CarComplaints.com Notes: We all want our SUVs to be able to stop on a dime, just not randomly and without warning. But that's what was happening to 2005 Pilot owners: their vehicles were slamming on the brakes even when they didn't. A government investigation of this problem led to a recall in March of 2013.

Another issue that keeps popping up is transmission fluid mixing with coolant in the radiator which is causing transmission failure, a costly repair to say the least.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,259 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Honda Pilot drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #93

Jul 022014

Pilot

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having problems with my transmission since I financed it in 2009. I was driving and the D would constantly flash. I took it back to the dealership and they informed me they put to much fluid in the transmission. A few months back I started hearing funny noises and when I go to make a U-turn the steering wheel will become locked and it will be hard to turn the wheel back. I thought I didn't have enough power steering fluid but once it was checked everything was full. Two days ago I am driving my car and go to turn and the car wouldn't move with the gear in drive. I had to cut it off and back on then it moved and kept stopping until I was able to park it. Once I went to go park it I put the gear in reverse and the car went forward now it don't move in any gear.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #92

Apr 192014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 58,485 miles
The D light is flash. So there are something warning my transmission I think my transmission is going to be fail. We know that Honda, Pilot 2004 had recall for this. Would you please have my 2005 recall transmission? I worry to drive it now, cause of safety reason and also the cost of repair. Since this car only 58,485 miles. It doesn't make sense the D light is flash with this miles. Please help! thankyou

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #91

Apr 022012

Pilot

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission shudder between 35-40 mph. This is a well known problem that is caused by a failing torque converter.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #90

Mar 272014

Pilot

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle over heated and stalled without warning. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. An independent mechanic stated that the transmission pushed water into the radiator and the transmission needs to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Andrews, SC, USA

problem #89

Mar 012014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle exhibited a reduction in power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.updated 06/10/14 MA 07/24/17

- Kirtland Hills, OH, USA

problem #88

Nov 042013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
Transmission shudders at 35-40 mph apparently due to faulty torque converters and transmissions installed in these vehicles. There are numerous instances of premature transmission failures documented on this vehicle. It can cause the vehicle to stop suddenly, and is a hazard. These torque converters and transmissions should be recalled.

- Manasquan, NJ, USA

problem #87

Jan 312014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 128,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission cooler line inside radiator failed combining fluids and causing the transmission to malfunction. Loss of ability to drive/move vehicle with family in the vehicle. This is a common failure and requires a new radiator and replace / rebuild the transmission. A recommendation from Honda to replace the radiator every 100,000 miles would have prevented having to replace / rebuild the transmission. Subsequent to repair, oil remains in the coolant system and has caused failure of a coolant line due to over-pressurization. The vehicle, with multiple children in it, has been stranded two more times due to coolant system failure.

- Old Lyme, CT, USA

problem #86

Jan 082014

Pilot

  • 145,000 miles
Like so very many other Honda Pilot owners of the timeframe, I have experienced a transmission leak and failure from a radiator failure - and though Honda had settled a class-action suit about these problems with a minor warranty extension... my failure, of course, happened shortly after that extension. I am out nearly $5,000 and nearly got killed when my car died because Honda has failed to properly recall these transmissions. Shame on Honda - and shame on you for not holding them to task even after they settled a lawsuit (with such a lame and still unsafe response).

- Maumelle, AR, USA

problem #85

Oct 162013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
Makes loud noise and rattling while accelerating.

- North Branford, CT, USA

problem #84

Nov 042013

Pilot

  • 150,000 miles
Radiator failed causing the transmission fluid to mix with the coolant. My wife was stranded with my four children. We had the radiator changed and coolant and transmission fluid flushed. The transmission has not functioned properly since the problem happened.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #83

Dec 092013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 138,250 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a used 05 Pilot 1 year ago for my wife and boys. Vehicle started to shudder at around 30-40 mph. I remember my mother having this same thing happen to her Acura MDX and she was told she needed a whole new transmission. I looked up what was happening to our Pilot and have found hundreds of other complaints dealing with this same issue! Acura even put out a service bulletin (06-003) addressing the problem of the torque converter in the transmission and stated that even if the vehicle was out of warranty owners may be eligible for a goodwill consideration to have the problem fixed free of charge. This shows that they are aware of the problem and expected to have many such complaints. Honda Pilot has the same engine/transmission as it is the same company and needs to issue a recall!!! if I am expected to pay $11,000 for a used 05 Pilot with 130K miles on it I should not also be expected to pay an additional $4,000 to replace the transmission less than a year later!!! if Honda is proud enough of their product to charge that high amount to begin with they need to back it up with quality that matches the price!! please issue a recall on this so people don't have to continue to throw money down the drain in this economy!

- Corrales, NM, USA

problem #82

Dec 142013

Pilot

  • 150,051 miles
Transmission cooler line inside radiator failed combining fluids and causing the transmission to malfunction. Loss of ability to drive/move vehicle while on a rural road between cities during a snowstorm with my family in the vehicle. This is a common failure and requires a new radiator and replace / rebuild the transmission. A recommendation from Honda to replace the radiator every 100,000 miles for a marginal fee(similar to the timing belt) would have prevented having to replace / rebuild the transmission.

