Honda Ridgeline harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Steering · CT

I own a 2023 Ridgeline with an abnormal clunking noise from front right side and occasional steering wheel vibration at highway speeds. Clunking noise most noticeable when driving on bumpy dirt roads, typically at low speeds 10-25 MPH. I am estimating the problem became noticeable at about 35,000 miles. Over time the clunking noise became noticeable on paved roads up to about 40 MPH when going over small to medium pot holes (depth). On dirt roads at low speeds 10-25MPH, it became more difficult to isolate to right side as noise seemed now to be noticeable in center of vehicle as well as right side. Also was able to produce noise with vehicle in park when simply turning wheel from right to left and sound came from right side only. At 46148 miles I took the vehicle to a local repair shop and preliminary assessment was an inner tie rod failure. Owner of repair shop called and told me the clunking noise was not related to the right-side inner tie rod but was being caused by an estimated .25-.50 inches of play of the steering rack and a replacement steering rack assembly was needed. The repair was completed on 10/2/2026. The replaced steering rack assembly S/N did not match either of the S/N's listed in service bulletin 24-018. I drove the vehicle to the same dirt road where previously the location of the noise was noticeable at both the center and right of vehicle. No noise was noticed at all. The vehicle now has 46770 miles and has been driven on pavement, dirt roads and tested at park by turning the steering wheel left to right. The noise is gone.

Filed Sep 18, 2026 · Transmission · CO

My 2018 Honda Ridgeline experienced an internal transmission failure June 2026. Local Honda dealership installed a Honda remanufactured transmission under my extended warranty, I picked up the vehicle on July 7, 2026. About 400 miles later, about July 25, the replacement transmission exhibited delayed engagement when shifting into Drive, shuddering and severe jolts during shifting. The dashboard displayed “Transmission System Problem,” “Blind Spot Info System Problem” and “Emission System Problem” warnings. Safety concern: The delayed engagement and unexpectedly harsh shifting may interfere with my ability to accelerate or control the vehicle, particularly when entering traffic or driving at highway speeds. I am concerned that these symptoms could recur without warning and put me at risk. On July 27, I drove directly to local Honda dealership while the warnings were active. The dealership observed the warnings and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes. The codes were subsequently cleared. Local Honda dealership consulted American Honda's technical personnel, changed the transmission fluid and road-tested the vehicle for approximately 200 miles without reproducing the malfunction. The dealership has therefore confirmed the warning condition and retrieved fault codes, but it has not identified the root cause of the post-replacement malfunction or demonstrated to me that the problem has been corrected. Local Honda dealership inspected and serviced the vehicle and communicated with American Honda's personnel. I have not been informed that an American Honda representative personally inspected the vehicle. No police or insurance inspection is known to me. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection. The replacement transmission remains installed. American Honda has advised me that no further repair will be authorized unless the fault codes reappear. My concern is recurrence of the delayed engagement and severe shifting while driving.

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Suspension, Wheels · WI

1.The rear wheel assembly, lug nuts, and potentially the wheel studs/rear suspension system failed due to improper torque and installation by the dealership. Yes, the vehicle components are available for inspection 2.The dealership released my vehicle with completely untorqued lug nuts on the rear wheel assembly. A lug nut physically fell off onto the public street while driving back to the shop. This severe negligence created an immediate, life-threatening risk of the wheel detaching entirely at highway speeds. 3.Yes, the initial loose lug nut failure was witnessed and confirmed on-site by the dealership's staff when I returned. Furthermore, the ongoing mechanical looseness and wobble were confirmed by my own driving experience immediately after their supposed "fix," and an independent shop inspection is scheduled to document the remaining issues. But I couldn't provide the key to the lug nuts because I couldn't find it in my car, after I brought the car to them. 4.It was superficially inspected by the O'Malley Honda service department, who merely rebalanced the tires and claimed nothing was wrong, they said they properly inspect for structural stud or suspension damage and everything seem good, and nothing wrong with it. 5.There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages. The physical symptoms—a heavy clunking noise, severe road wobble, and loose rear wheels—appeared immediately upon driving the vehicle off the dealership lot following their service on July 10th, and the rear end has continued to feel wobbly ever since.

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 Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · 40,539 miles · PA

Truck only has 40,500 miles. Was driving down road and made a clunk noise and engine seized up and wouldn't start. There were no warning signs. I had it towed to Honda dealership. Their official repair estimate states verbatim "Bearing on a connecting rod went bad and the rod snapped." The bill is $7800 for a remanufactured engine or $13500 for a new one. I had just had the vehicle's 40,000 mile inspection done at the same Honda Dealership 2 months prior, and no issues were found.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Suspension · TX

Vehicle started making a clunking noise that could be felt at 45,000 miles when steering left and right. An independent auto business found loose subframe bolts and lower control arm as well as checked sway bar links and found loose core support braces. The clunking stopped after the bolts were tightened. I found this very odd and concerning. 2021 Honda Rigdeline RTL. Cost to remedy included two hours of labor.

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 Aug 29, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 42,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Ridgeline. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, the horn and panic alarm activated independently, and the headlights started flashing. The contact disconnected the battery to stop the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. An unknown software update was performed on the vehicle. The contact stated that when the windows were completely closed, there was a musty odor inside the vehicle. The contact was unsure where the odor was coming from. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Transmission · MI

The truck has a hard/rough shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear in an automatic transmission. No dash light indicating anything wrong with the engine or the transmission.