[2022PilotTouring]

I think that entire black plastic housing is the filter assembly, at least the way I'm interpreting it. That clear pipe he pulls off is the secondary feed for the pump or whatever he described.

The large tube with the metal o-ring -- that appears to me to be the main fluid feed either to or from that filter assembly.

Thanks, on another note, so far so good with mine, but it's very young, less than 450 miles on the car so far, but once in awhile, when changing from park to reverse, it clunks into reverse gear, had that with my previous 2019 Passport too.

 

[hokiefyd]

We have nearly 14k on our 2022 model and I'm very pleased with this transaxle so far. I was hesitant on it, given all the negative early press, but I'm pretty impressed with Honda's current software on this. I usually like Honda's shift programming in general...being pretty happy also with our '05 MDX and '09 Ridgeline (which both use 5-speed Honda autos).

The only thing I wish was different about the ZF9 is the delay between shifting from P or R to D. There is some dog clutch action going on here as well. The A dog is not engaged in P and R...but it is engaged in forward gears 1-7. So the shift from P or R to D must engage the A dog, and I presume this might take some trickery because, with the car stopped, the only thing in the transaxle that's moving is the torque converter turbine (I presume the input shaft is not turning when the car's stopped). I think that's reason for the delay that can sometimes be annoying.

Otherwise...I really like this transaxle.

 

[2022PilotTouring]

We have nearly 14k on our 2022 model and I'm very pleased with this transaxle so far. I was hesitant on it, given all the negative early press, but I'm pretty impressed with Honda's current software on this. I usually like Honda's shift programming in general...being pretty happy also with our '05 MDX and '09 Ridgeline (which both use 5-speed Honda autos).

The only thing I wish was different about the ZF9 is the delay between shifting from P or R to D. There is some dog clutch action going on here as well. The A dog is not engaged in P and R...but it is engaged in forward gears 1-7. So the shift from P or R to D must engage the A dog, and I presume this might take some trickery because, with the car stopped, the only thing in the transaxle that's moving is the torque converter turbine (I presume the input shaft is not turning when the car's stopped). I think that's reason for the delay that can sometimes be annoying.

Otherwise...I really like this transaxle.

Thanks, really appreciate your detailed reply.

I put the SVCM on it last week and I'm really enjoying the Pilot esp. knowing no matter what speed I drive at, all 6 cylinders are firing all the time. I used my fluke IR laser temp gun and in 62F today, the engine was around 185F exterior (didn't take the plastic cap off, so I measured around it) and the raditor fans kicked on from time to time which I was concerned about that they'd have an issue not doing so, but they do turn on. I hope to get 10 years out of it (will buy out the lease at the end of 35 more months.) I do wish I had the exterior of the 2023 Pilot, and new dashboard layout BUT with side rest arms, really like these and got attached to them since the 2016 Pilot we had (they were thinner, large pads in the Passport 2019 and Pilot 2022,) but didn't work out as my Passport lease ended in Nov.

Anyways, the way I see it after reading this huge thread, your reply and various YT videos, after so many years of experience with ZF9 in the Pilot from Honda, it should be at the peak of reliability compared to the newer 10 speed. Thanks again for your reply!

 

[osimj]

I was researching for future transmission maintenance of my 2022 Pilot and came across this detailed breakdown of the transmission. Unfortunately, he doesn't spend much time discussing the filter, just a brief moment over the magnet section, but there does look like a metal mesh screen filter. This would probably cost a fortune at the dealer to do if you really wanted it over just the PITA drain and fill on this transmission....why did Honda elect not to use a dipstick like Chrysler did (he mentions the Chrysler version does have it, but not why Honda chose not to.)

The FCA/Stellantis (Chrysler) built ZF 9 speed for the Jeep Cherokee does NOT have a dipstick either (the person reporting this is incorrect), I can confirm this cause I owned one for 8 years , and it was a piece of junk transmission too. I just got rid of it 3 weeks ago and got a 2023 Ridgeline and this 9 speed is so much smoother too. Wish we had opted to go higher trim on my wife’s 2020 Pilot especially since the 6 speed already had to be replaced.

 

[HazMatt]

Greetings. I am a new member to this site, but have owned my 2016 Pilot Elite AWD since May 2021. I'm the 3rd owner and bought it with 93k miles (now 120k miles). Right off the bat, I had issues with it that the dealer addressed, like replacing the engine push button and injectors. After that, it seemed like the car was good to go.

