2023 Honda Pilot: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Engine · FL

Car has been serviced at same dealership I purchased from. All service up to date, Gas type shell gas brand used 95% of the time. (Noticed November 2025)issue a month after recommended transmission flush and an engine oil change. Rough idling (especially when temp below 60⁰) and almost like a miss fire when driving. No check engine light, and dealership had vehicle for two days but claimed unable to replicate issue suggested these engines are prone to carbon buildup. But recommended I switch to premium gas. SUV drives rough and then randomly reverts to normal smooth driving, also seems to struggle when switching gears, spoke to other owners of same type and a pattern of previous years owners mentioned potential issue with VCM. Major issue: Rattling during start up and driving ( sometimes goes away randomly) Car struggles with gear switching. Engine/transmission hesitation.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

Vehicle when entering traffic hesitates for 2 to 3 seconds and then surges forward real fast. No warning lights or or messages. Very scary and dangerous . feels like you do not have control of vehicle....This has happened only twice since I have owned the vehicle. I purchased the vehicle new from a dealer...

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · ME

All listed problems act sporadically. Dangerously Defected 2023 Honda Pilot. Numerous problems with vehicle over several months. Kept taking it back to Charlie's Honda and was told they could not reproduce the problems I was stating. The Vehicle will bog, hesitate and jerk while driving. Charlie finds nothing wrong. Actually all items that are functioning incorrectly, Charlie's tell me they cannot repair anything when they can not reproduce the problem. They tell me that the 10 gears are so close that they skip? Sorry, that's ridiculous! Finally I called previous Owners, (Which Charlie's Honda refused to give me until I had to show them the Chapter 10 S1475 I had with me.) [XXX] from Herman, ME. Ph # [XXX]. They told me to tell you to please call them because they are very upset. After several times taking the Honda back to Charlie’s with no repairs done they went to get a different vehicle at Charlie's Toyota and the Toyota Manager told them that the Honda Pilot was a very dangerous vehicle and will not be put out on the Lot for resale. The [XXX] stated that they almost crashed while taking a left at an intersection with their children in the vehicle because it almost came to a complete stop. This serious problem is doing it to me now and this is why I’m taking this action. The [XXX] left the Pilot at Charlie's Honda for several days but Charlie's said they could not reproduce the problem. Just a few of numerous defects stated below and reported to Charlie's Honda but received no repairs, just excuses : The Airbag says off when a 175 lb person sitting in the front passenger seat. Rear camera does not register an object. I was told it didn't work because it was 1 inch from rear side camera and it was too narrow. nothing done. Speed said I was doing 85mph. I was doing 40 mph. mechanic said he sees them register 100 mph. nothing done. The tech screen goes black. Cannot shut radio off. After trying 3 times. Much more to report! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

Filed Feb 17, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · NY

Slow acceleration at the speed between 0 to 30 mpg. Doesn’t shift smoothly and hesitate. Not enough power on the highway

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Fuel system, Transmission · TX

The vehiclke hesitates moving forward from a stop or standstill. The safey concerin is that the hesitation occurs when entering traffic from a stop and might cause a collision dur to the delay in moving forward. This has occured on many ocassions. No warning lights. The vehicle ws inspected by honda and the transmission was replaced, however, the issue was not resolved with the new transmission.

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Transmission · OH

The pilot sometimes hesitates when trying to accelerate in normal mode (have not used in other modes). It happens randomly, and the same when trying to slow. It seems the transmission is not shifting properly. Or something is preventing it from transitioning properly.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Transmission · NJ

Car hesitates when trying to accelerate in normal mode. Same when trying to slow. It seems the transmission is not shifting properly. When trying to merge or make a quick turn, this issue has made driving difficult. This is ongoing problem that is consistent. I took it to dealer to check it out, but was turned away .