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.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that he noticed transmission fluid leaking from the vehicle after parking. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 84,000. Updated 10/17/13
Intermittent transmission failure causing vehicle to loose acceleration at low to medium speeds. Ongoing issue after repairs have been completed. First incident at 93,000 miles and intermittent problem continues at 112,000 miles after 3 repairs. Internet search shows thousands of complaints of unsafe transmission issues on 2005 Honda Pilot yet Honda Motors refuses to admit design flaw. Acura MDX with exact same drive train as the Honda Pilot has been recalled for the same issues being experienced by Pilot owners yet Honda Motors will not do a recall on this issue. This is a widespread unsafe issue with these vehicles that is oviously caused by an design flaw as Honda corrected the design in the 2006 models. Honda should be made to take resonsibility for their defects.
Radiator failed, causing loss of transmission fluid, causing loss of motion. The car stopped dead in the road and could not move on its own power. From contact with other Honda Pilot and Honda ridgeline owners, I learned that this type of failure occurs frequently at around 100,000 miles. The single radiator unit cools both the engine and the transmission fluid.
I bought the 2005 Pilot ex in 2009. Brought it back to the dealer after 1 month of driving for hesitation in the transmission. Dealer couldn't find the problem. Thought this must be how it shifts. Have always noticed a slight radiator fluid smell. No one could find any leak. About 3 years later at 110,000 miles, transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed when the radiator gave out. We were out of town and on our way home leaving us on the side of the road to be towed back into town (approx 30 miles) and had to spend an extra night until the repairs were finished. $637 repair for the radiator. 2 months later noticed the air conditioner not working. Took it to our local guy who said it wasn't hooked up right when they replaced the radiator. Correct hookup, pressure test and recharge air system was $186. A week later after explaining the radiator problem to my local repair guy we had the transmission flushed twice to try to save us from future transmission trouble. $292 for the transmission flush related to the radiator failure. Now a month and a half later we have a shudder between 35 and 45 mph and a noise at about 55 mph that sound like a piece of metal dropping off the car. Asked the local repair shop and transmission repair shop and they both said the transmission was damaged and needed to be replaced. Went with the transmission place, after reading all the similar stories of other 2005 Honda Pilot, the dealers will over charge and not even admit to this known issue. The stories of the same problem happening again made us go with the most competent repair shop who does this every day. So it's the fourth of July and we are without the family car today. Should be able to pick it up tomorrow with the rebuilt transmission for $3,915. Total bill; $5,031 for a failed radiator. This is wrong. Honda should acknowledge this issue and be made to recall it.
On 6/17/2013 during my daily commute to work I was driving at a normal speed of 65mph when I noticed the "D" gear light on the dashboard started to blink continuously. When I got to work I looked into my owner's manual which informed there may be a problem with the transmission and I should take the vehicle to the Honda dealership. When I took the vehicle to the dealership where I mind you I just spent almost $700 on 6/15/2013 for suspension maintenance informed that this issue is very popular with the Honda Pilot and it's most likely my 4th gear pressure switch for the transmission. They then informed me that it will cost $350 to replace this part. When I previously looked up the part needed and how to possibly diy; I found that the part only cost between $34 and $40 and a beginner can change this part in about 45 minutes to an hour. So why is the dealership charging me $350 to change a part that cost $34 - $40 and an hour labor; does technician make $310 an hour these days?! Honda usa knows that they have a defective part on the Honda Pilot and refuse to conduct a recall because they rather cheat their customers than have a smaller bonus! there are articles on-line of drivers transmissions locking up because of this issue which is extremely dangerous; Honda and all other automotive makers need to be held accountable for all faulty parts within their product just any other company.
- Mckinney, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph, the temperature gauge spiked as coolant began overflowing from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that transmission fluid was found in the radiator and radiator fluid was found in the transmission. As a result, the radiator, transmission cooler, transmission and all of the lines from the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 83,000.
Got into vehicle today. Placed car into drive and the car would not accelerate. I placed it back into park and then back to drive. It finally kicked into gear. I got on the highway and drove approximately 30 miles with no problems. I made a quick stop. When I started my car again it did the same thing. I drove about a mile and the transmission starting slipping badly. It stopped accelerating completely. I had it towed to the dealer. I was informed by the dealer that the radiator had failed and had mixed with the transmission fluid. Was told the radiator and the transmission would need to be replaced. Wake up ntsb. This has been reported consistently to you as a complaint and posted on numerous forums online. This is definitely a problem with this model and Honda is not stepping up. Make them answer the complaints. Most people do not have $5000 to repair an 8 year old car.
As soon as I stopped in front of my house, I saw fluid pouring from the front right engine area.fortunately for me, the problem occurred at that moment. There were no symptoms of, or dash board alerts previous to that.( and nothing on the street) the car was towed on a flatbed to my service center, which is a certified Honda service center.. apparently there was a line failure that allowed antifreeze and transmission fluid to mix and go into the transmission. The radiator was replaced and coolant flushed. The transmission was flushed 6 times with 28 quarts of transmission fluid and after driving 16 miles I am aware that the tranny is compromised and am going back to flush again. My service man made it clear that there is no guarantee on the transmission. I am a woman who maintains her car diligently and could not have done anything to prevent this catastrophic failure and upon researching the problem, find other Honda owners experiencing the same thing. It is up to Honda to step up and recognize a design/product flaw and perhaps recall others before it happens to them. I sincerely hope Honda realizes that this is an opportunity to do the right thing and fix the problem.
The vehicle in question, a 2005 Honda Pilot ex shudders at or between 35 to 40 mph.it has almost cost me to lose control and possibly my life. This is a "known" torque converter problem to Honda, yet they refuse to address their negligence. Sudden, unexpected braking, without brake application is terrifying and also due to manufacturing defects. The steering controls often veer to the right without any apparent cause.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 38 mph, the vehicle began to shake and became hesitant when shifting between gears. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be flushed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic, who informed the contact that the rotors were warped and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was then informed that the torque converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 120,000.
