You pull away from a stop sign and the Pilot hesitates, then lurches. Or it clunks between gears at 25 mph, or judders at a steady cruise, and the dealer tells you it is normal, or that the fluid needs flushing, or that they cannot reproduce it. Three visits later you are still driving the same SUV with the same problem, and now the powertrain warranty is running out. That sequence has happened to a lot of Honda Pilot owners.
The Honda Pilot is one of the best selling vehicles Honda builds in the United States, and several model year ranges have been pulled into class action litigation over transmission problems. The complaints describe:
- Violent shaking and juddering
- Hesitation and delayed acceleration
- Stalling
- Lurching and harsh engagement
- Torque converter failure
- Rough or refused gear changes
- Complete transmission failure
Which transmission you have changes the story. Earlier Pilots ran a six-speed automatic and were the subject of Honda Pilot and Odyssey lawsuits. Higher trims from 2016 onward carry the nine-speed automatic, which is the subject of its own litigation and its own set of symptoms. From the 2023 model year the Pilot moved to an entirely new generation with a ten-speed automatic, which is different hardware again.
That last point matters if you own a newer Pilot, because most of what is written about Pilot transmissions does not apply to you. Owners of 2023 through 2025 Pilots have filed roughly two dozen powertrain complaints with federal regulators, and they describe a consistent pattern: hesitation and harsh shifts between first and second gear, gear hunting, and a two to five second delay before the vehicle moves from a standstill, followed by a surge. There is no federal investigation into the ten-speed and no transmission recall for those years. If your newer Pilot is doing this, the route is your warranty and your repair record, not a recall notice.
Below are complaints Pilot owners submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, grouped by what the driver actually experienced rather than by model year, because the same symptoms recur across the range. They have been edited for grammar and clarity.
Honda Pilot Transmission Problems
Rough Shifting and Vibration From a Standing Start
Train vehicle in motion from start up. Engine/transmission sounds as though it should shift, but it does not make smooth shift from 1 gear to next. Vehicle has vibration as result of transmission not making a shift up to next gear.
Jerking and Hesitation After a Gear Change
At about 55,000 miles, my Pilot started jerking/hesitating at all speeds, any road, usually after shifting gears both up and down. Now I bought it in February 2017, certified pre-owned, so all recommended scheduled maintenance should have been performed. So, I took it in for diagnosis and the dealer said the transmission fluid needed to be flushed 3 times!!! Since I needed a vehicle to drive to work, I couldn’t argue and got the service done. After reading of other languages with similar issues with the jerking/stutter/hesitation, I decided to file this complaint.
Gears Slipping and Delayed Engagement
For the last couple of months, the transmission has had gears slipping out of gear and takes a few seconds to find the gear to accelerate up to speed. I’ve taken it to the dealer twice to address the issue but it’s still causing an issue.
What Honda Pilot Owners Report to NHTSA
Warning Lights, Failure to Upshift and Slipping Into Neutral
Auto dashboard warning lights started and remained flashing. Transmission would not upshift – slipped into neutral – surged and jerked when up shifting. This experience was repeated after pulling off the highway and attempting to reenter traffic. This was a dangerous experience as it occurred on a high speed Interstate. I took the auto to the dealer BUT they were not able to reproduce the problem and their diagnostics check could not find a problem.
Stalling and Jerking When Pulling Away From a Stop
After coming to a stop or slowing down to a very low speed, when I reaccelerate to build speed, the transmission stalls and then jerks into gear while in eco-mode. At times, this is almost causing a collision. I reported this to the dealership almost a month after my purchase and 4 more times after the first report and each time they had no resolution except the last time to do a transmission flush which I had to pay for. In some of suggestions and questions, it appears that the dealership knows that there’s an issue.
Hesitation Followed by a Sudden Lunge
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lunged forward. The contact sustained whiplash from the vehicle lunging forward abruptly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the independent mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
Jolting Under Acceleration and Braking
My transmission is having problems. During acceleration, the car will jolt forward, also when using the brakes. The dealer did recognize the problem but said it is not covered by warranty and that transmission needed to be flushed… which was going to cost $500. He said had it been flushed before they may cover it, yet Honda doesn’t recommend a flush before 45,000 per my owner’s manual. Very dangerous… could cause an accident with speed going up and down at a moment’s notice without you doing it.
Hard Shifts and Unexpected Engine Shutdown
When accelerating gradually on the 2018 Honda Pilot Touring AWD from complete stop, the car jerks hard after the car starts moving – probably from 1st to 2nd gear. The car is in automatic drive mode. The 2018 Honda Pilot Touring AWD turns off engine unexpectedly. When slowing down to traffic, sometimes the car turns off the engine. This is especially bad when on an uphill and in heavy traffic, causing panic. The sudden engine stops also happen occasionally when stopping to shift to reverse into my garage – this causes a dangerous situation as cars are coming and can get into T-bone collision.
