30). THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A WEAR PART - ONE OF THE METAL BRACKET PIECES HOLDING THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE BODY I GUESS JUST SHEARED OFF ALONG THE RIVET LINE. A BRIEF WEB SEARCH FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, SO I'M SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL BY HONDA. THE DEALER QUOTED A REPAIR PRICE OF APPROXIMATELY $1,850.

NHTSA #: 11048074
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2017

FRONT LEFT BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE DRIVERS SEAT TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE SNAPPED. THIS IS A COMMON, KNOWN DEFECT AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 11044916
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2017

MY HUSBAND (195 LBS) REACHED IN HIS POCKET TO GET HIS WALLET AND THE METAL BRACE HOLDING THE SEAT BROKE. THE SEAT IS NOW NOT STILL WHEN DRIVING. WHAT WORRIES ME IS, WHAT IF I HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT? THE AFOREMENTIONED BRACE SHOULD HOLD UNDER MUCH MORE RIGOROUS SITUATIONS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A LOT OF 2004 HONDA PILOTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME BREAK, AS NOTED ONLINE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FLAW AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT THEIR EXPENSE. PER ONLINE COMMENTS, THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING $1200 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE FAILED. I AM BRINGING MY CAR IN FOR ASSESSMENT ON MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017, AT 1:00P.

NHTSA #: 10993693
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEANING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WELD WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKET WAS FRACTURED AND THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA #: 10933672
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2016

WHILE LEANING BACK IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO REMOVE MY WALLET TO PURCHASE GASOLINE I HEARD "POP" AND THEN THE SEAT SEEMED TO BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT LEFT OF THE SEAT WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE STEEL BRACKET HOLDING THE TOP ASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT TO THE BOTTOM ASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT TORE CLEAN THROUGH.

NHTSA #: 10916669
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT FELT AS THOUGH IT WOULD DISLODGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BOLT HAD FRACTURED AND THAT DRIVERS SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA #: 10886250
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2016

THE DRIVERS SEAT LOWER METAL BRACKET BROKE CAUSING THE DRIVERS SEAT TO BE UNSTABLE WHEN SITTING IN THE SUV AND WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE SEEN AT SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS BOTH ON THIS WEB SITE AND IN THE HONDA PILOT FORUM. I CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT ASKING FOR A REPAIR WHO REFERRED ME TO HONDA USA. I CALLED AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO HONDA AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS VEHICLE WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT WOULD LIKELY BREAK LOOSE AND THROW THE DRIVER AND THE SEAT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I JUST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE .

NHTSA #: 10883715
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2016

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 HONDA PILOT EX-L AND HAVE HAD ONLY VERY MINOR ISSUES UP UNTIL NOW. YESTERDAY, WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A GREAT DEAL OF PLAY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK. ASSUMING AN ANCHOR BOLT WAS LOOSE, I CHECKED THE LEFT FRONT SEAT AREA WHERE THE MOVEMENT WAS THE GREATEST AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY ARM ALMOST COMPLETED SHEARED FROM THE MAIN ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY. THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT IS NOW SEVERELY COMPROMISED AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SEAT WILL BECOME DETACHED IN ANY ACCIDENT. I'VE NOTED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS EXACT SAME PIECE ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES.

NHTSA #: 10865696
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2016

BRACKET ON LEFT FRONT POWER SEAT BROKE; IT HOLDS THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR; AND SEAT ROCKS BACK AND IS NOT FASTENED AT LEFT FRONT TO THE CAR. VERY DANGEROUS AND MUST BE FIXED.

