2017 Honda Ridgeline: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CT

The first time I was driving about 30 miles an hour. There was a car in front of me about 10 car lengths who put on his blinker to make a left turn. I started to tap my brakes to slow down. The car was so far in front of me that I didn’t even need to slow down, I was being careful. Suddenly the truck shuddered and stopped and BRAKE, BRAKE flashed on the screen in front of the steering wheel. Everything in the truck flew forward. The people in the vehicle behind me started blasting the horn because they almost rear ended me. My truck just slammed on the brakes for no reason. Another time I was driving down the interstate highway. There were no cars in front, behind or on either side of me. Suddenly, the truck shuddered and BRAKE, BRAKE flashed across the screen. I was driving about 70 miles an hour. The truck did not stop. It just shuddered and slowed down. Those were the two scariest times. The truck since then will flash BRAKE on occasion if I step on the brakes to start slowing down. I called customer service for American Honda and they told me to take it to a Honda dealer when it was happening.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Engine · 152,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering and vibrating before becoming inoperable. The check engine warning light illuminated, and five seconds later the "Low Oil Pressure" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with a spun rod bearing and engine knock. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

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 Feb 19, 2026 · Transmission · SC

At 96k miles, the transmission started slipping and juddering. Three warnings appeared: transmission system, emission system, and blind-spot monitoring problems. Also P-D indicator flashing to not drive. Took into dealership. They said that code P0776 was appearing - clogged solenoid in the transmission. Also said that transmission fluid had a foul burnt smell and had large pieces of the clutch. All of these are symptoms of the torque converter failure, which is covered under TSB 23-078 with warranty extension to 10 years, 150 k miles in letter of June 2025. The TSB states that the warranty will only cover these problems if code P0741 appears. Visually, the dealership has confirmed that my torque converter has failed and my transmission needs replacing. However, because code P0741 isn't showing up, they will not cover replacement. Also they confirmed that the clogged solenoid was due to the failed torque converter. They are fixated on the code reading and refuse to repair the transmission. They quoted me a price of over $13,000 to do this work. The TSB 23-078 should have included any code associated with the transmission, torque converter, or other transmission components such as the solenoid B that would be affected by the failed torque converter.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Transmission · ID

Transmission failure (6 speed). Vehicle has 56200 miles. Never towed and kept in great shape. Noticed judder symptoms around 35000 miles and have changed the transmission fluid 3 times. Recently experienced large jolts from rear of truck during gear shirting. Warning lights on dash went off ( Emissions system problem; Trans system problem) and my plug in analyzer showed code P0776 - pressure control solenoid B performance/stuck off. Took into dealer - they flushed the transmission 3 times and added fluid. Said they could not find anything wrong but did see the codes and dash warnings. Drove vehicle for about 20 miles and now getting jolts in rear end when shifting. Dealer says I need a new transmission.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CO

Over the past 15 months, our 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been at the Honda dealership service for over 90 days, or 20% of the elapsed time. A 2nd replacement of the torque converter (3rd unit) in March 2024 has not resolved the judder/vibration, which does not occur when the engine temperature is cold. The vibration is consistently recurring once the engine has reached nominal operating temperature, when the transmission is in 4th-5th gear around 1800 RPM, 30-50 MPH. Based on the dealership-attempted fixes, the dealer believes the issue is due to Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) and Active Control Mount (ACM) degradation. The dealer, in contact with Honda tech line, have no known fix to this systemic defect. The vehicle has been 100% serviced at Fisher Honda per the factory maintenance schedule. All recommended and required service, including Technical Service Bulletins and Recalls have been performed and are up-to-date. Reference earlier the federal safety agency ID 11554673 (Nov 2023).

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

Was driving on 2 lane highway when truck suddenly decelerated, started shuddering, so I pulled to side of road. Dash lights started cycling through warning lights, ultimately settled on saying it was an emission system problem. Car would not accelerate beyond 30-35 miles an hour after that and would even then suddenly lose power then regain it. But still could not get above 30 or 35 miles an hour. Luckily, no one was behind when this happened and I was able to pull to the side of the road. Normally this is a 55-60 mile an hour busy 2 lane highway. And I was less than a mile from home so was able to limp home. The next morning, tried to drive to the dealer, and had to return home because it would speed up to 45-50, but then would do the same thing again that I described above. Had to get the car towed to the dealer. I checked the OBD scanner and it said the problem was P0087, Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low. Dealer said it was that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Vehicle has about 93,000 miles and is a 2017 model. Don't have the repair invoice yet, picking up the vehicle and paying the $1,700 dollar repair bill this afternoon. Can provide it later if you need/want it.

Filed Nov 11, 2023 · Transmission · CO

The torque converter failed once already while driving at highway speed, creating an unsafe condition as the vehicle went into “limp mode”. After the torque converter was replaced in 2022, the vehicle has continued in 2023 to exhibit judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch (TSB 17-025 and TSB 17-026) which is symptomatic of the original failure. As recognized by Honda in TSB 23-078, the torque converter may also have been manufactured improperly which led to the warranty extension. The Honda dealership service has verified all steps in TSBs have been completed, and they do not know how to resolve the judder. The concern is the transmission and/or torque converter will fail again creating a subsequent unsafe condition. Despite numerous TSBs with potential fixes, they have been unsuccessful in resolving the defects, which suggests this systemic issue needs elevated to a recall.

Filed May 1, 2020 · Fuel system · 125,936 miles · VA

On 2017 ridgeline getting code for faulting injectors and rail . No loss in power or shuddering . This vehicle is too new for this issue

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 Oct 1, 2019 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · NV

The truck vibrates, shudders, and rumble when speed hits 44, 66, 68, 70, 72 MPH upon light acceleration/push of the pedal. The experience is similar or exactly like driving over the emergency rumble strip on the side of the road, but only you're not. The dealership refused to admit the problem nor fix the problem even after the mechanic witnessed the vibration and shuderring in the test drive.