2016 Honda Pilot: jerking or lurching

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

My 2016 Honda pilots has given me trouble lots of people call it the Christmas lights effect, all the dashboard lights turn on in the middle of the highway and my truck jerks and turned off , they now about this dangerous trouble and has not put any recalls on this matter, had to spend 3,000 dollars had to replace the fuel pump and the fuel injected , will not recommend this truck, I was so stressed and scared

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Transmission · NC

The 6-speed automatic transmission on my 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L (103,200 miles) has experienced a severe mechanical failure casing dangerously hard, violent gear shifts during both acceleration and deceleration. Critically, no dashboard warning lights or malfunction indicator lamps illuminated while this dangerous driving condition persisted, leaving me with no advance warning of a safety hazard. A subsequent diagnostic scan at an Authorized Honda dealership revealed hidden diagnostic trouble code P0776 (pressure control solenoid "B" performance or stuck off) and a failing torque converted. The severe, unpredictable jerking and hesitation during shifting creates an immediate traffic hazard during acceleration in traffic. Approximately 45 days prior, an out-of-town Honda dealership performed a prescribed triple fluid flush when the issue first arose. Then, 5 days later, my local Honda dealership performed the prescribed software update for shifting issues, which failed to remedy the underlying defect again. The dealership has now quoted $11,000 + for a full replacement of the transmission and torque converted. American Honda corporate has opened Case Number: 16606142 to track this defect.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Body, Locks · 100,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slow and moderate speeds, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle lurched and jerked. The failure was more evident while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and exceeding 40 MPH, the hood was flapping. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Engine · OH

Vehicle has approximately 145K miles and regularly maintained at the dealership. With no prior warnings, the low fuel pressure light came on, started jerking, and making noises, and was unable to start. The vehicle was towed to the nearest mechanic where they said the engine has failed. The car was driven up to that point with no warning signs.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine · IN

The V6 3.5L engine in the 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L sounds horrible when shifting. It sounds like it is sticking, and in a way lurches. It is especially noticeable around 40mph, but you can audibly hear it shift at all gears. I am concerned that this vehicle should have been part of the previous 2023 recall, or should be looked at for the current 2025 investigation of the connecting rod bearing failures. I am almost afraid to drive the vehicle. The engine sounds awful.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine · ID

My wife was driving our pilot on the highway. It suddenly started to get a flashing check engine light and the car immediately and abruptly slowed down, and was not able to accelerator or keep speed with traffic around her. Then the car would lurch when trying to hold it stopped at a stop light or sign when idling. We took it straight to a mechanic and they ran a scan on the Pilot and said that the flashing check engine light was due to a severe engine warning and when they investigated they found that I had rod knocking in the engine and the engine would need to be replaced due to faulty rod bearings.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Engine · 113,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the contact attempted to drive forward, and the vehicle lurched forward and then hesitated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the camshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

Car staring jerking and engine seized up while i was driving.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · NY

The vehicle has started displaying numerous codes/error messages on the display. Vehicle jerks while attempting to accelerate and loses power. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a camshaft, stating the camshaft, timing belt, camshaft thrust cover, and spark plugs would all need to be replaced. They also said this may have caused damage to the converter, which will not be known until other repairs are made. This is apparently a common and widespread issue with these Hondas despite no recall being issued.

Filed May 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Check engine light on emissions system problem and transmission system problem, there is loss power of engine light, after 2 gear transmission feel like it jerks I don't have save to drive my car, i would like to request a recall to be inspected and repair by warranty of Honda because my car is defective by manufacturer Code are: P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) P0300-P0306 (misfire) P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank])

Filed May 20, 2025 · Engine · 77,837 miles · IL

1. The engine system failed, specifically due to a connecting rod bearing failure caused by improper machining of the crankshaft journals. This led to internal metal-on-metal contact and abnormal wear. The engine is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. 2. The engine failure caused jerking during acceleration, hesitation, and intermittent stalling, particularly when attempting to merge onto highways or accelerate from a stop. This significantly increased the risk of losing power while driving, which could have led to rear-end collisions or sudden stalls in traffic, putting both my safety and the safety of others at risk. 3. Yes. The problem was initially identified by an independent, authorized mechanical shop, which suggested that the failure resembled a known engine-related recall affecting other Honda Pilots. The issue was then formally confirmed by a certified Honda dealership (Honda Superstore of Lisle) on April 19, 2025, which diagnosed connecting rod bearing failure and recommended a full engine replacement. 4. Yes. An authorized third-party mechanical shop, which initially suspected the issue was linked to a known Honda recall. A certified Honda dealership, which confirmed the diagnosis and recommended engine replacement. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. 5. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. However, physical symptoms began appearing around April 1, 2025, and included: Loud ticking and knocking noises on engine startup. Jerking and hesitation during acceleration. Occasional stalling and reduced power while driving. These symptoms worsened over time, prompting me to stop driving the vehicle due to safety concerns.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Electrical · TN

The alarm continuously goes off unprompted while the car is off. The dashboard lights will flash as if the car is attempting to start without any input from the driver. Clicking can be heard from the dashboard during this time. The battery is drained from this continuous issue. Other systems then seem to be impacted. The car has begun lurching out struggling to shift gears. In the last 3 years, all fluid systems have been flushed, battery replaced, oil gauge replaced, and keyless remote entry module replaced. The issue persists. All recalls have been completed as well. When the car is in ACC mode, the battery indicator is on and the flashing of the dashboard indicators still happens (as when the car is off right leading up to the alarm being tripped). Once the car is started , the indicator goes away. There is no apparent clicking or changes in the dashboard when the car is on and actively drawing from the battery.