2003 Honda Pilot Automatic Transmission Problems
- 105
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 105 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- automatic transmission · 17 records
- engine light · 12 records
- transmission failure · 11 records
- second gear · 11 records
- check engine · 10 records
- transmission failed · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 44 |
| 60–100k mi | 31 |
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Automatic Transmission · Power Train
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated from 65 mph to 30 mph without warning. An independent mechanic located a failure code at the transmission speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 154,000.
ODI 10610317
Automatic Transmission
This vehicle make has a serious safety issue. Many times i have been in heavy traffic and had to make an emergency negotiation of the roadway to avoid being involved in a major collision. The honda pilot's automatic transmission slips out of drive, into neutral, with no warning and at varying speeds. This problem has been ongoing for two years. It happens at slow speeds (i.e. 25 mph and also at highway speeds 65-70…
ODI 10414879
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot started to sometimes drop out of gear. Feels like car is in neutral. I step on gas, can hear engine rev, but feels like transmission has disengaged. I have to coast over to side of road, place car in park and then in drive again to correct problem. When tranny is not acting up, i also have noticed the car shakes around 50-60mph. D was flashing and engine light on first time tranny disengaged, so i…
ODI 10416954
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot ex-l res sudden transmission issue-transmission started slipping, not shifting, revving extremely high and not shifting into the highest gear at all. Car is jerking on major highway and almost stopping itself in its tracks by downshifting from 60mph into 2nd gear. 24hrs later, the car won't even go into reverse. Very scary 2 hour pa turnpike ride when this suddenly started happening. Never had one…
ODI 10410352
Automatic Transmission
My 2003 honda pilot with 76000 miles has started to make a vibration and noise while traveling at a steady speed anywhere between 30 - 50 miles per hour. The dealer says that it could be a problem with the torque converter but he is not sure. At times the sound is faint and often times it is quite loud. The dealer is quoting around $2100 to fix it. When i researched on the internet, i found quite a few people with…
ODI 10421226
Automatic Transmission
Consumer owns a 2003 honda pilot. Transmission is shot. Will not go into 2nd gear. Car reaches very high rpm's then will jerk. This happens when car is heated. When car is finally in 2nd gear, it will slip and fall out. Soon after, car will not reverse. Very scary and could of been fatal. Transmission is completey shot. Took very good care of this car, original owner. Honda will do nothing to cover the cost even…
ODI 10413062
Automatic Transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact smelled a strong burning odor inside of the vehicle. The engine warning indicator illuminated and remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The transmission would not shift into third or fourth gear. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate over 40 mph. The vehicle was previously repaired in january of 2005 for…
Fire reported
ODI 10397051
Automatic Transmission
While traveling on the highway in 2003 honda pilot, going approximately 60 - 65 mph, the car violently shook as if the brakes had been applied. Minutes later, it happened again so we exited the freeway and continued slowly. Once home, there was a hesitation when shifting to reverse and it actually rolled forward for a few feet. We could hear it slip into gear after a few seconds with a metallic ping or thud. The…
ODI 10381232
Automatic Transmission
Jan, 2011 (odometer ~61000 miles.) check engine light turned while exiting from highway. Feb, 2011 dealer confirmed that 1. Transmission fluid is turning brown, 2. Diagnosed problem with the gear in the transmission. They reset check engine light. April, 2011 experience difficulty with vehicle. Vehicle did not response and wanted to stop while merging into street road and accelerating from around 10 mph. May, 2011…
ODI 10399693
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot ex experiences shudder/vibration between 35-40 mph, lasting in duration of 5 to 10 seconds. Drain of transmission fluid revealed friction material present. Dealer suspects torque converter failure, same as acura mdx. *tr
ODI 10376970
Automatic Transmission · Equipment
The 2003 honda pilot i own is on it's second transmission. The vehicle becomes disabled and the "d" light flashes on the dash indicating the transmission has failed. The honda dealer says that the transmission must be replaced again. Two transmissions at only 127, 500 is a sign of problems with the design and manufacture of the transmission itself. I believe honda should recall all 2003 & 2004 honda pilot for…
