2013 Honda Pilot: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Nov 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · IA

Since purchasing new in 2013, experienced ongoing issues with VCM. Noticable vibration/shudder at all speeds except during heavy acceleration. Taken to dealer mant times. They are able to reproduce but state no fix available. It's how the car was made. In addition to vibration, engine makes a chirping noise when accelerating through vibration. I believe they are related although neither have been able to be fixed. No warning lights illuminate. I purchased this car for the 4wd as I live in snow/ice climate. However, excessive vibration/shudder makes driving in these conditions (any conditions) unsafe due to constant need to fluctuate acceleration/ deceleration to help minimize vibration/shudder to regain sense of control. If you maintain speed while vibrating on snow/ice you feel like you are losing control. This vibration HAS to have a long-term effect on engine/car integrity. It's strong enough that some day I imagine I'll come to a stop and at that very moment, every screw will have come loose/undone from years of vibrating and I'll be left sitting in the seat holding just the steering wheel with the car in parts all around me.

Filed Sep 8, 2020 · Brakes · 57,000 miles · OR

My 2013 honda pilot steering wheel shudders hard when braking. This started at around mileage 30k and the car currently has 57k on odometer. We bought the car new and have not needed any brake work on the front. Honda serviced the rear brakes so far. Honda representatives have told us that front shudder of the steering wheel most likely means the rotors are warped and need resurfacing or replacement. The shaking on downhill driving is so bad the car feels uncontrollably dangerous. You must drive very slow with hazard lights flashing when traveling downhill at 20-30 MPH. Shaking and shudder happens at almost any speed above 40 MPH when brakes are applied.

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Brakes · 5,000 miles · OR

When driving downhill on highways at 50+ MPH, (the steeper the descent, the slower the speed required to initiate brake problems) the front of our 2013 pilot starts to shudder when the brakes are applied. This shudder is so extreme that we sometimes have difficulty maintaining control of our pilot and of slowing down in time to avoid hitting other cars, as well as staying in our lane when traversing highway curves. This shudder began right after we left the dealership with the new SUV. Various mechanics have been unable to fix the problem, even after working on our brakes, and have cautioned us to brake gradually while driving mountain roads and highways. We feel that honda should reach out to those with this issue and make the necessary repairs free of charge.

Filed Mar 8, 2019 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · MI

I had a check engine light on the dashboard and brought the car to the dealership for service. They diagnosed the car and stated that there is something wrong with the torque converter. I have read a number of reports regarding issues with the torque converter of the honda pilot. Significantly, report states that there is shuddering and vibration during shift change. This was addressed to them when I have my car when it was bought brand new. They said it is just the way it was design but honestly, it was really annoying. So now, after about 95,000 miles, an issue came up. I do believe that these two event are related. Please conduct an investigation regarding this matter. The shuddering/vibrations happens when accelerating, deccelerating, at idle, from a stop and accelerates, when making a trun while accelerating slowly.

Filed Dec 6, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 57,000 miles · PA

I have had shaking in steering wheel at 60-70 MPH and brakes cause the car to shudder. The brakes grabbed when lightly touched them at 70 MPH to avoid a truck that pulled into my lane. Afraid that vehicle will lose control due to sudden brake and shudder in steering.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

I purchased my 2013 honda certified pre-owned in august 2015. Test drive was short and felt no issues. Felt the shudder on a highway drive the next day. Now I question if the salesperson knew this would be noticed and deliberately made the test ride short to avoid this being noticed. I even asked her about the vibration issue from reports I had read about before the purchase. I was told this was not an valid issue and that she had owned a pilot and never felt anything. The car was brought back and a software update was done as well as fluid change in trans within the first month. It still had the shudder. After driving for a few weeks to give it a chance to prove itself and it not me "looking" for a problem I called and spoke with the service manager to report this and inform him I would coming back when my schedule allowed. It is getting more frequent and it does not seem to matter whether in eco mode or not. The shudder usually happens around 38-42 MPH. But will begin anytime the vehicle cruises in any speed range continually. At higher speeds I can feel my skin shake like one of those fat burning shaking belts from years past. (just so you know I am of average build without excessive body skin.) brought the car back a second time. That was today feb. 3, 2016. Went for ride with the service manager. Told him it seems to be getting worse. His conclusion was that this "shudder" was a "characteristic" of my $28,000 purchase. My 1999 suburban that I traded in had a better ride. Very disappointed with honda. I am going to another dealer to get a second opinion.

