HONDA: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, PISTON RINGS FOR CERTAIN CYLINDERS ROTATE AND ALIGN AND CAN LEAD TO FOULING SPARK PLUG AND A POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXTENSION HAS BEEN ISSUED. MODEL 2009-2013 PILOT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Honda Pilot powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Honda Pilot have filed 21 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 45,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Pilot | 13 |
| 2008 Pilot | 10 |
| 2009 Pilot | 10 |
| 2010 Pilot | 5 |
| 2011 Pilot (this page) | 21 |
| 2012 Pilot | 17 |
| 2013 Pilot | 47 |
| 2014 Pilot | 6 |
| 2015 Pilot | 10 |
3crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 21 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Transmission shudder and rough shifting dominate this complaint cluster. Owners describe shaking, jerking, or hesitation between 20 and 45 mph during light acceleration or low-gear shifts, with problems worsening over time even after service. Several cite torque converter failure; one dealership quoted $1,900 for replacement. Fluid flushes, computer reprogramming, and even transmission replacement have failed to resolve the issue in multiple cases.
Sudden unintended acceleration events appear in at least three complaints: vehicles lunged forward at low speed while the driver applied brake pressure, overwhelmed brakes could not stop the vehicle, and impacts occurred. Sensors either did not activate or activated only after collision. Dealership inspections found nothing wrong.
Engine stalling and shutdown while driving—sometimes within a mile of restart—occurred in at least one case with over 118,000 miles. A $1,400 PCM replacement did not fix it; spark plug replacement finally worked, but the owner remains uncertain whether the issue will return.
One owner discovered a transmission fluid leak on day one (after 60 miles of driving a brand-new vehicle) and another reported spontaneous transmission shift into neutral at 70 mph. A third complained of acceleration hesitation and rough running in Eco mode starting around 2,000 miles, undiagnosed after three dealership visits.
Multiple owners report that Honda dealerships either cannot duplicate the problems, refuse to repair them, or deny they exist—even when acknowledging to owners that similar issues are known on these vehicles.
Same Honda Pilot powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shudder and harsh shifting
Transmission shudders, jerks, hesitates, vibrates, or shifts roughly at low speeds and light acceleration, typically between 20–45 mph. Owners report the problem worsens over time and persists even after transmission service, fluid flushes, or computer reprogramming. Multiple complaints reference torque converter failure as the underlying cause.
When: 72,000 miles on one vehicle; 62,000 miles on another; 65,000 miles on another; 66,000 miles on another; some from low mileage (2,000 miles). Problem often develops within first few years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering or vibration at 20–45 mph, especially during light acceleration; Jerking or hesitation when accelerating from a stop; Rough, stuttering gear changes between low gears; Transmission vibrates or feels abnormal during shifting; Problem most noticeable at lower gear shifts and light throttle
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement cost cited as $1,900 at one dealership; owner negotiated down to $500. One owner replaced transmission. Another had transmission fluid flushed and refilled around 60,000 miles without resolution. Some dealerships changed computer settings without fixing the issue. Spark plug replacement (cost $200 labor) resolved one case but may not address root cause in all instances.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer acknowledged known transmission problem with a 'fix' in newer torque converters. Multiple dealerships initially stated they could not duplicate the problem or offered no solution despite being aware of the issue. Honda representatives offered no recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned by complainants.
Sudden unintended acceleration
Engine suddenly revs and vehicle accelerates unintentionally at low speed (approximately 5 mph) while driver applies brake, overwhelmed brakes unable to prevent forward motion. Vehicle lurches forward into other vehicles or objects. Sensors either fail to deploy or deploy only after impact.
When: January 2014, March 2014, and undated incident. Occurred at very low speeds during parking or drive-thru situations.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs suddenly while foot is on brake; Vehicle lunges forward uncontrollably despite firm brake pressure; Forward bounce/repeated impact against object in front; Brake unable to stop vehicle even with both feet applied; Sensor alerts (collision warning) either do not activate or activate only after impact; Engine continues to rev up and down during incident
Repairs/costs cited: Owners attempted to control with brake alone (ineffective), shifter moved to neutral, or engine turned off to regain control. One dealership inspection found nothing wrong. No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda advised owner to take vehicle to dealership for inspection. Inspector from American Honda and service manager found nothing wrong and stated nothing could be done. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Engine stalling and sudden shutdown while driving
Engine dies without warning while vehicle is in motion, requiring restart. Vehicle then continues to shut down after restart, sometimes within a mile. Multiple error codes appear on diagnostic scan. Repeated PCM replacement and spark plug replacement did not resolve issue in at least one case.