ODI 10374810
Automatic Transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 honda pilot. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer and a private mechanic performed a diagnostic test. Both test revealed code p0730 which means that the vehicle could have a faulty transmission shift control system, low transmission fluid level, or poor electrical connection. Both sources advised the contact…
ODI 10372277
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot transmission failure while driving. Was at dealership for transmission recall in oct 2004 and to replace a transmission gear pressure switch in december 2010. *tr
ODI 10370747
Automatic Transmission
Car clunked when accelerating, seemed to be slipping when shifting into gear, happened here and there and then happened more often. Told by the dealer that it needs a new transmission. *tr
ODI 10366848
Automatic Transmission
Transmission beginning to go bad. A very common problem on the 2003 honda pilot. Honda knows about this and refuses to do anything about it. Also motor mounts going bad. *tr
ODI 10365654
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 honda pilot with 137,000 miles on it and it vibrates somewhere around 35-45 mph. My mechanic recommended we have the transmission checked as he has seen 3 or 4 other pilots do the same thing. This has been going on for thousands of miles to the point where i just got used to it. With the thought of a new transmission looming, i decided to search if others have this same issue and am shocked to see how…
ODI 10362989
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot (automatic transmission) has a shudder in the transmission between 29-49 mph. The shudder was first noticed when the odometer had about 130k miles. We were told to change the transmission fluid, but we had recently had the transmission serviced at honda dealer. If you ease off the gas the shudder will stop. It only lasts for a few seconds, but it is very noticeable shake. We have been told that the…
ODI 10383396
Automatic Transmission
Owner of 2003 honda pilot. About a year ago "d" light started blinking on the car. Took the car to the dealer and was told that no problems found. About three months latter, car started hesitating when shifting into 2nd - 3rd gear. Went back to dealer and told that no problems found with transmission. The problem became worst and the transmission started slipping out of gear at about 30 mph. I would have to coast to…
ODI 10361371
Automatic Transmission
I am the owner of a 2003 honda pilot. I had this problem in june 2010. On a moderate uphill climb, the vehicle slowed down to about 35 mph and i felt vibration and shaking. From a standing stop, the vehicle hesitated for a few seconds before shifting to the 2nd gear, and then again before shifting to the 3rd gear. The problem came off and on until yesterday. I was again driving on a moderate freeway uphill climb…
ODI 10357946
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot ex-l: the vehicle shudders and hesitates between 35 - 50 mph. I was told by a honda service dept. That the transmission and 2 motor mounts need to be replaced at a cost of $4162. This problem is too common to not be considered an immediate safety recall. There have been many complaints of the exact same problem with the same model vehicle. I hope no major injuries are caused from this problem. *tr
ODI 10357748
Automatic Transmission
Total transmission failure after only 102,000 miles 2003 honda pilot. *tr
ODI 10370752
Automatic Transmission
Frequently the honda pilot will shutter while accelerating passing through speeds of 20 to 40 miles per hour. The shutter will continue if throttle is kept in, if i back of the pedal shutter dissipates and i can resume on accelerating. I can feel a slight vibration upto 60 miles per hour. I have spoken with honda about this and they have no explanation. It looks to be a problem with multiple pilot/mdx owners. A…
ODI 10352640
Automatic Transmission
My engine light came on my 2003 honda pilot and i took the car to the dealer. The dealer informed me that it had a torque converter clutch system failure and that the transmission needed to be replaced. *tr
ODI 10351732
Automatic Transmission
I have a 2003 pilot with over 130,000 miles, i began to notice a problem while accelerating where the transmission would stick and rev up, if i let up on the accelerator it would correct. Now it is sticking, revs up, and it will not correct at all. I have to come to a complete stop and accelerate again. The "d" light has started flashing and engine light is on. Now i have to have the trans replaced for @ $4000. *tr
ODI 10351496
Automatic Transmission
2003 honda pilot with 136,000 miles began to violently jerk intermittently when accelerating between 30 and 60 mph. The jerking would occur when the vehicle wanted to shift gears. Rpm would rev, however, the vehicle would not accelerate. Also had difficulty moving gear shift past d down to d3. On the 5th day of this occurring intermittently, the vehicle began to jerk constantly. Car began to rev and seemed gear was…
ODI 10351253