MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY SHE HEARD LIKE A WHIRRING SOUND AND THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. SHE PULLED ON THE SIDE AND NOTICED FLUID WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SIDE OF ENGINE. WE HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TALKING TO THE AGENT, THEY TOLD US THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO RADIATOR AND RADIATOR COOLANT/TRANS FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. COST OF REPAIRS: $1…
2005 honda Pilot engine problems
moderate 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED COMBINING FLUIDS AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO MALFUNCTION. LOSS OF ABILITY TO DRIVE/MOVE VEHICLE WHILE ON A RURAL ROAD BETWEEN CITIES DURING A SNOWSTORM WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND REQUIRES A NEW RADIATOR AND REPLACE / REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. A RECOMMENDATION FROM HONDA TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR EVERY 100,000 MIL…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 honda Pilot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 51 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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