2020 Honda Pilot Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 7%of 493 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,994miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Honda Pilot, 7% of the 493 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,994 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission grinding gears sound at about 45-52mph when easing off the gas and a shift occurs. Car tends to lurch when this happens. Happens just about anywhere you can cruise around 45-50mph. Dealer attempted fix with Honda USA, but they only reversed a transmission bracket and replaced transmission fluid. Now it is muffled, but exactly the same otherwise. There is also a notable metallic thunk/slam sound around 20-30mph when easing off the gas and a shift occurs (very harsh and abnormal sound for a car, despite dealer stating this is normal for this vehicle) . …”
NHTSA complaint #11404207, filed 2021-03, 5,000 miles“There is a grinding/vibration or rumble strip sound around 44mph. This happens during cruising and not necessarily accelerating or decelerating. I took it to the Honda dealer and a special Honda tech came out and reported that this happens when the 5,000lbs towing package is installed which contains a transmission cooler and the cooler is where the sound is coming from. There is no fix. Cars, especially new cars, should not grind, and there is no fix from Honda and this issue effects all Honda makes and models with the 9 speed transmission since 2016 (so the dealer said).”
NHTSA complaint #11407911, filed 2021-04, 7,000 miles“Last time I changed my oil I had bronze colored flakes of metal in my oil. It looked like parts of the main connecting rod bearing material. No running problems YET, but will likely fail soon. I've kept up on oil changes every 5-7K. 89K on vehicle. Please do something about a full recall on this issue and include this report into the affected VINs.”
NHTSA complaint #11685430, filed 2025-09“2020 Honda Pilot has acceleration issues also. I forgot to list it in my last post. loss of power is evident. shaking, cruise control won't stay engaged. has trouble climbing incline roads. gas mileage is crap now. the 2020 Pilots should absolutely be included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11652774, filed 2025-04“The auto start/stop feature of the 2020 Honda pilot is defaulted to on. At three times in the last two weeks, at a stop light, the vehicle lost all power, directed me to put the car in Park and restart the vehicle. I had to press the start/stop button several times to get the vehicle to start again.”
NHTSA complaint #11493356, filed 2022-11Related service bulletins
- 10242219Sep 7, 2023Service Bulletin - The vehicle's transmission temperature can become too hot due to automatic transmission fluid deterioration causing high foaming and low viscosity. During…
- 10202256Oct 9, 2021Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
- 10181389Oct 16, 2020Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
- 10179308Aug 24, 2020Service Bulletin - The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration.
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 2020 Honda Pilot
214 complaintsEngine
101 complaintsOther or unknown
95 complaintsForward collision avoidance
90 complaintsFuel system
54 complaintsLane departure
44 complaintsBrakes
26 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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