7.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,500
Average Mileage:
97,200 miles
Total Complaints:
29 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (17 reports)
  2. added oil every 1000 miles and replaced fouled spark plugs (7 reports)
  3. add 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles (3 reports)
  4. engine replaced (1 reports)
  5. honda replaced my short block with a new one at no cost (1 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

Jun 232016

Pilot LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I BOUGHT A HONDA DUE TO RELIABILITY AND BRAND REVIEWS, NO IM STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THATS USING OIL AS FAST AS I CAN BUY IT, AT 85K MILES THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THERE SHOULD BE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR THESE TYPES OF ISSUES, THEY SAID THIS ENGINE WAS BUILT TO LAST, WELL I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT IF IT RUNS OUT OF OIL. WE ARE ALWAYS ON TIME AND ON TOP OF OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND FOLLOW AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO RECOMENDATIONS MADE BY MANUFACTURER.

IF THEY WANT ME TO BUY ANOTHER ONE , THEY BETTER FIRST CONVINCE ME THERE BEHIND THERE PRODUCT, I DEMAND THAT THIS BE REMEDIED AND NOT BY MY WALLET

- Danyel W., Maple Valley, WA, US

problem #8

Jun 012015

Pilot LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

My 2010 Honda Pilot has been consuming oil like crazy. I called Honda customer service 1-800-999-1009 and I was told there was a recall for oil consumption but your vehicle is not part of the recall.

- Ankita P., Oviedo, FL, US

problem #7

Jul 152015

Pilot EX-L 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

Never had a car that requires one quart of oil every 1,000 miles and fouls plugs to change more often.

- Aubrey G., Landenberg, PA, US

problem #6

Nov 012014

Pilot Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

2010 Honda Pilot with the V6 engine guzzles oil. Low oil warning lamp never came on. Mechanic found just a little over a quart of oil drained out during last oil change. That's a burn rate of 3 quarts for 6000 - 7000 miles. I have had eight cars before and usually the oil consumption is 1/2 qt at the most between oil changes. Is Honda USA fixing this under warranty?

Update from Apr 29, 2015: This is a compliment! Honda replaced my short block with new unit at no cost! Wow!

- Danny C., Laguna Niguel, CA, US

problem #5

Oct 012013

Pilot ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

My 2010 Honda Pilot V6 continues to consume an excessive amount of oil. (1.3 - 2.5 qts. / 1000 miles) Honda Corp., through class action litigation, agreed to extend the warranty to 8 years, unlimited miles, to correct this problem as long as the diagnostic codes showed spark plug failure. The dealer checked my vehicle out...the codes did not show spark plug failure and will not honor the extended warranty......however they are willing to reduce the cost of a cylinder block replacement. I think they know they have a real problem here!

I am still blowing smoke from my exhaust...without plug failure. I also find it strange that they are now using synthetic 0-20W oil instead of the 5-20W designated on the engine. Was the 5-20W not providing the correct lubrication and causing fine engine parts to wear prematurely, as in lifters and rings? Hmmm?

Update from Jan 24, 2014: The recommended software updated was completed approximately 1 month ago. If anything, the oil consumed had increased!!!

- Paul K., Miami, FL, US

problem #4

Sep 022012

Pilot Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Honda should have a recall on 3.5L V6 engine with VCM. Especially, 2009 - 2010 and most of 2011 Pilot models.

There is the oil consumption and fouled plugs (cylinder #2 and #3) on our 2010 Pilot. The spark plug on cylinder #2 was burned so bad that I had to take it out and replaced it before driving it to the dealership. I had never seen any spark plugs fouled out that bad in my life. There were TSB 11-033 and TSB SB-10-063 for these models. Hopefully, the PCM software update will address the oil consumption and spark plugs fouled out issues. Otherwise, Honda would lose lots of customers.

- Ben T., Chantilly, VA, US

problem #3

Aug 012013

Pilot V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Here is the background....

