ECO mode noise/vibration

[AlphaOne]

Bought my 2012 Touring last month, and haven't experienced the vibrations.
I love the ECO lights, as it's indicating my bad aggressive driving habits when it's off.
Transition to and from ECO mode is smooth as far as I can tell.

[robere]

Just because the Eco light comes on, it doesn't mean vcm is activated

[ch308]

UPDATE: The Honda dealership is having a rep from Honda come drive our Pilot. Hopefully we can get this fixed soon.

[Mick6]

Just purchased a 2011 Pilot and have not had this problem, so far love the truck but will be watching for any vibration isuues. Please keep us posted and good luck, hope Honda steps up and fixes this issue.

[doc-011]

This sounds a lot like an issue I had with my 2005 Nissan Frontier.

When it was at cruising speeds towards the bottom end of where the torque converter would lockup (usually 40-45 mph). It would make a shuddering/vibration that I could best describe as "driving over a rumble strip". It would usually happen when I applied light pressure on the accelerator. It sometimes happened at speeds up to 55, but I don't think I ever experienced it over 60 or so.

After going round and round with the dealer, we discovered the issue. The transmission cooler had a defective seal and had leaked water/coolant into the transmission. This caused the viscosity of the transmission fluid to be reduced. So, when the torque converter lockup was trying to engage/disengage, it was slipping - causing the vibration. I just traded my truck for a 2011 Honda Pilot, and I'm noticing a shuddering feeling with it as well. Needless to say, I traded in my truck so that I WOULDN'T have to deal with the long term affects of a defect like this. I sure hope my pilot doesn't have the same issue. I'm going to have my dealer check it out. It isn't nearly as noticeable as it was on my frontier, but feels very similar.

Questions for those of you noticing this issue. When you drive with Overdrive off/the D3 button, your engine will still use VCM and go into ECO mode. If you do that, do you still notice this affect? If you don't, my guess is that it isn't the Engine/VCM, but more likely the transmission.

I was worried when I bought my pilot because it had an integrated transmission cooler and that is what had caused me grief on my nissan. This feels like the same thing all over again. I'll keep you all posted on what my dealer says. If any of you think it is worth looking into, I'd be curious to see what your dealers say. They should notice that the transmission fluid is very light/milky if it has coolant mixed with it. My Nissan took 3 flushes and refills before the problem went away - but I was still worried about possible long-term damage.

This may not be the problem at all, but it may be something to look into for those of you who are frustrated by this. From my experience, this feels very much like the same issue. You can read Nissan Forums for 2004-2006 Frontiers and Pathfinders to see if it sounds like the same issue. They had a bunch of defective radiators/transmission coolers from those years.

My guess is that it probably seems like VCM, because it normally engages/disengages at the same time the torque converter lockup does. They both serve very similar purposes.

[pplmover]

Originally Posted by Mick6

Just purchased a 2011 Pilot and have not had this problem, so far love the truck but will be watching for any vibration isuues. Please keep us posted and good luck, hope Honda steps up and fixes this issue.

Same here, no vibration or feeling of power loss when trying to accelerate. Just did a 300mi roundtrip and it ran extremly smooth. Had cruise control a few times on and on uphills, it downshifted as it should've, rather instantly.

Do you feel it through the steering wheel? Does the cabin shake?? I can't imagine not noticing something like this. Coming from an '03, it has been extremly smooth overall. Currently have 1200 miles.

[ch308]

doc-011, Good info, thanks. I have drove in D3 for awhile and the vibration is still there. I will talk to the dealer tomorrow about the trans fluid.

pplmover, We feel it in the steering wheel and the seats, the most annoying part is the "rumble" you hear.

After driving around yesterday it seems to be getting worse.

[Daneo]

Originally Posted by doc-011

This sounds a lot like an issue I had with my 2005 Nissan Frontier.

When it was at cruising speeds towards the bottom end of where the torque converter would lockup (usually 40-45 mph). It would make a shuddering/vibration that I could best describe as "driving over a rumble strip". It would usually happen when I applied light pressure on the accelerator. It sometimes happened at speeds up to 55, but I don't think I ever experienced it over 60 or so.

After going round and round with the dealer, we discovered the issue. The transmission cooler had a defective seal and had leaked water/coolant into the transmission. This caused the viscosity of the transmission fluid to be reduced. So, when the torque converter lockup was trying to engage/disengage, it was slipping - causing the vibration. I just traded my truck for a 2011 Honda Pilot, and I'm noticing a shuddering feeling with it as well. Needless to say, I traded in my truck so that I WOULDN'T have to deal with the long term affects of a defect like this. I sure hope my pilot doesn't have the same issue. I'm going to have my dealer check it out. It isn't nearly as noticeable as it was on my frontier, but feels very similar.

Questions for those of you noticing this issue. When you drive with Overdrive off/the D3 button, your engine will still use VCM and go into ECO mode. If you do that, do you still notice this affect? If you don't, my guess is that it isn't the Engine/VCM, but more likely the transmission.

I was worried when I bought my pilot because it had an integrated transmission cooler and that is what had caused me grief on my nissan. This feels like the same thing all over again. I'll keep you all posted on what my dealer says. If any of you think it is worth looking into, I'd be curious to see what your dealers say. They should notice that the transmission fluid is very light/milky if it has coolant mixed with it. My Nissan took 3 flushes and refills before the problem went away - but I was still worried about possible long-term damage.

