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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 33 of 40

#313 of 392 2004 Pilot WITH the jet fix having problems by swdypdy

Mar 28, 2012 (7:38 pm)

Thank you to everyone who has posted about this before. I bought my 2004 Honda Pilot in 2008 with 26,000 miles on it. We didn't have any problems with it at all until late last year. We have have performed all of the regular maintenance on the car as well. Late last year I took it to the Honda dealership with the exact issues you all are complaining about. They claimed to have no idea what I was talking about. Finally, they had one of their mechanics drive with me. He heard the shuddering and thought that it might be the rear differential fluid. They replaced it and it seemed to be ok.
  
 Lately the shuddering has gotten worse and is happening in the 35-40 MPH range, as well as any other time it's shifting. Last week, the engine light came on, it started misfiring at idle and shaking terribly bad as I drove. The engine light began flashing and I took it straight to our regular mechanic (I am steering clear of the Honda dealership - too pricey for a bunch of liars). He replaced the spark plugs which were admittedly in terrible condition (we live in the foothills and have a long, steep, wet, dirt driveway) and said to bring it back if it still wasn't working right. After revisiting this website I think I will have him drain and refill the ATM fluid and use the additive everyone here has been talking about and see how it does.
  
 Right now I'm terrified to go anywhere. I drive to Seattle on a regular basis and am petrified to break down on I-5 during rush hour. Good thing my AAA membership is in full swing.
  
 I also have a friend who has a 2003 Pilot and she mentioned the exact same shuddering between 35-40. Let's start the Facebook page and see if we can get Honda to admit this issue and pay to correct it. If no one else wants to start it, I will but it sounds like some of you have had extensive communication with Honda. I haven't started with them yet but I'm about to.
  
 Thanks again to everyone who has posted. It's awful we are all dealing with this. I wonder what it will take for Honda to realize this is their problem - someone getting killed?
 
Tell me where to go and who to complain to and I will.

#314 of 392 Reply to #313 by jtsibes

Mar 29, 2012 (5:34 am)

Hi,
In my case I filed a compliant with the NHTSA. I know that there was woman-her name was Diane that filed with Honda I beleive as well. I'll look around to see if I can fnd it. I unfortunetly don't have enough time to spearhead a Facebook page but I would try to help in any way I can. Honda recalled several years from what I understand but not our years even though the problem is the same.
Janelle

#315 of 392 Facebook group by pendentive

Apr 02, 2012 (10:22 pm)

I started a group on Facebook. Here is the link:
 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/384099154955943
 
JOIN the group ASAP and we'll get the ball rolling on this matter!

#316 of 392 Purchasing a 2004 Honda Pilot by seakayaker1952

Apr 29, 2012 (8:54 am)

I was about to purchase a 2004 Honda Pilot with 92,000 miles based on Consumers Reports. I test drove the vehicle and I did not feel the vehicle shift when accelerating. After coming across this forum I'm now leaning towards not looking at used Pilots?

#317 of 392 Used Pilots by jtsibes

Apr 30, 2012 (5:48 am)

I still absolutley love my Pilot- lots of room, comfortable, great ride when it works right. I guess if you can check the service records & see what's been done to it you'd be ok? I dont think any solution will work unless replaced with a non-Honda transmission. I changed mine out last year and have not had any problems with it since.

#318 of 392 Re: Used Pilots [jtsibes] by seakayaker1952

Apr 30, 2012 (6:06 am)

Replying to: jtsibes (Apr 30, 2012 5:48 am)
Thanks for the reply. Even though it was a one owner vehicle there were no service records with the vehicle so I passed on the purchase. I definitely liked the ride and room factors but don't want to spend another 4K on top of the 12K the dealership was asking for the vehicle.

#319 of 392 Re: Used Pilots [seakayaker1952] by campkapala

Apr 30, 2012 (11:49 am)

Replying to: seakayaker1952 (Apr 30, 2012 6:06 am)
There is a recall for some of the 2004 Pilots. You could check the VIN to see if it was included. Unfortunately, many of us that own 2004 Pilots fall outside of the recall and still have the transmission problem. Mine didn't show up until I reached the 140k mark. There are hundreds of 2005 Pilot owners that have the same problem. So, the recall did not take care of all the Honda customers that have the defect. We are trying to unite via this forum and also Facebook to see if we can get Honda to do anything for the rest of us.

#320 of 392 Re: 2004 Pilot WITH the jet fix having problems [swdypdy] by pilotfunfinder

May 11, 2012 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: swdypdy (Mar 28, 2012 7:38 pm)
I own 2003 Honda Pilot which I bought new and had the shudder issue described in many of the blogs around 30-40 mph. I always have changed the fluid on the scheduled interval and was extremely upset that the vehicle was prone to this problem. So much for Honda's quality reputation for which they command a such a premium sticker price.
 
Here is how I solved the transmission shudder which had become very regular at 130,000 miles:
 
1. "Change" the transmission fluid by draining what will drain from the case through the plug on the bottom as if it were a regular interval. This requires about 3.5 quarts of fresh fluid.
2. Drive the car for 20 to 30 miles and change the transmission fluid, again.
3. On the second fill, include Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fix subtracting the amount of fluid prescribed by the directions on the bottle from the 3.5 quarts of transmission fluid.
4. REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FILTER! I was not aware that it even had one, because Honda does not include this as part of a fluid change and I guess Honda expects you to never change the filter. Changing the filter is a normal part of most transmission fluid changes for most manufacturers.
 
Over 5000 miles after doing this I still have not had a shudder where it had gotten to be a very regular problem before.
 
It took a lot of searching the blogs to develop this solution and I combined multiple suggestions for a belt-AND-suspenders approach. Feel free to copy this post out to others who are experiencing this common problem. Definitely try this approach for about $100 in parts before plunking out $4 grand for a rebuilt transmission.

#321 of 392 Re: 2004 Pilot WITH the jet fix having problems [pilotfunfinder] by spamman66

May 11, 2012 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: pilotfunfinder (May 11, 2012 2:11 pm)
Did you have the Flashing D issue? Did this stop that from happening?

#322 of 392 2004 Pilot transmission problems by mmcurley

May 12, 2012 (2:16 pm)

I've been reading all the posts regarding the Honda Pilot transmission problem. I'm speechless. I just came home from the dealership today with the news that I need a new transmission at the cost of 5500. My 2004 Pilot has 95000 miles. For several months I've noticed a shakiness to the steering wheel and the VTM-4 light has been coming on and off. I brought it to a mechanic and they could not find a problem. Recently the check engine line has been on. The dealership said the parking pall is broken inside transmission. I don't even know what that is??? Do I get a new transmission and hope for the best or trade in ??

Messages Page 33 of 40

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