2021 Honda Pilot: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Driver assistance · GA

On multiple occasions the hazard mitigation system has picked up on hazards that aren't there causing rapid braking AND steering over correction. Currently the button on my vehicle that has an image representing the ability to turn the system off doesn't appear to be connected or working. I have always left the system on as it felt "safer" when I bought the vehicle new. I haven't even tried to turn it off until recently when the system seemed to start malfunctioning. Today (11/19/2025) while traveling the interstate for a routine doctor appointment the adaptive cruise control randomly shut off as I was driving multiple times. If I changed lanes and a vehicle was in front of me the adaptive cruise control would just shut off with no warning or alert rather than adjust the speed as the system is designed to do. Once I exited from the interstate at a traffic light (green, turning left) the lane assist overcorrected, the steering wheel got stiff and it was jerked into the other lane almost causing a collision. This is very concerning as I was very fortunate not to have been involved in a collision today thankfully the other driver was paying attention and evaded. Each incident there has been ZERO warning. There have been a couple times recently where the system randomly fails and says there is a problem, but within minutes come right back on and operates properly until it randomly malfunctions again. This has occurred very sporadically over the past 6 months with incidents rapidly increasing over the past 3 days to the point I am very nervous to carry my children in this vehicle any longer. This vehicle was purchased as the primary vehicle for our family and our purchase was strongly influenced by Honda's "safety", but now that's very much in question as I understand many other Honda owners are experiencing the same Honda system issues. We are in the process now of having it scheduled with Honda, but this should not be acceptable from any manufacturer.

Filed Aug 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 15,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the START/STOP feature activated, the engine shut off while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. After waiting for several minutes, the contact had to perform several procedures to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer where a software update was performed; however, the failure returned weekly. Recently, the contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle after the failure, the vehicle began to jerk while accelerating, with an abnormal tapping sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with a defective engine rod bearing. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the repair could not be warranted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

Filed May 21, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

While driving the CMBS (crash mitigation braking system) turns on at random timed intervals causing sudden breaking and jerking of the steering wheel towards center. This causes severe safety issues including increasing the chances of a wreck due to wheel jerk movements during turning and sudden breaking. The CMBS error message pops up on the touchscreen and during the episodes of sudden onset the entire digital display both on the gage cluster and entertainment center go black and an audible clicking is heard in the steering column.

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Engine · CA

So on Oct 25, 2024 I took my car to get an oil change at the moss bros Honda dealership. I always get all maintenance done there. Then a week later on Nov 3, 2024 my suv pilot broke down on the freeway it just started jerking and the screen kept glitching then right after the engine light went on. I was not aware of any signs for it to happen but Luckily there was a cop and a tow truck close by because who knows what would have happened. After that I took to the dealership on Tuesday and they inspected it then they come and tell me that my engine is done. So they were trying to charge me $8792 for a used engine. I just think is so weird that how everything happened knowing that is a semi new car and I been taking care of the maintenance so for this to happen I find it sketchy.

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · Tires · 29,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Crosscontact LX Sport, Tire Size: 245/50R/20, DOT: A376D3K92321. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and the contact was able to pull over and notice that both front and rear passenger’s side tires experienced blowouts on the sidewall of both tires. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the tires were replaced. The vehicle manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to reach out to the tire manufacturer for assistance. The tire manufacturer was contacted but the contact received no response. The failure mileage was 29,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2022 · Driver assistance · CA

The car braked automatically without any obstruction or car in front. I lost control of the brakes causing a severe Jerk and car to slip on freeway. I had a 2 month and 5 yr old in the car. We nearly escaped a serious accident as the truck was behind us in full speed. The whole warning/stopping event occurred in a few seconds. There were no obstacles in the road," the driver wrote. "There was a truck following me about 2 car lengths behind who had to stop very quickly in order not to rear-end me." I am scared and dont want to drive the car anymore

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Driver assistance · PA

I have a major safety complaint with Honda’s computer system. I understand that Honda works hard to make their vehicles as safe as possible. With that said, on 7/29/21 around 9:40am I was driving on a country style road. Out of no where with nothing around me but trees the auto break safety feature came one. When this occurred I was jerked forward and got whiplashed. The car went from 40mph to 0mph immediately with no reason. As someone who has had concussions in the past this immediately gave me a headache. Thank goodness no one was behind me that would have rear-ended me. This issue with the auto break system occurs a couple times a week. Sometimes the breaks don’t enact but the break warning light comes on and shakes the stirring wheel in which is extremely distracting. With this being said we have brought it up to a Honda Service Member and the response back we got was: “Oh, yeah that happens sometimes. There’s nothing we can do about it”. The car is my leased by my spouse.

Filed Apr 9, 2021 · Transmission · 900 miles · CA

I just bought my brand new 2021 honda pilot I had it for 1 week so I decided to take it to las vegas on the way there it was fine but on the way home I'm coming down I started to feel a jerk in the transmission I didn't think nothing of it so I kept driving. But for a new car it should not be doing anything like that at all so I took it to honda dealer and they did a multi inspection check and said they didn't find anything wrong with it and everything shift fine but when I took it home a week later it's happening more and more especially when it's traffic you will feel it way more I just hope it don't go out after my 60k miles warranty right now it's only 2,500 miles and I feel I got a lemon I already have transmission problems but it just too new to go out right now