[21EXL]

Is the vcm vital to the operation of the vehicle. I’m concerened that if I disable it what other problems will arise.

No, it's not vital and a disabler won't harm anything.

 

[BuckHokie]

I feel your frustration. I got a brand new EXL 2019 in 2019. We started having the transmission slipping around 30,000 miles. We’ve done the three time train and fill but it continues to do this sporadically, now have 52,000 miles on it. Every time we take it into the dealer they say they can’t replicate it, and in their defense it is never doing it when I take it there. It doesn’t do it all the time but when it does, it’s a very violent shutter we have not had the transmission system problem light come on, but I feel like it’s only a short time away. I am not confident this vehicle will be reliable in the future. I’m also free to drive any distance, including kids, soccer games in tournaments, far away, or on vacation, Everyone says to install the VCM disabler., three times drain and fill when you change the oil, and even a transmission cooler. But my question is why should we have to do all this stuff when you’ve got a brand new car it makes no sense whatsoever that you have to manipulate a new vehicle. What that does not say for the brand. trying to decide what to do. This car was supposed to last us a good 10+ hassle free years as I have since retired since purchasing this. Very disappointed in Honda.

Our 2017 Honda Pilot Touring edition that we bought new showed a check engine light, then transmission warning, last week while we were 3 hours into a 6 hour trip. We made it into Columbia, SC Honda and they diagnosed as transmission “dead.” We had our dealer in Durham, NC check the issues we previously reported, during the first year of ownership and after, but they always said they could not replicate.
We have since learned about countless problems with the 2017-19 Honda Pilot transmission, same as ours.
We have owned 8 Hondas but this one should be our last. The company no longer backs their products and we cannot afford this mess.
A dealer in Conyers, GA now has our Pilot and will get whatever they can at auction. It was a $45,000 new car… and Is now junk. Died at 160,000 highway miles with all major services done, early.

 

[STMech]

Our 2017 Honda Pilot Touring edition that we bought new showed a check engine light, then transmission warning, last week while we were 3 hours into a 6 hour trip. We made it into Columbia, SC Honda and they diagnosed as transmission “dead.” We had our dealer in Durham, NC check the issues we previously reported, during the first year of ownership and after, but they always said they could not replicate.
We have since learned about countless problems with the 2017-19 Honda Pilot transmission, same as ours.
We have owned 8 Hondas but this one should be our last. The company no longer backs their products and we cannot afford this mess.
A dealer in Conyers, GA now has our Pilot and will get whatever they can at auction. It was a $45,000 new car… and Is now junk. Died at 160,000 highway miles with all major services done, early.

Check on the Honda service bulletin 23-078. If your transmission has stored the P0741 trouble code, you may be covered by the extended warranty noted in this bulletin. The dealership can pull the transmission trouble codes. If your torque converter has failed, this code may be in the transmission computer memory. Extended warranty is good for 8 years or 150,000 miles after purchase.

 

[STMech]

Check on the Honda service bulletin 23-078. If your transmission has stored the P0741 trouble code, you may be covered by the extended warranty noted in this bulletin. The dealership can pull the transmission trouble codes. If your torque converter has failed, this code may be in the transmission computer memory. Extended warranty is good for 8 years or 150,000 miles after purchase.

You say that your Pilot is at 160k miles. Yes, you are outside the Honda window. I would encourage you to press for a good will partial credit from Honda. If you can get them to replace the TC and/or transmission for a good discount, I would say go for it. Good luck!

 

[D1NOnly10]

Log date - Dec 15th: I recently went through this ordeal. Dealer completed the 3x flush. Issue returned within two month. Dealer replaced torque converter. Issue returned within a few month. Dealer replaced fuel injectors and delivery system. Issue returned 2 months later.
At this point the 200km warranty was over by 2K. The dealer worked with Honda Canada and a new transmission was ordered and installed.
So far, I have received $18 worth of warranty repairs. Happy I purchased the extended warranty.
Pick up the vehicle on Monday morning. Drove it for a week and today traded it in for an 2025 Pilot with the reliable 10 speed transmissioon.
I have lost any faith I had left in the 6-speed transmission. I hope the next iteration of the Pilot has less issues.

 

[STMech]

I certainly hope that you are right. You have the new V6 engine with DOHC and hydraulic lifters. All the best to you!

 

[Mom car]

My honda pilot is at 124,000 miles. I’ve had the emissions light come on at 65k miles. Code was stuck valve. Light went away. Recently, I’ve had erratic jerking in town and transmission light flashed on and emissions light. Turned it off/on and car was fine. Light stayed on for a couple days. It comes and goes every couple weeks. Took to honda and could not duplicate. Light came on and luckily did not turn off before I took in. Honda replaced torque converter. Did not fix. Still lags at 22pmh. Took it back. Can’t duplicate. Codes back on. They replaced wire harness to transmission. It’s still slipping at 22mph. When my gas is low..I get erratic jerking. Turn car on/off. It resets.It seems most smooth when gas tank is full. Waiting for light to come back on to take it in again.

 

[FirstNewCar]

Update:
Honda has agreed to cover most of the cost to replace the transmission. The cost to me is $538.76.

I know this post is old, but how did you get them to cover so much? They will only cover a lame 30% for me, and I’m within warranty of 100k. Albeit 97k. But still under.

 

[AVC]

Did they check your low pressure fuel pump? There is a service campaign on those, and this is one of symptoms of failing, even before it throws a P0087 code.

 

[sbulmaro]

Update:
Honda has agreed to cover most of the cost to replace the transmission. The cost to me is $538.76.

Why did they cover it, I have my PILOT 2018 in the shop for 3 months, 2 transmissions mounted, 1 more to go and I am not sure if I am going to continue to have this issue over and over again.

 

[21EXL]

I have my PILOT 2018 in the shop for 3 months, 2 transmissions mounted, 1 more to go

???

 

[sbulmaro]

???

Did they ever figure what your Pilots issue was?

 

[David_jr]

I have a 2019 Touring with the 9 speed trans. We live in the mountains in the northwestern corner of Massachusetts. We're at 112K miles and have had all scheduled service done at the Honda dealer. We had the spark plugs replaced and the timing belt and valve adjustments service at 105K. A month ago we pulled out of the driveway and within a minute we had the dash lit up like a Christmas tree with all kinds of warnings going off and vehicle went into limp mode. Drove it home at about 9 mph and took to Honda Dealer next morning. Lights were still on, but no limp mode got it there no problem. They diagnosed as battery fan motor $500 and problem went away. They also did the water pump recall while it was there. A few weeks later we left on a trip to my wife's family in Michigan about 700 miles. About 100 miles into the trip, on I-88 near Cooperstown, NY, while on cruise at around 70, ascending a mountain (guessing 1600 feet or so, enough for a climbing lane) all of a sudden seemed to lose power and we slowed to a stop in the breakdown lane and the "Transmission System Problem" warning came on the screen. Wasn't sure what to do, kind of in the middle of nowhere decided to turn the car off for a few minutes and then turned it back on and the car seemed to drive normally. Finished the trip to Michigan with no problems although I did not use cruise the rest of the way. I drove the car around there for the week we were there with no problems and then drove back 700 miles to home all with no problem. Have not had the issue recur since. Been looking on Piloteers and see many problems with transmissions (mostly 6 speeds) and expensive repairs. I have the tow package and the transmission cooler (dealer) installed. From all I am reading I am thinking I should have the 3X transmission fluid change and install the S-VCM and hopefully it will be good to go or is that only for the 6 speeds?. Just made the last payment on it seems that is usually when the big problems occur with vehicles.