- Rockford, MI, USA

problem #81

Dec 052013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 89,100 miles
I was driving up a hill when my vehicle started to lose power and high rpms upon acceleration. Was not able to climb hill so I pulled over and turned the car off. Restarted and made it a short distance before it stopped. I was fortunate to get out of harm's way prior to the car giving out completely.the vehicle had to be towed. A mechanic took a look at the vehicle and explained that transmission and radiator were both ruined and would both need to be replaced. He indicated that transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed causing the malfunction and it also has caused the need for flushing of the engine. I have noticed that several other owners have made internet posts about the same problem. This issue should be under consideration for a recall by Honda as it sounds like a common occurrence that is the result of a design flaw. It is potentially very dangerous as this happens with no warning and causes the vehicle to stop functioning. Obviously, this would be very dangerous if it occurs at highway speeds. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

- Marquette, MI, USA

problem #80

Oct 182013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
While driving along a rural 2 lane highway with no one behind me, the transmission appeared to slip and the engine RPM went way up. The truck slowed down. This lasted 3 or 4 seconds and then went back to normal. In a few minutes, I stopped at the light entering the village of saranac lake, NY. The 2005 Honda Pilot stopped running. I tried to restart and nothing happened at all. I put my flashers on and opened the hood. I saw a liquid that looked like chocolate milk leaking under the engine. After it was towed to a garage, the mechanic said he thought the radiator leaked and allowed the antifreeze to mix with the transmission fluid. The truck would need a new radiator and maybe a new trans and or engine. If someone had been behind me when this happened, it could have caused an accident because it caused the vehicle to slow down and the brake lights did not come on. I read that over 1 million 2003 and 2004 Honda Pilot were recalled for the same problem.

- Greenwich, NY, USA

problem #79

Oct 282013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Transmission cooler line inside radiator failed commingled fluids and causing transmission to malfunction. Loss of ability to drive/move vehicle while in middle of multi-lane highway.

- Prior Lake, MN, USA

problem #78

Oct 012013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The Honda has started shuddering when between 30 - 40 mph this is a known issue with this vehicle. The shuddering makes it very difficult to control the vehicle at times and should be considered a major safety hazard.

- Franklin, PA, USA

problem #77

Oct 202013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Had a sudden failure of the transmission cooling portion of the radiator causing a loss of power to the rear wheels while driving on the highway at 70 mph. If this had happened on a busy freeway it would have been very dangerous. Upon doing an internet search I see that hundreds of 2005 Honda Pilot have suffered the same sudden failure of the exact same part causing the same condition. This usually results in damaging the transmission and costing thousands to repair. This is absolutely a safety hazard. Honda refuses to acknowledge that any problem exists. It is plainly evident that a manufacturing defect of this part exists. Any engineer who examines the data of hundreds and hundreds of accounts posted on the internet must come to the same conclusion. This is defective! this is dangerous! owners should be partially compensated for the expense of repair. Honda should be held accountable for a knowingly defective part.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #76

Sep 052012

Pilot

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission shifted gears in a jerking motion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the computer system would need to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #75

Oct 202013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 96,000 miles
I was on a circular on-ramp to a highway. My vehicle started losing power upon acceleration so the engine revved but car slowed down. I made it off the ramp to the highway and was able to pull off to the shoulder. The car has an automatic transmission so I thought maybe it wasn't clicking into place properly but it was. I noticed a puddle of fluid. I had it towed to a mechanic who said that the transmission cooling line blew out & the radiator will have to be replaced along with the adapter because there are no threads left on the radiator to grab the connector. He said it was something that's not supposed to happen. It was a mechanical failure. I have read several posts on line on a number of web sites from owners with this same problem. Most people have also replaced their transmissions because the radiator and transmission fluids ruin both when mixed together. My car is still at the mechanics, so I don't know about the transmission yet, but the posts indicate that the car is never the same. I was lucky that I had enough juice to pull over to safety. Apparently there are no recalls from Honda in spite of the numerous complaints that I've seen. Repairs are expensive & this problem seems to occur mostly within the 100,000 mile range, give or take. If I get rid of the car before or after fixing it, it would only be a problem for the next consumer & that's not really fair. I feel that Honda should reimburse current owners for transmissions and radiator replacements on those cars that have had the problem and recall/repair the parts on the ones that haven't. I feel that this is an important issue because my car could have come to a complete stop on the highway and caused a serious & potentially fatal accident. Honda needs to take responsibility for this defect before someone gets hurt or killed. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

- Downingtown, PA, USA

problem #74

Mar 012012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
There is a shuddering in the transmission that is getting worse over time. It seems to be happening around 35-40 mph. I have changed the fluid, and spoke to numerous mechanics, and they all seem to just blow it off. Or say they never heard of it before. But while reading the forums on the internet, there are many people who are experiencing the same issue with these vehicles and similar vehicles with the same drive trains. This should be investigated for a recall of the transmission or torque converter before someone gets killed.

- Manasquan, NJ, USA

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