NHTSA #: 10861048
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2016

THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT GETS SO HOT YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF TO KEEP FROM GETTING BURNT. IT GETS SO HOT YOU CAN'T STAND IT. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH THE HI AND LO SETTINGS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME BUT WHEN IT DOES IT CONTINUES UNTIL THE HEATER IS TURNED OFF. AS MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, I'D THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT CAUSE A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM. WHEN IT HAPPENS IT GETS HOT FAST. ONE TIME WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS GETTING HOT BEFORE I COULD GET IT TURNED OF IT GOT SO HOT I COULD HARDLY STAND IT. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR THE REACTION TO IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAS HAPPENED IN ALL SORTS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA #: 10853877
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER SEAT, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BOLT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BOLT BETWEEN THE SEAT AND SEAT FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA #: 10850880
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2004 HONDA PILOT. OVERALL, GOOD VEHICLE BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT. IT GETS TOO HOT AND FELT LIKE A BURN TO YOUR SKIN. I MENTIONED TO THE DEALER EARLY ON AND WAS TOLD TO DECREASE THE USE. SO, I HAVE DECREASED THE USE OF THE HEATED SEATS OR USED ON LOW FOR A SHORT TIME UNTIL THE SUV WAS WARM AND COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. THE SEAT IS NOT HEATING AT ALL NOW. IT HAS APPROX. 175,000MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I FEEL THAT THERE HAS BEEN TOO MANY COMPLAINTS AND THIS ISSUE NEVER ADDRESSED OR A RECALL DONE.

NHTSA #: 10850250
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2016

THE DRIVER'S SEAT POPPED AND NOW TILTS BACKWARDS FROM THE LEFT. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE EXACT PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE REPORTED TO NHTSA REGARDING THIS YEAR MODEL: THE LEFT SIDE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR FOR THE POWER SEAT BACK BROKE ALONG THE RIVET LINE. THIS HOLDS THE SEAT BOTTOM TO BODY OF THE SEAT. THIS WAS PERFECTLY DESCRIBED IN A COMPLAINT LODGED 4/25/2015 FROM TAMPA, FL. THIS APPEARS

NHTSA #: 10846321
mediumSEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Feb 2016

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING (COLD MORNING, ON CITY STREET) I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON HIGH. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS ON FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN SUDDENLY THE BACK BECAME VERY HOT. IT STARTED TO SMELL AND MY BACK WAS SLIGHTLY SCALDED BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I QUICKLY TURNED MY SEAT HEATER OFF AND SOON AFTER TURNED MY CAR OFF TO INVESTIGATE. THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT (MIDDLE SPOT) WAS STILL VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND REMAINED THAT WAY FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES IN 35 DEGREE WEATHER! MY CAR AND ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS A BURNT RUBBER ODOR. I TRULY FEEL THAT IF I HAD NOT TURNED MY SEAT HEATER OFF WHEN I DID, THAT IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WITH ME DRIVING! NO I'M AFRAID TO UTILIZE THE SEAT HEATER. HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS VIA REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY WIRING OR ELEMENT BEFORE SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE!

NHTSA #: 10824537
mediumSEATS
Filed: Nov 2015

LEFT FRONT BRACKET ON DRIVER SEAT HAS BROKEN ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE. WIFE PARKED IN DRIVE WAY LEANED BACK TO EXIT VEHICLE AND THE BRACKET BROKE.

NHTSA #: 10788324
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2015

THE SEAT BEGAN MOVING EARLIER TODAY AND THEN WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE SEAT STARTED ROCKING. IT SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME DETACHED FROM THE CAR ON THE FRONT LEFT. WHEN ACCELERATING IT ROCKS BACK AND WHEN BREAKING IT ROCKS FORWARD. MY HUSBAND LOOKED AND THE METAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN COMPLETELY. IT SEEMS VERY UNSAFE AND WOULD BE EXTREMLY WORRIED THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY WHEN YOU ARE THRUST EVEN FARTHER INTO IT OR IF THE OTHER SIDE WERE TO BREAK AND YOU BE THROWN OUT REGARDLESS OF HAVING A SEATBELT.

NHTSA #: 10778183
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2015

WE NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC PANEL COVERING THE DRIVER'S SEAT CONTROLS CAME DETACHED. SHORTLY AFTER THE SEAT BEGAN ROCKING SLIGHTLY. FINALLY, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND THE SEAT NOW ROCKS FREELY. IT IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WHILE THE SEAT RESPONDS TO ALL MOVEMENT. IT WILL NO LONGER ALLOW YOU TO INCREASE THE INCLINE OF IT, SO IT'S RECLINED AT THE SAME TIME. WHAT STARTED AS TWO SCREWS BREAKING FREE FROM THE DECORATIVE LEVER COVER QUICKLY TURNED INTO A MAJOR STRUCTURAL ISSUE.

