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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

#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.

#135 of 392 Re: Transmission problems, Honda Pilot 2004 [ahaymd] by mybing

Dec 28, 2009 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: ahaymd (Feb 26, 2007 9:50 am)
I just encountered the same problem with the VTM-4 and transmission lights with the rumble. Can you share what you did to fix it. Thanks.

#136 of 392 Re: Transmission problems, Honda Pilot 2004 [deji_adenusi] by mybing

Dec 28, 2009 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: deji_adenusi (Dec 17, 2007 12:55 pm)
D,
Any luck getting an answer to the VTM-4 / transmission / rumble issue?
Thanks,
Mybing

#137 of 392 Re: EGR or Torque Converter [howardeaton] by tiriana

Dec 30, 2009 (7:59 am)

Replying to: howardeaton (Dec 09, 2009 9:24 pm)
My '04 Honda Pilot EX-L had exactly the same problem at just under 90,000 miles. The torque converter was the problem, but Honda had redesigned the torque converter and transmission so a simple replacement was not an option. The local dealership gave me a quote of $3800 and change and offered no help whatsoever. I appealed to the service manager to contact Honda but was give a flat 'No!'. I contacted Honda USA directly and was able to relay my experience and was treated very well. In the end Honda USA paid 35% of the bill. While I wasn't pleased that the tranny failed before 90K, I was treated well and they did help some despite the car being well out of warranty.
Imagine my consternation when, only weeks later, the transmission refused to engage Drive after backing out of my driveway! I took it back to the dealer who looked at it and said that they could not duplicate the problem. One of my classmates from tech school replaced the transmission, so I know it was done correctly. I think it is a linkage problem (internal or external). Just yesterday it decided not to fully engage Drive after leaving the driveway. After shifting back to Neutral and then to Drive it worked normally. I am leaving it at the dealership tonight for appointment for tomorrow to see if it will malfunction when cold so my friend can tell me what is wrong with this thing.
This definitely the last Honda automatic transmission I will ever buy! The standards seem to be bulletproof but the automatics stink.

Messages Page 14 of 40

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