As long as your Pilot is stock and used in the way the manufacturer intended, you shouldnt need to add an external transmission fluid cooler. In 2009, Honda introduced the second generation of the Pilot with a completely new design and new platform. In short, no, the serpentine belts operation and condition dont generally impact the transmission. Given that the average 2003 Honda Pilot is worth roughly $2,500 to $3,000, trying to fix a major transmission problem could be a huge waste of cash. The contact stated that he noticed there was a puddle of a red colored fluid under the vehicle. This will prevent further damage to your engine and help keep your fluid at an ideal level for longer periods. I believe the design flaw rest between the operation of the VCM and transmission. If it breaks, the gears cannot be in sync. So, if you are in the market for a used Honda Pilot, you should look at some cars that have a lower number of miles on the clock. Among the issues that would prompt the transmission light to appear are low transmission fluids, an overheating transmission, a failing shift interlock, a faulty valve body, a bad torque converter, or other internal transmission-related failures and problems." Many Honda Pilot owners have reported problems with the transmission, and these reports were for a transmission failure. Our 2019 has had transmission issues from day 1. I assumed it would try to lock the transmission into that gear But I have no idea. However, Honda then moved the production of the Pilot in 2007 to the United States. So, if you are in the market for a Honda Pilot, you need to look for a Pilot that has been taken care of, and the transmission has been replaced. I took it in & they did a diagnose but nothing would come up when they checked for codes. Transmission slipping is another hint that the fluid is low and old. } Has anyone upgraded the trans cooler on the 9-Speed? | Honda Ridgeline if you notice any of the following symptoms of a faulty shift solenoid, get your car to a mechanic right away. Oftentimes, one would associate Honda as the maker of the most reliable and long-lasting cars on the market. } My Pilot still has this problem every now and then. With good maintenance and diligent servicing, you can handily surpass the 250,000 to the 300,000-mile threshold, too. Influence-free. But the 6 speed Never had any issues as it is a mature design. I have an aftermarket transmission cooler, Dana, big sucker on there. One of the problems people have with it is transmission issues. There are probably hundreds of defects out there that happen to vehicles that are prone to these problems. Some of these issues were transmission related and a lot of owners had reported that the transmission had been jerking persistently and had not been an enjoyable experience to drive. Hot transmissions give off an odor. The proper way to shift gears in your Honda Pilot is to ease off the gas and let the transmission shift for you rather than stepping on the gas and forcing it into gear. You may be able to catch and fix issues before they ever become a problem. I share all my tips with our readers to help them out the best I can. 4 Effects And Symptoms Of Too Much Transmission Fluid - Mechanic Base #1 Cause of Failure It is estimated that close to 90 percent of automatic transmission failures are caused by overheating, and the main reason they overheat is because of overworked transmission fluid. There were also reports of it failing, which is pretty serious. It converts the rotational energy into torque and makes driving the vehicle possible. When I turn the car off the light isn't there, but then when I go on the freeway the light cones back on. At 240 degrees, your transmission will last about 1/4 the time that it should. The transmission has been slipping on occasion and the check engine light came on. And we are going to elaborate on it for you to have a better perspective on which Honda Pilot to buy and which to avoid. It can be resolved by a vehicle software update which prevents transmission fluid from overheating and prevents the judder. Until now, I have discussed the many symptoms and issues that can arise with the transmission of the Honda Pilot. I am also an avid car driver. 2004 Honda Pilot problems. "text": "One of the warning lights that may appear in your car is a check transmission light, generally referred to as a transmission warning light. "@type": "Answer", 2003 Honda Pilot Torque Converter Is Making Noise Thats why you should avoid it. If there is one thing this article has made clear about the Honda Pilot transmission problems, there can be many. Depending on where the radiator is leaking, it can get coolant onto the serpentine belt. "name": "Does The Serpentine Belt Affect The Transmission", 2017 Pilot EX-L 2wd (49k); (2) 2012 V6 Crosstour 2wd (117k, 306k); 2013 BMW X5 (112k); 2015 Nissan NV 3500 (210k). May 11, 2009. But nothing major was found like with the previous generation when it was first released. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'wvdot_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',831,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wvdot_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Now, I will discuss some preventative measures to ensure that your SUVs transmission will work for as long as possible and with as few issues as possible. Its best to avoid this vehicle and go for another vehicle with similar characteristics. This model had many complaints that the transmission jerked. American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and . But first, we are going to learn more about the Pilot and its background to see if its a good deal. If you are using your Pilot to tow or haul, its much harder on the transmission than normal operation. The transmission in these cars is pretty much bulletproof and you will enjoy driving your Honda Pilot. This model saw recalls, as well. Given that most Americans drive their cars about 15,000 miles per year, this equates to a lifespan for the Honda Pilot as long as 13 to 20 years. This is because a serpentine belt isn't directly connected or has to work with the transmission. 1: Need more info as to whether the 3rd and 4th gear pressure switches are really the problem. Checking the transmission fluid level on your Honda Pilot is not that difficult. It can cause your engine to smoke because it's burning off that fluid from the engine. I'm here to help you with your car. Many people dont realize this, but the transmission fluid is the most common culprit when it comes to transmission problems.