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2020 Honda Pilot Transmission Problems

29 owner-reported transmission complaints from NHTSA data

29
Complaints
Jan 2026Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (29)

criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot.

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NHTSA #: 11627332
criticalPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2023

When driving on ice conditions coating to a stop, my newly perchased used vehicle jerked, transmission stuck on downshifts, so bad it started the vehicle into a slide until antilock breaks engaged while iwasnt breaking. Sometimes the transmission pushes on downshifts on dry ground while breaking. Took it to dealer and they said all normal.

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NHTSA #: 11515315
highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

The auto stop/start idle function does not re-engage after stopping the engine. This has happened at least 4 times in the last 3weeks with my vehicle. When stopped in traffic or at a light and stop sign the engine idle engages and stops running the engine, when releasing the brake pedal the engine does not turn on as it should and the car stalls.

NHTSA #: 11691145
highPOWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Sep 2025

Since I purchased the vehicle it has had a miss, lunging forward, a lag and stall. Appears to be transmission related. Also, all lights related to the CMS suddenly came on.

NHTSA #: 11690028
highPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shifted into park independently. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated.

NHTSA #: 11674106
highPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Apr 2025

1.)Transmission!! Problems such as Transmission fluid overheating, RPM's boggle up & down while on flat roads at steady speeds, cruise control wont stay activated, shaking or vibration while stopped and while driving. 2.) mine and my kids safety is at risk when we have to pull over to let the transmission cool and are on a busy interstate.

NHTSA #: 11652769
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the message "Pull Over When Safe" was then displayed and the contact's wife pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and drove to the residence.

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NHTSA #: 11634403
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jul 2023

Vehicle suddenly looses power/shuts off at highway speed without warning. Vehicle starts and runs normally after incident. This incident has happened at speeds from 5 - 50 MPH.

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NHTSA #: 11532875
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2022

While driving my 2020 Honda Pilot it jerks very hard when accelerating. It continues to do this when shifting gears. It’s also slow to accelerate and drags with the gears getting stuck until it finally jerks and shifts.

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NHTSA #: 11490438
highPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 2021

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.

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NHTSA #: 11407911
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that an ABS message was frequently displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that there was a miscommunication error with the front camera, which caused the failure.

NHTSA #: 11702933
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2025

My battery died while the vehicle was parked. I needed to physically move the vehicle but could not because the electronic button shifter would not allow me to put the transmission in Neutral. The only way to move it out of Park is a lengthy process requiring tools, engine component removals and a manual shifting of the linkage using a long wrench.

NHTSA #: 11694216
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2025

Transmission shuddering 55,000 miles and 3 months beyond warranty. Quoted a $221 diagnostic fee to “maybe tell me it needs a software update.” Dealer also said when transmission was serviced at 30k it should have been drained and filled 3 times not once as the book calls for. They are doing their damndest to hide a major problem.

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NHTSA #: 11691019
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2025

I’m reaching out regarding a persistent and hazardous issue with the Auto Stop/Start function on my vehicle. The system routinely fails when stopping at lights and stop signs, causing the engine to shut off and not restart. On several occasions, the vehicle has shut off while in motion—on highways, at intersections, and in the middle of roadways—putting me and others at serious risk.

NHTSA #: 11674773
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2025

2020 Honda Pilot has acceleration issues also. I forgot to list it in my last post. loss of power is evident.

NHTSA #: 11652774
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2025

This vehicle has shown juddering and difficulty with shifting gears, especially on an incline, although it RPMs will speed up and slow down even while traveling on a flat road at a consistent speed. The Honda dealership stated that the course of action is to drain and fill the transmission 3 times to the tune of $550+ and Honda Corporate claims this is "Routine Maintenance", which it is not.

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NHTSA #: 11635795
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2024

I am experiencing recurring issues with my vehicle that closely mirror the problems described in complaints with NHTSA IDs 11565876, 11490438, and 11489885. In July 2023, while driving through an intersection after stopping at a traffic light, I heard a loud clunking noise. Over the next 45 minutes, I noticed at least six additional clunk sounds at low speeds.

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NHTSA #: 11609314
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Jan 2024

2020 Honda Pilot had started what was called Juddering by the dealer. Transmission upon acceleration will hesitate and jump hundreds of rpms up and down. I did research and was told also by the dealer Honda had issue with a torque converter within the transmission that I was told a bulletin extended the warranty on the 2017-19 pilots with 6 speed auto transmission.

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NHTSA #: 11565876
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2023

Rear differential driveshaft seal leaking fluid on driver side

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NHTSA #: 11542308
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jul 2023

On three separate occasions, after stopping at a traffic light or in a parking lot, I was unable to move my car. The first time, the transmission dropped into neutral and I was unable to get it to any other gear . I had to turn off and restart the car multiple times to get it into gear.

NHTSA #: 11534629
mediumPOWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEATS
Filed: Jan 2023

1675 miles- rear taillight including brake light failure 10,094 miles- rear differential oil stain noted 23028 miles- front passenger seat motor and seat frame failure 23258 miles- AC compressor failure 24090- very leaky rear differential noted

NHTSA #: 11501806
mediumPOWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 2022

The vehicle is showing the same issues as found in the Honda Service Bulletin 20-029 for "9-Speed A/T Hard Upshift with Steady Acceleration", and an occasional hesitation or slip. Our Honda Pilot has a Honda 6-Speed Automatic Transmission and AWD.

NHTSA #: 11489885
mediumPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Mar 2021

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.

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NHTSA #: 11404207
mediumPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jul 2020

The infotainment went out after less than 20 miles and 1 week of owning the vehicle brand new. There is no backup camera now - which is mandatroy, and no radio or anything from the dash. This happened while driving on local street and the speedometer also goes in and out.

NHTSA #: 11338545
lowPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2026

2020 Honda pilot will sporadically turn off at highway speeds and at stop lights and will not turn back on until placed in park with foot on the brake. This is not to be confused with the start/stop feature used to save fuel. Additionally the 2020 pilot will lurch forward (like stuck in drive) while still in park.

NHTSA #: 11708440
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Oct 2025

The torque converter has a shutter and has had a shutter since the day I bought it. All they want to do is flush the transmission fluid they didn't want to change the torque converter or whatever it's causing the shutter when it was under warranty.

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NHTSA #: 11692664
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2025

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.

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NHTSA #: 11685430
lowPOWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2024

2020 Honda Pilot with 80000 miles. A car I loved and had for over a year. I was driving from Florida to Texas.

NHTSA #: 11621313
lowPOWER TRAIN
Filed: Nov 2022

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.

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NHTSA #: 11493356

Other 2020 Honda Pilot Issues