Honda Transmission FAQ

WHAT VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED BY THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT?

Honda Odyssey minivans and Honda Pilot SUVs may be equipped with defective transmissions that make driving unsafe. The affected vehicles include: 2011–2019 Honda Odyssey and 2014–2019 Honda Pilot

MacDougall v. Honda alleges that 2011–2016 Honda Odyssey minivans have defective transmissions that cause acceleration problems, gear shifting issues and sudden transmission failure. Another lawsuit, Mobayen v. Honda, represents owners and lessees of 2017–2019 Honda Odyssey and 2014–2019 Honda Pilot vehicles.

Owners and lessees of 2011–2019 Honda Odyssey minivans and 2014–2019 Honda Pilot SUVs who opt out a class action lawsuit can retain their individual right to sue.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH HONDA’S TRANSMISSION?

Many consumers state that transmission defects in their Honda Odyssey and Honda Pilot vehicles cause recurring safety problems. Examples of these are lurching, stalling and sudden transmission failure. One lawsuit alleges that these transmission defects are caused by faulty materials or poor workmanship.

According to one lawsuit, Honda has attributed the recurring transmission problems to problems with computer software or deteriorated transmission fluid. The lawsuit cites documents issued to dealers, which instructed technicians to update the software and replace the transmission fluid.

In similar fashion, another lawsuit alleges that these vehicles experience repeated juddering from the torque converter clutch. The torque converter is a component that sits between the engine and the automatic transmission. It serves a similar purpose that a clutch would in a manual transmission.

The juddering from the torque converter clutch is allegedly caused by deteriorated transmission fluid. According to the lawsuit, the transmission fluid deteriorates faster than expected when exposed to “intermittent high heat loads under specific driving conditions.”

HOW HAS HONDA RESPONDED?

According to these class action lawsuits, the recurring Honda transmission problems were never adequately addressed. As a result, safety defects continue to appear in these Honda Odyssey and Honda Pilot automatic transmissions.

One lawsuit alleges that Honda has known, or should have known, about these recurring transmission problems since at least 2016. To demonstrate Honda’s knowledge of these recurring transmission issues, lawsuits cite several technical service bulletins (TSBs) that Honda has issued to its dealers.

One TSB issued in 2012 allegedly shows that Honda knew of juddering, hesitation and surging in 2011–2012 Honda Odyssey minivans. Technicians were advised to update the transmission’s computer software and/or replace the transmission fluid. Another TSB issued in 2015 acknowledged hard downshifts or “clunks” when accelerating or decelerating at low speeds, recommending that technicians update the Powertrain Control Module software.

Another TSB, issued in 2016, reported that 2011–2013 Honda Odyssey vehicles experienced transmission problems due to “deteriorated” transmission fluid. This was a result from “high heat loads” under certain driving conditions. The TSB advised that technicians replace the transmission fluid, though a later document admitted that the fluid flush was a “temporary fix.”

After years of releasing these documents for Honda Odyssey vehicles, Honda released TSBs for 2016–2017 Honda Pilot vehicles with nearly identical problems and proposed fixes. However, consumers allege that none of the proposed fixes permanently remedied these Honda transmission problems. Honda has yet to develop a software update that adequately fixes the alleged transmission defect.

IS MY HONDA A LEMON?

According to these class action lawsuits, 2011–2019 Honda Odyssey and 2014–2019 Honda Pilot vehicles experience the following symptoms:

• Sudden, Unexpected Shaking
• Violent Jerking While Shifting or Accelerating
• Hesitation Before Acceleration
• Unexpected Acceleration (Surging)
• Hard Downshifting or Clunking
• Torque Converter Clutch Locks Up
• Repeated Shifting Problems
• Sudden Transmission Failure

These transmission failures are particularly dangerous when the Honda Odyssey or Honda Pilot vehicles are accelerating from a stop, merging into traffic or shifting gears onto highways from low speeds, drive uphill, or shifting gears at low speeds. If repeated Honda transmission problems in your Honda vehicle seemingly cannot be fixed, Lemon Law Help can assist. We can help you opt out of one or more class action lawsuits and pursue an individual claim with your Honda lemon.