Transmission locks up when vehicle has been driven for a short time
2004 Honda Pilot transmission problems
142 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 106,000. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 142
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 106,000
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission44
- Automatic transmission: torque converter2
- Driveline: driveshaft1
- Driveline1
- Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Honda Pilot transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Honda Pilot transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Shudder 41Transmission failure 24Slipping 12Jerking 9Harsh shifting 8
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
- Risk
- Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details
What 2004 Honda Pilot owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the transmission was shifted into drive(D) and the vehicle shuddered. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was flushed 3 times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure recurred while the vehicle is shifted into drive(D) and D3. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
I was approaching a stop sign and slowing down to < 10 miles and the engine continued to slow down and the car started to push forward while I was totally pressing on the brake - it did not want to stop and kept pushing forward. I wasn't sure what was happening and quickly put it in neutral. My daughter who drives the car to school was sitting in the passenger seat and was completely shocked. I have been driving for 30+ years and at that moment felt things were totally out of my control. Extremely off to see a car keep going when you are trying to stop. I could 100% have hit someone if there was a car in front of me as I went two car lengths before realizing what was happening. I turned the car off. Started again and it was fine. This happened on Saturday, March 26th, 2022. I have not taken the car to the dealer. There were no lights or anything indicating any warning.
Transmission locked up while driving and wont drive after I stored the vehicle Iam glad no one was behind me on the freeway there is a extremely huge problem with this transmissions the government needs to get this kind of vehicles checked out at Honda before someone loses his life
Was on highway and started jerking real hard where I almost hit a car head on was going 55 for sure scared me to dead and pulled over and called my boyfriend he came to me and got in it and it wouldn't go forwards backwards nothing so he went and got trailer and hauled to his house could of been my life along with my kids
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda pilot. The contact stated that while driving 45mph the vehicle made a grinding sound and the RPM's fell without warning. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Upon investigation the contact had associated recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v176000(power train) with the vehicle failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 203,300.
Car would not. Move in any gear, let sit over nite started car and made it home with no problem
Seems to shudder .. Light acceleration shudders, leaves then comes back again .
I was driving wit my family in the car pool lane when without warning my vehicle started braking hard and accelerating, back and forth, luckily there wasn't too much traffic or most likely this situation could have created a serious accident . I got off the freeway and notice the transmission must be stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear. I doubt my honda pilot is an anomaly, since there're lot of videos online about this vehicles transmission issues.
Intense shudder emanating from underneath the car causing the whole car to shake. Typically occurs between 20-30 MPH during slight acceleration. Abates somewhat if take foot off of accelerator. From my reading, this appears to be a very common issue involving the torque converter.
Questions about the 2004 Honda Pilot transmission
Does the 2004 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 142 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 26% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Pilot transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 106,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Honda Pilot transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V176000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Pilot have bad transmission?
The Honda Pilot model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (224 complaints), 2016 (202 complaints) and 2005 (176 complaints).
Other 2004 Honda Pilot problems
Seats 85Airbags 81Electrical 60Engine 50Body 42Suspension 27Brakes 22Acceleration 21Fuel system 18Steering 16Lights 13Seat belts 13Visibility 12Locks 7Wheels 6Tires 2
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