2016 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 74owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $6,400median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 7, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
199 of the 1,696 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 74 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 74 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (4 reports) and the torque converter (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.
What owners paid
7 of the 74 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $7,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 35,000 and 77,000 miles, from the 57 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission slipping and motor making a grind sound since like 120k and dash problems and paint chips every were paint is coming off on its own. I did not about that i can do a complete here.”
Filed Sep 4, 2025
“vehicle has been to standard maintenance at dealer. Rod problem at 100,000 miles resulting engine replacement. Transmission is not suitable and slips after 100,000 miles.”
Filed Nov 21, 2023 · 100,000 miles
“while driving on highways and streets, car would jerk and transmission downshift or not work, causing a grinding noise within the car. pilot would just shut off and slowing decrease speed by itself. happens many times already and is a safety concern for people who purchased this vehicle. Pilot transmission needs to be recalled before it causes death for people who drives this vehicle.”
Filed Jul 28, 2023
“For the last couple of months, the transmission has had gears slipping out of gear and takes a few seconds to find the gear to accelerate up to speed. I've taken it to the dealer twice to address the issue but it's still causing an issue.”
Filed Dec 1, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 74 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 411 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 348 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 164 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 159 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 147 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 97 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 38 reports
- Fuel pump failure 34 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 30 reports