The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2004 2004
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 LEADIN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
2003 honda pilot lx 5 speed automatic transmission slipping and changing gears on its own without warning. Transmission failure.
2003 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint
My honda pilot shutters at 25-50 mph I had it check with my local dealer honda and it seems like its coming from transmission issue's.
2003 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Honda Pilot years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Honda Pilot years are 2003, 2016, 2005.
What are common Honda Pilot transmission problems?
Owners most often describe shudder, hard or jerky shifting, lost power while driving.
Which Honda Pilot years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Honda Pilot years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2010, 2015, 2014.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Honda Pilot reliability by year. How we count