Honda Pilot hesitation problems

Filed Oct 17, 2026 · Engine · FL

This is the description from my wife, who was driving the vehicle at the time. I was driving and the check engine light came on and the car started to violently shake. I lost the ability to accelerate. Fortunately, I was able to steer the car to safety and use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. I called the nearest dealership and they told me to turn it off and if they engine warning light came back on, to contact honda to tow it. The light did not come back on so they suggested that I drive it to them, which was only 7 miles away. Within 1/5 of a mile, they same thing happened- check engine light came on, I lost the ability to accelerate and all warning lights came on including brake system failed. I was again able to pull over safely and stop the vehicle. Honda corp. had it towed to the dealership. It was there for 5 days. It was an engine problem. I have uploaded detailed reports for you. After honda shipped the car back to me, the gas pedal was acting strange. There was a grinding/vibrating sensation upon acceleration. Sometimes it does hesitate to accelerate. I brought it to the dealership closest to me. They kept it for 5 days. They told me that the engine misfired but that could be from anything. They were in contact with honda corp. No codes happened even when they drove it 115 miles. I was told to pick it up and return the rental they provided. My concern is for my safety. The cause of the engine issue initially has not been identified to me and I do not feel safe driving this car. Fortunately, both times I could not accelerate there were no other vehicles behind me and I was able to get to safety very quickly and stop the vehicle. However, this was engine failure and should not have happened on a brand new car. We do have a case # with honda corporation and have not heard back from them. They are only reimbursing us for car rental and hotel.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · OK

When I am driving my Honda sometimes will change gears "hard" or sometimes when I press the gas pedal it will hesitate and not go when I am trying to go around another car. I have had my car for less than a year and it has happened through out my ownership.

Filed Sep 30, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 122,993 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under Technical Service Bulletin: 23-008 (Product Update: PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update); however, the failure occurred after the product update. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start after pressing the Engine Start button. The engine failed restart after coming to a complete stop and releasing the brake pedal and the Auto Idle Stop feature engaged. The battery warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Battery Failure" and "Press Brakes - Put the Car in Park and Restart" were displayed. The contact deactivated the Auto Idle Stop feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 122,993.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Engine · NC

Was traveling in moderately heavy highway traffic at 65 mph (actual speed limit) and vehicle suddenly started slowing down and hesitating. The narrow shoulder made it unsafe to stop but was able to continue at 45 mph or so and pulled off at first exit. There were numerous trouble lights on the dash. Car towed to Honda dealership and they found trouble code P0369. They found front camshaft sensor to be ground down in the center, as it had been damaged by the cam sprocket. The camshaft had excessive end play causing the cam to walk. New camshaft, thrust cover, sprocket, and related gaskets required. There were no symptoms for the issue before it happened. Honda has a 'Technical Line Summary Article' that says issue is caused by thrust cover manufacturing problem, specifically "we’ve found that the camshaft thrust cover surface roughness is out of spec."

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Transmission · SD

We believe there is a serious safety issue with our 2026 Honda Pilot with its delayed acceleration. There is a distinct delay between pushing the gas pedal and the engine engaging/moving the car forward (approximately 2 seconds). This has nothing to do with the Auto Idle Stop function. I've attached a vLinker MC+ device to our car's OBD port and used the Car Scanner mobile app ([XXX]) to measure the delay. I'm attaching visual proof of the delay between the gas pedal and the engine RPMs. The reason we believe this is a safety issue is that when trying to merge into traffic (think of crossing 2 lanes to turn left) the delay means you have no confidence you'll make it safely across without getting broadsided because the car won't accelerate when it is needed. This sounds eerily similar to the federal safety agency 25V‑031. The engine hesitation will cause an accident at some point. This issue was reported to Honda customer care (case #XXX) but they declined to address the situation and pushed it back on the local Honda dealer. "All technical evaluations and potential escalations must originate with, and be requested by, an authorized Honda dealership based on their inspection findings." We already brought this up with our local Honda dealer in a service call on XXX. It was documented in our service record with them. They asked us to submit the issue to Honda Customer Care. Since all parties are pointing the finger at each other, we are raising this safety issue with the federal safety agency. This is a new vehicle purchased at the end of May, 2026. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 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 Sep 1, 2026 · Transmission · MO

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and was shaking violently. The contact associated the failure with the transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered a goodwill repair; however, the contact had not agreed to the terms. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that prior to the transmission failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the hesitation issue, and the dealer associated the failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired for personal reasons.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · TX

I am filing this complaint regarding my new Honda Pilot with only approximately 300 miles. The vehicle has multiple serious problems that I believe should be investigated as potential safety defects. Steering/Rack Clicking: The steering system produces a loud clicking/rattling noise that sounds like loose marbles, especially at low speeds and during slow turns. This appears to come from the steering rack/steering assembly. There are multiple reports from Honda Pilot owners on online forums describing the same or very similar steering noise dating back to the 2023 redesign. It is extremely concerning that the issue continues in newer vehicles. A potential defect involving the steering system could affect steering control and represents a serious safety concern. Transmission Jerking: The transmission jerks, lurches, and rocks the vehicle at low speeds, particularly when shifting into Drive, Reverse, and between 1st and 2nd gear. There is sometimes hesitation followed by an abrupt engagement. Unexpected movement during parking, reversing, or stop-and-go traffic could create a safety risk. A/C Not Cooling: The A/C is not properly cooling the cabin and has a condenser/refrigerant leak. In extreme temperatures, inadequate cabin cooling can also become a safety concern, particularly for children and other vulnerable passengers. It is unacceptable for a vehicle with only 300 miles to have these significant issues. Given the multiple owner reports and the apparent persistence of the steering problem across model years, I strongly believe the federal safety agency should investigate these complaints and determine whether Honda should be required to conduct a safety recall. Honda should not wait for accidents or injuries before taking action. If these are widespread defects, Honda should issue a recall and provide a permanent repair to affected owners. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate these issues and take appropriate action to protect Honda Pilot owners and the public.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Acceleration · TX

I am submitting a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding a persistent and hazardous malfunction that has been present since the day I purchased my vehicle. Below are the required details: 1. Component or System Failure The issue appears to involve the drivetrain or transmission engagement system. From the moment I purchased the vehicle—when it had only 17 miles—the vehicle has consistently hesitated for several seconds before engaging when shifting from Park to Drive, Reverse to Drive, or when attempting to accelerate while already in Drive. This hesitation continues now at nearly 6,000 miles. The affected components are available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety Risk This malfunction places my safety and the safety of others at risk. The delay in acceleration has caused dangerous situations, including the vehicle nearly rolling toward me, other drivers reacting aggressively, and traffic hazards due to the vehicle failing to take off promptly. The hesitation creates unpredictable vehicle behavior that could lead to injury or collision. 3. Reproduction or Confirmation of the Problem The problem has been present since purchase and occurs frequently during normal operation. It has not yet been formally diagnosed or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but it is easily reproducible. 4. Inspection Status The vehicle and its components have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or any other authority. 5. Warning Lamps or Symptoms There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the failure. The symptoms began immediately upon ownership and have continued without any prior indication from the vehicle. Given that this issue has existed since 17 miles and now persists at nearly 6,000 miles, I request that the federal safety agency investigate this matter due to the ongoing safety concerns and the potential risk to myself and other road users.