2017 Honda Pilot transmission problems

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

I own a 2017 Honda Pilot equipped with the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am reporting what I believe may be transmission/torque-converter failure and a potential safety concern. The vehicle began experiencing shuddering, jerking, and hesitation. There is significant RPM fluctuation and harsh shifting. The problem occurs on highway speeds, accelerating or shifting lanes, 40–60 mph. During these episodes, the acceleration stalls and is accident prone. 8 months ago, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer because of these symptoms, they couldn't get the code. 3 months ago, I went again for same issues, the dealer diagnosed a damaged air-intake hose and I paid for replacement. However, immediately driving off the lot, the original symptoms continued after the repair. I returned the vehicle to the Honda dealership because the problem persisted. The dealership has now diagnosed transmission failure and has estimated the repair at approximately $10,000. American Honda has offered approximately 60% goodwill assistance toward the repair, leaving me responsible for approximately $4,000. I am concerned because there are numerous reports involving transmission and torque-converter problems in 2017 Honda Pilots. Honda has issued technical service information concerning transmission and torque-converter conditions in this model year, including information involving the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am also aware of other the federal safety agency complaints involving premature 9-speed transmission and torque-converter failure in 2017 Honda Pilots. My vehicle has previously required other Honda-recognized repairs, including fuel-injector/emissions-related repairs that Honda covered. I am submitting this complaint because a transmission or torque-converter malfunction that causes hesitation, harsh or unexpected shifting, loss of acceleration, or loss of motive power can create a serious safety risk, particularly while entering or traveling on a highway or crossing traffic.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Transmission · NC

my connecting rod bearing wore are ruined my engine. this is addressed in 23v-751 for 2016, 2018, and 2019 Honda Pilots, but not 2017 for some reason. could you please see why this year is not included on the recall.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

My son was driving the car and the engine started knocking and engine shut off.

Filed Jun 7, 2026 · Transmission · WI

We have a 2017 Honda Pilot EXL. It had approximately 163,000 when the engine seized.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

On May 23, 2026 I was driving family and friends around San Francisco, CA in my 2017 Honda Pilot (48K miles). We were driving up multiple steep hills, up to a 20% grade in some places with a full car of 7 people. The car handled it well. However, as we neared my home 25 miles away, the car started shaking and the check engine light started flashing. We searched online and the advice was to pull over immediately to prevent the car from overheating and causing permanent, expensive damage. We eventually made it home, shaken, and didn't touch the car for a couple days to let it rest. I learned that there is a warranty extension "Warranty Extension TSB 20-100" for what seems like this exact problem concerning the fuel injectors. The spark plugs have been replaced in the last year, which eliminates that as a potential issue. The next week, I took the car to Honda San Carlos where it's been maintained most of its life. I informed them of the symptoms and that the car is eligible for this warranty extension. They tested it and found nothing. I told them that testing it in the shop or driving it around a few minutes on flat ground with one person is not going to replicate the driving conditions we encountered but they didn't seem to care and I had to pay $250 anyway. I took this to another dealership and the guy said it sounded exactly like an Warranty Extension TSB 20-100 issue. They tested it and also could not find anything. I called Honda Corporate and they will also do nothing. This is clearly a safety issue as this problem will happen again at some point. I have a family and young children and do not want to be stuck on the freeway as a road hazard to ourselves and other drivers. Honda has clearly identified this as a problem yet they won't authorize the repair. They are waiting for this to happen again before they'll fix it, and who knows if this ticking time bomb will occur in a safe place or a dangerous one.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a red light, the vehicle stalled; the contact restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown the federal safety agency Campaign Number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

