[sixty3]

Haven’t posted in a long while…..
My wife’s 2017 Elite is dead at the dealer, transmission needs to be replaced according to dealer, quote of 9 grand.
We’ve had this vehicle from new and it has 106k miles, never towed anything and mostly carried one small woman around. Pretty bummed.

 

[Alijoon]

Haven’t posted in a long while…..
My wife’s 2017 Elite is dead at the dealer, transmission needs to be replaced according to dealer, quote of 9 grand.
We’ve had this vehicle from new and it has 106k miles, never towed anything and mostly carried one small woman around. Pretty bummed.

Seeing posts like this convince me more and more to buy Honda care and dump the vehicle after it expires in 5 years.

 

[sixty3]

Seeing posts like this convince me more and more to buy Honda care and dump the vehicle after it expires in 5 years.

I don’t know, we aren’t in the habit of always having a new car because we don’t like to always be paying for a car. Her first pilot was rock solid for 190k miles and 8 years, this one was super solid until the day the transmission decided to no longer do the transmission things. I can’t put 9 grand into a car that worth 22 grand, the math doesn’t work out.

side note, in November I purchased a new civic Si to deliver medical stuffs, that car has 65k miles in 6 months, but I bought the Si because I wanted a manual transmission because of the perceived “strength”.

 

[Nail Grease]

Haven’t posted in a long while…..
My wife’s 2017 Elite is dead at the dealer, transmission needs to be replaced according to dealer, quote of 9 grand.
We’ve had this vehicle from new and it has 106k miles, never towed anything and mostly carried one small woman around. Pretty bummed.

Seeing posts like this convince me more and more to buy Honda care and dump the vehicle after it expires in 5 years.

It tells me that if I owned a 9-speed, I still need to disable the VCM, add a transmission cooler regardless if I tow and drain and fill the ATF more often than every 60k.

 

[Nail Grease]

My wife’s 2017 Elite is dead at the dealer, transmission needs to be replaced according to dealer, quote of 9 grand.

There are used 9-speed transmissions out there with less than 100k miles on them. Some come with a warranty. Id think you could get it done for way less than 9.

 

[sixty3]

There are used 9-speed transmissions out there with less than 100k miles on them. Some come with a warranty. Id think you could get it done for way less than 9.

Yeah, I’ve got calls into several places. 100k unknown tranny doesn’t give me a great feeling when my known unit only lasted 106k.

 

[2022PilotTouring]

It tells me that if I owned a 9-speed, I still need to disable the VCM, add a transmission cooler regardless if I tow and drain and fill the ATF more often than every 60k.

Nail Grease, always appreciate your insight and help on this forum. Like Alijoon wrote , I'm not sure if I'll keep my 2022 Pilot. At the end of 3 years, I would've have dumped $20K into the lease + timing belt/water pump + Honda care around $1200 + cost for stuff that breaks because Honda cheaped out regardless of mileage, just age deterioration accelerated by the elements if I bought out the lease at the end. Debating the cost of dumping this at the end and getting a GX460 that I know, while YOU/ME may not get a "perfect" one, but I think we can say they are not built to just last 105K and then you're $ucked with major repair costs, that taking the loss on not buying out the lease and buying the Lexus is a better bet long term. Yes, you may still have issues but at least it's not a lottery/outlier thing to get one that last. I was so used to buying Hondas of the past, that these new one are not the same, they are commodity machines that unless you know how to really maintain them, and even if you did, you just can't repair a ZF9, that I prefer Lexus where they are geared to be built to last (minus the frame, where if you live in the rust belt, you do need undercoating.) Honda had decades to get a transmission right or at least to Toyota quality, but what did they do instead for years, they outsourced hence confirming my belief they are just commidity machines built to last around 105K. I know you have a 311K crosstour, but your an outlier because you know what you're doing and on top of it, but for the average person, they won't reach it without significant issues. However, If you were my neighbor, I'd keep it though Also, with my wife having a RX350, I love the dealership experience when going there. Honda is honestly like a ghetto, can't stand going there, Acura is not any better.

 

[Nail Grease]

Yeah, I’ve got calls into several places. 100k unknown tranny doesn’t give me a great feeling when my known unit only lasted 106k.

Yeah, I don’t like “unknown.” I’d hope I could find service records on a low mileage and somehow find out if it had a factory cooler installed, maybe even acquiring the factory cooler with it.

