Honda Repair: 2007 Honda Accord engine stutters while driving, honda civic hx, honda civic gx

Question
Hi Travis,

Here is some more information about the car - sorry I didn't include this before. It's a 2007 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder (2.4L), automatic transmission, with 48,000 miles. The only recent service was an oil change (with Mobil One) a couple months ago. I don't remember the stutter occurring before the oil change, but it also didn't start happening right after it, and cold seems to be a factor (got the oil change before winter really hit).

While driving (never happened while idling), engine speed randomly and instantaneously drops 300 to 500 rpm, e.g. from 2000 to 1600, and then instantaneously goes back up to where it was. Feels like a stutter or a hiccup and then the car continues as if nothing happened.

The check engine light has never come on.

First noticed at highway speeds, but recently it has been happening at much lower speeds (20-30 mph), and more frequently - occasionally several times per minute. (That has only happened rarely, in the morning, when cold, at low speeds around 25 mph).

Happens more frequently when the engine is cold, but also happens when warm.

It feels what might happen if I suddenly took my foot off the accelerator and then immediately put it back.

Thanks for your time
Aaron

Answer
Well Aaron, your question was a bit of a homework project for me. Why? Because not only is this a common problem for the 2001-05 Honda Civic GX w/CVT, Honda Civic HX w/CVT, Civic Hybrid w/CVT, and the Insight w/CVT, your car is putting out the exact same symptoms.

Your 2007 Honda Accord EX has no SB's (service bulletins) describing your descriptions of what the problems you are experiencing. SB's are complaints from people and a consistent problem people are describing. Therefore Honda realizes the problem and gladly inspects and investigates the issue and if defective will repair this for you. Most of the times 100% free. I know that the Civic's engine and the Accord's engines are different. I just am not 100% sure about the transmissions. They seem similar but, different.

The problem in the Civic's? - SB 07-049 - Warranty Extension: CVT Start Clutch Judder
                           - SB 07-050 - Warranty Extension: CVT Drive Belt Slippage

100% covered and repaired from Honda. No cost to the customer at all. Just time.

Unfortunately, i have been unable to uncover anything for your car. My advice? Take this too Honda and describe to them your problem. Maybe they have an 'updated' or similar suggestion as to what the issue is going on here for you. My apologies for not being able to help you further but, you definitely stumped me with that question.

(BTW my sources are Honda's extended database. My friend is a warranty specialist at a local Honda dealer and you even stumped her!)