Has anyone else encountered a noticeable vibration that starts when you reach 70mph on the freeway in your Pilot? The automobile is smooth up until that magical point, then emits a steady and palpable vibration that emanates from the steering wheel. I took the car to the dealer, where they balanced the tires, however, this didn't correct the problem. I then drove another brand-new Pilot the dealer had on the lot, and lo and behold, it did the same exact thing. I noticed that both vehicles had the same set of "Goodyear Integrity" 16" tires. The mechanic who balanced the tires also confirmed that he felt the same vibration at the same speed, in both vehicles, but that he couldn't recommend or theorize on how to correct the problem. I have a phone call into Honda, and they're deliberating on a fix. Any others who are experiencing the same thing, please post, and if you've been able to fix it by putting on a new set of tires, or any other solution, please let me know. Thank you all.
Sustained vibration at 70mph
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No Problem Here...
I just returned from a short road trip and everything was smooth up to 80+ with standard tires.
I just returned from a short road trip and everything was smooth up to 80+ with standard tires.
I noticed a similar vibration at about the same speed. At first I thought I'd thrown the tires out of balance by the installation of the Honda OEM locking lug nuts (1 on each wheel). However the vibration remained after removing the locking lug nuts and replacing the original ones. The vibration is hardly noticeable and can only be detected on very smooth roads at about 70 mph. I hardly notice the vibration anymore, but it is there. My wife who usually drives the PILOT hasn't mentioned it and she's usually pretty picky about such things, and I can assure you she's had the PILOT up to 70 mph +. Seems to me the vibration is too high of a frequency to be wheel related. Maybe an out of balance component somewhere else in the drive train. Hope someone with a lot more knowledge about such things weighs in on the subject. I'd like to find the source before I set out on a long road trip.
Thanks, VTM. I'm starting to fear that it's a drive train component of some sort. Honda is deliberating a fix right now, and they're supposed to be in touch with me today. I'll post their response as soon as I receive it. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only Pilot owner/driver experiencing the same anomaly.
Vibration at 70mph
The reply from Honda is one of mystification and surprise. No other complaints have been registered in their customer service data-base about the vibration that occurs at 70mph. They have advised me that a "case-worker" will contact me within the next 3 to 5 "business days" to consult me on the malady, and we'll go from there. I'll report more as it happens, folks.
The reply from Honda is one of mystification and surprise. No other complaints have been registered in their customer service data-base about the vibration that occurs at 70mph. They have advised me that a "case-worker" will contact me within the next 3 to 5 "business days" to consult me on the malady, and we'll go from there. I'll report more as it happens, folks.
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I've noticed the same vibration at about 70 mph, which disappears at 80, but it's not consistent. First noticed it almost immediately after delivery (June 4, 2002) and 4000 miles later it's still occasionally felt.
I was thinking it was the right front wheel about .25 ounces out of balance, and was waiting to see if the vibration moved with a tire rotation. Having driven so many miles commuting for so many years, I can usually narrow a vibration down to a particular tire and it's usually a quarter ounce out.
I was thinking it was the right front wheel about .25 ounces out of balance, and was waiting to see if the vibration moved with a tire rotation. Having driven so many miles commuting for so many years, I can usually narrow a vibration down to a particular tire and it's usually a quarter ounce out.
The vibration at 70mph
Thanks to all of you who have responded with the same concerns and perceptions. I would ask all of you who own a Pilot to drive on your nearest freeway, and see if you feel the same sustained vibration at 70mph, that gradually dissipates at about 76 to 80mph. Remember, the vibration is not teeth chattering in nature, but a perceptible instability that can be felt in the steering wheel. Always obey local speed laws, of course. I believe if we owners can verify that the problem is inherent to the vehicle, Honda engineers can isolate and come up with a fix. The imperative is to of course, find enough owners who can duplicate the abnormality with their vehicles. It could be said that the vibration is "minor", and that having an SUV necessitates an acclimation to a "rougher ride" than say...a "family sedan", however, this difficulty is most likely not an easily addressed tire balance issue, but something more detailed and complex, that will need thorough and exhaustive examination. And, for the price we all paid for this vehicle, I believe we're entitled to Honda's unrelenting attention and commitment to correct this mystery.