When accelerating the vehicle begins to shudder, jerk and lose power while accelerating from 0-40mph. Steering wheel begins to shake, acceleration seems to stall. At higher speeds on freeway there is some shuddering but not as noticeable. Braking or reducing speed does not immediately stop the shuddering. Its almost predictable at low speeds. Loss of power during acceleration feels as if the vehicle could stall especially when turning left with on coming traffic approaching.
I own a 2005 Honda Pilot. I have had an issue that is increasingly getting worse- when driving 30-45 mph, the engine/transmission starts to shudder. If I let off the accelerator it will let up. It is scary, the whole vehicle jolts repeatedly. If the engine is jolting so dramatically, I can only imagine that the stabilization of the engine is being put in jeopardy. In doing some research, I have found that I am one of hundreds, if not thousands of people with the same problem and complaint. I feel that this is the manufacturer's defect that should be addressed and resolved by Honda promptly. The concern is not only for the vehicle itself, but mostly for the lives that these vehicles carry. Please give attention to our complaint before a serious accident occurs. We have paid for a safe and reliable car, so please give us one. Thank you for your attention and consideration, please help NHTSA!
As I try to increase speed, the engine will sputter as if it doesn't want to shift to the next gear. This is particularly noticeable in the range of 25-50 mph. I have to let off the gas in order for the car to shift to the next gear successfully. If I continue to give it gas it continues to sputter until I let off the gas.
Driving at approx. 30-35 mph when without warning I experienced high RPM's and the vehicle wouldn't go into gear. When I stopped the car and looked under the hood there was fluid everywhere, even down the side of the car. After having the Pilot towed to my local repair facility it was determined that the lines that run the coolant had failed and transmission fluid anti freeze had mixed together and were introduced into the transmission. This happened immediately! I had the radiator replaced and the transmission flushed 27 times in order to completely clear the systems. This process cost me $1000 and the repair shop told me they could not guarantee that the transmission would not fail as they had no idea whether there was internal damage or not. Well, it didn't work! the transmission is making noises that it never had before and shifting almost at will. My dilemma now is replace the transmission or replace the vehicle. There is absolutely no way anyone could anticipate this problem or do anything to prevent it because of the way this was engineered. When I bought this Pilot I did so believing that I would be the one to decide when it was time for me to buy a new vehicle, not Honda! I have owned 4 Honda's in the past but this will be my last.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission began to slip gears and the engine rpms increased. The vehicle began to decelerate independently with the transmission becoming unresponsive. The contact coasted the vehicle to his residence where it was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic rebuilt the transmission to correct the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
I have a 2005 Honda Pilot sometime shuddering between 30-40 mph. To make the shudder stop, I press or release the accelerator briefly. After checking on line about this problems with over 300 complaints. They all state that the torque converter cause the vibration. Honda still not recall. Couple of times someone almost rear end me. Please look into this problem.
I took it in for a recall. I was told that the front and right engine mounts are "cracked". at about 25-45 mph there is a noticeable shudder under the hood. In searching the NHTSA database I find many other reports of this shudder and several saying that engine mounts are a problem in this model. The reports are in several areas including engine, suspension, drive train, transmission. It seems the engine mounts could be a common denominator. If the mounts go it could cause a catastrophic failure including loss of control.
The vehicle shutters at approximately 35 mph while acceleration. The vehicle then had the same episode happen while on the highway at 60 mph while acceleration. I have experienced these episodes several times within the last month. I believe that the issue is progressing and I am concerned about my safety. I have investigated several forums online with many posts that have the same issues with the Honda and sister Acura. I would like Honda to step up and be held responsible for the repair.
While driving at normal town speed (~25mph) car began overheating and speed dropped. Pulled car over to cool. Started to drive slowly home and symptom repeated. Car towed to Honda. They diagnosed as radiator and transmission fluid mixing due to failure in the radiator. Damaged the transmission that needed to be totally replaced, along with a radiator and transmission cooler. Engine also needed extensive flushing. Suggested cost was $6400 without labor. After repairs, engine damage could be assessed. This appeared to be a minor failure in the radiator that destroyed a separate system and might have damaged the engine.
I was driving the 2005 Honda Pilot about 20 to 30 mph. The time was about 7:15 am. The roads were wet after some misting light rain. I heard a relatively loud noise that startled me. The noise lasted for perhaps 2 seconds. It sounded as if the brakes were inadvertently being applied and grabbing or perhaps something was wrong with the transmission or rear end. I do not remember that the brakes were being applied at the time, but it is possible that they were. I kept driving and was then much more attentive to there possibly being something wrong with the car. About one minute later I heard an almost identical loud sound. I do remember that I was braking at the time, but due to being startle, it is possible that I may not remember such. The vehicle may have decelerated, but to the best of my recollection, I do not believe that the vehicle deceleration was severe. I drove the vehicle to the local Honda dealer. I was told that the mechanic test drove the vehicle and could not repeat the problem and that he could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. Then the service manager talked to me about what possible might have caused the loud noise and he test drove the vehicle with me inside. He directed the vehicle with the left wheels on the pavement and the right wheels on the grass. Then he rapidly applied the brakes. The vehicle made a loud noise and to my memory the noise sounded like the noises I had encountered previously. He said that this noise was from the ABS system engaging. I was very please with the attention of the service manager and his customer interaction. Note: The printed paper shop invoice recorded : "customer states it feels like brakes are sticking. Problem is intermittent." My above incident description provides a more complete description of the incidents.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bear, DE, USA