9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$6,880
Average Mileage:
77,900 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replaced transmission (2 reports)
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problem #2

Apr 252024

Pilot Elite V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 67,804 miles

At about 68,000 miles, our transmission warning lamp went on and tranny periodically quit shifting. Took to Honda Dealer. Was told that they found tranny oil dark (burnt) and shiny (metal particles). What they offered was either (1) flush the tranny oil 3 times at cost of $1200 and no guarantee it would resolve the issue or (2) replace the transmission at cost of $7400 with a 3 yrs guarantee. This was supposed to be a very long-term car for us and we expected to keep it much longer than 3 more yrs. It also needed to be reliable for my wifes road trips. A questionable transmission fix was not going to work for us so only real option for our situation was to replace the transmission. Online research found this specific transmission is a known issue and has a class action lawsuit about it (see https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2023/honda-9-speed-transmission-problems-lawsuit.shtml ).

The replacement transmission would be the same as the old one so no confidence it was worth the money to us. We contacted Honda who decided they would not help us with the repair financially. So we sold the car at a loss. Sold for $13,000, KBB trade-in value if tranny worked was about $22,000 so lost about $9,000 of value. We do our own maintenance and the owner's manual says to follow the Maintenance Minder prompts which never said replace the tranny fluid. We liked the car so are very disappointed to have this problem at less than 68,000 miles. Especially since Honda doesn't have a good solution (our opinion) for it. This was our 4th Honda. I doubt we will ever get another.

- Eric H., Baytown, US

problem #1

Apr 292024

Pilot Elite V6, 3471 Cc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,922 miles

transmission failed abruptly - could not get in any gear.

Went out to my Pilot in the morning and attempted to put car in reverse to pull out of the garage. Flashing warning lights indicated a problem with the transmission. Continued to attempt to put the car in reverse without success.

Had car towed to repair facility. Informed vehicle transmission problem was beyond their scope. Had vehicle towed to Honda Dealership. Honda Technician’s informed me that the Transmission Control Unit and internal components of the sealed transmission had failed. Unfortunately that results in a complete replacement of the transmission. The Error Code was P0841.

In recent weeks the Pilot had displayed a P219A Error Code for Emission System Problem. I had the Honda Dealer inspect and they found evidence of mice and cleaned area near injectors. They said I should replace the injectors in case the mice chewed the wires inside, however, the problem did not recur after their service and I elected not to go forward with injector replacement at that time. I mention this because on the day of the transmission failure the Emission System Problem warning light came back on. This was suspicious.

The Honda Service people informed me that they would need to break sway bars to undertake the transmission repair, so replacement of these components was part of the overall job. According to the Service Department, the replacement transmission installed in my Pilot is a remanufactured OEM transmission from a Pilot that had been “totaled" in an accident. They said the transmission was not affected in the accident.

When I initially received the news that the transmission needed to be replaced I inquired about the Emission System Warning Light and I was told that this warning light was the result of the failed transmission!!! They are/were related. IF ACCURATE, THIS IS VERY CONCERNING, AND SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE HONDA PILOT OWNER COMMUNITY!

How would any Honda Pilot owner know to have the transmission checked when an emission system problem warning light comes on? Again, Error Code P219A for the emission system.

It is too soon to know if the emission system problem is resolved by the new transmission installation. If it is not, there will need to be further explanation from Honda.

A transmission replacement at less than 90,000 miles for a 2017 Honda Pilot in otherwise excellent condition with complete service records is troubling. I began reading about the issues with this model Honda Pilot after the work on my car was commenced. If this is a known problem with the OEM transmission, I feel Honda should reimburse me for this repair, and should notify its dealer network of the recurring problems with the transmission.

Thank you.

- Russell S., Scarborough, US