NHTSA Complaint #10568931 — 2013 HONDA PILOT

WHILE DRIVING IN FLORIDA AND LOUISIANA, I NOTICED A LOW-FREQUENCY BUZZING SOUND AND VIBRATION WHICH COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORPAN. I BELIEVE IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT (VCM) FEATURE. IT COULD BE FELT WHEN THE VCM TRANSITIONED FROM 6 TO 4 CYLINDER MODE, WITH THE RPM OF 1700-1900 AND SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 25, 45 AND 60 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WITH VERY LIGHT ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, JUST MAINTAINING SPEED, AND DISAPPEAR WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSURE WAS INCREASED, CAUSING IT TO DOWNSHIFT AND/OR THE VCM TO TRANSITION BACK TO 6 CYLINDER MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS LESS EVIDENT HERE IN COLORADO SPRINGS (6000 FT ELEVATION), WHICH I CANNOT EXPLAIN. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2008 PILOT NOR A 2008 ODYSSEY, BOTH OF WHICH HAD A SIMILAR VCM FEATURE. MY LOCAL HONDA TECH COULD "NOT DUPLICATE" MY CONCERN AND SAID IT WAS "OPERATING NORMALLY". THE TRANSMISSION ALSO "HUNTS" BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. *TR