Honda Pilot "All-Wheel Drive System Problem" Message. What to Do?

Nothing beats the confidence of trailing over challenging terrains when driving a Honda Pilot. Whether you are driving over slippery, rocky, muddy, or icy roads, you know you can drive sporty in style off-road with its Intelligent Variable Torque Managemen or i-VTM4 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System. 

All-wheel-drive system problem message highlights

• Common reasons:differential problem, low fluids in AWD units, sensor or actuator problems
• How to fix:read the codes, take it to a professional
• Possible consequences:driving the car further may destroy the AWD units
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Not recommended
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Repair price range:$200-$2,500

How Your Honda Pilot AWD System Should Work?

Honda Pilot uses Intelligent Variable Torque Management or i-VTM4, a technology pioneered on the 2003 Honda Pilot along with the 2001 Acura MDX. It is an AWD technology that increases your SUV's responsiveness and improves your car handling. When the system detects slippage in normal driving mode, it automatically disengages the clutch and sends power to the rear axles to improve traction.

Today, this technology maximizes traction and sends the torque needed by each wheel on different surfaces. Each wheel may receive up to 70% of power when the system detects such torque requirement.

What makes Honda Pilot vectoring system unique is its i-VTM4 has four modes where you can switch gears into like normal, snow, sand, and mud settings. You can switch on a much better control depending on the surface. Each mode has various levels of responsiveness that improve car handling in terms of vectoring, throttling, transmission, and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

However, all these features will not work if you find that the AWD icon on your dashboard lights up. It only means that the system has deactivated its All-Wheel Drive System and switched to a Front Wheel Drive Mode. It also means the vehicle has disengaged all its sensing and vectoring abilities for trail driving.

Why Does Honda Pilot Display All-Wheel Drive System Alert?

There are many reasons why AWD lights up. Your AWD system works with a computer and stores all the issues in the system memory. You can only observe, but you will not find out what's wrong until you use a scanning tool.

Here are the common problems of your Honda Pilot's AWD.

1) Clutch Assembly Problems

Clutch Assembly is an integral part of the AWD System. It transfers the power from the engine to the transmission system to the rear axle and wheels. Also, it is responsible for engaging and disengaging the engine from the transmission system.

If there's a problem with any component of the clutch assembly, your engine will have difficulty sending power to the rear axles. Here are some signs you have a problem with your clutch assembly:

• Difficulty shifting gears
• Grinding sounds as you shift gears
• Spongy or soft clutch pedal

2) Worn Out Parts and Components

Clutch assembly needs properly working components. Your clutch assembly composes of a pressure plate, flywheel, clutch disc, and release bearings.

When one of these parts has worn out, the assembly may malfunction. If your pressure plate does not release the expected power, it may have a faulty spring or worn-out release bearing. You may hear grinding or squeaking sounds when shifting gears.

3) Transfer Case Problems

The transfer case pulls the power from the engine and distributes it to the four of your Pilot's wheels. The system is responsible for transmitting the needed torque of each wheel and for shifting gears. 

When you have problems with your transfer case, the AWD lights on.

4) Low-Level Transfer Case Fluid

Your transfer case fluid is responsible for lubricating its parts and components, including gears and chains. It prevents them from creating friction.

When you have a low-level transfer case fluid, the system will not have enough pressure to transfer the torque to all four wheels.

In this case, you can replace the liquid, especially if it has built up a significant amount of dirt. 

5) Shaft Seal Leaks

Your transfer case contains an input shaft and two output shafts. The input shaft pulls the energy from the engine to pass on the wheels, while the output shaft is responsible for transferring the diffused energy to all of its four wheels. Imagine driving with broken or worn-out shaft seals. It reduces the amount of torque delivered to your wheels.

Engaging and disengaging AWD can be a challenge with faulty shaft seals, including open gas caps.

6) Debris, Grime, and Dirt Build-up

A lot of component malfunctions remain unnoticed due to debris and dirt. These build-ups go into the tiniest components, and you will have no idea why AWD lights keep turning on. It affects your transfer case components, which results in difficulty shifting gears or sending torque to the wheels.

To prevent this from happening, make it a habit to bring your Honda Pilot to your trusted and qualified mechanic for maintenance.

7) Faulty Transfer Case Control Module

Your Transfer Case Control Module is responsible for detecting the speed of your wheels. It works with your Anti-Lock Brake System to keep your vehicle stable.

It works like a brain when it detects trail surfaces. The ABS has wheel speed sensors that can detect the speed of wheels above mud, rocky roads, and slippery surface. It will respond to the behavior of the wheels by sending a significant amount of torque to the affected wheels.

When it is faulty, it will not respond, and the AWD will start blinking. When your Pilot's AWD light is on, the system has deactivated and switched to front-wheel driving- which also means it cannot generate enough traction when needed.

It deactivates itself so it can protect the other components from possible damage.

8) Loose Wire

Since your module comprises electronic parts attached to wheel speed sensors or the module itself, it has tiny wires that loosen up eventually. Your wheel speed sensors are extra sensitive and may detach from the wires while the vehicle is moving.

It will fail to detect spins, mud, or sandy roads when wires loosen or tear up. The transfer case control module will fail to respond during these times.

You have no idea about this issue unless you bring your Pilot for scanning.

9) Dirt, Mud, and Grime on Sensors

These culprits prevent your wheel speed sensors from detecting spins. When mud or dirt covers up your sensors, they will fail to send signals, and the transfer case cannot respond at all. It should be a habit for you to keep these sensors kicking when you need them by bringing them to your service shop for maintenance.

10) Ignition is On

Normally, the ignition light comes off after starting the engine. But when it comes to AWD light, you badly need to bring your Pilot to the nearest service shop. If you continuously drive on steep downhills, it may damage your spark plugs. Or the light comes on because the engine is overworking, resulting in overheating.

The ignition turns the light on to prevent further damage. And your Check AWD Problem Message will also appear. 

11) Mismatched Tires

An AWD system needs matching tire tread depth, or at least close. The problem with having only one tire mismatched is you may likely need to replace all the tires. Most SUVs have their front tires wearing out first. These wheels usually do most of the work, even in an AWD.

So when one of the front wheels wears out, you would likely replace all four.

Another reason you could have mismatched tires is wheel misalignment. With all the stress your axles and wheels suffer from trail roads, it has all the possibility to misalign after some time, resulting in mismatched tires.

Some Pilot owners would only change two wheels in one axle or tire of the same tread depth. But remember that if your wheel sensors detect the mismatched tires, you would probably double your spending on replacing tires.

Should You Drive Your Honda Pilot Even if It Displays AWD Alert?

You can drive your Honda Pilot even if it displays an AWD alert. When this light turns on, it deactivates the AWD system, and your Pilot switches to front-wheel drive.

When you drive your Honda Pilot in this mode, you cannot use the i-VTM4^TM AWD features. And under normal front-wheel driving conditions, you can still bring it to your qualified mechanic.

What Can You Do When Honda Pilot AWD Problems Show Up?

Scan your Honda Pilot with On-Board Diagnostics (OBD2) tool. It will help you find error codes.

In most cases, your mechanic can do it for you. It will scan for error codes in your AWD system. Identifying these errors will help them perform needed replacements or repairs.

If you are in the middle of the trail and find AWD Problem alerts in your Honda Pilot, calm down. You can still drive your SUV to your destination. Ensure to bring it to your technician for scanning.

Remember this: When this light comes on, you need to replace or repair a component or two. And do not stay driving with this alert going on and off for some time. Ignoring this problem can be costly.

Let your qualified mechanic scan your vehicle for an accurate diagnosis.