The vehicle has experienced intermittent transmission-related symptoms despite having relatively low mileage (approximately 51,000 miles). The primary concern is a harsh shift or noticeable clunk that most often occurs while slowing to a stop after the vehicle has reached normal operating temperature, although the condition is not limited to those circumstances. On occasion, I have also experienced a similar clunk when shifting from Park (P) to Reverse (R).
The issue is intermittent and cannot be reproduced on demand, making it difficult to demonstrate during a typical test drive.
Honda currently has an active torque converter warranty extension/service bulletin that applies to my exact year and model, and I initially believed the vehicle's symptoms were related to that known issue. However, because the vehicle has not set the diagnostic trouble codes required under Honda's program and the check engine light has never illuminated, Honda has declined to perform warranty repairs or additional diagnostic testing under the bulletin.
To obtain another opinion, I had the vehicle inspected by an independent transmission specialist. They tested the torque converter and transmission shift solenoids and advised that both appeared to be functioning properly.
The vehicle has been evaluated by Honda dealerships on multiple occasions. As part of Honda's recommended troubleshooting process, the transmission software was updated, the transmission fluid was replaced, and the engine mounts were inspected. Despite these efforts, the intermittent symptoms have continued. I was also informed that the engine mounts were in good condition.
During the most recent dealership evaluations, technicians were unable to consistently reproduce the condition, and because the required diagnostic trouble codes were not present, Honda was unable to confirm a torque converter or transmission failure or authorize repairs under the warranty extension.
Although the vehicle remains drivable, the unresolved and intermittent shifting concern has reduced my confidence in its long-term reliability and significantly affected its trade-in value. The uncertainty surrounding the condition has also made it difficult to determine whether the issue represents a developing mechanical failure that has simply not progressed enough to trigger Honda's diagnostic criteria.
also:in addition to the intermittent shifting concern, the vehicle has also experienced intermittent Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system warnings. On one occasion, the VSA warning light illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes were stored. Those codes were later cleared, and the warning has not consistently returned. Although the VSA system and transmission are separate systems, modern Honda vehicles rely on communication between multiple electronic control modules, including the engine, transmission, ABS, and VSA systems. As a result, it is difficult to determine whether the VSA fault is an unrelated intermittent electrical issue or whether it is connected in some way to the vehicle's overall drivability concerns.
Because the VSA warning has not remained active and no transmission-related diagnostic trouble codes have been stored, the dealerships have been unable to identify a definitive cause or perform further warranty repairs. This has left the underlying issue unresolved despite multiple inspections.
Do you have any idea as to what is going on?
