RoadVitals

2005 Honda Pilot Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
134
Latest Apr 28, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 679 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 134 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 134, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Apr 28, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11519514
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
149,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 5, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11399391
Incident
Mar 2, 2021
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 27, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11154153
Incident
Nov 23, 2018
Mileage
133,945 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2018

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?

NHTSA ID
11129685
Incident
Dec 1, 2017
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2018

2005 HONDA PILOT, WHEN CRUISING BETWEEN 35-45 MILES CAR SHUDDERS/VIBRATE NEVER FIXED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11103654
Incident
Jun 24, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
11033183
Incident
Sep 23, 2017
Mileage
144,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Oct 4, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11031709
Incident
Aug 29, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 11, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10971973
Incident
Jun 7, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2016

WHEN ACCELERATING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH THE CARS SHAKES AND VIBRATES. IF YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE SHAKE WILL GO AWAY.

NHTSA ID
10864071
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
138,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 6, 2016

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

NHTSA ID
10853733
Incident
Apr 4, 2016
Mileage
147,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10846060
Incident
Dec 14, 2015
Mileage
142,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 22, 2016

THERE IS VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH. SEEMS THERE ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION WHICH IS COMMON AMONG OTHER OWNWERS.

NHTSA ID
10837563
Incident
Dec 17, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10824133
Incident
Feb 2, 2016
Mileage
1 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10821661
Incident
Jan 2, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 24, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10812042
Incident
Dec 23, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 21, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10795245
Incident
Jul 4, 2015
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2015

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?

NHTSA ID
10788968
Incident
Nov 5, 2015
Mileage
148,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 17, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10783094
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Mileage
65,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 13, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10781647
Incident
Oct 7, 2015
Mileage
105,746 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2015

TRAVELING ABOUT 35 TO 45MPH WE FEEL A SHUTTER ONCE YOU SPEED UP IT GOES AWAY.ALSO SEE A FLUTTER IN ENGINE RPM.

NHTSA ID
10777723
Incident
Sep 25, 2015
Mileage
112,234 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2015

WHEN I SLOW DOWN FROM GOING HIGHER THEN 40 MILES PER HOUR MY PILOT SHUDDERS BETWEEN 35 AND 40. IT QUITS AT ABOUT 35 BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AND DOES IT EVERY TIME I DRIVE NOW. I HAVE READ ON LINE OF OTHER PILOTS DOING THE SAME THING. SEEMS TOME THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AS WELL AS A SAFETY ONE IF MY TRANSMISSION QUITS BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AS A DEALER ONCE TOLD ME. I DON'T WANT TO PAY THE COSTS OF A NEW TRANSMISSION WHEN IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. I AM GETTING AIRBAG RECALL FIXED THIS WEEK I PLAN TO ASK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10763498
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 9, 2015

ON 9-9-15, OUR 2005 HONDA PILOT ABRUPTLY STOPPED ON EMERALD PARKWAY - POLICE ASSISTED. LEAKING FLUID WAS CLUMPY RED/BROWN AND VEHICLE HOT. SHOP TODAY SAYS RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AND POSSIBLY ENGINE NEED REPLACED AND INSTRUCTED US TO CONTACT A HONDA DEALER. THIS IS OUR SECOND SAFETY COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE - 1ST WAS DANGEROUS "PHANTOM BRAKING" OR INADVERTANT APPLICATION ON BRAKES IN 2012, WHICH HONDA SUBSEQUENTLY RECALLED IN 2013. AFTER READING THRU COMPLAINTS, I SEE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - TRANSMISSION LINE IN RADIATOR SUDDENLY CAME LOOSE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR AND COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION, RUINING BOTH HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. WE ANTICIPATE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR.... WE ARE THANKFUL THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY, DURING RUSH HOUR OR WITH ANY OF OUR 3 KIDS IN THE VEHICLE, AND ARE ANGERED AT HONDA'S FAILURE TO RECALL THIS AS WELL - AS SOME SAID THEY DID FOR 2003 AND 2004 MODELS?

NHTSA ID
10762599
Incident
Sep 8, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2015

AFTER COMING HOME FROM WORK I NOTICED A DRIP LINE IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I TURNED AROUND I SAW A POOL OF MILKY RED LIQUID UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD I SAW THAT THE COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE WAS IN FACT OVERFLOWING WITH THIS MILKY RED LIQUID. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE STATION I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2005 PILOT AND THAT NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED OR REBUILT AT A COST OF $2500 PLUS THE COST OF REPLACING THE RADIATOR AND LINES, TOTAL BILL $3500. I AM TOLD AND I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THAT HONDA IS AWARE IF THIS ISSUE AND HAS NOT AT LEAST WARNED OWNERS THAT THE RADIATOR WILL MOST CERTAINLY FAIL, HAD THEY INFORMED ME I WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I RECENTLY CAME BACK FROM A 1500 MILE ROAD TRIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE ROAD AT SPEEDS OF 70MPH. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HONDA HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE AFTERMATH OF A KNOWN FAULTY PART AND THE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO NEED.

NHTSA ID
10761493
Incident
Aug 13, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 11, 2015

THE POWERTRAIN HAS A VERY IRRITATING VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH OR HOLDING IT AT 35 - 40 MPH. THE VIBRATION LASTS ABOUT 5 SECONDS AND HAS A VERY ODD NOISE THAT HAPPENS AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. KIND OF LIKE DEEP BASE. ALL INFO I CAN FIND POINTS TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND MY MECHANIC SAYS ALL HIS INFORMATION POINTS TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER ALSO.

NHTSA ID
10733379
Incident
Jun 22, 2015
Mileage
120,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 18, 2015

CAR SHUDDERS OCCASIONALLY AROUND SPEEDS 30 WHILE ACCELERATING, THE SHUDDER LASTS FEW SECONDS AND STOPS. THIS COULD HAPPEN ONLY ONCE OR SEVERAL TIMES IF YOU CONTINUE TO DRIVE AROUND SPEEDS 30 MPH. FROM HONDA FORUMS IT LOOKS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SAME YEAR HONDA PILOTS AND ACCURA RDX. DRIVING WITH SUCH AN CONDITION SHAKES THE DRIVER FOR AN UNKNOWN VEHICULAR BEHAVIOUR THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT/ FATALITY. IT IS SUGGESTED HONDA CORP MAY BE ASKED TO PUT A RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES IN THIS MANUAFCTURE YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10717028
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
135,300 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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