New Pilots are pieces of $hit!

[Tim Jim]

Seriously people, your car is "shuddering", not "shuttering". Look it up if you don't believe me.

[Strate L O S S]

you understand it either way, no need to be rude.


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[_Intel_]

i have a 2012 and it seems i dont notice eco light get activated so its a plus for me..

[Minnesotar6]

Originally Posted by _Intel_

i have a 2012 and it seems i dont notice eco light get activated so its a plus for me..

actually the shuddering is NOT my issue with my wifes 2012 EX-L. The issue is the car shifts into higher gears to soon. I can feel the "weak" gear and a slight vibration until i push the gas petal down more.

even on CC the car has that "weak" gear feel and i have to push the gas petal to "down shift"

[RinconVTR]

Originally Posted by Minnesotar6

actually the shuddering is NOT my issue with my wifes 2012 EX-L. The issue is the car shifts into higher gears to soon. I can feel the "weak" gear and a slight vibration until i push the gas petal down more.

even on CC the car has that "weak" gear feel and i have to push the gas petal to "down shift"

This is the electronic throttle control trying to save you gas and happens often when your very easy (too easy) on the gas pedal. All you need to do is step on the pedal a little more.

And by doing so, you may actually improve MPG because slow and easy acceleration is not good for MPG. Moderate to quick without being agressive has been proven the best, as the quicker you get up to crusing speed, the better MPG.

[N_Jay]

Originally Posted by Minnesotar6

actually the shuddering is NOT my issue with my wifes 2012 EX-L. The issue is the car shifts into higher gears to soon. I can feel the "weak" gear and a slight vibration until i push the gas petal down more.

even on CC the car has that "weak" gear feel and i have to push the gas petal to "down shift"

If the car is going the speed you want, why do you have to push down on the gas?

[Minnesotar6]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

If the car is going the speed you want, why do you have to push down on the gas?

to get out of the annoying shuddering the car makes.

ever drive a manual car before? it feels like im driving in 6th when i should be in 4th or 5th gear.

[sessions247]

I've never felt any "SHUDDERING" in my Pilot either. Maybe because it's 4x4 model not to sure, but I definitely know what a transmission "shudder" is.
My 2003 Acura CL-S shuddered a bit about 15,000 miles after having the transmission rebuilt. The owner of the transmission shop (who is highly skilled and trusted) added some:
DR. Tranny Shudder Fix made by: Lube Guard. Within 30 seconds the shudder was gone. I never had another issue for about 75,000 miles and 5 tranny fluid changes later, then the transmission started to shudder during the summer when it got to be 113 degrees regularly. So I added a tube of Dr. Tranny that I bought at the auto store and it hasn't come back since, and that was about 8,000 miles ago.
If your transmission truly has a "shudder" I highly recommend trying theDr. Tranny shudder fix. It really does work.

Now my only question is, could it maybe be the VCM? I've never felt transmission "shudder" but I do feel the VCM kick in and out A LOT! it does feel very similar to a transmission "shudder". If I were to explain how it felt to someone, or if someone were to explained what they're were feeling to me, I would think "transmission shudder". BUT... it's not in my case. I can feel VCM changing from 6 cylinders to 4 cylinders and back to 6 again, and a lot of times it's not the smoothest transition. Could that possibly be what people are feeling and mistaking it as "transmission shudder"? Could it really be the vibration from the engine running in 4 cylinder mode not 6? Your typical 4 cylinder engine has "harmonic balancer" to keep the engine running balanced and smooth, V6 engines are already near perfect balance so they don't need a "harmonic balancer". But how does that work when you now have a V6 that is capable of shutting down to 4 cylinders?
See that's the "vibration" that I feel when driving my Pilot. I feel the VCM kicking in and out, and a vibration when cruising in eco mode (4 cylinders). I feel a "VIBRATION" but definiteley not a "shudder". That's my two penny's. Just something to think about.

