NHTSA Complaint #10381232 — 2003 HONDA PILOT

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY IN 2003 HONDA PILOT, GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 - 65 MPH, THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHOOK AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED. MINUTES LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN SO WE EXITED THE FREEWAY AND CONTINUED SLOWLY. ONCE HOME, THERE WAS A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE AND IT ACTUALLY ROLLED FORWARD FOR A FEW FEET. WE COULD HEAR IT SLIP INTO GEAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS WITH A METALLIC PING OR THUD. THE NEXT DAY, WE NOTICED THE GEARS SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING AROUND 40 MPH. TOOK THE CAR TO RENTON HONDA AND THEY SURMISED IT COULD BE BAD GASOLINE. AFTER PAYING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THEY DETERMINED A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $3500 (WITH A GOODWILL DISCOUNT). THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, HAS NEVER TOWED ANYTHING, AND HAS HAD EVERY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS WHY THEY OFFERED THE DISCOUNT. THE CAR HAS 117,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN PAMPERED. THIS HONDA ISN'T LIVING UP TO THE HYPE! *TR