I have a 2017 Honda Pilot Ex-L with 42,000 miles, primarily driven in town, and I’ve always followed the recommended maintenance schedule. Recently, the transmission light came on just before the A36 maintenance minder. I promptly had the ATF fluid changed, and the light disappeared. However, a few days later, I noticed a fluid smell coming through the AC vents. I returned to the dealership, where they initially attributed it to a spill during an oil change. They cleaned it, and the smell vanished temporarily.
A week later, the transmission system warning reappeared, accompanied by the same fluid smell in the car. The dealership now claims it’s the same code and insists that the transmission needs replacement. Unfortunately, my warranty expired last year after five years.
The dealer quoted me over $15,000 for the transmission replacement, which seems exorbitantly high compared to the approximately $4,000 I found quoted by other Honda dealers online. The dealer has contacted Honda to inquire about possible goodwill assistance due to the low mileage and recent warranty expiration, but I’m not very optimistic.
I’m feeling lost and unsure of my options. This cost is nearly equivalent to buying a used car. Has anyone in the community faced a similar situation or have advice on how to proceed? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.