2016 Honda Pilot: Transmission jerks
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Pilot report: transmission jerks. CarComplaints.com lists 34 owner complaints, average mileage 53,600 miles.
NHTSA has 201 owner complaints for the 2016 Pilot in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768126 (filed 09/30/2026): “My 2016 honda pilot has 97,500 miles. the engine stop working and i have it replaced a used 3.5 engine. the transmission has transmission overheating problem and i took a picture on the dash board. i show it to the service advisor and they won't acknowledge ab…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11762859 (filed 09/08/2026): “The contact owns a 2016 honda pilot. the contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the battery, oil, and information warning lights remained illuminated. several minutes later, the vehicle was restarted, and the…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: service bulletin 17-014 - update software/flush transmission (9 reports) change transmission fluid (2 reports) transmission fluid changed (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $290 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .