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Honda Pilot Transmission Problems

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

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

Messages Page 14 of 40

#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

#127 of 392 Re: 2003 Pilot Transmission Problem [karenc3] by jetrocker

Sep 28, 2009 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: karenc3 (Sep 28, 2009 8:33 am)
My first "replacement" transmission from Honda, refurished by Honda, lasted from 60K miles to 115K miles........so it was good for 55,000 miles. Sad and pitiful. My "new" one now (replaced at 115K) has 3K on it and I worry everytime I drive the car that it's going to go again at some point. The new one downshifts at weird times, like if I'm going down a slight grade on the expressway at 60 mph and lift off the gas. Again I say...Honda should be completely embarrassed and doing anything to fix this design screw up......but they aren't. In fact, the service guy told me the zone guy "scoffed" when told that I thought Honda should pick up at least 75% of the cost of the 2nd replacement tranny. Unreal attitude and I just shook my head. And I'll keep shaking it as I buy a Toyota, Subaru, or perhaps Mazda next. Who needs this?

#128 of 392 2004 Pilot transmission failure-no jet kit and burned out in 2nd gear by davidkowalski

Oct 07, 2009 (1:00 pm)

American Honda is the most absurd malfunctioning machine of a company I have ever encountered.
 
I switched from an 01 Volvo to an 04 Honda Pilot specifically for the reason that I would not have to shell out so much money for repairs. I wanted something reliable so I bought the Pilot with 70k miles on it and then at 90k the transmission completely went out. There were no signs of it slipping but the engine light came on, so I was on the way to Honda when it just completely went out. It was towed to Honda where the mechanic quoted me 4258 for a new transmission. He did not check for discoloration in the fluid even though he was well aware of it being considered for a recall. I had it towed to another guy who looked at it said there was no jet kit installed and that it burned out due to heat damage to the second gear. Exactly the way it is supposed to burn out if it was under a recall. Now Honda is saying that it is not within the VIN recall, but my mechanic looked it and my VIN falls under the Odyssey recall which I am told is the same transmission. Any thoughts?
 
My original case manager would not call me back after leaving four messages so I escalated it to her supervisor. Her supervisor switched me to another case manager who was completely unreasonable. He started yelling at me and I told him I was recording the conversation and he immediately stopped and said that was against policy and hung up. I then tried to get in touch with the supervisor again but couldn’t so I left a message. I waited for three business days for her to call me back and then I called in trying to get the contact info for her supervisor which they would not give me. She called me back an hour later but nothing is resolved nor will I think it be resolved. Any advice on how to proceed or will Honda win on this one?

#129 of 392 Re: 2004 Pilot transmission failure-no jet kit and burned out in 2nd gear [davidkowalski] by jensad

Oct 08, 2009 (10:17 am)

Replying to: davidkowalski (Oct 07, 2009 1:00 pm)
What state do you reside in? Some states like Ca have "lemon laws" which may help you to get some positive action. I am pretty sure that you must follow a procedure that will require you to contact a, then b, then c before you can get into the legalise.
 
If that happens then maybe a lawyer can help. We own an 04 Pilot and (knock on wood) have had no issues with it. I have played the 'game" of contacting a, then b, then c..... and finally something was done years ago to fix our problem on another car which owned.
 
Good luck to you and from our experience, just keep playing the game, go thru the procedure and see what happens, and lastly if necessary get legal help. Hope it don't come to that.
 
Good luck to all and stay safe.
 
jensad

#130 of 392 Re: 2004 Pilot transmission failure-no jet kit and burned out in 2nd gear [davidkowalski] by jvan5

Nov 02, 2009 (10:28 pm)

Replying to: davidkowalski (Oct 07, 2009 1:00 pm)
Have you had any luck with Honda? I have a 2004 Pilot and my vin # is not within the recall but having the issue with 2nd gear. Local dealer said nothing they can due and gave me a price of $3,940 to replace with rebuilt trans.

#131 of 392 Re: '05 Pilot 118K Transmission Fail? [bdp1] by wdp1

Dec 01, 2009 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: bdp1 (Jun 29, 2009 4:15 pm)
Similar problem. My transmission coil failed and mixed the coolant with the tranny fluid. It destroyed the transmission. With parts and labor a local Honda dealer quoted me at $8,000! Filed a complaint with the BBB and NHTSA. Called American Honda, but no help offered because I was out of warranty. Anyone interested in filing a class action?

#132 of 392 EGR or Torque Converter by ddare

Dec 02, 2009 (6:51 pm)

2004 Pilot with 86K miles. A few months ago I noticed a hesitation (shudder) between 1200 & 1300 rpm. This happens very consistently whether cold or hot. I took it to the dealer, they ran tests, and proposed changing the torque converter. I have been reading about the EGR valve and wonder if that could be the issue.
 
Any comments?

#133 of 392 Something going on... by showbizkid

Dec 07, 2009 (7:15 pm)

Just found this thread, and at least I feel better knowing I'm not the only one in this boat. My '05 Pilot LX began displaying shuddery 3-4 shifts beginning around 38K miles. Took it to the dealer then; they told me they could find nothing wrong and couldn't duplicate the behavior. They re-flashed the transmission computer EEPROM and reset it to factory default. All was well for about 400 miles, and then the behavior began anew.
 
The problem only happens under part-throttle acceleration shifting from 3rd gear to 4th. It goes away immediately if I ease off the throttle, at which point the shift completes successfully.
 
I now have 68K miles. Luckily, I sprang for the 10-year/100,000 mile extended warranty at purchase, and I am now going to pursue this problem with a vengeance until it is fixed. This is my wife's primary vehicle and I do not wish her or my son to be stranded or hurt because of it.
 
(My personal car is a '63 Studebaker. This, I can fix myself. There are no computers within a thousand yards of it.)

#134 of 392 Re: EGR or Torque Converter [ddare] by howardeaton

Dec 09, 2009 (9:24 pm)

Replying to: ddare (Dec 02, 2009 6:51 pm)
I am having the same problem at the 1100 RPM level. I hear a grinding noise. When we drive around town in the lower gear we do not have a problem. We have been doing this for around 15K miles. Our 2004 now has 90K. The Honda mechanic told us that it was the torque converter and that the transmission needs to be replaced. How much did they say the torque converter would be and can they just change that part out with out changing the transmission. Let me know what you found out about the EGR and will that fix the problem. Hope to hear from you soon.

Messages Page 14 of 40

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