2011 Honda Pilot Touring 4x4 Grinding Sound/Feedback

[SigEp]

We have a 2011 Honda Pilot Touring 4x4. We bought it about 16 months ago and it has about 18k miles. Recently we drove it on vacation which was around 1000 miles. Once home, we noticed (both my wife and I) a slight grinding sound and feedback through the gas pedal.

The sound is anywhere from start up through about 50mph. It almost has the sound of All Terrain tires (we just have oem LTs), but you can feel the feedback through the gas pedal. It feels like something is rubbing or grinding with the wheels or brakes.

I took it into Honda today, but it's one of those things that's hard to duplicate. We drive it every day so it was instantly noticeable to us. Honda said they checked the brakes and wheels. They also checked the computer for any faults. They also said they drove a brand new Pilot and compared it to ours. They found nothing.

Any ideas on what it might be or what I might have them check? It DEFINITELY drives differently than prior to our trip (or even during our trip), but if Honda can't find the problem, it's not going to go away...

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by SigEp

We have a 2011 Honda Pilot Touring 4x4. We bought it about 16 months ago and it has about 18k miles. Recently we drove it on vacation which was around 1000 miles. Once home, we noticed (both my wife and I) a slight grinding sound and feedback through the gas pedal.

The sound is anywhere from start up through about 50mph. It almost has the sound of All Terrain tires (we just have oem LTs), but you can feel the feedback through the gas pedal. It feels like something is rubbing or grinding with the wheels or brakes.

I took it into Honda today, but it's one of those things that's hard to duplicate. We drive it every day so it was instantly noticeable to us. Honda said they checked the brakes and wheels. They also checked the computer for any faults. They also said they drove a brand new Pilot and compared it to ours. They found nothing.

Any ideas on what it might be or what I might have them check? It DEFINITELY drives differently than prior to our trip (or even during our trip), but if Honda can't find the problem, it's not going to go away...

Thanks for any help you can provide!

some thoughts from others via using the forum search function...
Had to have both Axles Replaced on new 2011 Pilot!!
2011 Touring, right front axle binding @13k miles

[SigEp]

Thanks for the links but I'm afraid neither of those really sound like our issue.

When I was driving back from the dealer just now, I paid attention to the speeds. I find it is most noticeable at 35mph with my foot resting on the gas pedal, but not actually pressing down (just coasting). It's like a dull humming or rubbing somewhere.

Steering or braking seem to have no effect and there is no clunking, popping, or wobbling, just a dull humming like a brake is dragging or something.

I asked the Service Advisor again when I picked it up, they checked the brakes, bearings, computer faults, and "everything" . I guess he was just trying to make it clear they had nothing else to check...

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by SigEp

Thanks for the links but I'm afraid neither of those really sound like our issue.

When I was driving back from the dealer just now, I paid attention to the speeds. I find it is most noticeable at 35mph with my foot resting on the gas pedal, but not actually pressing down (just coasting). It's like a dull humming or rubbing somewhere.

Steering or braking seem to have no effect and there is no clunking, popping, or wobbling, just a dull humming like a brake is dragging or something.

I asked the Service Advisor again when I picked it up, they checked the brakes, bearings, computer faults, and "everything" . I guess he was just trying to make it clear they had nothing else to check...

Its good to know that all those thighs checked out OK and by now (18k miles) you should know what the VCM "shudder" is all about so that shouldn't be an unknown sound/feeling issue either. Its documented at you dealer and all you can do is monitor it for changes.

[SigEp]

The rubbing/vibration seems to be getting worse. I guess maybe I should just take it to a different dealership?

[SigEp]

So I thought I'd follow up. I took it to a second dealer who ran through the same tests. They found the front right wheel bearings to be bad. They replaced those and the rubbing/grinding is gone. So I learned two things:

1. San Leandro Honda in California needs better technicians
2. Honda Pilots with only 18k miles can have bad bearings??!!

[RSQ Pilot]

Originally Posted by SigEp

So I thought I'd follow up. I took it to a second dealer who ran through the same tests. They found the front right wheel bearings to be bad. They replaced those and the rubbing/grinding is gone. So I learned two things:

1. San Leandro Honda in California needs better technicians
2. Honda Pilots with only 18k miles can have bad bearings??!!

Thanks for the follow-up.