2017 Honda Ridgeline: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 5, 2026 · Transmission · MI

Transmission started shifting roughly last year, dealership has changed fluid a few times and shifting was better but last time rough shifting came back within a few months. I was driving on a two lane highway and did three individual passes of slower vehicles, after the third pass my transmission lost its mind and started banging into gear then going into neutral, I had to feather the accelerator all the way home. Next drive a few days later in regular traffic it clunked into gears, I did feel the judder for the first time, entered the freeway; check emissions, transmission, blind spot warnings all came on. Got it home a few miles later and had it towed to my dealership, was told the trans is shot, there was metal debris in the fluid. Negotiated getting a reman trans from Honda at a huge expense for a truck only worth $10k according to what carvana would give for it but I can’t find any light truck that I want to spend $45k on again. Having the trans replaced made the most sense since my truck is in really good shape (knock on wood) otherwise. Honda adjusted the cost under Goodwill which I appreciate but the cost should’ve been lowered much more and increase the warranty for others with this trans. People think Hondas are bombproof but then we’re blindsided by this huge repair and people don’t know what they’re getting into by buying these used when used car dealers can really take advantage knowing this fatal flaw exists and knowing most shoppers won’t know and will trust that it’ll be fine being a Honda product.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Engine · GA

The dealership has advised replacing the transmission at a cost of $11,937.77 following diagnostic code P0776 (A/T Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Valve B Stuck Off). I believe this expense should not fall entirely on me for the following reasons: • Honda has a documented history of transmission and torque‑converter‑related issues on the 2017–2019 Ridgeline. Honda Service Bulletin 23‑078 extends warranty coverage to 8 years/150,000 miles for torque‑converter failures associated with DTC P0741. My vehicle has previously undergone multiple transmission‑related warranty repairs and software updates intended to address judder, slipping, and torque‑converter concerns (referenced in earlier service records at 39,678 miles and during warranty-extension procedures). • My service history shows consistent dealer maintenance and multiple prior transmission‑related interventions. The attached service records reflect that I have followed Honda’s recommended maintenance schedule and have repeatedly brought the vehicle to Honda dealerships for all inspections, fluid services, and software updates. The dealership has also previously documented transmission judder and performed warranty-related ATF flushes and software updates intended to correct torque‑converter and clutch‑pressure issues. • The current failure appears related to long‑term degradation of the same transmission systems Honda has acknowledged as problematic. Although the stored DTC is P0776 rather than P0741, both faults relate to clutch‑pressure control and hydraulic operation within the 6‑speed automatic transmission. These problems are highly consistent with the known failures described in Honda’s own bulletin and with my vehicle’s earlier symptoms recorded by Honda technicians—specifically hard shifting, juddering, and slipping under load. • A nearly $12,000 repair on a well‑maintained Honda with documented history of related issues is unreasonable for the customer to absorb entirely.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Engine · WA

Our 2017 Honda Ridgeline suddenly had clunking sounds and a rough sounding engine. Later that day, the engine entirely seized. We are being told. The engine is locked up, and needs to be entirely replaced. The person at the Honda dealership told us that they suspect this was something in the engine that was bad from the start, and just went. They thought it had something to do with a rod. They are quoting us almost $24,000 to replace the engine with a new one, or about $9000 to replace it with a used engine with comparable mileage. Our Ridgeline has always been fully maintained, all oil changes done on time or early, And only has about 71,000 miles on it.

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Engine · 122,255 miles · FL

I started getting a p0306 code on my truck on Thursday Jan 2, 2025. I took it to my mechanic and he said that it is a lower engine problem. On Saturday Jan 11,2025 there was a loud clunk from the engine and the vehicle lost power. My mechanic said that the connector rod broke. I contacted Honda but they said my vin is not in the recall and I would have to deal with the dealership. I know that they won't do anything so I am in the process of trying to install a used engine myself.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · FL

The Drive Train / Transmission has always had a "pause" then a "clunk" before shifting into or from Reverse gear, its worse now. The engine is starting to make noises and Im afraid its part of the engine recall of 2017 and it may fail and injury me while driving. I take excellent care of my truck and its only adult driven by me, hence the concern.

Filed Dec 5, 2023 · Transmission · VA

I was driving and without any warning or indication that anything was wrong, I heard a loud clunk noise and immediately lost power to the wheels, but the engine continued running. I was barely able to get the vehicle to the shoulder before it came to a complete stop without me applying the brakes. A Police Officer came to assist and tried to push it, but even after shifting to neutral, the car would not move. The tow company had to drag it onto the flatbed because the front passenger wheel would not turn. The Honda Service Center indicated that the axle separated from the transmission. They are in the process of making repairs. While waiting for the tow truck, my car had to sit in a busy highway on ramp turn lane, nearly getting hit several times despite my hazard lights. Had this happened at a higher speed, busier road, or the highway, it could have been extremely dangerous to me and the cars around me. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms prior to the incident.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Transmission · IN

While driving the transmission feels and sounds as if it is slipping. When this happens the vehicle does not shift smoothly and there is a hesitation and loud clunk noise. The vehicle then slows down causing vehicles following to brake. The vehicle was taken in for inspection and repair but service center could not reproduce the problem. This is an intermittent problem that has occurred five times over a 6 month period the first year and again the following year.

Filed Jul 28, 2019 · Transmission · 37,800 miles · PA

Transmission is shifting violently when vehicle is in motion, sticking in gears under very light or normal acceleration, holding rpms to 4000 before shifting up then slamming into gear, sluggish to start off the line.

Filed Nov 24, 2017 · Brakes · 2,000 miles · FL

While reversing and applying brakes pads making clunking noise. When switching into drive right afterward brakes make clunking noise again. Dealer continues to lubricate and adjust but noise keeps coming back. Loose pads might be a safety concern if they fall out or move at high speed.

Filed Aug 18, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · 1,500 miles · TN

Truck has a very noticeable clunking sound in front of vehicle when going over bumps. Sound started around 1500 miles. Dealer said is was most likely the brake pads as there is a tsb out. They didn't bother to check and see if the struts were defective. This new truck sounds like it has 100,000 miles on it. I'm very concerned about the safety of this vehicle with these types of noises coming from the suspension/brakes.