Then I started noticing a whining noise in the transmission when the vehicle had been running for an extended period of time and under hard acceleration. It appears to be happening in the shift from 4th to 5th gear. It's presently at a dealership now where they were able to duplicate the problem and use "chassis ears" to determine that it's the transmission. The technician is calling for a transmission replacement, because they don't do tear downs. However, this has become a point of content for the warranty company (IWS Acquisitions), who will not authorize the replacement until Honda tears it down and single out the offending part. They are trying to get me to take it to AAMCO, who reportedly will do it. They even called the place for me without my prompting, which is highly-suspect. They admit that AAMCO is a a fleet service provider for them, so it seems pretty obvious what's going on here with the maneuver. The contract does say that they could require further testing to verify problems, but I feel like they are using this to their advantage to avoid paying Honda and just pay AAMCO a lot less for the same result: replace the transmission.

I asked the dealership why they don't do tear downs and told them how I could see where the warranty company is coming from. They said they just don't and it's their policy. So I called another Honda dealer and they said they would do a tear down (at a possible charge of $500 if warranty wont cover it), but then said only manual transmissions.

Has anyone else heard of a dealership declining transmission teardowns? I have spent several hours today and yesterday reading up on this transmission on this very forum and other sites. Although I am pretty sure I've heard the "chirp" mentioned in this thread, the issue I'm having that troubles me the most is the whining. That seems like if I don't address it now while under warranty, I'm going to be out $7k later out of pocket when it catastrophically fails.

Also, I can't find where anyone in the thread actually had a transmission torn apart and then replaced, but I may have missed those details. So it seems like the automatic response by Honda dealers at least is to replace and not teardown, probably given how complex this transmission is. Is this generally the case?

 

[osimj]

Greetings. I am a new member to this site, but have owned my 2016 Pilot Elite AWD since May 2021. I'm the 3rd owner and bought it with 93k miles (now 120k miles). Right off the bat, I had issues with it that the dealer addressed, like replacing the engine push button and injectors. After that, it seemed like the car was good to go.

Then I started noticing a whining noise in the transmission when the vehicle had been running for an extended period of time and under hard acceleration. It appears to be happening in the shift from 4th to 5th gear. It's presently at a dealership now where they were able to duplicate the problem and use "chassis ears" to determine that it's the transmission. The technician is calling for a transmission replacement, because they don't do tear downs. However, this has become a point of content for the warranty company (IWS Acquisitions), who will not authorize the replacement until Honda tears it down and single out the offending part. They are trying to get me to take it to AAMCO, who reportedly will do it. They even called the place for me without my prompting, which is highly-suspect. They admit that AAMCO is a a fleet service provider for them, so it seems pretty obvious what's going on here with the maneuver. The contract does say that they could require further testing to verify problems, but I feel like they are using this to their advantage to avoid paying Honda and just pay AAMCO a lot less for the same result: replace the transmission.

I asked the dealership why they don't do tear downs and told them how I could see where the warranty company is coming from. They said they just don't and it's their policy. So I called another Honda dealer and they said they would do a tear down (at a possible charge of $500 if warranty wont cover it), but then said only manual transmissions.

Has anyone else heard of a dealership declining transmission teardowns? I have spent several hours today and yesterday reading up on this transmission on this very forum and other sites. Although I am pretty sure I've heard the "chirp" mentioned in this thread, the issue I'm having that troubles me the most is the whining. That seems like if I don't address it now while under warranty, I'm going to be out $7k later out of pocket when it catastrophically fails.

Also, I can't find where anyone in the thread actually had a transmission torn apart and then replaced, but I may have missed those details. So it seems like the automatic response by Honda dealers at least is to replace and not teardown, probably given how complex this transmission is. Is this generally the case?

It is not just Honda dealers that dont tear down transmissions anymore and repair or examine them, it is standard procedure to replace with a complete new or certified remanufactured transmission that is rebuilt by their techs in a manufacturing facility. At least this is the case when it is still a covered warranty situation that I know of and have experienced. My wife’s 2020 Pilot EX developed a fluid leak between the transmission case halves at low mileage and age (hers was the 6 speed ) and the dealer said they would be replacing it with a certified rebuilt Honda transmission. We had no drivability issues just a leak that would have required a tear down to fix , but that is not how they handle the repair anymore. I can tell you Jeep and Chevy are the same way now too. Good luck.

edit: Jeep dealers have replaced just the faulty Transmission Valve bodies in the FCA built ZF9’s , but the valve body was a rebuild done by Jeep Techs in a sterile facility with some improvements done to them. 😎

 

[zroger73]

It is not just Honda dealers that dont tear down transmissions anymore and repair or examine them, it is standard procedure to replace with a complete new or certified remanufactured transmission that is rebuilt by their techs in a manufacturing facility.

