Service bulletin - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the action of the lock up torque converter creates excessive vibration. Additionally for 4WD vehicles, the propeller shaft?s center support bearing bushing material may not effectively dampen vibrations in cold (below 32ºF) temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Honda Pilot powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Honda Pilot have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Pilot | 5 |
| 2011 Pilot | 21 |
| 2012 Pilot | 17 |
| 2013 Pilot | 47 |
| 2014 Pilot (this page) | 6 |
| 2015 Pilot | 10 |
| 2016 Pilot | 195 |
| 2017 Pilot | 118 |
| 2018 Pilot | 72 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 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.
Dealer message - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the action of the lock up torque converter creates excessive vibration. Additionally for 4WD vehicles, the propeller shafts center support bearing bushing material may not effectively dampen vibrations in cold (below 32ºF) temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
When accelerating or decelerating from 40 MPH to 60 MPH the transmission makes a horrible rumbling sound and it feels like the car was forced into a lower gear. This seems related to the 'eco' mode and only started after the vehicle had 30,000 miles on it. The dealership called american Honda's headquarters because they agreed with the complaint but was told this is 'normal'. I can't sell the car…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Honda Pilot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
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.
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/2014/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.