This may not be the problem at all, but it may be something to look into for those of you who are frustrated by this. From my experience, this feels very much like the same issue. You can read Nissan Forums for 2004-2006 Frontiers and Pathfinders to see if it sounds like the same issue. They had a bunch of defective radiators/transmission coolers from those years.

My guess is that it probably seems like VCM, because it normally engages/disengages at the same time the torque converter lockup does. They both serve very similar purposes.

It happened to my 06 Jeep Commander with 5.7 Hemi. Computer read "misfire in cylinder 8...turned out to be a bad spark plug. But same thing, it would vibrate,shake and felt like it was about to turn off. Service guy told me that Honda uses Platinum spark plugs and don't need to change(every 100k miles) Everyone drive differently, so some may not feel the vibration and or might not know what to look for. I think my brakes are bad as well...just had service turn them...but vibration on the brakes is back...come on Honda!!!!

[Frenchpilot]

I havé evreybody!! I'm à french piloteer fromage Québec Canada !!! I havé à pilot 2009 and i never have problème with eco mode. But, about tree weeks, after à transmission oil change ta dealer, i havé a deep sound rumble when the eco mode is on and vcm goes on. It sound like a deep bass sound and vibration. After some check, my dealer told me he have contact Honda ingeneer and he said that is a problem with transmission. Transmission dont change gear on eco mode and it's the source of the problem. So tomorow morning i let my pilot to dealer and he try something ingeneer have told!!!! If it's solution i give you feedback tomorow !!!

By the way!!! My dealer try a 2011pilot and nô sound or vibration it's chance for me because he cant told me it's normal!!!!

[Tmuchacho]

Same story here with a 2011, 6000 miles, was going in this week but my son was home sick from school so I had to cancel. Will post my results after the trip to the Stealership. I'm even considering changing my own oil at the 7500 mark. The more people that report this to Am Honda, the bette the chance of us getting any action. FYI, added 3/4 quart of oil today to bring up to the line. First time in 10 Hondas I ever added between oil changes, even on some with 150k + on them. Sad but true

[sambub]

We've been looking @ Crosstours recently. I've driven them a handful of times and no perceptible vibration as engine goes in/out of VCM. Whereas the transition @ hwy speeds in our Pilot is very noticeable. Grrrrrr!

[bknstp]

I owned a 2007 Pilot for 5 years & decided since I had a great experience with it, I'd trade it for a 2012. Well, this was a mistake on my part to think I would always receive a quality vehicle from Honda! This is my fourth Honda & I'm very disappointed to say it may be my last. I'm experiencing the same shudder/vibration at speeds of 45-50mph & also at 65-70mph. The first time I took it to the dealership, they said they couldn't get it to duplicate what I was describing so they balanced the front wheels (said rear wheels were fine). Of course that didn't help at all so it went back to the service department. I drove it this time with a service adviser along and I didn't even have to say anything because they felt it as soon as it started to shudder. They said it must be the Torque Converter of which they've had several already replaced on 2012 Pilots at their dealership. But before they could order the part, I had to take it back again since they needed the service manager to drive it. The part was then ordered and it was back to the dealership a fourth time to have the converter replaced (and an all wheel alignment). Needless to say, it didn't help the at all! The service manager said they called the Honda rep about it and they said that's the way the truck performs. My next step is to ask the service manager to have the Honda rep drive my Pilot & experience the problem and go from there. I'm not sure this will accomplish anything but am hoping the more people that follow through with it, maybe some action will come about. We'll see...

[Tmuchacho]

Sounds like the Torque converter was not the problem....had my 2011 in to the dealer today, and they drove it, noticed the vibration and shudder, and said they would report it to Honda and also see if it the VCM could be disabled (I'm willing to sacrifice the minimal MPG savings at this point). He also said they've been getting monthly software updates from Honda to address this issue but none so far covering my Vin#. Each time they report this as a Warranty Issue, Honda is more likely to address it so lets hope something come in down the road.

[bknstp]

I took my Pilot in today for the 5th time so the Honda rep could drive it and experience the shuddering. Once driving it, the Honda rep told the Service Mgr that "he does feel the shudder/vibration but it's how the truck is supposed to perform in order to meet the federal regulations for the mpg rating". WHAT!? I agree with earlier posts that I'm willing to sacrifice the miniscule additional mpg just to have a smooth ride. I'm going to keep pursuing this even though Honda most likely won't do a thing about it. Since I leased this Pilot, I'm going back to my salesman to see if there is any way to get out of the lease (which most likely there isn't) but at least I'll feel I'm making everyone aware of my severe dissatisfaction. (Just to let you know, I was told the Pilot isn't the only Honda experiencing this problem so beware).

[bpmoen77]

Originally Posted by Tmuchacho

Sounds like the Torque converter was not the problem....had my 2011 in to the dealer today, and they drove it, noticed the vibration and shudder, and said they would report it to Honda and also see if it the VCM could be disabled (I'm willing to sacrifice the minimal MPG savings at this point). He also said they've been getting monthly software updates from Honda to address this issue but none so far covering my Vin#. Each time they report this as a Warranty Issue, Honda is more likely to address it so lets hope something come in down the road.

I would LOVE to know if they can disable the VCM - please let us know.