P0750 on a 2017 Honda Pilot
Shift Solenoid A Malfunction
P0750 on a 2017 Honda Pilot indicates shift solenoid a malfunction. It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is failed shift solenoid a (electrical or mechanical) (typically $250–$900). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0750 mean on a 2017 Honda Pilot?
P0750 is set when the TCM detects that shift solenoid A is not responding to commands — either the circuit is electrically open or shorted, or the solenoid is mechanically stuck. Shift solenoid A controls one of the hydraulic shift paths inside the valve body; depending on the transmission, "A" may control specific shifts (1-2 or 2-3) or be paired with another solenoid for upshift logic. Without a working solenoid A, the transmission cannot make those shifts and typically enters limp mode.
This guide covers P0750 across the 2015-2019 Honda Pilot generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2015 through 2019.
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Honda Pilot with P0750?
In most cases a 2017 Honda Pilot stays drivable for short trips with P0750 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a high-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test.
What are the symptoms of P0750 on a 2017 Honda Pilot?
- Check Engine Light is illuminated
- Transmission stuck in a single gear or limited gear range
- Hard, harsh, or absent upshifts
- Possible no movement in drive (if solenoid is critical to initial gear engagement)
- Engine RPM unusually high at cruise (no upshift completing)
- Reduced fuel economy
- Often paired with P0700 (transmission control malfunction)
What causes P0750 on a 2017 Honda Pilot?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Failed shift solenoid A (electrical or mechanical) | Most common | $250–$900 |
| Damaged solenoid wiring or external transmission connector | Common | $100–$500 |
| Contaminated transmission fluid causing valve sticking | Common | $150–$500 |
| Worn or stuck valve body causing the solenoid to lose pressure regulation | Occasional | $600–$2,000 |
| Failed TCM driver for the solenoid circuit | Rare | $500–$1,500 |
| Internal transmission damage (rare for P0750 alone) | Rare | $2,500–$6,500 |
How to diagnose this on a 2017 Honda Pilot
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Check fluid level and condition
Always start a transmission diagnosis with fluid. Most modern transmissions require a specific procedure to check level — typically warm, level surface, engine running, selector in park. Burnt-smelling or dark fluid means clutch material in circulation; fix the underlying issue, not just the solenoid.
Tools: Vehicle-specific service procedure, Replacement fluid if needed
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Pull all transmission codes from the TCM
P0750 alone is one repair scope. P0750 with P0731-P0734 (ratio incorrect) or P0741 (TCC stuck off) means broader transmission issues that may not resolve with a solenoid replacement alone.
Tools: Scan tool with TCM access
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Test shift solenoid A electrically
Disconnect the external transmission connector. Find the solenoid A pin in the wiring diagram and measure resistance — typically 10–30 Ω. Infinite or near-zero means a failed solenoid. Confirm the TCM is commanding voltage during a shift attempt by back-probing while driving.
Tools: Multimeter, Wiring diagram, Back-probe pins
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Inspect the connector for fluid contamination
A failing case seal allows transmission fluid to wick up the external wiring harness, contaminating the connector. Look for fluid inside the connector or up the harness. If found, repair the seal AND likely replace the contaminated harness section — fluid in the connector creates intermittent faults that can mimic solenoid failure.
Tools: Connector unlock tool, Flashlight
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Drop the pan and inspect for clutch material
Brown or gritty paste on the pan magnet indicates clutch slippage somewhere in the transmission. If the solenoid is bad, that's one repair; if the pan also shows clutch material, the transmission has bigger problems and a solenoid replacement is just a stopgap.
Tools: Drain pan, New filter and gasket, Common hand tools
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2017 Honda Pilot
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2017 Honda Pilot. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Honda Pilot diagnostics.
- ENGINE 447
- POWER TRAIN 117
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 27
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 256
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 128
3 active recalls
- STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD Nov 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.…
NHTSA campaign 21V932000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Dec 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 H…
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 - AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER May 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-…
NHTSA campaign 26V332000
How do I fix P0750 on a 2017 Honda Pilot?
- Replace shift solenoid A (often available as part of a solenoid pack)
- Repair the transmission external connector or harness
- Service transmission fluid and filter
- Replace the valve body for stuck valve issues
- Full transmission rebuild for internal damage
About the 2015-2019 Honda Pilot
The 2015-2019 Honda Pilot was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 3.5L V6. Common trims include LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, Elite, TrailSport.
What “solenoid A” actually does depends on the transmission
Different transmissions use different shift logic, so “shift solenoid A” controls different specific shifts:
- 4-speed automatic (older GM 4L60E, Ford 4R70W) — solenoid A typically gates the 1-2 shift
- 5-speed automatic (Ford 5R55W, ZF 5HP) — solenoid A often controls 2-3 shift
- 6-speed automatic (GM 6L80, Aisin AW) — multiple solenoids combine; A is one of several
The repair manual for the specific transmission will identify which shift A controls. The symptom set varies accordingly — some P0750 conditions strand the vehicle, others just produce harsh or skipped shifts.
Solenoid pack vs individual solenoid replacement
Modern transmissions group all shift solenoids into a single “solenoid pack” that bolts to the valve body. Replacing all solenoids at once (as a pack) is often the same labor as one solenoid alone — and prevents the other solenoids from failing shortly after as the pack ages out together. For high-mileage transmissions, pack replacement is the more economical choice.
When the solenoid is fine but P0750 still sets
Two non-obvious causes that can fool a parts-swap repair:
- External connector contaminated with fluid — looks identical to solenoid failure on a multimeter but the fluid is the real issue
- Stuck valve body sleeve — solenoid is electrically perfect but the hydraulic valve it controls is stuck open or closed; pack swap won’t help, valve body service or replacement is required