2003 - 2004 Pilot Recall -- 4/15/2004

[Lefty Lucy]

600,000 Hondas recalled over transmission problems


April 15, 2004


Detroit (AP) -- American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 600,000 minivans and sport-utility vehicles in the United States and Canada.

Honda said Wednesday it has received no reports of deaths or injuries because of the defect. Involved are 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey minivans, 2003-2004 Honda Pilot SUVs and 2001-2002 Acura MDX SUVs.

Honda said insufficient lubrication can lead to heat build-up and broken gears in the transmission.

[redn22]

So... The first major recall for our beloved Honda Pilots...

I hope they do the same as I've heard about the Acura TL's and extend our Tranny warranty to 7 years... I'm down with that...

Anyways, I was wondering if there's a "batch" of Pilots affected and if so what are the VIN ranges that are affected... Anyone know?

Also, has anyone received any letters from Honda to get the recall done on your Pilots?

[ehldc]

I brought my Pilot in this morning and they "reset" the SRS sensor (which was on when I was driving and the original problem for which I made and appointment). I am assuming that there is nothing wrong with the supplemental restraint system, but that the sensor was acting up.
I asked about the recall and they checked it on their computers and said that my Pilot was affected and they put in the "jet oil pump" today as well. I didn't have a recall letter or anything, but they checked it and rectified it today. I was pleased with the staff and service and that they did the recall work today even without the letter. I won't have to wait and worry about it now. My Pilot only has 2400 Km on it.
I am heading down to the U.S. this weekend and will look to pick up a few accessories (rear cargo tray) and in addition, some car products that I can't find in Canada. Any recommendations for auto supply/dept stores/ etc. would be helpful ! Thanks in advance U.S. Pilot owners !!!

[redn22]

That's great news ehldc! It's always good when companies goes out of their way...

I might just call my dealership and inquire about getting the fix done before I even get the paperwork...

[Anonymous]

Ummm...
The SRS light is on AGAIN !!! I guess this is good way to get to know my local Honda service dept. They have to replace a part on one of my vent tabs anyway.
Let you know what happens.
ehldc
I brought my Pilot in this morning and they "reset" the SRS sensor (which was on when I was driving and the original problem for which I made and appointment). I am assuming that there is nothing wrong with the supplemental restraint system, but that the sensor was acting up.

[wbhikergirl]

I haven't received my notice yet, but I just had my recall done yesterday. No big deal, took about an hour. One of our techs asked me how many miles I had (13K) and told me to let them do it that day, because after 15K miles it is more work for them - they have to take photos etc (which mean more wait time for us customers!). They're also doing the recall on any of the Pilots/Odys that are coming in for scheduled appts having nothing to do with the recall, because once the letters go out, it's going to be very hectic. So if you're bringing yours in for service, ask them if they'll do it while it's there.

[PatrickC1026]

Maybe I should take my Pilot and have the service done, because it just passed 13K miles.

[JPElectron]

Just had this service done at my 7500 mile scheduled service appt. Apparently there is a problem with the second gear in the transmission getting too hot. They look in the transmission with a special camera on a stick and if the gear teeth are discolored then that means something very bad (transmission replacement probably?). The solution is to add a radiator to the transmission to cool the fluid inside. The service showed up on the invoice as “Honda Part No. 06250PGH305 Bracket” for $31.78 plus $71.96 for the .8hrs the tech took to do the work (not billed to me). I was not able to see any difference in the front radiators or transmission after the service, should I, not sure what I'm looking for I guess?

I have a 2004 Pilot (purchased 1st of this year) and apparently my VIN was within the range in question.

JP

[PatrickC1026]

I called the dealer where I bought my Pilot, and was told that I WILL have to wait until I get the notice letter. :(

[desertpilot]

All 2003 and some 2004 Pilot built before 1/01/04 are also included in the recall, from VIN#2HKYF18_ _ 4H500001 thru 2HKYF18_ _4H546877. Honda's Owner Link website shows that my '04 Pilot built in 10/03 is affected by the recall and my vin # is within the noted affected vin numbers. I'm still waiting for my recall letter.

Here's some quotes from Owner Link site:

What is the dealer looking for when inspecting the transmission?
Vehicles with less than 15,000 miles - The technician will update the transmission with a simple modification to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to second gear.

Vehicles with more than 15,000 miles - The technician will inspect the second gear for discoloration of the gear due to heat damage. If there is any evidence of heat damage, the transmission will be replaced. If discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the modification to the oil cooler return line.

What is this "simple modification to the oil cooler return line"?
It is a relatively simple repair involving the installation of an "oil jet kit" that is mounted on the top of the transmission. The modification works by taking a portion of the transmission fluid that is flowing back from the cooling system and spraying that fluid directly onto the affected gear, eliminating the potential for heat damage.

[desertpilot]

I just got my transmission letter yesterday which had my VIN number printed on the left side of the envelope. I'm going to contact my dealer and schedule a day to get this done. FYI my Pilot is a 2004 built on 10/2003 and I took delivery on 10/28/03, I only have about 6K miles on it. I'll post pics after the jet kit is installed.

[Anonymous]

Hey everybody! Do you know if the transmissions used today are the same ones as in the past only differing in that that they've been factory modified with the kits. Or are different trannys being used from another vendor. Where were the recalled tranny's built. The Pilots on dealer lots now show that the trannys were built in Japan.

[desertpilot]

The transmission in the Pilots built after Jan. 1, 2004 or have the VIN # 2HKYF18_ _4H546878 or higher does not have the oil jet kit. They have internal changes to increase the oil flow to the affected gear. It doesn't matter which vendor (or inhouse) made them just check that the VIN number is ... - 4H546878 or higher, if it is this number or higher they have the permanent internal fix from the factory (or vendor if applicable).

[desertpilot]

I just had my Pilot in the dealer service today for transmission recall rework. I scheduled it as soon as I got my recall notice. I dropped off my truck at 9 a.m. today and the dealer notified me that it was done after 3 p.m.

I looked under the hood and saw the oil jet kit installed on top of the transmission fluid filler hole. The dealer also gave me a free car wash and it was a smooth repair schedule. :D

[PatrickC1026]

Well, now you have a peace of mind desertpilot. I'm still waiting for mine. My Pilot is approaching 15K miles and hopefully the "simple repair" will fix it.

[realcurious]

I didn't get my recall notice yet, but I have a question for desertpilot. I ready your message about the location of the kit on the transmission. Since it's on the filler hole, do you think changing the transmission fluid at the scheduled maintenance time will be a problem for the do-it-yourselfer? I changed my wife's Odyssey's transmission oil and thought it would be a piece of cake to take care of my Pilot when the time comes... now I wonder. What do you think? (Thanks) :roll:

[redn22]

Got my recall notice in the mail this past Tuesday... I booked my service for Monday, July 19th... The notice indicated that for Pilots over 24,000 kms, they would have to do the full inspection (internal) but just a visual "fluid" check on ones that are under 24,000 kms... Problem is I personally changed my tranny fluid just recently before I went on my 5,000 km road trip the last 2 weeks... I told the service rep about this and he said that they will have to do the full inspection, but I just have to remind him when I get in...

I dunno... I guess I wouldn't mind getting a new tranny...

[desertpilot]

I didn't get my recall notice yet, but I have a question for desertpilot. ...SNIP...Since it's on the filler hole, do you think changing the transmission fluid at the scheduled maintenance time will be a problem for the do-it-yourselfer? ...SNIP... What do you think? (Thanks) :roll:

Without any technical info or documentation about the oil jet kit that was installed, I don't have any info that could help you. You could contact any Honda tech or you could ask the service dept. when they rework your transmission. You could ask them what is their procedure, do they remove the tube on top of the filler hole, or do they have an alternate method to add the tranny fluid.

I used to work on my transmission fluid and filter changes when I was younger, usually removing the lower oil pan, filter, draining the torque converter and carefully sealing and installing the oil pan (never had any leaks). But now that I'm older, I don't have the time to do it myself. I just work on simple maintenance and accessory installs.

Welcome to the site and don't forget to post a pic of your Pilot and Ody. :D

[redn22]

When I get mine done next Monday, I'll be sure to ask the mechanic how to do the Tranny change...

[Anonymous]

My wife was driving home from the sitters in her Pilot (25K miles, 20 months old) when her "AT Temp" light came on. She called the dealership and they said she had to have her car towed...the manual said to pull over and not drive the car. After a discussion with the dealership, we convinced them to arrange for the towing (they wanted us to pay for it...fat chance!). After having the car for two weeks, they replaced the transmission due to the recall (which hadn't been officially released yet). Since picking it up, we are hearing a dull, un-rhythmic thumping sound up to 10-15 MPH. The car went back to the dealership and after having it for four days, they said we needed to wait until the noise worsened before they could do anything. My wife and I are upset and don't know what to do. Does anyone have some suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Hi - Just looking for some information here. I hope someone can help me. I own a 2003 Pilot EX. I have loved it for about 18 months...

At 18,000 mi, just after hearing about the impending transmission recall (and after having had my first major service done), the A/T Temp light came on on my Pilot while bringing my kids home from the sitter's house. I pulled over and got out the manual. It said to let the engine idle until the light went out. Well, I sat there a good long time and the light never went out. Meanwhile, the 8 month old in the back and the 5 year old were screaming. I was literally 5 minutes from home so I'll admit here that I drove it there and then called my dealer.