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'wvdot_com-netboard-1','ezslot_21',896,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wvdot_com-netboard-1-0'); You should first check your fluid level if you think your SUV has a transmission problem. They eventually fixed those confidently enough to replace all 6 speeds. Ask me anything! RECALLS! Troubleshooting Honda Transmission Problems - YOUCANIC As the radiator leaks, it'll cause your Pilot to overheat. I took it to the dealer and they said that they couldnt check for any trouble codes since it wasnt a constant warning. The torque converter was also known to make noise when operating, which was annoying. The transmission fluid could also be lowif the level dips low enough, it can cause the gears to not sync. "@type": "Answer", Thats why now there are 9 and 10-speed transmissions. View all. 2004 Pilots suffer from slipping gears and shuddering, while the transmission oil and coolant mix in the 2005 Pilot, and 2016-2020 Pilots equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions, are plagued by jerking and Thanks again for the inputs On 25/10/2022 at 3:42 pm Were you able to find out the problem?? } 5-speed BVGA automatic: $2,295.00 (MidWestTrans) 5-speed PN3A automatic: 940.76 (eBay) 6-speed Honda H6 automatic. You should know that this transmission is not one of the greatest transmissions out there and you should avoid it. Specifically, Hondas plant in Alliston, Ontario. Over the last week or so have noticed the transmisson "slipping" between 10-40 mph (especially going uphill) and the RPMs fluctuate 100-200 RPM. The best is the 2007 and 2008 model years. So I'm thinking maybe it's a sensor? Do Honda Pilots Have Transmission Problems? Everything You Need to Know As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Curious what kind of ambient Temps you drive in. PDF Service Bulletin 17-014 - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration When its really hot out it causes your transmission fluid to heat up and break down faster than in normal conditions. So, lets begin. I had VCM enabled on my 2008 and I would get a horrible shudder around 30-40mph. Is it possible that the Honda ATF would still be satisfactory if you just disabled the VCM function? This prediction is based on Honda's brand history and the previous. Getting a car without proper research will only bring you trouble. The third generation of the Honda Pilot came out in 2015 and brought a new and futuristic design that changed the overall look of the vehicle. awtown. Wait a couple of minutes, start it back up and continue on your trip. 2015 Odyssey EX-L; 2015 Durango Citadel (Hemi AWD). Flywheel Car: Functions, Types, And All You Should Know, I am thinking of buying a 2016 Honda Pilot and the owner does not know which transmission it has. I took it to the dealer and they said that they couldn't check for any trouble codes since it wasn't a . The transmission would shudder at times. Lets take a look. Honda Pilot Overheating While Idle: Causes + Fix Dec 8, 2010 (Edited) From this thread. Before we get deeper into the Honda Pilot transmission problems lets first discuss the transmission basics. The transmission fluid could also be lowif the level dips low enough, it can cause the gears to not sync.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'wvdot_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',813,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wvdot_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Its also possible that theres something wrong with your shifter cable. The transmission temperature too - Answered by a verified Mechanic for Honda . This information will be of a lot of use to you if you are in the market for a used Honda Pilot. Here are the most common causes of an overheating transmission: Low transmission fluid is the most common reason that your Honda Pilots transmission will overheat under normal operation. Automatic Transmission problems of the 2004 Honda Pilot Usually, it's a prelude to something going wrong, and you'll be wise to have it checked out before it gets any more serious. Hence, it makes sense that Hondas North American-focused SUV is to be built in North America. A transmission warning light appears in the vehicle when the issue. Transmission Overheat and next steps | Acura MDX SUV Forums Honda did pretty well this year, as the transmission was pretty reliable. The first generation was introduced, as we said, in 2003 and was produced until 2008. Transmission Overheating | Page 2 - Honda Ridgeline Owners Club Forums They are going to cost a lot of money to repair. asHave seen discussions on this site regarding TSB 17-014 That described similar slipping/RPM fluctuation in 2016 and 2017 pilots. There were complaints about the transmission cooler connection failing and the sluggish acceleration. The sales numbers are also high. If you ever have had one of these fail, you will experience the quaking of what is actually going on under the hood. From 2018 to 2020, the Honda Pilot transmission problems were still the same. If the problem was not addressed on time, the transmission would have been permanently damaged. I, too had a trans overheat (2001 MDX Touring Edition) and loss of trans fluid, actual overflow point unknown after a Honda dealer working on it for about 4 hours including addition of dye. The torque converter is designed to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. The transmission fluid is overheating. We smelled a faint - JustAnswer All of the problems were patched and not many owners had reported problems with their Honda. Radiator problems of the 2005 Honda Pilot - carproblemzoo.com 2008 Honda Pilot Engine Failure, Oil Leaked Into Coolant What Do I Do When My Transmission Overheats? This is why I recommend reading this article entirely so that your Honda Pilot does not have to face the same issues. With good maintenance and diligent servicing, you can handily surpass the 250,000 to the 300,000-mile threshold, too. But, an external transmission cooler actively cools the transmission fluid and makes a noticeable difference in the transmission temperature, and is typically easier to install than the transmission pan. Repairs for this problem were estimated at $3000 for a new automatic transmission. This post contains affiliate links. One of the worst problems that can happen to your Honda Pilot is overheating. The optimal temperature range for transmission fluid is 175 to 220 degrees. External transmission coolers are relatively affordable and easy to install. And if you plan to get a used one, there are also plenty on the second-hand market as well. Honda Pilot Reliability: How Long Will It Last? - VehicleHistory You should also not rule out the fluid lines themselves. You will waste more than $3000 on a new transmission. Erratic behaving rpm gauge is the symptom, most noticeable when your cruise control is on. A major transmission recall of over 1 million Honda vehicles back in 2004 dealt with transmission damage due to overheating, but 2003 Pilot transmissions have continued to fail. By 2021 Honda has learned their mistakes with its transmissions and decided to replace the 6-speed with a 9-speed ZF automatic transmission. This is bad business.