NHTSA #: 10759017
mediumSEATS
Filed: Aug 2015

WHEN SITTING DOWN IN MY VEHICLE THIS MORNING, THERE WAS A SNAPPING NOISE AND THE SEAT ROCKED BACK TOWARD THE RIGHT REAR. REMOVING THE PLASTIC COVER, IT WAS PLAINLY VISIBLE THAT A METAL PART THAT HOLDS THE UPPER SEAT TO THE LOWER SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS SNAPPED WHERE IT ATTACHES WITH TWO INDUSTRIAL RIVETS. SEAT NOW TIPS BACKWARD RATHER EASILY, AND DOES SO WHEN I CLIMB IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND UPON ACCELERATION. CLEARLY THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THIS SEAT IS DESTROYED UNTIL I CAN HAVE IT FIXED/REPLACED. I AM FEARFUL THAT IF I WERE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT WILL COME COMPLETELY DETACHED. IN A 5 MIN WEB SEARCH I HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING; THIS IS NOT A RARE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED! COMPOUNDING MY PROBLEM, I AM IN THE USAF STATIONED IN THE UK, AND GETTING THIS FIXED WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SAY THE LEAST, AS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SOLD HERE.

NHTSA #: 10748724
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2015

FRONT LEFT STRUCTURAL BRACKET ON DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED, ALLOWING SEAT TO TIP BACKWARD. BRACKET FAILED ALONG A LINE WITH TWO RIVET/FASTENERS, DETACHING SEAT TRAY FROM POWER FORE/AFT POSITIONER RAILS. APPARENTLY DESIGN DEFECT, AS THERE ARE 12 OTHER ESSENTIALLY IDENTICAL NHTSA COMPLAINTS ON FILE FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10714537
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2015

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BRACKET, 81630-S3V-A30, HAS BROKEN AT A WEAK POINT IN THE METAL WHERE THE SEAT MOTOR ATTACHES. THE BREAK CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH FREELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS BRACKET HAS BROKEN. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN JULY, 2011; MOST RECENTLY FEBRUARY 2015. EACH TIME I PURCHASED A NEW BRACKET ARM AT THE EXPENSE OF ALMOST $300. BOTH BRACKETS BROKE AT THE SAME SPOT, WHERE THE SEAT MOTOR MOUNTS. THE SUDDEN METAL BREAK ALMOST CAUSED US TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN EACH CASE, NORM REEVES HONDA IN HUNTINGTON BEACH REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BRACKET AT THEIR COST BUT OFFERED, INSTEAD, TO ORDER THE PART AND INSTALL IT FOR A COST OF $1200. *TR

NHTSA #: 10683418
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2014

WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHEN I HEARD A 'POP' AND THE SEAT TILTED BACK, STARTLING ME. A METAL BRACKET ON THE FRONT-LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AND THE SEAT NOW SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH! *TR

NHTSA #: 10664171
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED AND BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10617876
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2014

HUSBAND PARKED CAR LEANED FORWARD TO GET WIFI OFF DASH AND LEFT FRONT OF DRIVER SEAT DETACHED FROM THE ADJUSTER. SEAT NOW LEANS TO FRONT LEFT AND ROCKS AROUND. UPDATED 2/27/2015 *JS

NHTSA #: 10609111
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2014

LOWER SEAT SUPPORT/BRACKET ON FRONT LEFT OF DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS BROKEN, MAKING SEAT LOOSE, UNSAFE. SAME PROBLEM CAN BE SEEN REPEATEDLY IN 2004 HONDA PILOTS AND APPARENTLY 2003-2006 MODELS. OTHER NHTSA COMPLAINT CASE NUMBERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2004 HONDA PILOT MODELS ARE 10583003, 10578612, 10567737, 10541789, 10505250, 10489089, 10488805, 10466947, 10455702 *JS

NHTSA #: 10592473
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2014

A BRACKET THAT CONNECTS THE DRIVERS SET TO THE SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS BRACKET IS ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE APPROXIMATELY BEHIND THE POWER SEAT CONTROLS. THE SEAT IS NOW UNATTACHED FROM THE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY AND QUITE UNSAFE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE GETTING IN THE VEHICLE. THE BROKEN BRACKET MAY BE PART OF ADJUSTER ASSY., L. RECLINING, 81630-S3V-A30, BUT IT IS HARD FOR ME TO TELL SINCE THE EXPLODED PARTS DIAGRAM THAT I HAVE ACCESS TO DOES NOT SEEM TO MATCH, QUITE, WHAT I SEE. BASED ON PARTS AND LABOR, I ESTIMATE THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT TO BE IN THE $800-1200 RANGE. *TT