Transmission Slipping at Highway Speed
The transmission has slipped now twice while driving. Once on the highway and again yesterday after turning right onto a busy narrow road. The navigation system and screen display has blacked out and become non-functional while driving at least 6-7 times (no radio, navigation, or anything functions when this occurs). The car has had to be turned off in order reset the screen and function again. It is not possible to turn off the car when driving on a highway or narrow country road. Lastly, the car has braked unnecessarily on several occasions despite adjusting the settings to not be overly sensitive. Once it came to a complete stop unnecessarily, thankfully no one was behind me. It has started breaking unnecessarily while driving on a highway and on a country road when no vehicles or anything were around. These situations have been scary and unsettling.
Torque Converter Failure and Dark Transmission Fluid
I am experiencing recurring issues with my vehicle that closely mirror the problems described in complaints with NHTSA IDs 11565876, 11490438, and 11489885. In July 2023, while driving through an intersection after stopping at a traffic light, I heard a loud clunking noise. Over the next 45 minutes, I noticed at least six additional clunk sounds at low speeds. I took the vehicle to the dealership at 51,244 miles, where I was informed that the transmission fluid was both dark and low. The dealership inquired if I had used the vehicle for towing, despite there being no tow hitch assembly. They recommended a transmission flush service, but within 2 to 3 weeks, I began experiencing transmission juddering at constant speeds and harsh shifting during acceleration. Despite multiple visits to the dealership, where I was advised that the vehicle needed time to “re-learn” driving patterns and that nothing was wrong, the issues persisted. Although the problem seemed to lessen, it reoccurred in 2024. At 73,656 miles, I returned to the dealership, where I was informed that the transmission fluid was once again dark and that the torque converter needed replacement. Throughout the period before the 60K powertrain warranty expired, I was repeatedly told that there are known issues with the 6-speed transmissions and torque converters, but since no “error codes” were present, the dealership could not authorize a warranty repair. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty, I am being advised to replace the torque converter at my own expense.
Juddering the Dealer Called Normal
2020 Honda Pilot had started what was called Juddering by the dealer. Transmission upon acceleration will hesitate and jump hundreds of rpms up and down. I did research and was told also by the dealer Honda had issue with a torque converter within the transmission that I was told a bulletin extended the warranty on the 2017-19 pilots with 6 speed auto transmission. The 2020 I own has the same issue which the dealer confirmed but also told me my vin and model year is not covered. It is the same issue as the 17-19 and I’m concerned for me and my family’s safety due to the transmissions’ issue. Concern it will get much worse, possibly breaking down on a longer highway trip which we will take sometimes 3 times per year.
Grinding and Lurching Between Gears
Transmission grinding gears sound at about 45-52mph when easing off the gas and a shift occurs. Car tends to lurch when this happens. Happens just about anywhere you can cruise around 45-50mph. Dealer attempted fix with Honda USA, but they only reversed a transmission bracket and replaced transmission fluid. Now it is muffled, but exactly the same otherwise. There is also a notable metallic thunk/slam sound around 20-30mph when easing off the gas and a shift occurs (very harsh and abnormal sound for a car, despite dealer stating this is normal for this vehicle). Happens anytime you cruise at 20-30. I live right near a stop sign so it happens every time I go home.
Transmission Jerk on a Nearly New Pilot
I just bought my brand new 2021 Honda pilot I had it for 1 week so I decided to take it to Las Vegas on the way there it was fine but on the way home I’m coming down I started to feel a jerk in the transmission I didn’t think nothing of it so I kept driving. But for a new car it should not be doing anything like that at all so I took it to Honda dealer and they did a multi inspection check and said they didn’t find anything wrong with it and everything shift fine but when I took it home a week later it’s happening more and more especially when it’s traffic you will feel it way more I just hope it don’t go out after my 60k miles warranty right now it’s only 2,500 miles and I feel I got a lemon I already have transmission problems but it just too new to go out right now.
