2005 Honda Pilot: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · ID

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.

Filed Feb 1, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 107,000 miles · NJ

On our way home to nj from a family trip to canada we stopped for a bathroom break in the "middle of nowhere" maine. The car hesitated to go when stepping on the gas. I managed to drive down the road, the "temp" light went on, then I pulled over. I checked the fluids....the transmission fluid was milky red. We were lucky to have cell phone service to call for a tow. I had my family, wife and two younger kids in the car. We waited for over 30 minutes for the tow truck to arrive, he had to call for transport for my family. We managed to find a service center that was willing stay open to fix our car. The car needed a new radiator and have the transmission flushed ($800), a valve broke sending coolant into the transmission. We learned that other 2005 pilots had the same problem of which there was a recall for this issue on the 2004 pilots, honda would not do anything! (as a side note, I had some seat leather replaced and the color match was that of a 2004 pilot). Since the day of the repair the transmission is very rough/bucking while shifting gears. To date, besides routine maintenance, oil changes and small parts, I have replaced the timing belt, starter, water pump, and the radiator. To have the transmission replaced would be a very costly repair. This was our family travel car and I now will only take the car around town for fear that the transmission will go. I was not in the market for a new car but due to this situation I need to get rid of this car!

Filed Jul 4, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · NY

I bought the 2005 pilot ex in 2009. Brought it back to the dealer after 1 month of driving for hesitation in the transmission. Dealer couldn't find the problem. Thought this must be how it shifts. Have always noticed a slight radiator fluid smell. No one could find any leak. About 3 years later at 110,000 miles, transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed when the radiator gave out. We were out of town and on our way home leaving us on the side of the road to be towed back into town (approx 30 miles) and had to spend an extra night until the repairs were finished. $637.00 repair for the radiator. 2 months later noticed the air conditioner not working. Took it to our local guy who said it wasn't hooked up right when they replaced the radiator. Correct hookup, pressure test and recharge air system was $186.00. A week later after explaining the radiator problem to my local repair guy we had the transmission flushed twice to try to save us from future transmission trouble. $292.00 for the transmission flush related to the radiator failure. Now a month and a half later we have a shudder between 35 and 45 MPH and a noise at about 55 MPH that sound like a piece of metal dropping off the car. Asked the local repair shop and transmission repair shop and they both said the transmission was damaged and needed to be replaced. Went with the transmission place, after reading all the similar stories of other 2005 honda pilots, the dealers will over charge and not even admit to this known issue. The stories of the same problem happening again made us go with the most competent repair shop who does this every day. So it's the fourth of july and we are without the family car today. Should be able to pick it up tomorrow with the rebuilt transmission for $3,915.00. Total bill; $5,031.00 for a failed radiator. This is wrong. Honda should acknowledge this issue and be made to recall it.

Filed Aug 22, 2012 · Transmission · 129,504 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a traffic stop the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the coolant fluid was in the transmission and transmission fluid was in the radiator. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 129,504 and the current mileage was 130,500. ....updated 10/11/12 *bf updated 10/16/2012

Filed Jul 27, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · KS

I started noticing a vibration at 34 to 45 MPH. It was definitely caused by a malfunction under the hood. It causes my 2005 honda pilot to vibrate, shudder and hesitate at that speed. I have to take my foot off of the accelerator pedal before it will stop. It happens continuously at that speed.

Filed Jan 11, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 112,776 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 honda pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from stops with an abnormal increase in engine rpms. The vehicle eventually stopped accelerating completely. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that there was a catastrophic failure of the radiator and transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 112,776. Updated 02/03/12*lj updated 03/21/12