2017 Honda Ridgeline: jerking or lurching

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 Sep 16, 2025 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the engine continuously revved very high, and while at a stop light, the vehicle almost stalled after activating the A/C. Additionally, the transmission failed to immediately shift into gear, and the vehicle jerked while shifting gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed a transmission software update, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included the Manufacturer’s Extended Warranty Coverage that addressed the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine · 86,280 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started to lurch forward. The contact stopped and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft and camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,280.

Filed May 13, 2024 · Transmission · OH

While driving the automatic transmission would shift hard causing a lurching motion with the truck. This has happened multiple times and is a known to Honda. It did it again recently shifting hard or not shifting which is a problem in traffic where cars are moving faster speed I almost had someone hit me from behind because as the truck accelerates it suddenly stops and lurches forward like popping a clutch in a standard. Then the emission control light came on, check transmission light came on, bsi light came on and on the display where it indicates P D R L it the P symbol with an X through it. I was in heavy traffic and felt lucky not to be in an accident

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Steering · 45,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel began jerking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2023 · Transmission · CT · crash

I purchased the Ridgeline in 2017 and am the sole owner. I have never towed anything with the truck. The mileage is high currently at 129,000. in the beginning of July the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The way it failed caused a dramatic shifting and of gears and the inability for the transmission to change gears without jerking or banging of the gears. The transmission fluid was recently changed and the vehicle has been regularly serviced by Honda dealerships only. Luckily this happened at a low rate of speed and i am a cautious, experienced, driver. This vehicle is driven by my children and has carried passengers from toddlers to the elderly. It is obvious and foreseeable that this will happen to other vehicles at higher speeds and will be the proximate cause of injury to drivers and passengers. I had my vehicle towed to the Honda dealer Coggin Honda in Fort Pierce, Florida. They told me that the failure of the transmission is a known problem with the 2017 Ridgeline model. The transmission was replaced. Unfortunately, this was not under warranty. After searches on the internet it is obvious that this model's transmission has an inherent defect known by Honda Motors. The reports go back to 2017-2018 and continue. Honda should recall this model and repair the transmission to avoid consumers being injured by this obvious, known defect that impacts the safety of consumers.

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · MI

I am experiencing transmission shudder between 2nd to 3rd gear. When slowing to a stop the vehicle makes a jerking motion. I took my vehicle into the dealership to have computer flash done that would stop the transmission shudder. The problem is not fixed and I'm not sure what to do from here. My 2006 5 speed ridgeline shifts flawlessly with over 250k miles not so much the 2017 6 speed with 44k. Honda makes good engines but not transmissions.

Filed Dec 30, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 68,000 miles · MD

While driving the road departure mitigation system problem lights come on anit lock brake system problem lights come on collision avoidance lights come on the lights all flash on and off and the issue is intermittent the steering wheel is jerked out of your hand if you try to turn when the error is flashing -the error code is not stored in the computer to show the dealer there was a problem so they can not fix it

Filed Oct 3, 2019 · Engine · 51,000 miles · IA

When starting to accelerate my vehicle would become jerky up to around 40 MPH. The dealership said it was poor transmission fluid and an update on software. This cost me $210!

Filed Oct 14, 2017 · Brakes · 2,467 miles · WI

The vehicle applies the back brakes and jerks the passenger and driver into the dash board. He's a very quick brakes which happen at speeds ranging from 35 miles an hour to 60 miles an hour it happened four times in a 20 minute timeframe. This was on october 12, 2017 it was lightly raining at the time. It is currently at the dealership where they're telling me they can find no issue. They are keeping it for one more day as to drive in the rain.