NHTSA #: 10583003
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2014

DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY PART BROKE, WHICH SEPARATED THE SEAT FROM THE POWER MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY. SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FEELS LIKE SLIGHT PRESSURE COULD COMPLETELY DISENGAGE THE SEAT FROM THE CAR. SEAT ROCKING WHILE DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10578612
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2014

EXTREME HOT SPOT IN DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON FOR MORE THAT 3 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10575081
mediumSEATS
Filed: Mar 2014

A LOWER SEAT SUPPORT ON DRIVERS SEAT HAS FAILED. CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE DRIVES SEAT TO NOT BE HELD IN PLACE. ON ACCELERATION THE FRONT OF DRIVERS SEAT LIFTS UP CAUSING THE SEAT TO LAY BACK IN A MORE RECLINED POSITION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10567737
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2014

FRONT, DRIVER SEAT, SEAT WARMER WAS ON HIGH. SEAT WAS GETTING VERY WARM. SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE, LEATHER WAS MELTING. THIS OCCURRED UNDER THE DRIVER'S RIGHT LEG. THE SEAT GETTING VERY WARM HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR SOME TIME NOW ON BOTH LOW AND HIGH, BUT I TURN THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS STARTED SMOKING. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD TO JUST NOT USE SEAT WARMER. WILL NO LONGER USE SEAT WARMER AS IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10566470
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Jan 2014

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS FELT EXTREMELY HOT IN THE LAST FEW TIMES THAT I USED SEAT HEATER. PULLED INTO WORK AND AS I STARTED TO EXIT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE SEAT. NEVER CAUGHT FIRE AS I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SWITCH AND POUNDED THE SEAT CUSHION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10561562
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2013

I TURNED THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER TO HI DURING MY DRIVE HOME YESTERDAY, THE HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT AND FELT IT WAS BURNING MY BACK EVEN WITH A HEAVY COAT ON, ALSO SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. THE SEAT STILL HAS BURNED SMELL TO IT NEXT DAY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10555702
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Dec 2013

THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER GOT BURNING HOT, AND IT BURNT THE LEG AT A SPOT, THE INJURY WAS MINOR; WHEN THE HEATER WAS OFF THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. I AM NOT USING THE HEATER NOW AS IT IS INTOLERABLY HOT AND MIGHT CREATE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10554393
mediumSEATS
Filed: Sep 2013

DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY PART BROKE, WHICH SEPARATED THE SEAT FROM THE POWER MOVEMENT ASSEMBLY. SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FEELS LIKE SLIGHT PRESSURE COULD COMPLETELY DISENGAGE THE SEAT FROM THE CAR. SEAT ROCKING WHILE DRIVING IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT APPEARS TO BE A SMALL METAL BAR WHICH RUNS FROM THE SEAT ASSEMBLY TO THE "SLIDE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY". IT IS A VERY SMALL COMPONENT OF ITEM REFERENCE NUMBER 14 (P/N: 81660-S3V-A30) OF THE "FRONT SEAT COMPONENTS (L.) (POWER)" FOR THE 2004 HONDA PILOT 5DR EX - KA5AT. SPECIFICALLY, THE METAL BAR SEEMS TO ATTACH TO THE ROD WHICH ROTATES WHEN THE SEAT IS TILTED FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE BAR IS DESIGNED TO BE FIXED TO THE ROD, WHICH WHEN ROTATING, PUSHES THE OTHER END OF THE BAR (ATTACHED TO THE FRONT END OF THE SEAT BOTTOM) UP OR DOWN, RESULTING IN THE SEAT TILTING BACK OR FORWARD. IT IS THE ONLY PART SECURING THE FRONT-LEFT OF THE SEAT TO THE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY. READING AROUND THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF PILOT. *JB

NHTSA #: 10541789
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2013

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT SUDDENLY BECAME VERY HOT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON. IT GOT SO HOT THAT I COULD FEEL IT BURNING MY SKIN THROUGH MY JEANS. AFTER I TURNED IT OFF THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY ACRID BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10509480
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2013

