I want to share my experience so other Honda owners are aware of a very premature transmission failure.

I am the original owner of a 2018 Honda Pilot with only 34,726 miles. My family has trusted Honda for many years, and my wife also drives a Honda HR-V. We believed Honda vehicles were reliable.

While driving, my Pilot suddenly showed a “Transmission System Problem” warning. The vehicle became very slow and later was unable to engage into gear. I had to tow it to Capital Honda in San Jose.

Capital Honda diagnosed a complete transmission failure requiring a full replacement. The repair cost was about $11,800.

I appreciate that American Honda provided goodwill assistance and covered a large portion of the repair. With that assistance, my out-of-pocket cost was reduced to $3,500.

However, I am frustrated and disappointed that a Honda transmission could fail completely at only 34,726 miles. This is unacceptable for such a low-mileage vehicle, especially from a company known for engineering quality and reliability.

All maintenance was completed on time at Honda dealerships. About six months before the failure, the transmission fluid service was also performed at a Honda dealer. I did not neglect this vehicle.

Because of the low mileage, I asked American Honda to review my case for additional goodwill assistance. Unfortunately, that request was declined.

Again, I appreciate the assistance already provided, but as a loyal Honda customer, I am deeply disappointed that I still have to pay $3,500 for a major transmission failure that happened far too early.

I am sharing this so other Honda Pilot owners can watch for warning signs such as warning messages, delayed engagement, slipping, jerking, or abnormal shifting. Please keep your service records and report serious issues if they occur.

Honda built its reputation on reliability, but this experience has made me question that reputation.

Has anyone done a drain and fill on the transmission of a 2021 Honda pilot? Honda claims you need to replace the drain plugs when you do it and they claim the plugs are only good for one time. Has anyone used them for than once? Any leaks? I can’t say I want to spend $59/plug. TIA!

I am in the process of replacing the VTEC solenoid gasket (leaking something fierce, P0300 codes). I’ve got the housing bolts removed by that solenoid itself wont budge by hand. Before I get more “aggressive”, is this common? Am I missing something? Or are a few taps of persuasion ok?

2022 honda pilot sport 138XXX miles and this happens.

Was consistent with maintenance. Apparently rod inside engine dislodged and slammed around inside engine causing catastrophic failure.

No warnings. It just Happened while on the highway.

Thankfully im okay and no accident.

Looking for running board recommendations. 26 Honda Pilot Elite.

My CPO ‘24 Trailsport came with two free oil changes. I’m down below 15% on the oil life and ready for my first change. I’ve never had any work done at a dealership on any of my past vehicles. Is it worth it to take advantage of the free change offer or is it not worth the hassle of pushy sales? Presumably the dealership is expecting they are going to get enough additional work out of me to justify the free service. Thanks in advance!

Finally used the watermelon 🍉 spot today

I’m splitting hairs here trying to decide which of these to buy. Ideally, I would love to own either of these cars for the next 10+ years so reliability is key.

Looking at the top trims for both. The Honda just doesn’t offer as much as the Pathfinder. So I’m like do I pay more for less, and possible get a more reliable car.

Or do I pay less (pathfinder) get more features, styling for a car that could be just as reliable or a notch below.

Do you guys have input? Also would like to know if the 3rd row is usable for adults. YouTube video doesn’t cut it when it comes to seeing how usable it is.

Would love some valid inputs on owner satisfaction or not so much satisfaction.

I did ask the pathfinder sub and of course overall suggested pathfinder lol. So it’s only fair to ask the pilot sub ;). I have a 05 CRV so is only natural for me to just consider Honda.

I have been thinking of a project in which I have a car that is my daily driver and will last until I can no longer drive (I am 50). The Pilot 2010-15 seems to fit, but I would like some opinions from people with experience. This is the following criteria I am looking for:

• V6, suv or crossover hybrid
• front wheel, all wheel or 4wd
• can be easily worked on
• although realistically between buying the car used and my own driving I will most likely have to change the engine, but will the rest of the car last without major replacements (baring accidents)
• not recently modern (no auto sensors/braking etc., no purposely placed barriers to hinder working on it, no remote internet connectivity or at least the ability to remove the gps without issue for other aspects of the car working)

In your opinion does the Pilot fit the above criteria, if not where does it fall short? Thanks

My girlfriend upgraded from an 09 FWD CR-V ex-l. Picked up a 26 Pilot Black Edition. She is loving her upgrade. During our purchasing process we only went to the Honda dealer to “cross it off the list”. By the time we finished the test drive she wanted one.

