For Owners, How is the 9 Speed Transmission in the Passport?

56467 Views 113 Replies 56 Participants Last post by elder prep, Aug 15, 2021

bruce_wayne8887

Discussion Starter · Mar 18, 2019

Hi Everyone

I think I've decided on the Passport or Telluride. My only concern left is the 9 speed transmission that in the past on older pilots and acuras and Jeep cherokees has been a problem with harsh shifts, gear hunting, and lurches. My question is for those that own the passport, what is your overall opinion on the transmission in the Passport? Any gripes, opinions, thoughts?

Thanks!

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GaryDahl

· #2 · Mar 18, 2019

I've owned mine for about a month now, it is working very smoothly. I had a 2016 Pilot Elite that I expearnce this erratic transmission issue in, which at the time I didn't think it was to bad either,

Reactions: 2

bruce_wayne8887

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 18, 2019

GaryDahl said:
I've owned mine for about a month now, it is working very smoothly. I had a 2016 Pilot Elite that I expearnce this erratic transmission issue in, which at the time I didn't think it was to bad either,

This is great to know

Thanks

Homer

· #4 · Mar 18, 2019

No issues; its completely transparent to me.

Reactions: 1

SoundsGood

· #5 · Mar 18, 2019

Honda says they've fixed most (all?) of the issues from a few years back. Maybe check the feedback from owners on the Pilot forums. Same transmission but they've had their cars longer than the Passport owners.

wildonz

· #6 · Mar 18, 2019

I provided some of my observations in this thread:

https://www.passportforums.com/thre...els-weaker-than-old-odyssey-2008-minivan.825/

I think you have to do a test drive to really know if you like it or not.

DavidCSmithDP

· #7 · Mar 18, 2019 (Edited)

After about 2000 miles of city driving as well as extended road trips, including towing a light trailer and some off road adventuring, I've found the transmission smooth and predictable.

There's an excellent article posted in another thread that describes how the nine speed works and it clearly lays out that the shift from 4th to 5th requires a momentary release of power, similar to a shift in a manual transmission from something called a Dog Clutch. All other shift points are continuously powered and are flawlessly invisible. I think this explains how there will be an inconsistency to peoples experiences. 90 percent of the shifts are invisible and only when you find yourself needing to have an instant burst of speed between 4th and 5th will you notice the shift lag.

After reading the article I tested the transmission in my AWD touring to see if I could experience what was described. I did manage to experience the 4th, 5th shift point as being different than the others but in no way do I find it objectionable or concerning. Yes, there is a slight delay, mostly on the down shift, but it's nothing I would be concerned by.

Having the paddle shifters for manually down shifting while towing a trailer down steep mountain roads was a dream.

I would also recommend a test drive that let's you feel the 4th / 5th shift (so you must get it on the highway) if you think it might bother you but I find it to be a non-issue and overall find the transmission to be one of the smoothest I've ever driven.

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Scooter Dude

· #8 · Mar 18, 2019

The transmission is smooth for me with daily driving and I just returned from a 300 mile trip with a bit of off roading light edition (there was no rock climbing or mud crawling) but I was on a lot of ice and at no point did the tranny mess up and I was playing a little.

Reactions: 1

bhertz82

· #9 · Mar 18, 2019

What they said.

Reactions: 1

407guy

· #10 · Mar 18, 2019

In D there is this "clunk" around 20-25 mph during a slow acceleration. At least my experience. I usually drive in S though and there is a more noticeable shifting through the gears, even down shifting, which I don't mind. However, I wouldn't call my transmission smooth.

CGM66047

· #11 · Mar 18, 2019

Owned a 2015 MDX and a 2017 Pilot EXL, the latter I chose specifically because I didnt like the performance of the MDX 9 speed.

The Passport 9 speed performance is much better, it’s smoother, less sluggish from stopped position, little-or no jerkiness.

When I test drove, the transmission easily could have been a kicker for me, it was not. Still isn’t.

Very pleased.

