My EXL is absolutely smooth up shifting and downshifting. I do not feel the change of gears. I never drive it in Eco mode though.

 

Thanks for your response. All others with the 6-speed transmission, please let me know how your downshifting feels when slowing to a stop. Thanks!

 

My 6 cylinder AWD EX-L with sensing behaves the way you describe it. I can feel jerking when coasting at speeds around 30mph and below. I have 8,000 miles on it, so break in should not be an issue.

 

I've experienced this with the 9 speed transmission. I thought it was unique to that granny, so I find it interesting that it isn't. Perhaps this is a Honda software decision.

 

I can feel my ex-l downshifting, I wouldn't call it heavy, but it's something I've never felt in 40+ yrs. of driving.

 

Not sure what I felt is the downshifting. At low speed, when my foot transit from gas to brake, I felt as if the car lurch ahead a bit right at the time before I touch the brake paddle. Feels as if the transmission has a bit of stickiness. Wondering anyone has the same feeling. My old car has a bit this kind of character only when it was very old. Not at the new time.

 

I don't especially notice the shifting down of gears on my EX-L when cruising to a much slower speed - I can detect it, but it is hardly noticeable. I know it has nothing got to do with the VCM system.

 

How many miles? I had sort of this problem, I attributed it to the break in period. Nowadays with 4500mi Its as smooths as butter.

 

Ok I'm At 800 miles. that's good to hear that it might improve. Maybe it's not heavy but it's definitely noticeable and something I haven't felt ever before in any other vehicle. I find it a bit distracting not knowing exactly when the breaking sensation is going to occur. Thanks for all the input. I'd love to hear from others and wonder if there is an explanation as to why this might be occurring - whether the transmission is programmed this way for a reason? Or just part of the break-in process?

 

My EX-L shifts pretty well 90% of the time. There are a few times when its downshifted when I didn't expect. I can hear the shifting, but the most part with constant or steady acceleration I don't feel any change in the car ride when shifting occurs.

 

My EXL RES has 2300 miles and have not had any issues when up shifting or down shifting and shifts extremely smooth with no jerks. I would put that on the list for f things to fix when you take it to the dealer. By the way you'll need the new software update as well since it just came out on Friday and is for all trim levels.

 

I noticed on my EX that it downshifts when coasting. However, even though the downshift is noticeable but it is gentle and I'm not too bothered.

 

Exact same situation with my EX-L. Barely noticeable and not a bother at all.

 

For the first time today, I felt the vehicle downshifting while I was coasting to a stop... from maybe 20mph. It was nice and smooth. The road was pretty flat.

I imagine thee downshifting could be a little more jerky if on a downhill. At least that's what I would expect.

 

My 16 Pilot EX w/Sensing (1500 miles on it) has the exactly sensation as what szbobcat21 described. When coasting down at about 29 and 21 mph, the vehicle jerks as an un-experienced driver driving a stick car. The jerk happens at both firing (throttling) and braking conditions, giving a feeling of engine braking. The engine RPM increases sharply (surge) at these jerk points and my body move forward due to braking. This is noticeable almost every time when decreasing to 29 and 21 mph. The dealer has checked the vehicle and told me this is normal. I have never experienced this on my previous Accord and Camry. Can anyone tell me if this is normal or needs to be fixed? Thanks!

 

Wondering if anyone has had this looked at, and if there is any fix. Same issue - around 30mph coasting, new 2016 Pilot EX-L does the engine braking thing, subtle but still noticable and causes occupants to bob forward a little.

 

I just bought a brand new 2016 EX-L with AWD and am experiencing the same thing. Is this a break in issue or is it best to bring it in to take a look at..also, people who have brought it in what have been the remedies? Thanks

 

My exl has 3500 miles on it, and I only experience this engine breaking sensation some have described when using cruise control going down a long hill. Otherwise, it shifts very smoothly,

 

I have this exact problem, drives me nuts! Especially the one at 21 mph since speed limit here is 25 so it's at every single corner. It's definitely a downshift but it feels like someone stabbed the brake and tosses everyone forward. Fwiw it's pretty seamless to shift to neutral and back to bypass it but i agree it's annoying.

 

I have similar trim as OP 2016 EX-L AWD 6-speed with 9000 miles. I can definitely feel the down shift, at slow speed, and more pronounce during slow traffic (10-30 mph). It a somewhat jerky feeling when it up/down shift during slow traffic. But silky smooth shifting during spirited driving. Was not expecting this for new vehicle with such low mile, and from a highly praise 6-speed transmission. Have anyone done a ECU reset to see if it may solves the issue?

 

HI all, I first noticed this on my test drive. I thought I was stuck in low - but wasn't. I actually see it as a feature, not a bug. Yes, it downshifts a bit aggressively, but so do I. It uses a little engine braking to help slow the car down and be in the correct gear if the light changes and I want to accelerate again. I had a Toyota before this car and it would come to a stop in 2nd or third at a light, then try to downshift while I was sitting there at the light (from the day I drove it home). I much prefer the way the Honda handles downshifts, especially when in the hills on forest roads. In general, I have always found the Honda transmissions to be a little busier than some other makes. I think they try to do a lot with less - less weight and less torque at least.

Just my thoughts.

(I'll comment elsewhere on what I do consider some unpleasant transmission quirks. Aggressive downshifting is just not one of them)

 

Does the downshift issue at 30mph go away over time, or do you just get used to it? I have a 3 week old Pilot EXL with sensing with 500 miles and have noticed this. I also notice it sits at 1k rpms around 30mph when not pressing the gas, which is lower than previous cars which seemed to be at/about 2k.

 

I just got a 2017 Touring and this issue has been most noticeable for me at lower speeds. It's really annoying. Has the situation improved for others?

 

I have noticed all the Honda's I have had in the past decade or two will downshift a little more aggressively than other brands, but I would not call it annoying. In particular, I notice that if you are not touching the brakes, then it will not downshift early. If you are touching the brakes, then it will downshift earlier (which assists with some engine braking). It is also "ready to go" if the light turns green...you will not have to wait for a downshift when you press the accelerator like with other brands. I kind of agree with post#22 above.

However, others (like post #20) described it like "It's definitely a downshift but it feels like someone stabbed the brake and tosses everyone forward." I would not describe it that way. That sounds much worse than anything I have felt from my Pilot or other Hondas.

I would say the 6 speed tranny in my 2017 Pilot shifts very smoothly, but it does apply some engine braking.

 

I stand by my comment. I get sideways glances from my wife because normally I drive very smoothly. I do track days in cars and bikes occasionally so I practice being smooth at all times. Anything abrupt puts her on alert that something is wrong and this does it every time. I curse it all the time and it's they only driving quirk the car has in my opinion. It has not let up or improved since I have the car.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

Nothing odd in downshifting on mine with less than 500 miles. I looked for it after reading this thread.

The only uneveneness I have had is one time when cars started up from a light in front of me, just got going and then slowed/stopped. That seemed to confuse the transmission.

 

We just picked up an EX-L AWD, and both of us noticed it feels like there's some "drag." Haven't driven it in a couple days (wife's vehicle), but I don't recall it bucking or grabbing. Just the sensation that it's not coasting freely when you let off the gas. unlike our other two vehicles. That's in ECO mode too.