Thanks to all of you who have responded with the same concerns and perceptions. I would ask all of you who own a Pilot to drive on your nearest freeway, and see if you feel the same sustained vibration at 70mph, that gradually dissipates at about 76 to 80mph. Remember, the vibration is not teeth chattering in nature, but a perceptible instability that can be felt in the steering wheel. Always obey local speed laws, of course. I believe if we owners can verify that the problem is inherent to the vehicle, Honda engineers can isolate and come up with a fix. The imperative is to of course, find enough owners who can duplicate the abnormality with their vehicles. It could be said that the vibration is "minor", and that having an SUV necessitates an acclimation to a "rougher ride" than say...a "family sedan", however, this difficulty is most likely not an easily addressed tire balance issue, but something more detailed and complex, that will need thorough and exhaustive examination. And, for the price we all paid for this vehicle, I believe we're entitled to Honda's unrelenting attention and commitment to correct this mystery.
Based on the MDX threads that were similar, I'd suggest:
- Checking tire pressure
- Balancing. Have the dealer use the dynamic HUNTER machine if a "regular" balance doesn't work.
- Could be a VTM4/rear diff issue or even the driveshaft.
Those seemed to be the culprits on X's. There are more of you w/this problem than X owners in the past 2 years, I think.
- Checking tire pressure
- Balancing. Have the dealer use the dynamic HUNTER machine if a "regular" balance doesn't work.
- Could be a VTM4/rear diff issue or even the driveshaft.
Those seemed to be the culprits on X's. There are more of you w/this problem than X owners in the past 2 years, I think.
Tire Vibration
I have the same vibration on my Silver EX. The dealer tried balancing the tires the first day I bought it. The vibration was between 50 to 60 mph. Brought it back the following Monday for four new tires installed by the dealer. Now the vibration is between 70 and 80 mph. After investigating further the dealer has told me that they have had several other owners in with the same problem. The dealer told me to contact Honda Client Relations at 800-999-1009. I knew I wasn't the first person calling with this problem because the CSR asked several questions only an informed CSR would ask because of previous calls. Other than that Honda will get back to me in 3 to 5 business days.
Whatever you do, don't let up until the problem is fixed!!!
FYI - I had the same problem with a Toyota. Top of the line Goodyear’s would vibrate at all speeds. Found out later that the tire dealer should have never installed the Goodyear’s because they are not made for that particular car.
I suspect the same problem with the Pilot... I see Michelin Cross Terrains in my near future!!!
Dwayne
I have the same vibration on my Silver EX. The dealer tried balancing the tires the first day I bought it. The vibration was between 50 to 60 mph. Brought it back the following Monday for four new tires installed by the dealer. Now the vibration is between 70 and 80 mph. After investigating further the dealer has told me that they have had several other owners in with the same problem. The dealer told me to contact Honda Client Relations at 800-999-1009. I knew I wasn't the first person calling with this problem because the CSR asked several questions only an informed CSR would ask because of previous calls. Other than that Honda will get back to me in 3 to 5 business days.
Whatever you do, don't let up until the problem is fixed!!!
FYI - I had the same problem with a Toyota. Top of the line Goodyear’s would vibrate at all speeds. Found out later that the tire dealer should have never installed the Goodyear’s because they are not made for that particular car.
I suspect the same problem with the Pilot... I see Michelin Cross Terrains in my near future!!!
