VCM Fix

[Tmuchacho]

Happy New Year to all! Was watching football over the weekend and the Pilot commercial with the family rockin away and singing through the countryside came on - and I said to my wife, "there's the fix for the annoying VCM issues". Do as they do in the commercial and you'll never notice the Pilot humming, shuddering, and kicking in and out of VCM. Considering trading in my 2011, after renting two vehicles over the holidays (Jeep Cherokee Laredo/Kia Sorento), both with smoother and more refined drivetrains than the Pilot. The new Jeep is very impressive, no third row seats though. I'm on Honda #10, and obviously have drank the Kool-Aid, and really want to love the Pilot, but I have to agree with some others on this site - if there was an off button for VCM, most of us would be hitting it. Should have held onto my 2003 that my Brothers now driving

[sambub]

At the risk of getting torched here over this....yes, I have to agree, the VCM shudder is exceedingly annoying. Especially since every review I read about the 2012 Pilot or any Crosstour review for that matter reports the "seamless transition" between cylinders 6, 4, and 3. To pour salt on my wound, my dealer service people just say, "Yeah, thats completely normal." Since we're complaining, I also can't get over how the ugly grill is. I wish we could have waited for the 2012 with the new grill and also the 18" wheels.

I get the Jeep lust. It's the best looking Grand Cherokee yet. And, you get a lot for what you pay for" new 6, huge fuel tank, nice interior, etc.. But it certainly has some compromises too: cramped inside, poor reliability (probably), 400 lbs of unnecessary off-road equipment (guessing).

I think Honda's been put on notice lately. Aside from tsunami and the Thai flood, they're getting their asses kicked. The next iteration of the Pilot should be pretty sweet with better VCM system, DI, 6 spd tranny, larger tank, better mileage, etc. I'll think about a trade then. If not, at least the Jeep will have Chrysler's 8 speed auto.

[Tom Oelschlager]

Sambub, I thought the title of my post would generate some interest... since so many people seem to be unhappy about the VCM, and at the same time I kind felt bad misleading those folks that might have thought it might finally be something that resolved the problem. I know if I saw that post, I'd be all over it hoping there really was a fix. I can live with some of the other weak links and the front grill on this Pilot, but being a mechanically minded person, it's tough for me to drive this car. What were they thinking, all to get another 1-2 mpg? Many of the competing SUV's are equalling or topping our numbers without VCM, big mistake for Honda I think.

[BYUFAN]

Never had a problem here. Enjoy the Jeep.

[xGS]

Have you seen this thread: 2011 Pilot-Biggest Complaint

Download the attached TSB called "pilotoilconsumption2011.pdf".

The engine control computer can be reprogrammed to improve the operation of the VCM function.

[jtdoster]

I own both the 09 Pilot and last variant of the Jeep GC WK with a 2007 with the Mercedes 3.0 Diesel. I have a love/hate with both vehicles and have owned Jeeps for many years, it just gets in your blood for whatever reason. I considered trading both in for a new generation Jeep, and may consider it again after Jeep brings back the Diesel as they are doing so well over seas and able to pass the overly compensated EPA regulations here in the states.

BUT. The Jeep WILL cost you more. Chrysler is the absolute WORST company for admitting they made a mistake with defective parts (Toyota is the best, in my opinion). Jeeps break and there are more anoyances in the 05/10 Jeep WK's are there are in the 09/11 Pilots.

I love them both and will probably keep them both. But, if I had to get rid of one or the other, I would be forced to choose the Pilot overall. Cost of ownership, utility, and residual is much higher on the Pilot. The only thing the Jeep is lower on is insurance as the Pilot was just raised to another tier this year with the insurance companies, so expect to pay a little more your next renewal. Hopefully short lived and based upon parts costs and availability from the earthquake, but a little more nonetheless.

As far as the VCM, I barely notice it on mine and it does go in and out a lot. I am considering the flash just because I feel it would add to the longevity since there is a lot of mechanical going on when it shuts off.

The biggest shudder I feel is the change into the really high overdrive and back again on smaller hills. You really notice this with a trailer in tow.

[Tmuchacho]

Thanks to all for the feedback. I've always thought of the 3 US manufacturers, Chrysler products were the least reliable (my folks sure loved their old Valiants from the 60-70s though). Just really irked me while running about 1000 miles on that Kia Sorento rental car with its smooth shifting 6 speed tranny, and much nicer interior surface materials and great MPG even with higher HP and excellent pick up. I'll probably keep the Pilot, been using 'D3' more ofter around town and at the lower speeds. I, like some others am seeing oil consumption in this car which I never experienced with any of the 9 prior I owned, even on some that were approaching 200K. The next generation Pilot better be a home run for Honda or they will certainly see the unit sales fall off compared to current.

[jtdoster]

Kia will become the Honda and Toyota we made during the 70's and 80's. Just as back then, the quality came with age. The evolution of Kia is pretty amazing. When our kids buy their next car, they have a better chance of staying with the Kia brand as it is evolving with them much like Toyota and Honda did with us.

With a few exceptions, Toyota and Honda stagnated in the middle market and taking 5-10 year olds that are becoming pigs and putting lipstick on them. Honda blew it with the Civic this year to win back the youth and what in the world were they thinking with the Acord Cross Tour? They Pilot really needed much more than lipstick and an advertising campaign, but the bright side is 09-11 will hold residuals a little longer...