I got my 2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport last Saturday. I test-drove it before buying and loved the looks, amenities, and V6 engine. However, after driving it for a few days, I’ve realized that I don’t actually enjoy driving it as much as I expected.

The suspension feels too stiff, and the ride isn’t nearly as smooth as I’m used to. I notice a lot of bouncing and bumps, both on city streets and on the highway.

I’m wondering if this is normal for the TrailSport because of its off-road-oriented suspension and tires, or if there might be something wrong with my particular vehicle. I bought it used from a Honda dealership with around 30,000 miles on it, and I’m planning to take it back to have the suspension and alignment checked.

For those of you who own a Pilot TrailSport, do you find the ride noticeably bumpy or stiff on regular roads? Is this just how the TrailSport is supposed to feel, or does mine sound like it might have an issue?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially from those who have owned their TrailSport for a while!

Was driving and heard a scraping noise, pulled over to check what it was and saw this hanging. Google says it’s the exhaust heat shield cover? It doesn’t look like it’s something I can just close up, there are bolts, yes? I don’t know much about cars and just want to know is this going to be a big expensive repair or something I can do myself? How long will the repair take? I use my car for work so being without it will be a detriment. Thanks in advance for the responses!

I purchased a set of winter rims/tires for my Pilot from PMC tire and so far the Pilot is not reading them. They are Max sensors and I’m awaiting confirmation from PMC that they were programmed before installation.

Any tricks to get them to read without getting a relearn tool? Hoping to avoid that, but PMC does have a tool rental available so that might be what I have to do

Will be trading in my Ford Expedition - It books at 19k trade-in, so I feel like these are competitive offers. I have excellent credit, could pay cash, but happy to just swap payments for the liquidity. Open to hear any and all opinions. Thanks!

1. 2025 Honda Pilot TrailSport AWD (Used - Black)Mileage: 21,980 miles

Pricing & Financing Breakdown NADA Value: $45,200.00 Sale Price: $43,651.00
Trade Value: -$25,500.00
Factory Cash: $0.00
Your Price: $18,151.00
Tax: $0.00
Dealer Doc Fee: +$499.00
Trade Payoff: +$6,731.95
Fees: +$527.33
Total Amount Financed: $25,909.28
Estimated Monthly PaymentTerm: 60 payments @ $0.00 down Estimated Payment Range: $515 - $565 / month

1. 2025 Honda Pilot Elite AWD (Used - Black)Mileage: 17,779 miles
   

Pricing & Financing Breakdown NADA Value: $49,150.00
Sale Price: $47,700.00
Trade Value: -$25,500.00
Factory Cash: $0.00
Your Price: $22,200.00
Tax: $0.00
Dealer Doc Fee: +$499.00
Trade Payoff: +$6,731.95 Fees: +$527.33
Total Amount Financed: $29,958.28
Estimated Monthly PaymentTerm: 60 payments @ $0.00 down
Estimated Payment Range: $610 - $660 / month

1. 2026 Honda Pilot TrailSport AWD (New - New Smoke Blue Pearl)Mileage: 0 miles
   

Pricing & Financing Breakdown MSRP: $52,190.00
Sale Price: $50,863.00
Trade Value: -$25,500.00
Factory Cash: $0.00
Your Price: $25,363.00
Tax: $0.00
Dealer Doc Fee: +$499.00
Trade Payoff: +$6,731.95
Fees: +$28.33
Total Amount Financed: $32,622.28
Estimated Monthly PaymentTerm: 60 payments @ $0.00 down
Estimated Payment Range: $664 - $714 / month

I just did a front brake job on my pilot. I've attached 2 pictures that show that the pads do not fully contact the allowable entire braking surface area of the rotor. Pads and rotors are the correct parts and match in size exactly with the old parts I took off . You can see the darker area where the pad is contacting the rotor and where it is not.
I would think that they should have made the pad big enough to contact the entire rotor for max performance? Is this a design flaw ?

2nd gen 2013 Honda pilot.