2016 Honda Pilot: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Engine · OK

Driving at highway speeds the vehicle began to shudder and make a loud screeching/banging sound. Once shut off it would not start. Mechanic determined the vehicle had no compression on one cylinder and further observed that while the valves did operate, the piston was not moving in the cylinder. The conclusion was the connecting rod had broken. Engine is still sealed and has not been taken apart for inspection. Engine has been replaced at customer expense.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine · 159,440 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a complete stop in a drive thru, the vehicle started shuddering and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart 40 minutes later after several attempts; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at 55 MPH, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,440.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Engine · WA

Purchased 2016 Honda Pilot Elite used from a Hyundai dealership in Feb 2024 with ~70,000 miles. At approximately 89,000 miles noticed a ticking sound from engine that corresponded with engine RPM. Brought car in for oil change at 91,000 miles and noticed ticking had progressed to a more concerning knocking sound, however no codes or warnings were thrown and power seemed unaffected. Approximately 6 days later while on freeway felt a large shuddering, check engine light came on and power was significantly reduced, especially at higher RPMs. Limped directly to Honda dealership, who inspected and advised of metal shavings in oil filter. Advised by Honda techs there was evidence of camshaft rod failure and recommended total engine replacement ($11,330 quote). Mileage at failure was ~92,000. VIN check showed no unresolved recalls, despite remarkable similarity of symptoms and failure to Recall #23V‑751. I did not receive a notice in the mail about this recall.

Filed Feb 26, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · AR

The brakes have been repaired and replaced repeatedly. The vehicle locked down yesterday 2/25/25 when the driver was headed to school to pick up the children. The car came to a complete halt and was a danger to others with a "transmission engine" warning light on the dash. This vehicle has numerous repairs in addition to being too dangerous to drive down a two lane road due to the severity of the following issues: •Abrupt jerking or 'juddering' while accelerating, which can cause sudden unintended movement. •Noticeable hesitation when pressing the gas pedal, impacting the vehicle's response time. •Unusual clunking noises or hard downshifting, indicating potential internal damage.

Filed Dec 8, 2024 · Engine · ID

The component that failed was the connector rod bearing in cylinder 4. It is not available for inspection. Our safety was put at risk because the connector rod bearing failed while my family and I were driving at 80mph (legal freeway speed) on the freeway. We lost power and the engine shuddered and the car shook while we navigated to the shoulder. The vehicle was inspected by the independent service center. There were no symptoms that I noticed prior to the failure. It was sudden, and occurred on my Pilot on just 112,546 miles. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center.

Filed Nov 27, 2024 · Engine · 103,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an unclosed speed, the lower part of the engine was making an abnormal knocking sound and the vehicle was shuddering. The contact stated that the failure recurred upon starting the vehicle and while driving 20 MPH. The check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with thrown rod bearing failure. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Transmission · MI

Purchase Honda Certified with around 38,000 miles. Within days of owning became apparent there were drivetrain issues. In higher gears while cruising at speeds between 25 and 60 MPH, the car would pulse -- the speed goes up and down and the tachometer indicated same with RPM pulsing. I've had the vehicle at the dealership shop 7 times and very little was done to remedy. Very nearly one year later - near the end of the extended warranty they finally correctly identified, acknowledged and made an attempt to solve with a triple flush of the transmission fluid. That seems to have solved the pulsing issue, but a couple months later the transmission began making a loud clunking judder noise when shifting lower gears while accelerating. Also apparent the transmission is slipping. Very poor gas mileage and tach shows unreasonably high RPMs for given speed. Vehicle still has less than 60,000 miles and is undriveable. Been sitting undriven in my driveway for nearly 3 months. Of course the pulsing behavior that was evident for a year was a bit of a driving hazard. Now the clunking transmission is also a hazard. Only a matter of time until there is a major failure. Only once, briefly, have I seen a warning indicator.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Engine · CA

The vehicle has had so many problems since it was new. We are the only owners this vehicle has always been unsafe. Auto idle has always turned car off and left me stuck in traffic. The engine just failed. Multiple malfunction indicators lights came on flashing D (drive) light, engine light, emissions light. Vehicle was shuddering under acceleration. Vehicle stopped as unsafe and had it towed.

