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 1 of 7)

problem #133

Apr 012020

Pilot

  • 149,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a cranking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that several unknown components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the shocks, control arms, drive train and other unknown components needed to be replaced. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V228000 (Structure); however, neither the VIN nor the year, make, or model was included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #132

Mar 022021

Pilot

  • miles
My children bought this vehicle for me because I lost my job due to covid aftereffects and I had to return my Kia soul 2014 to the creditors.I was delivering food boxes to the elderly when the at temp light came on and the transmission started to lockup I had to pullover because the car was running hot.it was very frightening so I couldn't get home.I have never had that happen to me.goggleing this Honda brand there has been several complaints about this model but no Honda recall this car is dangerous! and should be either recalled or taken off the market as nto to never be ever resold

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #131

Nov 232018

Pilot

  • 133,945 miles
Transmission cooling mechanism in lower part of radiator failed causing transmission fluid to leak into the radiator and mix with coolant. Introduction of antifreeze into the transmission caused damage which would require replacement of transmission, radiator, hoses, flush the engine, etc. Even with this amount of repair, increase failure rate of water pump, heater core or any rubber seal or gasket exists. A quick google search as well as a search on this site reveals that this is a known problem which has never results in a recall. My Pilot had just under 134,000 miles and now is undriveable. The repairs cost more than the vehicle. Please issue a recall so that there may be some relief for owners who have been left stranded by this known problem.

- Seminole, FL, USA

problem #130

Dec 012017

Pilot

  • 120,000 miles

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

When driving 30-50mph my 2005 Honda Pilot shudder/vibrates as if I'm driving on a rumble strip. I bought my Pilot at 113,000 in 2017 and I noticed the issue first at about 120,000 miles. I now have 134,000 miles and the research I'm doing on this issue suggests there is a major defect with Honda/Acura transmission and or torque converters. What can I do at this point?

- Winthrop, ME, USA

problem #129

Jun 242018

Pilot

  • miles
2005 Honda Pilot, when cruising between 35-45 miles car shudders/vibrate never fixed since I bought this vehicle.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #128

Sep 232017

Pilot

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Pilot. While the vehicle was in park and the key was not near the vehicle, the gear shifted independently. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the neighbor's yard. The contact was in the vehicle cleaning it out at the time of the failure. The contact sustained a concussion to the head and injuries to the neck, back, and left leg that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to union park Honda (1704 Pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806), but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The body damages were repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #127

Aug 292017

Pilot

  • 175,000 miles

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

The rear cradle which has the drive shafts and rear differential has come unattached from rear crossmember due to the attachment points rusting through letting cradle and K member loose from 2 of the 4 attachment points.this seems to be a problem on several vehicles that I have seen.the crossmember rusts out from the inside out and lets the cradle loose from the vehicle causing complete suspension failure and loss of control of vehicle.

- Crawley, WV, USA

problem #126

Jun 072015

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle in motion, stopped in traffic when automatic transmission failed. Engine was running perfectly but vehicle would not move. Mechanic found radiator had failed, allowing transmission fluid to mix with engine coolant. Transmission had to be rebuilt and radiator replaced. Cost of repair approximately $5,000. Contacted Honda and they refused to do anything. Receipts for repair and communication to Honda are available.

- Clinton, NJ, USA

problem #125

May 022016

Pilot

  • 138,000 miles
When accelerating at approximately 35-40 mph the cars shakes and vibrates. If you let off the accelerator the shake will go away.

- Oklahoma, OK, USA

problem #124

Apr 042016

Pilot

  • 147,000 miles
My vsa light and my vtm-4 wheel light came on. When I attempted to push on the gas petal it would accelerate. I was driving on a city street going home

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #123

Dec 142015

Pilot

  • 142,000 miles

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

My 2005 Honda Pilot check engine light came on. My local mechanics scanned the computer code P0741, torque clutch solenoid. After he replace the solenoid and cleared the code I drove it for about 50 miles before the light came on again. So I took it back the the shop to have the code scan again. The same code, P0741 appear in his scanner. He recheck the replacemental part for malfunction and connection issues with no issues. So I took it to a transmission shop to have a second opinion. The trans shop exam the tran and found no issues also. Both shops suggest that there must be an interior issue in the tran itself. My only option are to replace the whole tran or drive it as long as it is driving fine. I think Honda know of this interior issue and don't want to recall the vehicles. Replacing a tran isn't a cheap fix.

- Irvington, NJ, USA

problem #122

Dec 172015

Pilot

  • 90,000 miles
There is vibration when accelerating between 35-45 mph. Seems there issue with transmission which is common among other ownwers.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #121

Feb 022016

Pilot

  • 1 miles
At 105,000 miles I took my 2005 Honda Pilot for some preventative maintenance-oil change, transmission service, and an air bag recall. The mechanic noted that the vehicle shuddered on his test drive. Now the D light is blinking and the vehicle does shudder between 35-50 mph. The service writer alex schenbeck at dick's Honda in hillsboro said he didn't notice the mechanics note and had no idea what this could be. After doing some research this is a very common problem. Acura issued a recall on the MDX for the exact same problem caused by a design flaw in the torque converter. On the NHTSA website there have been 208 complaints on the 2004-2005 Honda Pilot transmission and 66 complaints on the torque converter specifically. I will be contacting Honda North America to see if they are interested in helping a loyal Honda customer or losing my business for life.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #120

Jan 022012

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles
When the vehicle gets to about 30 mph you feel a shudder in the transmission. After momentarily losing inertia, the vehicle is able to increase speed and continue without hesitation. I've had the dealer check it and they think it may be a faulty torque converter. This has been ongoing for a number of years.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #119

Dec 232015

Pilot

  • 140,000 miles
When accelerating at approximately 35-40 mph the cars shakes and vibrates. If you let off the accelerator the shake will go away. Has progressively gotten worse.

- Galena, OH, USA

problem #118

Jul 042015

Pilot

  • 0 miles
My Pilot 2005, 45000 mls. Is running very good but from 3 month ago the engine light is on and the vtm-4 is on at the same time some times in off and always back. This happen when the engine start and stay on, sometimes on the road is off back again on engine light and vtm-4.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #117

Nov 052015

Pilot

  • 148,000 miles
D light started blinking as I was going down the interstate. After I stopped I check gas cover and transmission fluid levels. Both ok. Happened again so I went to get code read...throwing code P0872 and code 0700. I had this problem a few years ago and Honda fixed problem for almost $500. Why is it happening again?

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #116

Oct 012000

Pilot

  • 65,000 miles
At speeds up to approximately 35 mph, the car randomly has a shudder or vibration. It is not felt in the steering but in the body of the car. When accelerator is pushed harder or if the gear selector is moved to D3 the shudder stops. This occurred from 60K mile when purchased to now at 170K miles. Dealer can't identify the problem but recommends a new torque converter. Honda America will not do anything because of the age. I've seen numerous complaints with the same symptoms. Honda is ignoring that this problem exists. It point to transmission issues. Tires have been replaced, rotated, rebalanced, realigned and it had no effect on the problem.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #115

Oct 072015

Pilot

  • 105,746 miles
The vehicle jumps on and off and I tend to loose control of the vehicle with steering. Further check revealed that the transmission failure of the vehicle.

- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA

problem #114

Sep 252015

Pilot

  • 112,234 miles
Traveling about 35 to 45mph we feel a shutter once you speed up it goes away.also see a flutter in engine RPM.

- Warrenville, SC, USA

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