2017 Honda Ridgeline: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Engine · MA

At about 2:30pm Oct 14, 2025 I had a catastrophic engine failure (called the “Connecting Rod Bearings Failure”) while driving my 2017 Honda Ridgeline truck back home from shopping (a 30 minute ride). I was driving on route 95 in Massachusetts about 8 minutes from home when suddenly, out of nowhere, a noise from the front of the truck started making a knocking sound getting progressively louder while the truck was also slowing/ hesitating/seizing-up/jerking while its speed was slowing down. (I could not accelerate, and simultaneously ALL the lights/icons/warnings on the dashboard began blinking on and off). I struggled to get the Honda Ridgeline off the highway onto the ascending exit, and then off the exit, across the bridge to a large parking lot. I was concerned with my safety, worried I might be rear-ended while on RT95 and while ascending the exit I worried about barely making it to the end of the exit. Also, I was relieved and especially grateful to not have my 2 little grandchildren in the truck with me! I usually have 1 or both of them with me in the truck once or twice a week! Later that same afternoon I had AAA come with a flat-bed truck and brought the truck to the nearby Honda dealer. The dealer inspected and confirmed the vehicle and advised that the engine was destroyed,!! ... caused by the “Connecting Rod Bearings Failures" !! My truck only had 96,200 miles on it on October 14, 2025 and it was always serviced regularly by Honda. I've learned there are many Honda 2017 & 2019 Ridgelines that have been re-called for that defect, but for some reason my VIN number was not included by NHSTA. My truck should be included in the re-call category. It has experienced the same engine disaster as other Ridgelines that were included in the re-call. Please help. I hope the new August 25, 2025 probe will include my truck. Thank you.

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Engine · 119,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle severely hesitated and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost rear-ended due to the failure. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was driven without the failure recurring. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the failure occurred while exiting the granddaughter's school parking lot. In addition, the contact's granddaughter was an occupant in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with moisture in the intake manifold. The contact was informed that an unknown foam substance needed to be installed between the engine and the intake manifold. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 24-085; however, the repair was not covered under the Technical Service Bulletin. The contact was provided with a customer discount to assist with the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

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 Aug 5, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · WI

The vehicle chugs and hesitates when accelerating on the highway or in the city. The RPM tachometer "bounces" as it does so. Took to dealership september 26, 2019 thinking it was fuel pump issue (recall 19-013) and they said this was not the problem and the fuel pump system was fine. Problem is still occurring.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · MI

"emissions system problem" light came on around 60k miles. Service tech said to ignore it if it goes away. It did, then it came back on repeatedly over s span of months. Eventually, vehicle started to run poorly, hesitating on acceleration. Honda service diagnosed as fuel injectors failing, problem requires total replacement of fuel injectors. Wife's 2017 pilot has same problem, brother's 2017 pilot had same problem. Contacted honda, they declined to stand behind either, as the vehicles are past warranty on mileage.