10.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,350
Average Mileage:
66,150 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace engine (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
  3. replace head gaskets (1 reports)
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problem #4

Mar 012015

Pilot EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,343 miles

Was driving in the rain, car was running well, no hint of any engine rough running. Luckily had the radio turned down and started to notice a kind of tea pot boiling sound. I looked down at the dash, no warning lights were on, but to my astonishment the temperature gauge was pegged past H. I immediately got off the road were I could and shut it off. At this point I could hear the coolant boiling and then it died down. Looked under the hood and there was a dark green sludge that had erupted from the coolant overflow tank. Looked at the oil dipstick and this same sludge was there. Had it towed to the Honda dealer.

They diagnosed it as blown head gaskets ~approx $2200-2300, unless they had to machine the head then it would be more. Asked service rep what caused this problem, reply was that this unfortunately happens sometimes. This car has been dealer serviced since new and only had 33,000 miles on it. Last service was 7 months ago. I have owned 6 other Hondas over the years ('82 Accord was first) and never had anything like this happen. All my Hondas had mid-100K miles on them and were all sold in good shape. None had problems of this magnitude especially so young in miles. I am really mad that this has happened. This was supposed to be the same engine that is put in Acura vehicles.

I will contact American Honda and complain about this problem.

As an aid in seeing the overheating problem earlier on future designed vehicles, a warning light should be put on the dash that would come on when engine overheats. The gauge is ok but you have to be tuned into looking at it. You should have the gauge and the idiot light. I notice some new cars have it but I don't think Honda has it on any of its vehicles.

- genego , Lansdale, PA, US

problem #3

May 142014

Pilot Don't Know Don'T Know

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

I noticed a small rattling noise that got progressively worse. I took it to a mechanic who told me he has seen this problem in other 2008 Honda Pilots. He recommended replacing the engine. I was in shock because I only had 132,000 on my car and I believed Honda's were reliable cars. WelI I was wrong!! I took it to another reliable mechanic for a second opinion. Without telling him any information from the previous mechanic, he diagnosed my vehicle with the same problem and recommended the same solution. replace the Engine! He also said he has been seeing this same problem with Honda Pilots. I paid a lot of money for my Pilot thinking it was a good car. I had to pay $3,750 to replace my engine with a used engine that had 38,000 miles. I feel Honda should step up to the plate and rectify this problem THEY created. Who else is having this problem? The mechanic diagnosed it as Random Cylinder Misfire. $3,750 that I should not have had to pay for Honda's defective Manufacturing! I might add that I kept up with all my oil changes.

- corn90601, Whittier, CA, US

problem #2

Sep 112013

Pilot EXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,100 miles

I brought this vehicle in for the 30,000 mile check. I have owned it since new and done all required checks. I drove exactly 8 miles after picking my car up from the dealership and it overheated. I notices engine oil coming out of my radiator over flow. This car is just out of the 5 year warranty and is no longer covered. My question is how does a car in perfect shape leave a dealership in perfect condition and have a catastrophic engine malfunction 8 miles latter!

- Dean C., New Egypt, NJ, US

problem #1

Apr 292011

Pilot EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

I was driving my Honda pilot when all of a sudden the oil lamp light and engine light came on. The car slowed down some, I drove my car to a mechanic and he stated that the oil blew into the coolant. Car did not overheat.

I have 69,000 miles and still owe on the Pilot. The Honda dealer states since I brought my car to another shop, that it voids any warranty and they used a machine that Honda does not recommend to flush coolant. Honda states I need a new engine and it will cost $7,000 to repair.

We have talked with both of the Honda dealerships in town and they state they will not help. We have filed a complaint with Corporate and they give us the same story the dealer did. We are going to contact an attorney. We have spoken to a mechanic and he thinks that our pilot had a defective engine. Honda states they have never had any problems like this before. Like many of the others I bought this Honda thinking I would have it forever and would pass it on to my kids to drive in a few years. This is my first Honda and it will be my last. I will be trading this car in once it's paid off.

- olsontexas, Georgetown, TX, US