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Transmission · MA

Honda pilot 2016 -the transmission causes the transmission fluid to overheat. The overheating issue leads to a 'judder' in the transmission. The car accelerates in a very jerky way especially between 30 and 50. This is a big safety issue if you are trying to pass someone. As soon as the vehicle reaches 80,000 miles honda will no longer cover the so-called 'repair' to flush fluid and update software. Honda is aware of this problem.

Filed May 7, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

My vehicle has been loosing power when accelerating. This has been an ongoing issue for approximately six months or so. I' have taken it to two different mechanic shops locally and both have stated that some of the fuel injectors are not working properly and 5 cylinders are misfiring. That is the reason the vehicle is loosing power. But they don't understand why the engine light or any other light are not coming up on the cluster board. Vechicle continues to jerk and shudder everytime we stop and only happens on 2 and 3 gear to the point we have to stay two cars back everytime it is in use to avoid rear ending any other vehicles. Feels like it looses power to the point of turning off then begans to pull. The RPM needle jumps up and down when the shuddering begins. It is a great concern such that i feel it poses a risk to my family and other drivers. I have been to the dealership but they will not do anything about it unless the engine light is on which at this point it has not turned on making impossible to diagnose the issue through the dealership. I did provide the dealership with documentation from other shops but they wouldn't accept them as they would have to run diagnostic themselves. I did check for recalls and other complaints. A recall was issued for the fuel injectors but as stated dealership will not do anything unless the engine light turns on. They wouldn't even test drive it to confirm the issue. I feel that if this issue isn't addressed my family or others drivers will end up getting hurt. There has been hundreds of people who have complained of the same issue on the internet forums and many have filed complaints with the federal safety agency. This complaint is for record purposes in the event of injury due to engine failure on my vehicle.

Filed Nov 1, 2023 · Engine · CA

The short engine block failed while driving the car. Engine experienced problems prior to event such as engine shudder, engine shutoff while driving, and ultimately an engine failure while driving. Honda dealer stated that a failure in the short block is due to a manufacturer defect, but did not identify what the defect is. Having a car shut off while driving is extremely dangerous. Having a car engine fail while driving is also extremely dangerous. Car has been well maintained to all Honda standards. The 2016 Honda Pilot should be investigated for engine shudder, engine shutoff and premature engine failures.

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Transmission · CA

When driving vehicle between 20 to 60mgh the vehicle judders. The vehicle almost feels like it's going to come out of gear. The vehicle also seems to not speed up or react to the accelerator. This being an SUV that my wife and kids drive everyday seems to be a very high safety issue for our family. If this vehicle does not accelerate in time or shift in time it could potentially put my family in harm's Way. And the other vehicles involved as well. The dealership has inspected and acknowledged that there is a problem with the transmission shifting or shuttering. But they only say that the transmission needs servicing. I service the transmission at the Honda dealership 10 months ago and it's reoccurring again. A 10-month transmission service and it reoccurs seems to be excessive. Attached is a Honda service bulletin that I found and mentioned to the dealership and American Honda. They mentioned to me that my VIN number is not covered by this Service Bulletin. The bulletin States all VIN Bulletin # 17-015, #16-091 February 18, 2017 A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder. The judder was caused by deteriorated transmission fluid. The transmission fluid deteriorates quicker than expected when it is exposed to intermittent high heat loads under specific driving conditions. A software update is available to maintain the transmission fluid temperature within the desirable range under all driving conditions and eliminate the potential for this judder. There are two bulletins referring to this subject: x 17-014 - 2016–17 Pilot: Judder from the Torque Converter Lock-Up Clutch. American Honda customer service says that my VIN # is not cover by this Service Bulletin # 17-015, dated February