 

[Nail Grease]

Nail Grease, always appreciate your insight and help on this forum. Like Alijoon wrote , I'm not sure if I'll keep my 2022 Pilot. At the end of 3 years, I would've have dumped $20K into the lease + timing belt/water pump + Honda care around $1200 + cost for stuff that breaks because Honda cheaped out regardless of mileage, just age deterioration accelerated by the elements if I bought out the lease at the end. Debating the cost of dumping this at the end and getting a GX460 that I know, while YOU/ME may not get a "perfect" one, but I think we can say they are not built to just last 105K and then you're $ucked with major repair costs, that taking the loss on not buying out the lease and buying the Lexus is a better bet long term. Yes, you may still have issues but at least it's not a lottery/outlier thing to get one that last. I was so used to buying Hondas of the past, that these new one are not the same, they are commodity machines that unless you know how to really maintain them, and even if you did, you just can't repair a ZF9, that I prefer Lexus where they are geared to be built to last (minus the frame, where if you live in the rust belt, you do need undercoating.) Honda had decades to get a transmission right or at least to Toyota quality, but what did they do instead for years, they outsourced hence confirming my belief they are just commidity machines built to last around 105K. I know you have a 311K crosstour, but your an outlier because you know what you're doing and on top of it, but for the average person, they won't reach it without significant issues. However, If you were my neighbor, I'd keep it though Also, with my wife having a RX350, I love the dealership experience when going there. Honda is honestly like a ghetto, can't stand going there, Acura is not any better.

I forget this sometimes, and there is no doubt that there are many who avoid purchasing Honda vehicles equipped with the V6 because of the future TB replacement cost. I do believe most transmission issues can be overcome by disabling the VCM, more frequent ATF drain and fills, adding a cooler. If shifting issues should ever become noticeable, make the switch to Valvoline MaxLife ATF.

 

[ls973800]

Seeing posts like this convince me more and more to buy Honda care and dump the vehicle after it expires in 5 years.

Why would you dump it in 5 years? If you are buying Honda Care you can get up to 120000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. For the initial cost of around $1300.00 with $0 deductible from one of the online sellers or your dealer if they match the price, that's pretty darn good insurance if you don't feel like (or can't afford) to replace a vehicle every 5 years. I paid around $1300.00 for my 2019 and don't believe the price has gone up too much since then. That's a lot less expensive than turning a car in at 5 years instead of 8 years.

 

[Alijoon]

Why would you dump it in 5 years? If you are buying Honda Care you can get up to 120000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. For the initial cost of around $1300.00 with $0 deductible from one of the online sellers or your dealer if they match the price, that's pretty darn good insurance if you don't feel like (or can't afford) to replace a vehicle every 5 years. I paid around $1300.00 for my 2019 and don't believe the price has gone up too much since then. That's a lot less expensive than turning a car in at 5 years instead of 8 years.

Mine is 2021 which was delivered to its first owner in Dec2020. You do the math...

 

[Daltongang]

I find it a little hard to blame a vehicle / manufacturer for a problem when one buys a used vehicle, unless you know of course the person that you bought it from, their maintenance records as well as driving habits. Even when buying used from a Dealer.

BMW learned their lesson the hard way a few years ago. They were dealing with engine replacements right and left on lease vehicles they then sold as certified used. BMW's were and are expensive to maintain and it seemed that the leases just didn't bother with any maintenance during the course of the lease. 2 or 3 years and not even an oil change when it was turned back in. Now you lease a BMW and basic service is included in the cost of the lease.

 

[Alijoon]

I find it a little hard to blame a vehicle / manufacturer for a problem when one buys a used vehicle, unless you know of course the person that you bought it from, their maintenance records as well as driving habits. Even when buying used from a Dealer.

BMW learned their lesson the hard way a few years ago. They were dealing with engine replacements right and left on lease vehicles they then sold as certified used. BMW's were and are expensive to maintain and it seemed that the leases just didn't bother with any maintenance during the course of the lease. 2 or 3 years and not even an oil change when it was turned back in. Now you lease a BMW and basic service is included in the cost of the lease.

That is correct but I see a different trend with Honda . When I traded in my 2006 for a 2021(used) I saw misaligned gaps and thought the vehicle must have been in an accident. But when I looked at the brand new ones saw the same thing going on there too. Not just pilot Accord, Odyssey, ...
This is a sign of declining quality management.

 

[sixty3]

That is correct but I see a different trend with Honda . When I traded in my 2006 for a 2021(used) I saw misaligned gaps and thought the vehicle must have been in an accident. But when I looked at the brand new ones saw the same thing going on there too. Not just pilot Accord, Odyssey, ...
This is a sign of declining quality management.

Why did you buy it then knowing the trend you noticed?

 

[ls973800]

Mine is 2021 which was delivered to its first owner in Dec2020. You do the math...

So you didn't purchase the Honda Care since you didn't buy the car new? Nor did you even state what year the car was so it was a natural conclusion you had a new model which was eligible for the 8 years of coverage. Can only do the math when all of the figures are presented!

 

[Alijoon]

Why did you buy it then knowing the trend you noticed?

Wife didn't want Highlander , the rest of competition are not any better imo so Pilot was the only logical choice. Don't get me wrong, we love our new Pilot but it doesn't feel as well built as our 2006 .

 

[2022PilotTouring]

I forget this sometimes, and there is no doubt that there are many who avoid purchasing Honda vehicles equipped with the V6 because of the future TB replacement cost. I do believe most transmission issues can be overcome by disabling the VCM, more frequent ATF drain and fills, adding a cooler. If shifting issues should ever become noticeable, make the switch to Valvoline MaxLife ATF.