Filed May 19, 2015 · Transmission · 30,233 miles · NJ

This vehicle seems to have a design flaw. Many threads exist online discussing the same. The vehicle exhibits strange behavior when shifting from p to d and lurches forward. In addition shifting between gears is problematic at times. Lots of shuddering and vibrations. I have take. To dealer on 3 separate occasions with no success in getting repaired. Dealer does not acknowledge problems. I beleive this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. Thank you

Filed Oct 13, 2014 · Transmission · 200 miles · ME

Any time eco mode vcm (vehicle cylinder management) engages engine shudders and entire vehicle vibrates until eco mode disengages upon increased acceleration.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · OR

2013 honda pilot. Consumers write in regards to vehicle shudders, pulsates and vibrates intermittently during normal driving conditions. *smd the consumer stated the shudder, pulsating and vibration occurred intermittently during any and all driving conditions. The consumer was informed by honda representatives ad technicians that vibration was caused by the variable cylinder control system and it usually started after 1000 miles. The consumer was informed honda was working on a fix, but may or may not have a solution in the future. Also, there was a very distinct and constant pull to the left in the steering system. The fuel system alert light illuminated after the tank was filled with gas. The consumer was instructed by the dealer, to remove and replace the gas gap. The alert light went out. The consumer stated the vehicle shifted harshly and it felt as though he transmission was failing. The consumer stated the problem became worse as time went on.

Filed Mar 7, 2014 · Engine · 250 miles · MN

75% of the time the vehicle is in eco mode the entire vehicle vibrates and shudders. The effect varies from annoying to severe. It happens at all speeds. These are the same conditions that have been stated by numerous owners. I expect major pre-mature damage to the engine and drive train. Honda refuses to admit to the defect and has no fix for the defect. Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · 1,325 miles · VA

Ongoing disturbing shudder or vibration apparently related to the vcm/eco feature. The relationship seems to correlate with the visual eco display on the dashboard. The issue can be categorized by progressing through three stages or modes as speed and driving conditions vary. The first mode can be characterized as a howling (significant audible tone change) from the engine right before the vibration begins, which is the second mode. The second mode is the vibration/shudder most predominately around 44 MPH, but can occur at other speeds - depending on the "load" on the engine. The shudder/vibration can vary from a high frequency vibration (like going over small narrow rumble strips) to a more pronounced shudder, both of which is can be felt by passengers and/or driver. In general, the pilot will vibrate/shudder consistently, apparently when the vcm feature is in transition. However, on two occasions, a third mode occurred: very suddenly while driving about 45 MPH or so, by surprise, the pilot shook (front end area) to such a intense degree that it impulsively caused the driver of the pilot to pull-over and stop. Not knowing what really is going on is causing some trepidation about whether to even drive the car. Took pilot into the dealer and explained these modes. Dealer was aware of the vcm related vibrations and says that is the way it works and nothing they can do. But, to me this is a real safety issue. A brand new (rather costly) car should not behave this way. Moreover, it seems such regular ongoing vibration/shuddering can quickly negatively impact the integrity or longevity of the engine/drive train, etc., as most mechanical things generally do not like vibrations which quite often is a significant source of wear and tear. As the owner one must ask things like: will the engine even "survive" this in the long run? Will this cause more frequent repairs?

Filed Feb 18, 2014 · Engine · 11,000 miles · PA

I have had this pilot for a year and its performance has been going downhill. When the eco engages, the car starts to shudder and sound like it is going to stall. I need to press on the gas to get the car going again. This happens at any MPH as it occurs when the eco light turns on. The dealership is aware of this issue and states its a flaw of the 2013 pilot and cannot be fixed. They also call it normal. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and I do not consider it normal for the car I am driving to sound like it is going to turn off. Piazza honda of limerick states they can hook this car up to a computer to ensure that there is no problem but told me over the phone that it was a know issue, basically telling me I am wasting my time. This issue should be fixed, or recalled as it is unsafe.