The service department there told me to drive it in to the shop - 30 miles from door to door. I refused and said that I thought it should be towed...which I'm surprised they agreed with eventually.

So now I have the new transmission everyone is talking about but I still have a problem. When driving through a parking lot or neighborhood with stop signs and the like - meaning accelerating and braking a lot - there is a clunking sound the car makes ONLY on acceleration. It has been happening for a while so I can even tell you when it happens - going uphill Yup, still there. Downhill you ask? No, no problem. Flat -yes, definitely.

There is no sound when cruising along or decelerating. It only happens when accelerating.

It has been to the shop 3 times for this. They have tried to tell me it was a golf ball in the door pocket, a loose seatbelt thumping in the back, and a loose rotor cuff. However the sound remains.

At this point, my Pilot has 25,000mi on it and I am getting afraid of the possibilities. After the last visit to the dealership, I was told to, "Wait until it gets worse." Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[redn22]

Have you been able to re-create the sound with the Service Advisor/Mechanic in the Pilot with you? That is what I would do so that you can tell him/her exactly what you are talking about. It's also a good idea to empty out your Pilot of any objects that can move around during the test drive... This will eliminate the dealers claims that it could be something just rolling around.

I would also call the Honda Customer Service hotline and tell them of your issues after getting the new Transmission installed.

If what you claim is true that the sounds ONLY started happening AFTER the new tranny was installed, then you should really make a strong point about it.

Good luck and if they find a resolution, please let us know...

Red

[PatrickC1026]

I second to Red's suggestion.

[Anonymous]

I just had my Pilot in the dealer service today for transmission recall rework. I scheduled it as soon as I got my recall notice. I dropped off my truck at 9 a.m. today and the dealer notified me that it was done after 3 p.m.

I looked under the hood and saw the oil jet kit installed on top of the transmission fluid filler hole. The dealer also gave me a free car wash and it was a smooth repair schedule. :D

I just have my oil jet kit installed due to the recall, however I don't see it on the filler hole. where should it be?

[chowgirl]

got my letter today. taking it in tomorrow. how long are the dealers taking to do the work? (school starts Thursday, so I pushed to get in)

:roll:

[redn22]

I dropped mine off at about 9am and they called me at about 1pm saying the car was ready for pickup... If it's just the basic job, then it should only take a few hours like mine... but if the tranny needs to be replaced, the letter states to be prepared without your Pilot for about 3 days (the letter also states that the dealership must provide you with a courtesy car)...

[desertpilot]

Everyone, here's a photo of the jet kit installed on the transmission filler hole. It is a black tube oriented vertically and is held by the black mounting bracket with a letter "S" stamped on it.

This area in the engine compartment is at the bottom of the engine compartment between the battery and the brake master cylinder at the driver's side of the vehicle.

About a week after I had my Pilot recall rework was done, I got a service survey mail from the American Honda corporate office in California.


Red,

Did you remember to ask the service tech how to change the tranny oil with the jet kit?

[redn22]

Hi Desert...

The location of that picture you took... Is that where the Tranny Dipstick used to be??? Because if it is... Then my dealership never did the fix on mine because I still have the Dipstick there (no pun intended)... (i'm probably looking at the wrong location since I figure the dipstick has to be there to check the fluid levels...)

Please let me know if I'm looking at the right spot before I FREAK out on the Service guys...

BTW - guess I'm the dipstick, cuz I totally forgot about asking how to do the tranny oil change...

[desertpilot]

Hi Desert...

The location of that picture you took... Is that where the Tranny Dipstick used to be??? Because if it is... Then my dealership never did the fix on mine because I still have the Dipstick there (no pun intended)... (i'm probably looking at the wrong location since I figure the dipstick has to be there to check the fluid levels...)
Please let me know if I'm looking at the right spot before I FREAK out on the Service guys...
...SNIP...

In this picture I posted the tranny dip stick is not shown and about another foot below the bottom of the picture and close to the battery. They will not remove the dip stick.

The top of the pic is towards the brake fluid reservoir and firewall, the bottom of the pic is towards the manifold intake hose and battery, the left of the pic is towards the engine block and the right side of the pic is towards the left fender.

The oil jet is almost directly below the brake fluid reservoir (close to the firewall). You have to look at the gap between the manifold air intake hose and the brake fluid reservoir to see it.

[Anonymous]

desert, I'm not finding your photo. :?

do we know if all these oil jets are installed the same way for all of us?
I called the service guy after I got home today asking about the tranny fluid filler hole, and he said the jet was inside. now either he has no clue, or we are getting different procedures done with the same jet. (?) I am going to look under my hood tomorrow for it.

[chowgirl]

ah crap! that's me just above.
:roll:

I can see the photo now that I'm logged in.....<confuzzled>

[redn22]

desert, I'm not finding your photo.


you have to make sure that you log in, in order to see the posted pictures...

