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.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated and she was unable to continue driving. The contact mentioned that the temperature gauge illuminated and smoke started to emit from underneath the hood. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the transmission and radiator fluid mixed. As a result, the radiator and transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 97,000.
I was driving to work when 2005 Honda Pilot stated trailing a liquid. Drove a quarter of a mile to work to find coolant and transmission fluid leaking from the front of the vehicle. Had it towed to a transmission shop found that the radiator failed causing coolant and transmission fluid to leak out. Radiator replaced, transmission flushed and serviced, and coolant system flushed final repair cost $900. This is a common failure for the Honda Pilot and should be checked out and resolved for others.
Vehicle engine started to shake (vibrating) more than normal. When the vehicle reached between 35 to 45 mph. Once I pass 45 mph, the engine would stop shake.
On a 3 hour trip, driving at highway speed when engine power dropped to allow only 30-40mp and approximately 6000 RPM. After cooling down, it was able to get back to highway speed. Next day, the exact same issues started occurring. Had it towed back to dealership. Dealership indicated that the transmission had blown and it would cost approximately $5,000 to replace.
- Mckinney, TX, USA
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2005 Pilot Honda transmission shudders between 30-40 mph. Research on the web confirms that many people are having this problem - faulty torque converters. The problem began at 50K miles and now has 142K. Just spent $750 to replace the pressure switches, will not fix the problem.
D light transmission flash and I stop the car to try reset ignition key. The D light no flash now. But I think that it will have problem my transmission later on. For my safety concern I need a recall for my car about this issue. Thanks for your cooperation to keep highway safe.
Took my 2005 Pilot in for major service 100K. Vehicle has been maintained with regular intervals of fluid replacement and oil changes at non Honda shops but with certified compatible products from valvoline. Mileage on car is 107,928. Picked up car was running great. Within 7 miles flashing D light engine warning light stays on and car feels like its losing power and won't shift. Dealer says its coincidence. No slowing of transmission no warning when dealer did major service and all point inspection with Honda diagnostic computer. Contacted dealer was told car should be drivable to bring it in. Car stalled out jerked back and rpms soared almost causing me to get rear ended while traveling at 35 miles an hour. Drove car 20 miles an hour and jerked back again causing me to be stuck in the middle of an intersection. Pulled over turned car off and back on only engine Silhouette still on and drove 20 mph to dealership. Car in dealership mileage is 107953 and am told its a complete transmission failure on a sealed transmission that dealer couldn't detect three days earlier. No warning system or failed warning system on a very dangerous major car failure. I was also told that it was an emissions problem even car has been though my car passed smog in May 2012 with above average rating. My point is why is there no warning or detection to this potentially life threatening car failure"???"
Started experiencing a shudder when accelerating between 35-40 mph. Apparently, this seems to be a large problem with the 2005 Honda Pilot. The issue is intermittent and two shops were not able to reproduce the issue. Both shops told me they have seen this issue before in the Pilot and MDX. The problem is still intermittent but getting worse.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a traffic stop the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the coolant fluid was in the transmission and transmission fluid was in the radiator. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 129,504 and the current mileage was 130,500.....updated 10/11/12 updated 10/16/2012
2005 Honda Pilot - seal or transmission cooler failed and leaked transmission fluid into the radiator. No warning lights or indicators were evident. Owner noticed leaking fluid from the radiator overflow. Both parts now require expensive replacement. Vehicle has 86,000 miles and never experienced issue before. However, there are several posts on the internet concerning the exact same issue, with little or no apparent acknowledgement by Honda of this broad issue.
The vehicle started to "shudder" at medium speed, and two to three days later while accelerating to highway speed the transmission blew up, creating loud banging noises and spilling transmission fluid onto the roadway.
I started noticing a vibration at 34 to 45 mph. It was definitely caused by a malfunction under the hood. It causes my 2005 Honda Pilot to vibrate, shudder and hesitate at that speed. I have to take my foot off of the accelerator pedal before it will stop. It happens continuously at that speed.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that he noticed there was a puddle of a red colored fluid under the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the automatic transmission cooler had leaked into the radiator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected. The dealer stated that the failure was common with the vehicle model. The vehicle was repaired by replacing the upper and lower hose, the radiator, the thermostat and the automatic transmission. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 78,500. The failure mileage was 77,145.
2005 Honda Pilot with 106,750 miles. I was stopped at the red traffic light, when the light turned green, vehicle would not move. I changed gears from park to drive and vehicle would still not drive. Vehicle towed to nearest Honda dealer. Dealer informed me that there was a leak in the transmission cooling line in the radiator. Coolant fluids mixed with transmission fluid. Dealer will replace radiator($400), refill coolant, replace thermostat, atf lines, changed atf fluid 3 times to remove contaminants. Total labor $685, total parts $800++. I've been searching online and this seems to be a major issue with Honda Pilot, Acura MDX and Honda ridgeline. Radiator/transmission cooling line leak is a safety issue especially when driving in an interstate highway.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that, while driving, the vehicle made a loud noise as if there was a flat tire. The front and rear driver and passenger side tires were changed however the noise persisted. The contact stated that when attempting to brake, the vehicle would shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and inspected. The failure was related to the transmission and the 4X4 feature. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate current and failure mileage was 54,000.
Was driving along a main road in Delaware, and my "D" light started flashing. I looked it up in the manual and it said the transmission problem. The light went off after I shut the car off and turned it back on. It has came on a handful of times, but shuts off after I turn the car off and on. I now am experiencing a hard shift, and a shuddering (almost like it is going to stall), and a clucking noise. I have done research and realize there has been many more complaints with this issue in the 2005 Honda Pilot.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 20 mph, the engine power reduced significantly and without warning. The contact continued to drive and upon reaching the destination an inspection underneath the hood was performed. The contact noticed a dark brown milky substance leaking from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the transmission and engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
Transmission cooling portion of radiator failed causing transmission fluid to leak into the radiator and mix with coolant. Transmission drained and caused car to stop. Introduction of antifreeze into the transmission caused damage to the transmission resulting in need to replace transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aiken, SC, USA