2017 Honda Pilot: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

I own a 2017 Honda Pilot equipped with the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am reporting what I believe may be transmission/torque-converter failure and a potential safety concern. The vehicle began experiencing shuddering, jerking, and hesitation. There is significant RPM fluctuation and harsh shifting. The problem occurs on highway speeds, accelerating or shifting lanes, 40–60 mph. During these episodes, the acceleration stalls and is accident prone. 8 months ago, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer because of these symptoms, they couldn't get the code. 3 months ago, I went again for same issues, the dealer diagnosed a damaged air-intake hose and I paid for replacement. However, immediately driving off the lot, the original symptoms continued after the repair. I returned the vehicle to the Honda dealership because the problem persisted. The dealership has now diagnosed transmission failure and has estimated the repair at approximately $10,000. American Honda has offered approximately 60% goodwill assistance toward the repair, leaving me responsible for approximately $4,000. I am concerned because there are numerous reports involving transmission and torque-converter problems in 2017 Honda Pilots. Honda has issued technical service information concerning transmission and torque-converter conditions in this model year, including information involving the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am also aware of other the federal safety agency complaints involving premature 9-speed transmission and torque-converter failure in 2017 Honda Pilots. My vehicle has previously required other Honda-recognized repairs, including fuel-injector/emissions-related repairs that Honda covered. I am submitting this complaint because a transmission or torque-converter malfunction that causes hesitation, harsh or unexpected shifting, loss of acceleration, or loss of motive power can create a serious safety risk, particularly while entering or traveling on a highway or crossing traffic.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Engine · PA

Engine connecting rod bearing failure diagnosed at the dealership. At 30mph, engine lost power and clunking noise was heard, coasted into a parking lot and had the vehicle towed to the Baierl Honda Wexford PA Dealership quoted total engine replacement at $9,978.93 +labor, + tax.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · CA

I drive a 2017 Honda Pilot Touring 9-speed and I’ve been dealing with some frustrating issues for last 3 years. The car has sudden loss of power, jerking, harsh shifting, and acceleration problems. I’ve done all the dealer-recommended maintenance (timing belt + water pump, spark plugs, valve adjustment, fuel injector cleaning, regular oil and transmission fluid changes), but the problem still hasn’t gone away. I feel unsafe to drive the car on freeway due to sudden loss of power and then sudden acceleration. Sometimes it feels like the gears don’t shift when they should, I am not a mechanic and not sure if it’s an engine issue or a transmission issue. I checked for recalls but didn’t find any. First I thought it has to do with driving on ECO mode but it seems like it does not matter which mode I drive. It still gives me the same issue.

Filed Aug 19, 2025 · Engine · WI

Driving down the highway started having the check engine light start flashing and a loud clunking noise started in engine. Pulled over and shut off vehicle and tried restarting and it wouldn't. Tried again about 1 hr later and same noise came back. Stuck on side of highway for est 3 hrs. Had it towed to local Honda dealer (70 miles away) and it has a connecting rod/bearing failure and the engine is shot. No indication of the problem until the check engine light starting flashing. Car ran fine. This happened on 7/24/25 and has been at dealership since then because it cannot be driven.

Filed Dec 10, 2024 · Engine · IA

Rod Bearings failed on the vehicle. No indication that were going bad. we were driving on the interstate and all of a sudden heard major "clunking" and safety system lights on the dash flashing. The vehicle was towed to a private auto shop and inspected to find it was the rod bearings. there are recalls on the same motor for model years 2016, 2018, and 2019. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Nov 16, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The car engine was revving up intermittently, with rough shifting of gears, poor acceleration and 3 of the dashboard malfunction indicator lights activating - emission system, transmission system, and blind spot information system. Car still at dealer.

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · NM

2017 honda pilot awd - periodically the transmission experiences hard shifting in the lower gears. This occurred when speeding up or slowing down. It continued until I turned off the vehicle and restarted the car. It has happened 3 times in the 3 months. I have not taken the vehicle in to be looked at because it is so un predictable.

Filed Nov 5, 2019 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 honda pilot. While driving between 10 and 25 MPH, the transmission experienced hard shifting between first and second gear, which caused the vehicle to suddenly lunge forward. The vehicle was taken to conyers honda (1860 ga-20, conyers, ga), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was invalid.

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 34,200 miles · TX

For a while now the car has had an issue with starting after the auto idle engine stop has engaged. It is slow to start, the radio and infotainment screen cut out, and there is a popping noise. When we had the car in for service last, we mentioned this and they said they couldn't replicate the issue and to record it happening. I'm supposed to drive around recording everything? This has progressed to the other night my wife was alone in the car and it completely died at a red light, with cars all around her. She was frantically trying to get it started after it said to switch to park and restart. It wouldn't start for 5-6 attempts and then finally started. This is extremely dangerous and to think it could happen with my kid in the car. We will be setting up an appointment to have it looked at again. Also, the shifting of gears in the car is rough between first and second gears. It's always between 25-30 MPH when the hard shift happens. It's like the car doesn't know what gear to be in. Again, the dealership can't replicate it and we should record it happening. They did a transmission service as part of the standard mileage service recommendation and thought that may fix it. It did not.