[desertpilot]

desert, I'm not finding your photo. :?

do we know if all these oil jets are installed the same way for all of us?
I called the service guy after I got home today asking about the tranny fluid filler hole, and he said the jet was inside. now either he has no clue, or we are getting different procedures done with the same jet. (?) I am going to look under my hood tomorrow for it.
Chowgirl,

When I refer to the oil jet, I'm really talking about the whole jet kit assembly. The service guy is technically correct, the actual jet is inside the oil filler hole and the only black tube you could see coming out of the filler hole is the tube that supplies the oil to the oil jet.

Here's another pic with the oil jet kit tube highlighted. The top of the picture is towards the brake reservoir (white component), the bottom of the pic is towards the manifold air intake hose, the left of the pic is towards the engine block and the right of the pic is towards the left fender. The fix for U.S. and Canadian Pilots are the same.

[chowgirl]

QUESTION:
I had to reset my radio, clock and driver door auto up/down function..why did they disconnect my battery???

I haven't heard anyone else mention this.. :?

[desertpilot]

My dealer didn't disconnected my battery because my radio doesn't have to be reset with the anti theft code.

The dealer's main error is that they should have ask for the radio code and reset everything for the customer. If the dealer reworked something else besides the transmission or it could be one of the shop's safety procedure, that could be a reason why they disconnected it.

Bottom line is the dealer messed up and didn't follow their own procedure, they should have reset everything after the rework was done. If corporate American Honda send you a service survey, you could give them a bad comment. Complain to your dealer about this problem and if they don't resolve it, or if you want to take it up higher, contact Honda customer service.

[chowgirl]

thanks desert. I may just have to mention that on the survey. :lol:

[ralph cerbone]

this is how you know you are dealing wity a GOODcompany, had my 03 pilot tranny recall done no problem, the problem is that if you tow or climb a hil for a extended period of time in overdrive ,second gear &countershaft could be damaged because of lack of splash lubrication, in overdrive the eng. revs are down transmission shaft speeds are down (except final drive components) the only place i can think of this happening maybe in the midwest or southwest (like driving thru kansas)
where the vehicle would stay in overdrive(normally when i tow the tranny stays in3rd or 4th ,as long as it drops out of overdrive periodically tranny speed comes up the gear would get lubed, honda claimed they have not had any tranny failures , the update in nothing more than removing the tranny fill plug ,replace it with a plug with a that has s spray nozzle (jet) molded into it and allow a portion of return trans fluid to spray on the components . this is not an uncommon problem in overdrive trans, i just had a friend who payed 2000. to repair his 02 tahoe tranny (36900miles)the dealer told him he was 900miles over his warranty and they had no problems with these units --B.S.--- i myself have seen 3 of these units go bad, so when honda sends out a notice you know somebody cares and is doing their job, (i used to work for one of the big 3 auto comps and there take on this is if it breaks after warranty they got a job ,if they complain durring warranty make sometype of adj to get it thru warranty, if they start crying at the ser. desk maybe on behalf of cust . good will you will throw them a bone, thats how they operate

[blkVUEredline]

Does anybody know of any way for me to confirm whether the transmission in my VUE falls into the production run affected by this recall?

Thank you in advance for any help you may provide.

PS I will be keeping this board posted on high performance upgrades, which would be compatible with the Pilot, and I will be doing quite a bit of developing/pioneering with my VUE Redline in this area.

[blkVUEredline]

Might Transmission Recall Affect Saturn VUE???

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is there ANY way of knowing for sure???

Was there any announcement that as of a certain date the transmissions built from that point forward were modified, and as a result are not defective?

If so where is that announcement?

Where do I find the date code/serial number on my transmission so that I can determine when it was manufactured? VIN numbers WILL NOT work for me.

Early 2004 Pilots and Odysseys are included in the recall, while 2003-2004 MDX's are not. Does anybody know for sure why?

My VUE was a late 2004 model introduction, but the V6 VUE's were available from the beginning of the model year. Who knows when GM purchased the powertrains?

Thank you in advance for any help you may offer.

I'm just looking for a little peace of mind.

[wbhikergirl]

If you have an effected vehicle I'm sure you'll get something from GM. You can always ask your dealer.

[joramed]

2003 Pilot, 22400 miles on it, just had the transmission recall and SRS sw upgrade done. I haven't received my letter yet, but I just asked a local Honda service for a schedule (I also showed him a printout of the notice for my vehicle from Honda Owner Link updates). Anyway, brought it in at 8:00am, finished by 11:00am. According to the receipt, no discoloration was found on the gear so only the oil jet install was required. Just thought this might be useful info to others as I have benefited from info on this site. By the way, DesertPilot, your photo was very useful in checking if the work was done--thanks. :D