Transmission Failure problems of the 2005 Honda Pilot

The vehicle jumps on and off and I tend to loose control of the vehicle with steering. Further check revealed that the transmission failure of the vehicle.

After coming home from work I noticed a drip line in the driveway. When I turned around I saw a pool of milky red liquid under the passenger side engine compartment. After opening the hood I saw that the coolant overflow bottle was in fact overflowing with this milky red liquid. After having the vehicle towed to the service station I was told that the transmission cooler failed in the radiator causing the coolant to mix with transmission fluid. I was told that this a common problem in the 2005 Pilot and that now the transmission will have to be replaced or rebuilt at a cost of $2500 plus the cost of replacing the radiator and lines, total bill $3500. I am told and I have since researched that Honda is aware if this issue and has not at least warned owners that the radiator will most certainly fail, had they informed me I would have replaced the radiator before this happened. I recently came back from a 1500 mile road trip and was told that I was lucky this did not happen on the road at speeds of 70mph. I would like to see Honda held accountable for the aftermath of a known faulty part and the cost of replacing the transmission when there should have been no need.

Vehicle in motion, stopped in traffic when automatic transmission failed. Engine was running perfectly but vehicle would not move. Mechanic found radiator had failed, allowing transmission fluid to mix with engine coolant. Transmission had to be rebuilt and radiator replaced. Cost of repair approximately $5,000. Contacted Honda and they refused to do anything. Receipts for repair and communication to Honda are available.

Our 2005 Honda Pilot has been pretty good for last seven years and 132,000 miles, although we wanted to keep it to 200,000 miles. Last Saturday, out of nowhere, it started to leak thick, pink liquid on our driveway. It appeared to me, and after looking at the owner's manual, that the issue was the radiator. It was a cold day so I started to drive to the dealer, watching the engine temperature light on the way. The car only went two miles before transmission stopped working. The car has now been at a local repair shop for a week and three days while I rent another vehicle. It is my understanding that this is a common issue in Pilot's after going over 100,000 miles (catastrophic radiator failure that leads to transmission failure). Honda should make certain that owners replace the radiator components that lead to this catastrophic failure before the owner has to replace both the radiator and the transmission. I would have certainly bought a new car if I had known this was coming up on the horizon, but now my investment in this vehicle will be too high to get rid of it. It seems that with some preventive maintenance, $5000 to $7000 of repairs could have been avoided, and I bet the Honda dealer does not offer me $5k to $7k in trade in.

There is an obvious shudder when my Honda Pilot reaches 35-40 mph, I have 107,000 miles on the Pilot. We just started feeling the shudder so I decided to go online to see what could possibly cause this before I shell out tons of cash on a bunch of "well this should fix it" and it doesn't. I binged "my 2005 Honda Pilot is shaking when I drive" and about the 5th site down I found a site that contained complaints about my issue only they called it a shudder, now I'm terrified because the individuals on this site have had complete transmission failure and I now know that the little shudder that I feel is the only warning and I still don't know how long I have and I can get a rebuilt transmission but that is doomed to fail also. Honda is in denial about the situation even though several have called and asked for assistance with repairs and complaints about how much the repairs are and how people are placed in danger because of the failure, I am afraid to let my newly licensed 16 and 17 yr old drive the car because drivers education didn't teach them how to handle transmission failure and I don't want them hurting themselves or anyone else. This is a safety issue that requires a new transmission replacement, not a patch or code or a rebuild that's going to breakdown after a few ten thousand miles. Clearly this is a problem and some investigating on behalf of the consumer needs to be done to keep us safe.

Intermittent transmission failure causing vehicle to loose acceleration at low to medium speeds. Ongoing issue after repairs have been completed. First incident at 93,000 miles and intermittent problem continues at 112,000 miles after 3 repairs. Internet search shows thousands of complaints of unsafe transmission issues on 2005 Honda Pilots yet Honda motors refuses to admit design flaw. Acura mdx with exact same drive train as the Honda Pilot has been recalled for the same issues being experienced by Pilot owners yet Honda motors will not do a recall on this issue. This is a widespread unsafe issue with these vehicles that is oviously caused by an design flaw as Honda corrected the design in the 2006 models. Honda should be made to take resonsibility for their defects.

2005 Honda Pilot radiator coil failed causing fluids to mix and transmission to fail. Repair shop indicated that radiator had prematurely deteriorated causing failure. Had a new radiator installed at $500- system flushed multiple times. . . . Just about a month later- radiator failed again. Replaced but vehicle is still not running well. At @40 mph vehicle seems to randomly "rev and stick"- let off gas and it passes.

Transmission failed and needed to be replaced. 2005 Honda Pilot has had numerous similar complaints as well as recalls on their 2003 and 2004 models. Called american Honda and they never returned phone calls. This was my 5th Honda vehicle and I would think they would at least contact me to discuss the problem rather than ignore it entirely.

Took my 2005 Pilot in for major service 100k . Vehicle has been maintained with regular intervals of fluid replacement and oil changes at non Honda shops but with certified compatible products from valvoline. Mileage on car is 107,928. Picked up car was running great. Within 7 miles flashing d light engine warning light stays on and car feels like its losing power and won't shift. Dealer says its coincidence. No slowing of transmission no warning when dealer did major service and all point inspection with Honda diagnostic computer. Contacted dealer was told car should be drivable to bring it in. Car stalled out jerked back and rpms soared almost causing me to get rear ended while traveling at 35 miles an hour. Drove car 20 miles an hour and jerked back again causing me to be stuck in the middle of an intersection. Pulled over turned car off and back on only engine silhouette still on and drove 20 mph to dealership. Car in dealership mileage is 107953 and am told its a complete transmission failure on a sealed transmission that dealer couldn't detect three days earlier. No warning system or failed warning system on a very dangerous major car failure. I was also told that it was an emissions problem even car has been though my car passed smog in may 2012 with above average rating. My point is why is there no warning or detection to this potentially life threatening car failure?????.