CarComplaints.com Notes: It's worrying when the top category for 2016 Honda Pilot problems are transmission problems. Owners report jerking when accelerating. Also as the first model year of the redesigned 3rd generation Pilot, it's not a good sign.
Honda released a TSB on October 29 2016 that's possibly related. The TSB deals with a "a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch ... while driving between 20 and 60 mph" due to deteriorated transmission fluid resulting from "specific driving conditions". In the TSB, Honda states they are developing a software fix to try to keep the transmission fluid temperature within spec.
We are keeping a close eye on this defect trend because if certain driving conditions can affect transmission shifting in the first year of ownership, we'd hate to think what 10+ years will do.
Simple 5-minute Fix Excessive Oil Consumption, Oil Burning, Spark Plug Fouling And Disabling VCM - Simple 5-minute fix for Honda with 3.5L V6 Engine with VCM (Variable Cylinder Management).
n 2013 a class-action lawsuit was filed against Honda, 1.6 million vehicles between 2008-2013 had been identified having potential for high oil consumption and misfires due to VCM Operation on 3.5L V6 Engines. Honda extended the warranty for these vehicles but did not correct the problem. This did not include the millions of vehicles between 2005-2007 that also had the same defective issues and had owners complaining of repeated failure of costly motor mounts to VCM operation, damaged transmission torque converters, fouled spark plugs and excessive oil consumption at the rate of up to 1 qt for every 1000 miles. Honda claimed this was normal.
Well known issue and reported heavily on piloteers.org, etc. VCM system creates vibration in the engine which the active engine mounts are not able to dampen. Manifests in vibration and noise detectable to the passengers. Eventually will lead to damage and need for replacement of the engine mounts. I was unaware of the VCM problem with Hondas when we bought our 2016 Honda Pilot. Our pilot made it almost 36k miles before showing any signs or symptoms of a problem. Before that it was perfect. Then everyday thereafter when cruising at highway speeds, the VCM would engage and disengage as the vehicle went up and down hills. When the vehicle would start uphill, requiring more power, there is a few second lag in the VCM system. For that few seconds when more power is needed but the engine is still running on reduced cylinders, the conditions were just right (or just wrong really) and the vibration would show up. I had the dealership look at my vehicle 3 times, for intermittent vibration issues during highway driving. They reported that they were unable to find any cause, blah blah blah. Then I started researching, found the S-VCM, and figured it was worth a try. It solved my issue entirely. Pretty crappy that Honda and their dealerships wont at least be honest with people and tell them what the issue is so they can go fix it. Had to spend my time visiting their service department 3 times to get nowhere.
I have exactly the same VCM induced vibration on my 2016 Pilot as the other report on this website. It feels like driving over a highway rumble strip although not quite as severe. I have experienced this between 25 MPH - 50 MPH when the engine is not under load and the VCM is operating with the engine running on 3 cylinders.
I took it to the dealer twice and after the second time the dealer service department told me that they had good news. The acknowledged the vibration issue but described to me the VCM operation above and said it was all "operating normally". My response to this was that it is good news that nothing is "wrong", but it is bad news that nothing is wrong. If this is considered normal by any auto manufacturer I am shocked! It is a real shame too since I really love everything about the Pilot with that exception. If I had experienced that during the test drive I never would have purchased it. I can say without a doubt that if Honda never comes out with a fix for this issue this will be my first and last Honda purchase!
This reports VCM induced vibration on a 2016 Pilot. It feels like driving over a highway rumble strip although not as severe. It is experienced between 55 kph - 90 kph when the engine is not under load and the VCM is operating with the engine running on 3 cylinders.
The dealer service department acknowledges the issue (they described it as rumble strip vibration) but declared it "normal."
- gstaffe,
Windsor, ON, Canada
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Well known issue and reported heavily on piloteers.org, etc. VCM system creates vibration in the engine which the active engine mounts are not able to dampen. Manifests in vibration and noise detectable to the passengers. Eventually will lead to damage and need for replacement of the engine mounts. I was unaware of the VCM problem with Hondas when we bought our 2016 Honda Pilot. Our pilot made it almost 36k miles before showing any signs or symptoms of a problem. Before that it was perfect. Then everyday thereafter when cruising at highway speeds, the VCM would engage and disengage as the vehicle went up and down hills. When the vehicle would start uphill, requiring more power, there is a few second lag in the VCM system. For that few seconds when more power is needed but the engine is still running on reduced cylinders, the conditions were just right (or just wrong really) and the vibration would show up. I had the dealership look at my vehicle 3 times, for intermittent vibration issues during highway driving. They reported that they were unable to find any cause, blah blah blah. Then I started researching, found the S-VCM, and figured it was worth a try. It solved my issue entirely. Pretty crappy that Honda and their dealerships wont at least be honest with people and tell them what the issue is so they can go fix it. Had to spend my time visiting their service department 3 times to get nowhere.
- Eric F., Easley, SC, US