When: 118,279 miles on odometer; 6/28/2019 at midnight; repeated incidents within days of initial failure
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies while driving; Vehicle coasts to side of road or highway; Engine restarts but dies again after short distance (sometimes within 1 mile); Multiple error codes appear on scan; Many warning lights illuminate on dashboard
Codes mentioned: Multiple undisplayed codes (specific codes not listed)
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement cost $1,410.16; problem recurred within 1 mile of driving vehicle from dealership. Subsequent spark plug replacement (all 6 found bad despite being replaced 1 year prior at 102,400 miles) cost $200 labor; issue resolved after this repair. However, owner remains concerned stalling may recur.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership recommended PCM replacement, then after failure consulted with Honda headquarters representatives who recommended spark plug inspection. No recalls or warranty coverage mentioned.
Transmission fluid leak from new vehicle
Pink transmission fluid leak appears from new vehicle within first day of ownership (after ~60-mile drive from dealership). Leak recurs every time vehicle is driven. Dealership unable to locate exact source of leak.
When: First day of ownership after ~60-mile initial drive; April 2011 model at end of April
Symptoms owners cite: Pink-colored fluid pooling on garage floor (3-inch size pool); Fluid leak recurs after each drive; Leak present from first day despite vehicle being new
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership identified fluid as transmission fluid but could not locate exact leak source. Awaiting Honda Corp decision on repair or transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned. Honda Corp decision pending (not yet resolved in narrative).
Transmission shift into neutral while driving at highway speed
Vehicle's automatic transmission spontaneously shifts out of drive and into neutral while traveling at 70 mph, causing loss of engine power and forward momentum. Gear selector indicator shows neutral position despite driver not touching selector.
When: Undated incident at 70 mph highway speed
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts into neutral without driver input; Loss of engine power and forward momentum; Gear selector indicator shows neutral; Vehicle able to resume normal operation after driver manually selects drive
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented. Driver moved selector back to drive to restore power.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service technician stated such a shift is impossible without manual selector movement, contradicting owner's report.
Engine misfire (P0301–P0304 fault codes)
Engine misfires, triggering cylinder-specific fault codes. Spark plug replacement performed but did not resolve issue according to owner. Dealership refused to repair vehicle despite code diagnosis.
When: Undated; discovered via AutoZone diagnostic scan
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfires while driving; Vehicle forced to stop for diagnostic check
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced spark plugs on own initiative after AutoZone diagnosis; owner reports Honda dealership refused to repair vehicle afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned. Dealership refused repair despite fault codes.
Acceleration hesitation and rough running
Vehicle hesitates or delays response when accelerating. Hesitation lasting approximately 1 second noted at 45–55 mph. Vehicle runs rough, particularly in Eco mode. Problem appeared at low mileage and could not be diagnosed by dealership despite three visits.
When: Approximately 2,000 miles at first failure; January 2012 complaint filed
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or delay (~1 second) during acceleration at 45–55 mph; Vehicle runs rough in Eco mode; Hesitation when accelerating from a stop
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; issue could not be diagnosed despite three dealership visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Purchased 2011 Honda pilot ex-l new in mid-2010. For the past several months, we felt a shudder in the transmission at/around 25 MPH when accelerating lightly from a full stop. Got progressively worse over time; even passengers noticed it. Car is just under 5.5 years old with 72k miles on it. Dealer checked, said the torque converter had failed and would cost $1,900 to replace. Stated the new…
Traveling at approximately 70 MPH with the vsa (vehicle stability assist) off, the automatic transmission suddenly shifted into neutral. I lost power and forward momentum. I was startled and when I looked at the gear selector, the indicator showed the selector in the neutral position. I moved the selector to the drive position and immediately had forward momentum once again. I'm terrified to…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 22,500 and 75,760 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,500; a quarter make it past 75,760. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Honda/Pilot.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.