After long trip to Santa Barbara and back (600 miles) check engine light comes on... took it to Pep boys to pull code which was P0303 or misfire cylinder 3. I was told it was likely a fouled plug.... these plugs are laser Iridium NGK's and have a rated life of over 100K miles. So I started researching this error. Evidently its VERY COMMON on Honda V6 engines with VCM. On my Pilot there are two TSB's dealing with this very scenario. TSB-063 and TSB-11-033... Honda knows about this issue.

So I took it into a dealer to have serviced armed with the TSB's and was denied service pending the service manager calling me since my vehicle was ut of the 50K emission warranty. I'm still waiting for his call.

From what I found out via various sites was this is likely caused by the VCM system, Honda has a software update which 'fixes" it however if you don'y keep a very close eye on your oil consumption you could run dry eventually and the Maintenance Minder is not of use in that scenario.

Be careful with any Honda V6 engine with VCM...check your oil frequently... I have seen that certain Honda officials are stating its perfectly fine to burn 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles... really????

Honda really needs to do a recall on all these affected vehicles.... they are aware obviously via the TSB's but are remaining very tight lipped at the moment. Check your oil and if your check engine comes on have it serviced and make sure you let Honda know about it. More complaints more likely a full recall.

Update from Aug 21, 2013: The resolution...

I did have another Honda Dealer cover the repair under TSB 10-066 in which they found the same error code P0303 and also two fouled plugs #2 and #3 they updated the software per TSB. I asked will this help with oil consumption the service adviser said possibly however if I were you I'd still check oil levels every 1000 miles and not rely on the maintenance minder. It is more a fix to prevent the plugs from fouling out.

I said that's a lot of oil...he fully agreed and stated for me to log usage and then he can personally push it up the ladder if needed.

The other dealership service manager finally responded by e-mail I could not believe what he stated...

"A message was left for you but we did not receive a return call. I did not call you personally because I was off-site and unavailable, * did follow up though on my behalf and had very explicit instructions.

I’m not sure where the disconnect was when you dropped your vehicle off for the inspection; ** attempted to get approval for the diagnostic charge which you disputed, as you outlined in your email, that is protocol. You have been to our dealership two times; once in 2011 and again in 2013, both visits for recalls with no factory scheduled maintenance history and I do not show that the vehicle was purchased at our facility. It is our policy (along with the BAR) to get a diagnostic fee for any vehicle that is outside the parameters of the factory warranty. The only exception would be a loyal client that we have a relationship with, in that case my Advisors use their best judgment and can offer goodwill assistance.

It matters where you go to get treated correctly. Unbelievable a Service manager would actually state a "policy" like that. He's not too smart.

- Tom B., San Marcos, CA, US

problem #2

Sep 302010

Pilot EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,250 miles

Same thing -- have a 2010 Honda Pilot. When new - it used almost 1qt per 1,000 miles.

It has improved a bit -- by 18k miles the usage is about 1/2 qt per 1,000. It is a real inconvenience.

Does not leak a drop. It must be using it. Have had Hondas in the past, and they only used a qt per 3-4k miles -- basically when it got to the add mark, it was time to change it anyway.

This is much more, and yes, new cars often do burn a bit of oil, but after a few thousand miles, it should pretty much stop. Adding a qt ever 2k miles.... seems too much -- an puts one at risk of running out - if driver does not stay up on it. Am interested to see how a "software" update, can help oil consumption?

Otherwise a very good vehicle, and no other gripe.

- cca, Huntington Beach, CA, US

problem #1

Jan 042010

Pilot EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,700 miles

Brand new 2010 Honda pilot. Check oil when I got it home -- only 27 miles. Oil was full. Do my own oil changes. At 2500 miles checked oil before change -- it was at the fill line (1 qt from full). so it used a qt in the 1st 2500 miles. Checked oil around 4500 miles -- added 1/2 qt back to full line. Next oil change, at 6500 miles -- it was down 3/4 a qt . Checked oil around 8500 miles -- added 1/2 qt back to full line. Just changed again around 10,000 miles -- it was down a nearly another qt - again.

Have heard brand new cars may use a little oil. Is using nearly 1/2 qt per 1000 miles. Have had 2 other Hondas over the years -- none used over 1/2 qt per 5000 miles. this seems a bit much. Other wise Pilot runs fine - no problems.

- Joe S., Hb, CA, US