THE METAL SEAT BRACKET SUPPORTING THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FAILED WHEN I SAT DOWN IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT "HARD." THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT WHILE THIS PART COULD BE EASILY AND AFFORDABLE WELDED BACK TOGETHER, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE METAL BRACKET AND SEAT DUE TO LIABILITY TO THE TUNE OF $1400. IF THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T WELD THE BRACKET BUT HAD TO REPLACE A FAILED PART THAT WOULD BE CRITICAL TO ONES SAFETY DURING A CRASH BECAUSE OF LIABILITY, WHY DOES HONDA NOT SEE THAT A SEAT THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO FAIL DURING A CRASH, BUT FAILED UPON SITTING, THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AT HONDA'S EXPENSE. I AM STILL DRIVING AROUND WITH A SEAT THAT ROCKS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10505250
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Mar 2013

WHILE WARMING UP CAR IN DRIVEWAY, I HAD TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS TO BOTH FRONT SEATS AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I CAME OUT TO LEAVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS SMOKING AND MELTING THE TOP OF THE SEAT CUSHION. IT WAS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY SHUT OFF THE HEAT TO THE SEAT AND SMOTHERED THE SMOKING/MELTING SEAT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10501412
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2013

THE DRIVE SIDE SEAT WARMER GETS INCREDIBLY WARM AND FEELS AS THOUGH IT COULD BURN. CALLED HONDA FOR SERVICE, AND THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE. HE SAID JUST DON'T USE IT. VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10499395
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Feb 2013

THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT IN ONE PLACE ON MY BACK. IT SLIGHTLY (LESS THAN A 1ST DEGREE BURN) BURNT MY BACK. ALSO, THE SEAT SMOKED. I HAD THE SEAT HEATER ON FOR 15 MINUTES. I NOTIFIED HONDA AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER TESTED THE SEAT FOR ONLY 10 MINUTES; AND, SAID IT DIDN'T SMOKE. I WAS ONE OF THE THE FIRST ONES INTO THE DEALER AND THE LAST ONE OUT (ELEVEN HOUR WAIT!) FOR A 10 MINUTE CHECK AND 2 RECALLS WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN LESS TIME. I DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK ANOTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR 15 MINUTES (I HAVE A FAMILY); SO, I TOLD THE DEALER TO DISABLE THE SEAT HEATER SO THAT MY TODDLERS, MY WIFE AND I WON'T GET HURT ANY FURTHER OR HAVE A DISASTER WITH A POSSIBLE FIRE. THE DEALER DISABLED THE SEAT HEATER AS I REQUESTED. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HONDA (OF COURSE). *TR

NHTSA #: 10499290
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2013

THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT GOT EXTREMELY HOT UNDER THE RIGHT LEG. IT GOT SO INTENSE THAT I HAD TO TURN IT OFF FOR FEAR OF BURNING MY LEG. *TR

NHTSA #: 10498214
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2013

DRIVER SEAT HEATER GETS UNBEARABLY HOT TO SIT ON, SO HOT FEELS LIKE BURNING SKIN THROUGH CLOTHING - SMELLS LIKE BURNING WAX, FIRE CONCERN AND SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10494845
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2013

I PURCHASED A USED HONDA PILOT IN JANUARY 2012. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER WOULD GETS SO HOT THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY START TO BURN MY LEGS. THE HONDA DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE, THEY DID NOT FEEL IT GET OVERLY HOT. THEN ON DECEMBER 5, 2012 IT JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10490887
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2013

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DECEMBER 24, 2012) TO A DESTINATION ABOUT 65 MILES AWAY. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON THE HIGH POSITION, AS IT IS QUITE COLD IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. ALONG THE WAY, I NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT BUTTOCKS WAS GETTING EXTREMELY HOT, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BURNING, BEFORE I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. IT WAS DARK WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL TWO DAYS LATER WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, THAT I SAW A SCORCHED HOLE ABOUT 1.5 INCHES LONG AND 0.5 INCHES WIDE IN THE LEATHER DRIVER'S SEAT. REACHING MY FINGER DOWN INTO THE HOLE REVEALED A LOT OF CRUMBLING BLACK ASHES. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T EXPERIENCE AN ACTUAL FIRE, IT'S QUITE APPARENT THAT THERE IS A FIRE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT. IF WE HAD LEFT THE CAR RUNNING AND UNATTENDED WITH NO ONE SITTING ON THE SEAT (ALLOWING OXYGEN INTO THE SEAT), I SUSPECT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY ERUPTED IN FLAMES. IT WAS VERY, VERY HOT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10490751
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2012

THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT GOT SO HOT IT MELTED THE FOAM BACKING CAUSING A HORRIBLE SMELL. THE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED OFF OR IT IS POSSIBLE IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SEAT HEATED STILL WORKS BUT GETS MUCH TOO HOT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10489340
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2012

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT ABRUPTLY FLIPPED UPWARD AND STARTLED THE DRIVER WITH MOMENTARY DISORIENTED AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DEALER DENIED EVER WITNESSING THIS PROBLEM ON A HONDA PILOT, QUOTED $1500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT, AND COMMENTED I WAS A BIG GUY PUTTING A LOT OF STRESS ON THE SEAT. I AM 6'3" TALL AND 200 POUNDS. IT IS CLEAR THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AT DECATUR, ALABAMA DOES NOT FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WENT ON TO BOAST HONDA IS THE ONLY COMPANY THAT REPLACES DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS. MY WIFE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RANDOMLY LOCKING WHEN PULLING THE SAFETY BELT OUT FOR ENGAGEMENT AND LOCKING AND TIGHTENING RANDOMLY WHILE WEARING THE SEAT BELT WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE DEALER MADE NO COMMENT TO THIS STATEMENT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED OTHER HONDA PILOT OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE BRACKET HOLDING THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER SEAT WAS BROKEN NEAR THE RIVETS THAT HOLD THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH OUR FRONT DRIVER SEAT WHERE THE FRONT LEFT BRACKET HOLDING THE SEAT TO THE ADJUSTMENT RAIL IS COMPLETELY TORN THE FULL LENGTH OF THE SEAT BOTTOM MOUNTING BRACKET. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THE DEALER CLEARLY DOES NOT SUPPORT THAT IDEA. MY WIFE AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SEAT BREAKING IN SUCH A MANNER IN ANY VEHICLE WE HAVE OWNED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10489089
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2012

THE DRIVER LEFT SEAT SUPPORT METAL BROKE OFF LEAVING THE SEAT UNATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD AND BACK. THIS IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HONDA WILL NOT REPLACE THE SEAT AT NO COST AND WILL NOT ASSIGN A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPLACEMENT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT CAUSES UNNECESSARY INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10488805
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2012

THE DRIVERS SEAT OVER HEATS TO THE POINT OF BEING UNCOMFORTABLE ON MY RIGHT LEG. IT IS NOW INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. THERE SEEMS TO ME A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINS ON EDMUNDS THREADERS DISCUSSION BOARD. THE BOTTOM POINT IS THEY WILL NOT ACT ON THIS ISSUE UNLESS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO SO BY YOUR ORGANIZATION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10488633
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Oct 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE INNER CUSHION UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT OVER HEATED AND WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA #: 10480662
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jul 2012

FRONT SEAT CAME LOOSE FROM CAR ON DRIVERS LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. I CAN PARTIALLY LIFT IT OUT OF PLACE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10466947
mediumSEATS
Filed: Apr 2012

THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME SHEARED OFF ON THE FRONT BAR, LEFT SIDE. THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE INFLUENTIAL CAUSAL EFFECT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, IT JUST BROKE. THE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING, A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. LOOKING AT CERTAIN WEBSITES (HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2003/HONDA/PILOT/10348948.ASPX READ THE COMMENTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE), THIS SEEMS TO PROBLEMATIC AMONG 2003 - 2006 HONDA PILOTS. WHEN IS HONDA GOING TO DO A RECALL? OTHER SIMILAR NHTSA COMPLAINTS: ODI ID NUMBER : 10348948 ODI ID NUMBER : 10372456 ODI ID NUMBER : 10336280 ODI ID NUMBER : 10442043 *JS

NHTSA #: 10455702
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2011

2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND WILL BURN SKIN. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

NHTSA #: 10441742
mediumSEATS
Filed: Dec 2011

THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BOTTOM SEAT HEATER OVER-HEATS. DEALER WANTS $900-1000 TO FIX. THIS IS A MUCH REPORTED FAILURE ITEM FOR 2004-2005 PILOTS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10439914
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT CONTROL FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND WHENEVER ACTIVATED, IT WOULD BURN THE CONTACTS LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA #: 10375400
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2011