Long Delay Shifting Between Drive and Reverse
Since we purchased our 2022 Honda Pilot three months ago, two VERY important things have happened to me and I am still wondering WHY the Honda engineers did not catch these things. Or if they did, why did they allow it to make it to production??? I cannot say if the NHTSA would consider this a malfunction but it should definitely be considered a dangerous function especially to an unaware driver. Our vehicle is available for inspection if you want me to show you what I mean. I am taking this vehicle to the dealer this Saturday to be inspected for these reasons. Problem #1: If you need to do a 3-point turn in the middle of the road above a certain speed and you need to do it fast, forget about it. There seems to be about a 3 to 4 second lag between the time you make the first turn, push the reverse button, and hit the gas to make the Pilot go in to reverse. The same for when you switch to drive to go forward. When there is oncoming traffic, this is some scary shit! Here you are, in the middle of the road trying to go back and the darned vehicle is just sitting there not moving for 3-4 seconds. To make it even scarier, you get to repeat the process over again when trying to go forward all the while cars are coming in your direction. I am like “What the hell is this?” Problem #2: Some rocket scientist decided it was a good idea to put the transmission speed changer (D2, D3) on a piece of plastic that is located just behind the left side of the steering wheel. Great idea! At least until you accidentally grab it while driving down the road at 70 or 80 miles per hour and the transmission decides to go into that gear and make all sorts of terrible noises. This not only scared the shit out of me but also my wife and kids. For an inexperienced driver, I suspect this could cause the driver to do something erratic and in turn cause an accident. So while driving at 70 down the highway, the only way I could figure how to keep from burning up the transmission and get it back
Honda Pilot Transmission Repairs and Your California Lemon Law Rights
Every complaint above has the same shape underneath it. The owner reported a real symptom, the dealer either could not reproduce it or called it normal, and the vehicle went back on the road unfixed. That is not just frustrating. In California it is the fact pattern the lemon law was written for.
The statute is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Under it, a vehicle can qualify as a lemon when a defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty substantially impairs its use, value or safety and has not been repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. A transmission that hesitates and then lunges into traffic reaches the safety element, and the standard for what counts as a reasonable number of attempts is applied more strictly when a defect is dangerous. A Pilot that judders constantly but keeps moving still reaches use and value.
Three details decide most of these cases, and owners give all three away without knowing it:
- Get your own words on the repair order. If you reported juddering and the order says “performed transmission flush” with no customer concern recorded, the visit is much weaker evidence later. Ask the advisor to write down what you described.
- Keep the visits where nothing was found. Several owners above were told the dealer could not duplicate the failure. A “could not duplicate” visit is still a documented repair attempt on the manufacturer’s own paperwork.
- Note dates and mileage. Whether your repair attempts happened inside the warranty period is often the whole case, and it is decided by the odometer reading printed on a piece of paper you were handed years ago.
Where a claim succeeds, the manufacturer owes a repurchase of the vehicle at close to its original purchase price, calculated under the lemon law buyback formula, or a replacement vehicle, plus incidental costs such as towing and rental. Attorney fees and costs are paid by the manufacturer as part of a successful claim rather than out of your recovery.
What does the transmission system problem warning mean on a Honda Pilot?
It means the transmission control system has logged a fault and, in most cases, put the vehicle into a protective mode that limits shifting. It is not a maintenance reminder. Have it read before clearing it, and ask for the stored code to be written on the repair order, because a code recorded on the day the light came on is worth far more than a memory of it later.
Is there a Honda Pilot transmission recall?
No, not for the model years covered here. There is no 2019 Honda Pilot transmission recall, and there is no transmission recall for the 2023 to 2025 Pilot either. The one genuine Pilot transmission recall on the federal record dates back to April 2004 and covers the 2003 model. What exists for the newer vehicles is class action litigation and service bulletins, which is a different mechanism with different rules.
It is worth separating out one recall that gets mistaken for a transmission campaign. In January 2025, Honda recalled roughly 295,000 vehicles including 2023 to 2025 Pilots over a fuel injection control software fault that can cause the engine to stall or lose power. That recall addresses the engine, not the gearbox, and having it performed does not resolve a shift quality complaint.
Is there a Honda nine-speed transmission lawsuit?
Yes. A class action covering 2016 to 2022 Honda Pilot, 2018 to 2019 Odyssey and certain Passport and Ridgeline vehicles with the nine-speed automatic is pending in the Northern District of California. As of August 2026 there is no settlement, which also means there is no claim deadline and no opt-out deadline to miss. Read more about the Honda nine-speed transmission problems.
My Pilot is out of warranty. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. What usually matters is whether the defect was reported and the repair attempts happened while the warranty was in force, not whether the warranty is in force today. If you were going back to the dealer during the powertrain warranty period and the problem was never fixed, that history is worth having reviewed.
If your Honda Pilot has been in repeatedly for the same transmission complaint, it is worth a conversation with our Honda lemon law attorneys. Consultations are free. You can read more common questions on our lemon law FAQ, read our guide to your California lemon law rights, or contact our team using the form below.
Owner accounts above were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recall status, complaint volumes and litigation posture were checked against NHTSA records and the federal court docket in August 2026.
Reviewed by Roger Kirnos, Managing Attorney, California State Bar No. 283163