Dwayne
Dwayne,
If you continue to have vibration problem, I probably wouldn't swap the tires out just yet. If you do, you may find it more difficult to get Honda to address your situation. You'll be giving them someone else to blame and it will just complicate matters. Make them fix it while it's all OEM equipment. Just my .02
Chris
If you continue to have vibration problem, I probably wouldn't swap the tires out just yet. If you do, you may find it more difficult to get Honda to address your situation. You'll be giving them someone else to blame and it will just complicate matters. Make them fix it while it's all OEM equipment. Just my .02
Chris
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Hey guys,
Here's a guy that posted the vibration @ 70mph which eventually resulted in a broken timing belt possibly related to the waterpump recall. What's the number of your Pilots. Looks like 13603 thru 17522 are affected. Check out this story and get your Pilots checked if you are in this number range.
http://www.honda-pilot.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=964
Here's a guy that posted the vibration @ 70mph which eventually resulted in a broken timing belt possibly related to the waterpump recall. What's the number of your Pilots. Looks like 13603 thru 17522 are affected. Check out this story and get your Pilots checked if you are in this number range.
http://www.honda-pilot.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=964
Has anyone heard of a solution to the vibrating tire syndrome?
I received a call from Honda Customer Service yesterday to see if the dealer fixed my problem…. I explained to the rep that they had not and wanted new tires from American Honda. I heard nothing… silence…. Then the rep said she would get back to me next week once she relays my message to her supervisor. I expect Honda will send me to Goodyear to file it under their warranty “Highway Auto & Truck Tire Adjustment Policy”.
I also added that I have not received my notice for the water pump recall and wanted to know if she knew when Honda was going to mail them out. She said she didn’t know… so I told her to put in her notes not to mail me one since I already took care of the recall per the "informative, helpful, educational" hond-pilot.org website. It’s amazing how fast Pilot owners know more about the Honda Pilot than the manufacturer!! I proceed to “plug” the website address so maybe, American Honda would get a “clue”!!. Thank God for the website!!!
I still look for a solution to the tire vibration problem.
I received a call from Honda Customer Service yesterday to see if the dealer fixed my problem…. I explained to the rep that they had not and wanted new tires from American Honda. I heard nothing… silence…. Then the rep said she would get back to me next week once she relays my message to her supervisor. I expect Honda will send me to Goodyear to file it under their warranty “Highway Auto & Truck Tire Adjustment Policy”.
I also added that I have not received my notice for the water pump recall and wanted to know if she knew when Honda was going to mail them out. She said she didn’t know… so I told her to put in her notes not to mail me one since I already took care of the recall per the "informative, helpful, educational" hond-pilot.org website. It’s amazing how fast Pilot owners know more about the Honda Pilot than the manufacturer!! I proceed to “plug” the website address so maybe, American Honda would get a “clue”!!. Thank God for the website!!!
I still look for a solution to the tire vibration problem.
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I drove with my family from Boston to New York City over the Labor Day weekend. On the way down I hit speeds of up to 85 MPH - most of the time in the 65-75 MPH range with NO vibration.
On the way back, in 4 hours of driving in pouring rain at slower speeds, still, no vibrations and no leaks
. My Pilot held the road admirably.
And for the record, other than one other Pilot owner in my hometown, I HAVE YET TO SEE A PILOT ON THE ROAD!!! I work in a big city (Boston), traveled to a big city (NYC) and yet, no other Pilots!!!
P.S. Does driving on the Cross Bronx Expressway qualify as Off Road Driving?:12: Seems like the last time they did road work on it was before the Depression!
On the way back, in 4 hours of driving in pouring rain at slower speeds, still, no vibrations and no leaks
. My Pilot held the road admirably.And for the record, other than one other Pilot owner in my hometown, I HAVE YET TO SEE A PILOT ON THE ROAD!!! I work in a big city (Boston), traveled to a big city (NYC) and yet, no other Pilots!!!
P.S. Does driving on the Cross Bronx Expressway qualify as Off Road Driving?:12: Seems like the last time they did road work on it was before the Depression!
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