My only issue with the ATF cooler is the cost and the fact that when I called HFS about if I can apply an undercoat (fluid flim from a very reputable mechanic shop) they said no, it has to be returned in the same way it was bought, including removing the ATF cooler / add-ons. So if I decide to take a the loss on this car and return it and get the GX460 in 2.7 years, it wouldn't be worth it. But I definitely agree with you on that if I was 100% going to keep this Pilot, I'd do it tmrw, but I did read somewhere, that with the ZF9 OEM cooler, at certain speeds, it makes a bad sound and that person took them to court and the case was ruled in favor of Honda being it was designed that way even though the judge heard it / agreed it was bad, but that was it's design flaw, not a fault in manufacturing. So, to cure a potential issue down the road, you'd potentially have to deal with that now for the life of it that you have it. I did buy and install the SVCM between 200-500 miles if I remember. In addition, other than the Passport still using the ZF9 until it switches to the AT10, in 6-8-10 years from now, you'd be SOL finding a good refurb one.

 

[TexAg91]

My only issue with the ATF cooler is the cost and the fact that when I called HFS about if I can apply an undercoat (fluid flim from a very reputable mechanic shop) they said no, it has to be returned in the same way it was bought, including removing the ATF cooler / add-ons. So if I decide to take a the loss on this car and return it and get the GX460 in 2.7 years, it wouldn't be worth it. But I definitely agree with you on that if I was 100% going to keep this Pilot, I'd do it tmrw, but I did read somewhere, that with the ZF9 OEM cooler, at certain speeds, it makes a bad sound and that person took them to court and the case was ruled in favor of Honda being it was designed that way even though the judge heard it / agreed it was bad, but that was it's design flaw, not a fault in manufacturing. So, to cure a potential issue down the road, you'd potentially have to deal with that now for the life of it that you have it. I did buy and install the SVCM between 200-500 miles if I remember. In addition, other than the Passport still using the ZF9 until it switches to the AT10, in 6-8-10 years from now, you'd be SOL finding a good refurb one.

So your leasing your Pilot and don't intend to buy? Why would you even want to mod it? You're going to get rid of it long before you see any long term MX issues -- will still be under the powertrain warrantly.

 

[2022PilotTouring]

So your leasing your Pilot and don't intend to buy? Why would you even want to mod it? You'll going to get rid of it long before you see any long term MX issues -- will still be under the powertrain warrantly?

My intention was that if I liked it, I'd buy it at the end of lease including getting HondaCare for around $1200 and keep for 10 years. During the lease, take care of it rather than abuse it as an expensive rental in case if I kept it, doing things like adding in the SVCM and an undercoat. I admit, I made a mistake. I was against Lexus solely for cosmetics, I hate the front end grille so never really gave them a thought. After getting the Pilot and really digging into researching the issues with the 3rd gen Pilot and with the GX460, I realized I made a mistake, I'd rather pay more for the GX460, regardless of potential issues with it, knowing it's built better. Unfortunately, I was apparently sleep walking making this purchase, never again, luckily it's just a lease, not a marriage. Also, still can't get past the fugly looks of my Pilot, looked a bit better Honda's website, but in person, looks like a roll of wet toilet paper, Pillar D looks awful, like some kind of weird fat ass, with some ugly looking fangs in the front and crab hands in the rear, a real mess. Yes, needed a car and car's were flying off dealerships when I got it, sight unseen, even the dealership had none on the floor. My past experience with the Pilot that was really good was the 2013, so I based it off of that, which I shouldn't have.

 

[Alijoon]

My intention was that if I liked it, I'd buy it at the end of lease including getting HondaCare for around $1200 and keep for 10 years. During the lease, take care of it rather than abuse it as an expensive rental in case if I kept it, doing things like adding in the SVCM and an undercoat. I admit, I made a mistake. I was against Lexus solely for cosmetics, I hate the front end grille so never really gave them a thought. After getting the Pilot and really digging into researching the issues with the 3rd gen Pilot and with the GX460, I realized I made a mistake, I'd rather pay more for the GX460, regardless of potential issues with it, knowing it's built better. Unfortunately, I was apparently sleep walking making this purchase, never again, luckily it's just a lease, not a marriage. Also, still can't get past the fugly looks of my Pilot, looked a bit better Honda's website, but in person, looks like a roll of wet toilet paper, Pillar D looks awful, like some kind of weird fat ass, with some ugly looking fangs in the front and crab hands in the rear, a real mess. Yes, needed a car and car's were flying off dealerships when I got it, sight unseen, even the dealership had none on the floor. My past experience with the Pilot that was really good was the 2013, so I based it off of that, which I shouldn't have.

I test drove a GX460 before buying the Pilot. It is not very spacious. 3rd row is not usable and it's a gas hug. No doubt thats a better built car but it is not intended to be family utility vehicle like Pilot. If you don't need the space go for it otherwise Grand Highlander might be a better option.