Originally Posted By: HangFire
Ignore Olas, he's a Manual Transmission bigot. Suggesting on every automatic transmission thread to swap to a MT is beyond unhelpful. (By the way Olas, don't buy a MT, the clutch WILL fail!)
There's a cheap easy to fix failure, the 3/4 and 4/5 shift sensors fail around 100K miles. They are as easy to change as a spark plug, and the new ones usually last much longer. The symptom is delayed hard shifts between 4th and 5th and a blinking "D" light.
I had the symptoms, did this fix myself for less than $100 around 105K on my 2005 Pilot, and it still works great after another 30K+ miles. I suspect this was the issue that prompted it to be traded-in, giving me a great deal.
Around 2003- 2004 there was an internal lubrication issue, and a recall to install an oil jet kit to address it. Torque Convertor solenoid is also a known failure point.
Honda dealers are usually clueless about its existence, but there is a replaceable transmission filter on the V6 transmissions.
Of all automatic transmissions, the Honda V6 transmission is most sensitive to deferred maintenance. When they say change out all the ATF every 30K miles, they mean it. I drop and refill 3 quarts with every oil change, so my fluid is always getting refreshed.
Here's a diagram showing an early screw-on filter, part #8. Later transmissions replaced it with a cartridge style. Any dealer can get these for you, they are readily available, I got mine from Majestic and the price was reasonable. A fluid changeout and new filter sometimes fixes problems with these transmissions, sometimes not, but is always a good idea for proper maintenance.
As per my previous post, a clutch is cheaper easier and longer lasting than an auto. Torque converters absorb torque and numb the driving experience.