On Thursday May 7th, while driving the 2017 Honda Pilot Elite it lost power and all the dash lights started to come on. Once we limped it to our home, and the code information was obtained, it revealed number 3-cylinder misfire. After replacing all the spark plugs, I started the car to make sure all the codes were cleared and heard a "knocking noise". After further investigation noted the following, I found the following information via a Google search, is there a recall for 2017 Honda Pilot knocking noise. Found that the federal safety agency is doing a major investigation on the 2017 Honda Pilot for a connecting rod and knocking noise. Honda did a recall in 2023 for the year model 2016, 2018-2019. This is the same engine that was in the recall for doing the same thing. the federal safety agency is currently investigating a potential recall of 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, including 2017 Honda Pilots, over engine failures linked to connecting rod bearing defects that can cause knocking, stalling, or complete engine failure. credit Autoblog+2. Scope of the Investigation Models affected: 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline, 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey, 2018–2020 Acura TLX and MDX Honda-Tech+1. Engine type: Honda’s 3.5‑liter J35Y V6, which has been under scrutiny for rod bearing wear leading to catastrophic engine damage Honda-Tech+1. Failure symptoms: Knocking noises, sudden stalling, loss of power, and in some cases, fires or crashes Autoblog+2. Reports: Over 400 incidents of engine failure, with at least four involving crashes or fires; Honda has logged more than 2,500 warranty claims for the iss The oil had been changed at the correct intervals, no oil is leaking from the car, the timing chain and water pump were replaced at 100,000 miles with no issues. No metallic shavings are noted on the oil dip stick, and it has 50% oil life remaining as of 05-09-2026. I have it scheduled for a diagnostic service with Flow Honda in Winston Salem, NC tomorrow, May 12th at 0800.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Transmission issues began to occur shortly after purchase in 2017. The Honda dealership finally did a software update after several complaint. This temporarily fixed the issue. The car shifts low gears harshly and with hesitation. The transmission system failure/problem light came on and the car lost power. The car makes a squeaking noise between 23-30mph. Most recently we were traveling on an interstate at 75mph and had to slow down quickly (~55mph) once we began to accelerate the car went limp. This incident happened twice within a weeks time. This put the occupants in the car in danger because the car would not accelerate. It did finally begin to accelerate.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

I am submitting additional documentation related to the federal safety agency complaint #11723932 for my 2017 Honda Pilot. I have obtained a transmission inspection report confirming that the failure was caused by a defective torque converter, resulting in internal transmission damage including the valve body and transmission oil pump. The report also indicates that the failure was not related to maintenance and represents a defect in the component. This required a full transmission overhaul at approximately 107,593 miles. I am providing this update to ensure the complaint accurately reflects the cause of the failure. I have contacted Honda several times and they are not willingvto look into my case. I had to get my fuel injector replaced at 87,000 miles when it was under warranty then the transmission goes 20k miles later.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NV

I was taking my kids to school and then suddenly a knocking sound started and then a boom. I found out that at 134,000 miles my engine threw a rod and punched a hole in my block. My [XXX] old was freaking out because there was smoke coming from the engine and her sisters said the car was going to catch fire. The [XXX] old was stuck in her seatbelt and couldn't get out. Then as I was calling a tow truck my [XXX] old almost walked out into traffic because she wanted to see what I was looking at. After getting another family member to get my kids to school I was able to get to a repair shop where I was informed that Honda had a safety recall for rod issues and was advised to see if my car was covered. I check and it looked like only the all wheel drive cars were covered but mine was front wheel drive so it didn't fall under the recall. I want to issue a formal complaint to expand the recall on Honda Pilots for rod issues because mine obviously had an issue with the rod and should have been recalled. American honda refuses to give any good will because I didn't get my oil changes with them, even though it is an hour drive to get to the closest dealership. Engines shouldn't throw rods at 134,000 miles. A car is a big investment and it died after 9 years. I had all my maintenance done as scheduled, this never should have happened. Currently my car is at Carson Honda in Carson City NV. Also, another issue. I would get transmission system warnings. I did take it to the honda dealer because I was told there was an injector issue and they looked at the car, reset the code and said there was nothing more they could do. I don't know if the two were connected in any way but wanted to throw that out there. They need to be investigated for crappy parts and scamming customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)