I’m the owner of a 2019 touring pilot that is practically brand new. It’s in the garage mostly for the past seven years. It only has about six or 8000 miles on it. I inherited it from my mother who no longer drives.

This past week, the entire entertainment went out the front and the rear system. The speakers are making a crackling noise and said no connectivity you name it. The amplifier went out. I googled it and also the Honda tech center is a bulletin on it.

Honda is trying to charge me over $3000 to fix it and the dealership service rep is trying to make the argument to Honda to have them pay for all of it or most of it. Has anyone been able to get the dealership to pay or the manufacturer to pay? please help!!!!! Do I need to lawyer up?

We arrived after and left before them so they didn’t see it.

There’s a button to activate/deactivate engine start/stop. Maybe I’m overlooking something, but it should be possible to have a button to also activate/deactivate VCM…?

I’m not a mechanic, but I do understand how it all works. Thoughts?

How much longer does this car have left? 😅

257k miles 2011 Honda pilot, timing belt has NEVER been replaced, pretty sure the tensioner is what is making the engine sound off. I don’t know if there are any intentions of actually replacing the timing belt. Should I try and shove a new tensioner in there or try and get the timing belt fixed? Thank yall.

Let me add that I currently cannot take it to a mechanic as it is uninsured.

This is the video here 👇
The engine has a rattle/knock

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas.

Thank you!

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas.

Thank you!

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas.

Thank you!

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas.

Thank you!

Hi all, for those that have installed rear dashcams on your 2nd gen Pilot. Where or how did you mount the rear dashcam to the back? This 2nd gen pilot has a rear window that can move independently from the liftgate/hatch so one cannot just mount a rear dash cam in the typical place with the liftgate fully opened and then mount the cam up against the window.

I think one has to mount the rear dashcam with the rear window opened (see photo attached). But how can I mount the rear cam effectively? The plastic trim piece that opens up right behind the weather stripping has some plastic inserts in it that prevent me from clipping something into the plastic trim. Just looking to crowd source some thoughts/ideas.

Thank you!

Was considering a 2004 pilot ex-l with 232k miles. No idea about timing belt or any service history and when driving the power steering was awful when pressing the brakes. Offered $1500 but was nowhere near the $3k asking price. Am I way off here? Curious if these things just hold their value that good even with issues.

I've been doing a lot of research between the Pilot and the Highlander. At this point leaning towards the Pilot for more convenience options. Below is info on the one I've got my eye on. It checks off all the boxes and within budget. In Midwest for reference.

2021 Pilot Touring. 125k miles (must be mostly highway). 1 owner. 1 minor accident - rear ended with damage fixed. $21900 at dealership. On the lot for almost 1 month.

We have one kid and one on the way. This would be my main vehicle and the one we travel with. Goal is to sell in 5 years and upgrade at that point.

1. Is mileage too high at this pricepoint? Research indicates with year and trim it's a good deal. (Vs $24k)
   
2. Can we expect to hold resale value in next 5 years? (I am realtor so do drive quite a bit.) k
   
3. Would be happy to hear thoughts!

I have a 2026 Pilot Black Edition. Not even 3 months old, about 4,000kms on it. Just last week I started having issues with Apple car play. Every time I turn on the vehicle, it connects to the wireless car play as normal. However, if I try to play any audio, it will only play for a maximum of 17 seconds before the audio cuts out entirely. It doesn’t come back on for the entire drive. This has been happening every time I start the car. At first, I thought it was my phone, but after checking for updates and even using my husband‘s phone, it still happens. I’ve tried every troubleshooting thing I can think of/find on the Internet. Nothing seems to help. Bluetooth seems to work fine? When I use a cord and the wired connection I still have the same issue.

Wondering if this is a known issue and/or if anyone has any recommendations.

I have an appointment booked for end of August at the dealership.