Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When slowing down to stop at a light, or pull into a parking space, the vehicle rather than braking and stopping, accelerates violently on its own, and there is no way to stop it other than putting the vehicle in park immediately, or slamming on the emergency brake. This is an intermittent problem. It happens once every few months, however last night it occurred and I did not put it in park quickly enough, and I was close to another vehicle while parking, that I slammed into the other vehicle doing extensive damage. Obviously, this is a very dangerous situation that could kill or maim myself or an occupant of another vehicle; the police officer who happened to own the other vehicle said I should not drive my vehicle until the problem is solved, which, of course, makes sense as my vehicle at present is unpredictable and dangerous. …
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving between with the RPM between 2,000 and 2,500, the vehicle bucked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a transmission triple flush was performed; however, the failure recurred within 1-2 months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was serviced several times; however, the failure reoccurred. Transmission fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that another diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB: 16-091 (Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch); however, the model year was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stop light and attempting to proceed to drive, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle to park(P) and restarted the vehicle. The failure only occurred whenever the Auto START/STOP function was activated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injector failed and needed to be replaced. The failure persisted. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who then diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the torque converter and converter clutch failed and needed to be flushed or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N) while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a fuel injector replacement. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond, rattled, jerked, and shuddered. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure mainly occurred while driving at 15 MPH and higher speeds. The contact stated that the Push to Start button was inoperable intermittently. A message advising that the Push to Start button was defective was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission fluid flush was performed on several occasions as recommended by the dealer; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds and attempting to come to a stop, the vehicle revved up and independently accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal with excessive force and the vehicle moved forward a little before coming to a stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by the dealer however, the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle jerked significantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred on the second attempt to reverse. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence, where the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, but the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,877.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while making a stop at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the contact was unsure which fuse the dealer stated needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue to drive to her destination. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while shifting into first gear. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the failure might be related to Technical Service Bulletin: 17-015. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Transmission complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 122 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Honda Pilot, 13% of the model year's 935 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Honda Pilot transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 Honda Pilot, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2017 Honda Pilot transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.