2012 Honda Pilot Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 12%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,839miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Honda Pilot, 12% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,839 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I brought my rain because of a woo king sound in 2014, 2015 hondarepaired partially under warranty compliance bushings. While still under warranty the car needed tie rods replaced/tightened I paid for this has been an ongoing problem for the past three years posing a safety issue for me and my children. I've recently emailed and called Honda they are refusing to cover this because of the mileage deapitwthis has been an ongoing problem since the car was still under warranty. The front end is still wobbly after repairs which I believe is a defect in this model.”
NHTSA complaint #11220490, filed 2019-06, 36,000 miles“Purchased 2012 Honda Pilot july 2012. Went on a trip a few days later and noticed a vibration in the steering wheel, seat and floor. As time went on I figured out it was happening when the eco mode was engaged. At approx. 45 MPH the transmission shudders badly like it doesn't know what gear to shift into. Even at lower (30-40 MPH) and higher (50-70) speeds I can feel when the eco mode kicks in and the vibration / shuddering starts. I've been to the dealership, they said they could feel the vibration but nothing was wrong. …”
NHTSA complaint #10550645, filed 2013-11, 500 miles“Problem: while trying to accelerate, there is a resistance/hesitation that is felt in the gas pedal and the engine has trouble increasing RPM's. This is an intermittent issue. Case I: while in a parking lot, trying to pick up a little speed. Gas pedal has resistance and engine won't pick up speed. I keep my foot steady on the accelerator and then Pilot picks up speed in a unexpected rush. High level of danger due to people present in the area; as there was an unexpected amount of speed. Case ii: road type: three lane road in each direction of traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #10655339, filed 2014-11, 20,000 miles“I have a 2012 Honda Pilot- I purchased used with 9k miles. I have put approximately 5k miles on the vehicle and immediately noticed an engine vibration similar to being in the wrong gear in a manual transmission. I took the car into the Honda dealership and asked them to check the transmission- as I initially thought that it was a hunting issue with the transmission- the dealer indicated that it was normal. The more I drive the vehicle, the more it appears to be related to the engine and not the transmission. The vibration is very annoying and not normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563568, filed 2014-02, 10,400 miles“Recently purchased a used 2012 Honda Pilot touring. After driving for a few days, I tuned into a considerable vibration in my seat mostly at highway cruising speeds. I believe it is the same shudder that others have reported. I have brought to the dealer on 2 occasions so far and they have balanced, rotated, and even put new wheels from another vehicle on it. I swear I continue to feel it and Honda techs including the master tech say it drives normal. It drives me insane and I continuously adjust speeds to avoid it from happening which is dangerous on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10640841, filed 2014-10, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10142438Jun 13, 2018Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10099803Dec 23, 2015"service bulletin - under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2wd and 4wd vehicles, the calibration vcm operation combined with…
- 10108659Apr 16, 2015Service bulletin - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the…
- 10108570Apr 13, 2015Dealer message - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the…
- 10115785Dec 9, 2014Service bulletin - For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the action of the lock up torque converter creates excessive vibration. Additionally for…
- 10053786Oct 8, 2013Honda: on certain vehicles, piston rings for certain cylinders rotate and align and can lead to fouling spark plug and a powertrain warranty extension has been issued. Model…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 23 | 11% |
| 2024 | 12 | 10% |
| 2023 | 10 | 7% |
| 2022 | 18 | 11% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 35 | 7% |
| 2019 | 94 | 10% |
| 2018 | 78 | 18% |
| 2017 | 122 | 13% |
| 2016 | 201 | 12% |
| 2015 | 11 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 6% |
| 2013 | 54 | 20% |
| 2012 | 20 | 12% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 12 | 9% |
| 2008 | 11 | 8% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 176 | 26% |
| 2004 | 142 | 26% |
| 2003 | 224 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Pilot
35 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology