CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Honda Pilot is a solid trouble-free model year with no major problems reported, except for a minor trend of window regulator failure. However that's an easy fix of a few hundred dollars -- not a big inconvenience for an older vehicle, all things considered.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,310 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.

2006 Honda Pilot drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 172022

Pilot

  • miles

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

The left rear frame of the vehicle is rusted out where the rear drive line bolts to the body or frame. Causing the rear drive line to have the ability of failing to stay attached to the vehicle. The rear suspension also connects at the same area. Just a huge rotted out hole at the moment.

- Berry, KY, USA

problem #9

Sep 292018

Pilot

  • 165,000 miles
While pulling into a parking lot a loud bang happend in our 2006 Honda Pilot. We thought we had bottomed out. It turns out that the rear subframe, suspension, and drive train had fallen out of the rear crossmember. This is due to premature rust and inadequate metal used in the rear subframe. The rear subframe and suspension is only being held in with 2 more rusty bolts. This vehicle is not rusty anywhere else and is in excellent condition. It does have 165,000 miles on it. The vehicle is no longer safe to drive. I hate to think what would have happened at 70 mph on the highway with my family. This is a serious safety issue and needs to be addressed immediately. The certified Honda dealer that I took it too says they can't fix it, and the vehicle is junk. The vehicle is in excellent condition in every other aspect. The failure is obviously a manufacture defect. I have E-mailed Honda, but they have not responded to me except for a auto response E-mail. This vehicle is worth about $6000 before this happened.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #8

Sep 012015

Pilot

  • miles
When driving on hwy there is sometimes a shudder at speeds bet 55-65mph.after checking the internet for similar problems it appears it might be the torque converter. Honda recalled the Acura with the same problem but not the Pilot.

- Airmont, NY, USA

problem #7

Jul 122014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 125,865 miles

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

Transcooler failure has flooded radiator with transmission fluid & transmission with coolant ruining both major components.

- Worthington, OH, USA

problem #6

Jun 022014

Pilot

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving on the interstate at approximately 55-60 mph, the vehicle independently decelerated to 5 mph. The contact became involved in a crash. There was one injury reported. The dealer was made aware of the failure an advised the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 133,000.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #5

Jan 082014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 93,974 miles
While driving my 2006 Honda Pilot the transmission failed and I was stuck in the middle of the road. Fortunately it was a secondary road with low speed limit. After having my vehicle towed to a transmission shop, the manager called me and told me the reason my transmission failed was due to the fact that all my transmission fluid had run out due to a defective (trans cooler connection). After being told this I researched this issue online and found this is a common problem with Honda radiators. The trans cooler connection just blows out of the radiator and if you are driving any distance you will not have any idea what is happening to your vehicle until it is too late. In my case I had to have the transmission completely rebuilt and a new radiator put in, but my concern is this will happen again. I contacted Honda minutes before writing this and they don't appear to be willing to assist me financially at this point and I will be writing and escalating this as far as I possibly can. I hope you can shed some light on this issue and hope to hear from you soon. Also I would like to mention this vehicle has been maintained from day one with Honda and all scheduled maintenance has been done according to Honda motor's.

- Morton Grove, IL, USA

problem #4

Oct 192013

Pilot

  • miles

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

While attempting to accelerate the vehicle begins to vibrate and shudder and acts like it doesn't want to shift gears. I have read numerous complaint's in regards to this being a malfunction with Honda transmissions. I guess the main safety issue would be what we had today. Driving down the interstate and not being able to accelerate and almost being rear ended by a semi! something should be done to force recalls by Honda on their transmissions!....updated 08/12/14

- Heath, OH, USA

problem #3

Jan 102013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 160,467 miles
On 01//10/13 I was driving my 2006 Honda Pilot, and heard really bad noise coming from under the hood. My car slowed down and I barely made it home. Upon arrival home, we checked transmission fluid and found it to be nonexistent. In the morning we added some transmission fluid and with great difficulties I took my car to a dealership. Service department got back to me with the results of testing telling that they got two readings on the computer: Internal transmission failure and catalytic converter failure. I took it to another transmission shop. They have taken transmission apart and declared catastrophic failure. "initial inspection of vehicles transmission found extremely audible ?grinding" noises from vehicles transmission in park & neutral positions. Also, delayed engagement in drive & reverse positions. Vehicles transmission fluid level was good but fluid condition was extremely overheated and very dark in color. (this is an added fluid on the day I took it to a dealership ) upon transmission removal, disassembly & internal inspection, abc found transmissions main input shaft bearing failed catastrophically and spread ball bearings and metal debris throughout the entire transmission causing damage to many internal components including the transmissions case(s), torque converter & cooling system. This transmission is not able to be economically rebuilt due to the severe damage to the case(s) and major internal components. I don"T know if transmission had some internal defect from the beginning or failure happened later on, but I do believe that such a massive damage to my transmission parts could"ve been avoided or minimize should service department been more diligent in their maintenance process and should Honda be more upfront about continues problems their transmissions exhibit.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #2

May 252012

Pilot

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis. The dealer advised the contact that there was an internal transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that they would further investigate. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 117,000.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #1

Mar 012011

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 57,789 miles
My 2006 Honda Pilot experienced sudden acceleration this morning while driving at about 25 mph. The engine suddenly revved up and the auto lunged forward. I applied the brake but this did not slow me down quickly enough. I then managed to get the car in neutral and tapped the gas pedal until the high revving stopped. The incident occurred at 11:00am eastern March 01, 2011, the Pilot had 57789 miles at time of incident.

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

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