Honda Pilot Transmission Problems

392 messages,  Last post on Mar 07, 2013 at 5:52 AM

You are in the Honda Pilot Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Pilot, Transmission, SUV

#117 of 392 Check engine light on by bellmi6413

Aug 27, 2009 (5:15 am)

I also have a 2003 Honda pilot EX-L and the check engine light turned on. I took to a mechanic and have it diagnose. There is a code P0730 Incorrect gear ratio, Is this a sign of bad tranmission also? I was driving one time and the rpm went up for some reason I push on the gas pedal but the rpm keeps on going up for about 5 minutes, this happen about 3 to 4 times now, is this like a transmission shifting problem. I bought this new and it only has 93,0000 miles. Please help

#118 of 392 Re: Check engine light on [bellmi6413] by chitowndfw

Aug 27, 2009 (9:15 am)

Replying to: bellmi6413 (Aug 27, 2009 5:15 am)
The same thing is happening to my 03 Honda Pilot, did you find anything out?

#119 of 392 Honda Pilot nighmare by pbassham

Sep 08, 2009 (1:55 pm)

I purchased a 2003 Pilot a year ago and now I'm having all of the same problems that are being talked about on here. Downshifting to 1st and 2nd gear at different speed limits, green drive light flashing, now it's acting as if it jumps into first gear when you slow down. We've already put a $1000.00 into it and now we don't know what to do with it. I still owe double what the car is worth because I was screwed when I bought it (my mistake)! Now I have a car that I can't drive because I'm not putting my kids into something that unsafe to drive. On another post I read that Honda has replaced some of these transmissions, but what do they do when you buy a used one and are unaware of this defect and you don't have every single documentation they are requiring showing that's it's been to a Honda dealership 10 thousand times???? Please Help!!!

#120 of 392 Re: Honda dealer tranmission [lumber2] by pbassham

Sep 09, 2009 (8:04 am)

Replying to: lumber2 (Jul 20, 2007 8:38 pm)
How do you get them to replace the transmission because I took mine in and they denied knowing anything about the transmissions being defective. Please give me some ideas...

#121 of 392 Re: Gear Shift Drive ("D") Light Blinking [more_cowbell] by mark4262

Sep 17, 2009 (9:26 am)

Replying to: more_cowbell (Jul 26, 2009 8:06 am)
That happened to me , then I started having problems with shifting, and now my transmission needs to be replaced. It will cost me $3526.96 to get this done (refurbished transmission from Honda). I have $160,000 miles on the vehicle. The service guy also told me that since I didn't get the transmission fluid replaced at the Honda dealership, (at Jiffy Lube) that this would have invalidated my warranty if it had not already expired. I think he is lying , but I need to research this some more.

#122 of 392 Re: honda pilot 2003 [bob11] by hon

Sep 18, 2009 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: bob11 (Aug 10, 2009 7:13 am)
What do you think happens when a car has 185,000 miles on it? It won't run for ever. That's alot of miles for anything. TIME FOR COMPLETE REBUILD: Engine, Trans., Brakes, Rear end, Front end, actually, everything.

#123 of 392 Re: honda pilot 2003 [hon] by baltovet

Sep 18, 2009 (7:04 pm)

Replying to: hon (Sep 18, 2009 2:40 pm)
Sorry, hon.........but you're wrong. My 2003 Pilot has 221,000 miles and it doesn't need an engine rebuild.......or any of the other things you posted. I put Amsoil full synthetic in a few days after I purchase the vehicle, and have used nothing else since. I burn a bit of oil, but it's not visible while I drive. The transmissions in this car ARE bad, as mine had to be replaced at 138,000 mi. And, I've had some problems with it since. The rest of the car is well maintained, and as such will be expected to last me until 350,000 mi...................at which time I plan to use it as a backup vehicle to my hopefully new Masarati Gran Turismo.

#124 of 392 2003 Pilot by ptank

Sep 23, 2009 (11:36 am)

Transmission failed 113,000 miles on 2003 Pilot. My mechanic suggested I take it to the local Honda dealer and then call Honda of America to seek good will assistance. After being assigned a case number, was asked to provide service records. Since I am the 3rd owner, I decided to pay $30 and get a report from a big name company that rhymes with "Bar Snacks". With the report I was able to direct HOA to Honda dealer who performed scheduled maintenance on the Pilot before I owned it and, after 1 week, was offered $785 reduction off of $3245.37 replacement transmission cost. Not the best deal ever but I'll take it.

#125 of 392 2003 Pilot Transmission Problem by karenc3

Sep 28, 2009 (8:33 am)

I just filed a complaint with NHTSA as suggested by other posters. Description reads as follows:
 
"Transmission was slow to transition to 3rd gear while going approx. 30-35 mph. A few days later, the "D" light started flashing, but when car was turned off, it did not go on again. Took it to my mechanic thinking it was a "3rd switch" issue I had read about on car sites. My mechanic said one solenoid was cold, while another was hot. He took it to the dealer to run the codes and get a second opinion. The dealer says it needs a new transmission. My mechanic picked the car up and on the way back, it started shifting from 4th to 1st or 2nd gear on the highway. He said he almost smacked his head on the windshield it jerked so hard. This marks a very rapid decline over less than a week and after my mechanic thought the issue was not the transmission. I believe the car was part of the 2004 transmission recall which was serviced by a Honda dealer."
 
Question: For those who have gotten a rebuilt transmission, how long is it supposed to last? I just got a local quote in Arlington, VA for $2,450 installed w/ one year warranty. It sounds good, but I can get a low mileage used transmission for 1,000 less from an Internet site. That one has a 2 year warranty but has to be shipped and installed locally. It now seems like I have to pick the lesser of 2 evils. Any helpful comments are appreciated!
-Karen

#126 of 392 Re: 2003 Pilot Transmission Problem [karenc3] by baltovet

Sep 28, 2009 (1:12 pm)

Replying to: karenc3 (Sep 28, 2009 8:33 am)
My 2003 Pilot original transmission had essentially the same problem at 138,000 miles. I didn't know these transmissions were having a problem at the time, as the Honda dealer said this was one of the first he'd seen. I was quoted nearly $6000.00 by Honda, so I had it done by Aamco. Unfortunately, the particular one I used was not very reliable, and I had two torque converters fail after that. I now have 220,000 miles on the tranny, and it runs well, but does make a slight whine (which I can't now remember when it didn't). I realize it could go any day now, but I just keep my fingers crossed, and watch closely the fluid level. My advice for the repair is this: Whichever shop you use you check out first and try to make sure you have one that is on the Better Business Bureau list. You will have many fewer regrets if you do.
 
Larry
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