2004 HONDA PILOT EX-RES. DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT GETS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN OR CATCH FIRE IF SET TO HIGH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10373975
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2011

WE OWN A 2004 HONDA PILOT EX. WE'VE NOTICED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER HAS BEEN GETTING EXTREMELY WARM TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS BURNING US THROUGH OUR PANTS WHICH HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE EARLY NOVEMBER 2010. ON DECEMBER 26, 2010, WE STARTED THE CAR, TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER AND LEFT THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES TO GO BACK INTO THE HOUSE. WHEN WE CAME BACK OUTSIDE AND OPENED THE CAR DOOR, WE SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED IT WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. IT ALSO LEFT A BROWN SPOT. HAD WE NOT COME TO THE CAR AT THAT TIME, WE BELIEVE IT WOULD'VE STARTED A FIRE HAD IT SAT THERE FOR ANOTHER FEW MINUTES. WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY USING THE SEAT WARMER UNTIL WE BRING IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10373724
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Nov 2010

2004 HONDA PILOT DRIVERS SEAT CATCHES FIRE. SEAT HEATER HAVING ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10365771
mediumSEATS
FireFiled: Oct 2010

2004 HONDA PILOT; DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER CATCHES ON FIRE; FUSE NEVER BLOWN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10363424
mediumSEATS
Filed: Oct 2010

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CUSHION HEATER GOT EXTREMELY HOT, BURNED RIGHT THIGH. HEATER SHUT OFF AT SWITCH AND NOW DOESN'T WORK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10360328
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jun 2010

THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT DEVELOPS A VERY HOT SPOT ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS EITHER THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF OR IT WILL NOT REGULATE THE SEAT HEATER. THE SEAT HEATER ON/OFF SWITCH MUST BE TURNED OFF MANUALLY BEFORE A SKIN BURN OR FIRE WITHIN THE SEAT OCCURS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10334746
mediumSEATS
Filed: May 2010

THE HEATED SEAT IN MY 2004 HONDA PILOT BECAME UNCOMFORTABLY HOT WHENEVER I USED IT FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK. EVENTUALLY IT CAME TO A POINT WHERE THE SEAT BECAME SO HOT THAT I COULD NOT USE THE HEATED SEAT ANYMORE. AT THIS POINT THE SEAT NOW REFUSES TO TURN ON, MOST LIKELY BECAUSE OF A BLOWN FUSE FROM THE PROBLEM. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE SEAT FELT LIKE IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10331076
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2010

SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2004 HONDA PILOT GETS VERY HOT AND I CAN SMELL SOMETHING BURNING WHEN TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA #: 10304352
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2008

I HAVE A 2004 HONDA PILOT EX THE DRIVER'S SEAT RIGHT SIDE GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY INJURY OR ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ISSUE BUT I HAVE SEEN WHERE IT HAS ONLINE DURING MY RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND REMEDY A POTENTIAL PROBLEM BEFORE IT BECOMES A HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10218665
mediumSEATS
Filed: Jan 2008

SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE IN DRIVERS SEAT WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT IS A VERY COLD DAY HERE AND I HAVE LOTS OF LAYERS ON SO I DID NOT FEEL THE BURN FOR A WHILE. WHEN I FELT IT BURN ME AND SMELLED THE LEATHER BURNING I SHUT OFF THE SEAT WARMERS. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL COST $800 TO BE REPLACED. YIKES - WHAT IF THE SEAT WARMER ACCIDENTALLY GETS TURNED ON WHEN I AM OUTSIDE MY VEHICLE - WHEN IT IS BELOW ZERO OUTSIDE I WARM UP MY CAR FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES -WILL MY CAR CATCH ON FIRE? *TR

NHTSA #: 10215232
mediumSEATS
Filed: Feb 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT THE HEAD RESTRAINT TILTS FORWARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S HEAD TO LEAN FORWARD. CONSUMER IS 5'3," AND SAYS HEAD RESTRAINT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ANY LOWER. THE DEALER HAS NO REMEDY OR SUGGESTIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10058042

Other 2004 Honda Pilot Issues