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 T/…
2011 honda Pilot powertrain problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 IM…
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?
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 $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.
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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