Reactions: 1

BobS

· #12 · Mar 19, 2019

I've only had mine for a week and have only experienced smooth shifting. It is certainly more enjoyable than listening to the shiftless whine of the 2014 CR-V with cvt that I traded in for the Passport.

GaryDahl

· #13 · Mar 19, 2019

BobS said:
I've only had mine for a week and have only experienced smooth shifting. It is certainly more enjoyable than listening to the shiftless whine of the 2014 CR-V with cvt that I traded in for the Passport.

yep

stevenD

· #14 · Mar 19, 2019

Only had mine a week and discovered the Sport mode, very cool...!

Photecs

· #15 · Mar 19, 2019

Owned a Santa Fe AWD before my passport... rear diff went twice, front transfer case once.
I’ll never buy an AWD Hyundai again... since Kia and Hyundai are the same company..... do your homework.

Reactions: 1

Barbwire

· #16 · Mar 19, 2019

I like it. I have no complaints.

Reactions: 1

GaryDahl

· #17 · Mar 20, 2019

I remember the Manual & Automatic transmission of the 60's. Lets talk about how antiquated the old 3 or 4 speed auto transmission were.
I don't remember any of them shift as smooth as CVT tranny. You could feel every gear shifted, they would clunk from time to time. I also remember having the transmission fluid burnt black from worn "transmission bands", changing transmission oil and seeing metal particles in the filter that is located behind a cover that is held by 12 or bolts that need a new gasket & gasket sealant to hold it from leaking, we were lucky to get a tranny to run more then 100K miles without major tranny work.
These ZF-9 tranny's are a mechanical marvel, I believe that the Ridgeline\Pilot\Passport 3.5 I-VTEC motor & ZF-9 tranny will be a 200,000 mile trouble free combination.

Now watch, I will be the one to get tranny trouble in the future

Reactions: 1

marcbou

· #18 · Mar 21, 2019

My experience has been disappointing. Acceleration is relatively slow/weak, shifting is often late or awkward. Also there is a noticeable lag between the moment your foot pushes the pedal and the engine/transmission reacts.

It seems this problem is not new and is also present on the Pilot, see for example:

https://www.cars.com/articles/2019-honda-pilot-first-drive-tweaked-not-transformed-1420702650020/

"However, while passing, I found the transmission still falls flat. A quick punch of the accelerator pedal is met with delay, and the transmission never seems to grab the right gear the first time. It ends up feeling like a one-or two-second delay. It's an unfortunate bit of discordance with the rest of the Pilot's pretty good and very smooth driving experience."

and

https://www.piloteers.org/forums/114-2016-third-generation-pilot/157739-acceleration-problem.html

https://www.piloteers.org/forums/11...-pilot-exl-2017-acceleration.html#post1332866

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GaryDahl

· #19 · Mar 21, 2019

marcbou said:
My experience has been disappointing. Acceleration is relatively slow/weak, shifting is often late or awkward. Also there is a noticeable lag between the moment your foot pushes the pedal and the engine/transmission reacts.

It seems this problem is not new and is also present on the Pilot, see for example:

https://www.cars.com/articles/2019-honda-pilot-first-drive-tweaked-not-transformed-1420702650020/

"However, while passing, I found the transmission still falls flat. A quick punch of the accelerator pedal is met with delay, and the transmission never seems to grab the right gear the first time. It ends up feeling like a one-or two-second delay. It's an unfortunate bit of discordance with the rest of the Pilot's pretty good and very smooth driving experience."

and

https://www.piloteers.org/forums/114-2016-third-generation-pilot/157739-acceleration-problem.html

https://www.piloteers.org/forums/11...-pilot-exl-2017-acceleration.html#post1332866

I hope you didn't buy a 2019 Passport, sounds like you would be unhappy with your purchase.

elder prep

· #20 · Apr 30, 2019

Had my PP for two weeks now (Elite, Luna Silver Metallic) and have not noticed any unusual shifting patterns. So far, very smooth and quiet. Very pleased with the PP so far.

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