NHTSA Complaint #10680336 — 2005 HONDA PILOT

ON OUR WAY HOME TO NJ FROM A FAMILY TRIP TO CANADA WE STOPPED FOR A BATHROOM BREAK IN THE "MIDDLE OF NOWHERE" MAINE. THE CAR HESITATED TO GO WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD, THE "TEMP" LIGHT WENT ON, THEN I PULLED OVER. I CHECKED THE FLUIDS....THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS MILKY RED. WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE CELL PHONE SERVICE TO CALL FOR A TOW. I HAD MY FAMILY, WIFE AND TWO YOUNGER KIDS IN THE CAR. WE WAITED FOR OVER 30 MINUTES FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE, HE HAD TO CALL FOR TRANSPORT FOR MY FAMILY. WE MANAGED TO FIND A SERVICE CENTER THAT WAS WILLING STAY OPEN TO FIX OUR CAR. THE CAR NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED ($800), A VALVE BROKE SENDING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WE LEARNED THAT OTHER 2005 PILOTS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF WHICH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON THE 2004 PILOTS, HONDA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING! (AS A SIDE NOTE, I HAD SOME SEAT LEATHER REPLACED AND THE COLOR MATCH WAS THAT OF A 2004 PILOT). SINCE THE DAY OF THE REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY ROUGH/BUCKING WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. TO DATE, BESIDES ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGES AND SMALL PARTS, I HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, STARTER, WATER PUMP, AND THE RADIATOR. TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED WOULD BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. THIS WAS OUR FAMILY TRAVEL CAR AND I NOW WILL ONLY TAKE THE CAR AROUND TOWN FOR FEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO. I WAS NOT IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR BUT DUE TO THIS SITUATION I NEED TO GET RID OF THIS CAR! *TR