[sessions247]

Sorry for the annoying lime green writing. I didn't do it on purpose I swear = (

[Minnesotar6]

mines also a 4wd.

[cardinalryan]

Originally Posted by jmustico4

I had my 2012 Honda Pilot LX 2WD for a little over 5 months. Could not stand the way it drove and felt. It was, hands down, the worst new car I have ever owned. I know it was the base model, but it felt more like the poverty model. Everything about the car felt cheaper everyday. Between the VCM issues and the basic fit and finish, I had to dump this thing. I hope Honda gets hit with a class action lawsuit for how awful the vcm shudder issues on these newer pilots are. Its unacceptable.

I have not read this entire thread yet, so I really don't know how others are responding, but I feel the exact same way about my 2013 EX-L, 4WD.

I traded my 2010 for a 2013 model in late November (2012) and I am disgusted with this purchase. There are less than 1,000 miles on my vehicle and it has already been in the shop twice; once for a creaking sound in the dash which turn out to be something that was left unassembled under the hood of the Pilot.

The second time was because my Pilot wouldn't start!! A vehicle with less than 1,000 miles that won't start?? Turns out, there was a mechanical failure in the starter and also a bad battery, so it was two fold. It now needs a new starter and, of course, a new battery. Add to that, while under the hood, the service team discovered that it had a crack in the radiator casing, so that will need to be replaced too.

Needless to say, I'm angry...I'm paying more than I was for my 2010 and there no doubt in my mind that it was a downgrade as the 2010 was a MUCH higher quality vehicle.

As it stands, I paid a premium for a vehicle that is poorly built.

I'm not going to make some blanket statement that nobody should buy Honda Pilots anymore, but I do think there is enough dissension out there to suggest that you do a significant amount of homework before purchasing a new Pilot.

This is not your big brother's Honda. I've had 7 Hondas in my life and I've always loved them...until now...I barely stop short of calling my new Pilot, junk.

[BigWhite]

Originally Posted by Minnesotar6

My wife has a 2012 EX-L with 14k miles (5miles when purchased). We test drove it and it drove like a reliable Honda. Lately the VCM shutter has been getting worse. Its shuttering as low as 20 mpg and Cruise control. IT seems like its always in the VCM shutter mode and getting very annoying. Thinking about trading it in!

perfect size truck for our family needs

People.....trade in your 2012 for 2011, no issues, best truck I've ever owned, no VCM to worry about. I did my research and as to whether to go with 2011 or the new 2012, I decided to stick with the 2011 for a number of reasons, such as this VCM addition, wheel size change, 6 cd changer exclusion etc. I truly think 2009-2011 modles are better overall than the 2012+ models, so what if less 1 MPG ! haha

[Tmuchacho]

Big White, no disrespect - but your 2011 Pilot has VCM (as does mine) and I'm happy for you yours is not giving you trouble. Where I live in the Low Country, the roads are flat so your mostly driving with light petal pressure which is the ideal condition for the VCM to drive one crazy. Granted the MPG is great down here on the flats, but I feel like I'm driving over washboard surfaces quite often even when there's a newly paved road.

[cortina]

Originally Posted by BigWhite

People.....trade in your 2012 for 2011, no issues, best truck I've ever owned, no VCM to worry about. I did my research and as to whether to go with 2011 or the new 2012, I decided to stick with the 2011 for a number of reasons, such as this VCM addition, wheel size change, 6 cd changer exclusion etc. I truly think 2009-2011 modles are better overall than the 2012+ models, so what if less 1 MPG ! haha

Sorry for all those having serious issues with your Pilots. Note that each pilot is different from each other when they come off the production lines.

Just like having children... each one has their own unique character and shouldn't be compared with another child in the same family.....

Also i don't think posters should be flamed for voicing their opinions and valid concerns

I have mine over a year now..... With no serious issues.....I have seen high end German Cars with bigger problems.... Ask those driving BMW X5s

[Tmuchacho]

And I do mean "Pedal" pressure, knew I should've finished those last two years of college