This is correct.

 

[hokiefyd]

In theory, they could open up the transmission, diagnose the problem, and replace only the part that needs replacing. However, this requires quite a bit of skill (and likely special tooling), and an absolutely clean and sterile environment...none of which usually exist in a dealership's service bay.

(I don't say that as a knock against service departments -- there's just no value proposition for them to invest the time and resources into building such a knowledge base and skillset for something that's needed relatively infrequently.)

From a warranty perspective, it's less expensive for the automaker to rebuild transmissions in a controlled environment and just exchange them as commodity items if one fails in service, which is why this pretty standard industry practice has developed.

Gone are the days when your local GM dealership is opening up that TH-350 to replace a band or clutch, for better or for worse.

 

[TexAg91]

2-Level Maintenance…is the technical term. The components are too complex and specialized to fix in a dealer back shop, so they go to a specialized repair/rebuild facility…probably owned by ZF…and are exchanged.

 

[HazMatt]

Thank you all for the input. I had it towed to AAMCO yesterday and I will see what happens from here.

 

[HazMatt]

Update: AAMCO said the noise I'm hearing in 4th gear is actually a pulley. They had it on a lift and ran it through the gears. I told them that doesn't replicate the exact conditions since it's not under load and why does it only happen in 4th gear. They also don't have chassis ears like Honda used. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I can't see how the pulley would be the problem, but I do know that when I let off the gas while the noise is occurring, that it gets quieter. I can't help but wonder if they are avoiding the transmission since it involves a higher cost of repair and they don't want to deal with warranty shenanigans.

 

[2022PilotTouring]

Update: AAMCO said the noise I'm hearing in 4th gear is actually a pulley. They had it on a lift and ran it through the gears. I told them that doesn't replicate the exact conditions since it's not under load and why does it only happen in 4th gear. They also don't have chassis ears like Honda used. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I can't see how the pulley would be the problem, but I do know that when I let off the gas while the noise is occurring, that it gets quieter. I can't help but wonder if they are avoiding the transmission since it involves a higher cost of repair and they don't want to deal with warranty shenanigans.

I hope they get this fixed for you soon, it's been awhile and they are playing games. Another reason I'm not keen on keeping my Pilot beyond the lease, been leasing for 12 years already, only 1 day downtime for the snap crackle pop issue on the head unit on the 2019 Passport that I had to deal with for 2 years until the dealership fixed it. I seriously think my next vehicle will be the GX460 that I'll buy, not lease, if they keep it with the V8.

 

[2022PilotTouring]

Update: AAMCO said the noise I'm hearing in 4th gear is actually a pulley. They had it on a lift and ran it through the gears. I told them that doesn't replicate the exact conditions since it's not under load and why does it only happen in 4th gear. They also don't have chassis ears like Honda used. Anyone have any thoughts on that? I can't see how the pulley would be the problem, but I do know that when I let off the gas while the noise is occurring, that it gets quieter. I can't help but wonder if they are avoiding the transmission since it involves a higher cost of repair and they don't want to deal with warranty shenanigans.

Any update on your transmission?

 

[Hp20dah]

My 2019 Elite drives well 99% of the time.

But the 1% where I slow to a very quick stop, then immediately release the brake and apply throttle, there’s a very slight delay as I hear the RPMs come up and the vehicle isn’t moving yet. Then it appears to engage and take off from the stop as normal.

It feels like I’m driving a manual transmission and feathering the clutch, then finally release pressure on the clutch pedal to have the vehicle go.

Normal behavior for the 9-speed transmission? Related to the dog gears I keep reading about?

 

[TexAg91]

My 2019 Elite drives well 99% of the time.

But the 1% where I slow to a very quick stop, then immediately release the brake and apply throttle, there’s a very slight delay as I hear the RPMs come up and the vehicle isn’t moving yet. Then it appears to engage and take off from the stop as normal.

It feels like I’m driving a manual transmission and feathering the clutch, then finally release pressure on the clutch pedal to have the vehicle go.

Normal behavior for the 9-speed transmission? Related to the dog gears I keep reading about?

Not from a stop. Your torque converter is slipping. They may be an issue with the valve body, or it could be a little low on transmission fluid, have you had it serviced?