10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,307 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #528

Jan 272025

Pilot

  • 120,000 miles
The engine failed and has to be replaced. Mechanic said rod bearing caused engine failure. Daughter was stranded on side of the road due to sudden failure. There was no warning and the vehicle only has 120,000 miles on it with all oil changes done as required.

- Rosamond , CA, USA

problem #527

Jan 122025

Pilot

  • 89,109 miles
Connecting rod to piston broken of damaged. Loud rattle on engine startup and acceleration. Not shifting well. Engine cutting off at stops and not restarting without shifting to park and restarting

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #526

Jan 242025

Pilot

  • miles
Our 2016 Honda Pilot Elite sputtered as we tried to accelerate and then the engine died. It is available for inspection upon request. The engine stop unexpectedly while driving limiting control of the vehicle. The problem has been reproduced for an independent service center. The Honda service center, and two independent service centers are unable to determine the cause from the vehicle codes. There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the engine dying.

- Mansfield , TX, USA

problem #525

Nov 232024

Pilot

  • 139,817 miles
To whom it may concern, My name is [XXX]. I hope this message finds you well. I am writing this message with a heavy heart, to advise of our story that is ending with a tragic experience. On [XXX] my wife, [XXX], and I, walked in a Honda dealership. We drove away confident about our new vehicle, a 2016 Honda Pilot. It was highly recommended by the salesman. Since then, we have maintained the vehicles services. Sadly, on Saturday, [XXX], the vehicle malfunctioned and engine stalled on the highway. The steering wheel locked, the vehicle would not accelerate, and the brakes failed. I managed to pull over, but we were terrified and stranded for over forty minutes. The vehicle was towed home, and we contacted the dealership, who agreed to inspect it. It was taken to the service center in early December and has remained there since. The certified Honda mechanics' diagnostic report confirms issues consistent with online Honda recalls. As this is our only vehicle, this situation has created significant hardship for our family. Our dream of owning a Honda has unfortunately turned into a nightmare. Honda corporate has denied our request for any and all assistance. We would be most grateful for any assistance you can provide. CAMPAIGN DESCRIPTION:2016 & 2018-2019 Pilot Conn Rod Inspect Recall RECALL DATE:11/08/2023 SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2016 and 2018-2019 model year Pilot vehicles. Due to a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft, the connecting rod bearing can prematurely wear and seize. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #524

Dec 302024

Pilot

  • 146,492 miles
2016 Honda Pilot engine failed due to connector rod failure, consistent with limited VIN recall for same model and year. Vehicle was inspected by Capital Honda in Okemos, MI and engine failure diagnosis via connector rod failure Incident was sudden without prior indication of issue

- Howell, MI, USA

problem #523

Jan 012025

Pilot

  • miles
Engine knocking at 70,000 miles with loss of power. Knocking gets worst on attempted acceleration.

- Victoria, TX, USA

problem #522

Jan 082025

Pilot

  • miles
We have always taken great care of our Pilot, regular oil changes, tire rotations, checking the fluid levels. Just before we went on vacation, our Pilot's check engine light came on and started blinking under normal driving conditions. When we hooked up the code reader, it was for a misfire in the second cylinder. Having changed the spark plugs about 30-40k before this incident, we tested the plugs and assumed it was the coil. We changed the coil. After returning from vacation, we drove the car minimally yet after about 40-50 miles, the code returned with knocking sound. We had the car towed to our residence...to find the same code. We inspected the plug and coil, no issues were present and the code was cleared. The next day, the code came back on and the engine was knocking very loud and had definite performance issues. I checked the Honda recall page and our car had no open recalls. I noticed that other Pilots with the V6 engine in our model year range were included an investigation by the NHTSA. Our mechanic drove our pilot for 30 feet and immediately called me to tell me that he would not suggest even spending money on diagnosing the problem....as he believes the engine is a total loss. It seems unfair that Honda would not address this issue as it seems a wide spread problem after a simple google search.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #521

Jan 142025

Pilot

  • miles
We were just told that the engine rod bearing on our 2016 Honda Pilot is going out. I see that the 2018 and other years have had recalls on this issue. I have read on different forums that owners of the 2016 are also having this problem. Can the 2016 please be included in the recall? Thank you, [XXX] and [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #520

Oct 242024

Pilot

  • miles
Wife was driving kids to school on the highway when the vehicle bucked repeatedly and started making a loud ticking noise. When checked using a scan tool, it showed that a backfire had occurred on cylinder 5. Vehicle only has 120,850 miles on it and has always been serviced as required at a Honda dealership. There were no previous warnings or indicator lamps to foreshadow the engine problems with the vehicle. Vehicle was taken to the Honda dealership and they stated that it needed a new engine. When asked as to why, they stated they just knew it did. After researching the problem online, the connecting rod bearing recall for 2016 Honda Pilots was found. The symptoms were exactly the same as what others had when having that same failure. Vehicle taken to another repair shop who came to the same conclusion that the vehicle needed a new engine. Honda of America was contacted about the issue and they stated that the vehicle was not covered under the recall as it is outside the stated manufacturing window even though the engine is having exactly the same connecting rod failure as is stated in the recall. Honda refused to provide any assistance or help in resolving the problem. The dealership wants over $10,000 to install a USED replacement engine. Honda is obviously misrepresenting the problem to limit their liability even though they are fully aware there is a bigger problem with these engines. Quite a few other people online in groups/boards are stating they have the same engine failure and Honda is refusing to take accountability for it. Fortunately, it did not fully throw a rod at highway speeds with my wife and children in the vehicle as a much more life threatening situation may have occurred. We have little confidence if they replace the engine with a used, lower mileage engine that this situation that this issue will not reoccur.

- West Richland, WA, USA

problem #519

Sep 062024

Pilot

  • miles
I was driving down the highway when I started to hear a knocking sound at certain RPM. No check engine light and I was unable to safely pull over. As I continued driving looking for a safe place to park the vehicle, within a few minutes the noise in the engine got worse and then suddenly the vehicle completely lost power and would only drive in limp mode. Luckily I was able to pull off to an offramp and get the vehicle into a gas station parking lot. I called for a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. At the dealership they inspected the vehicle and found that it was damaged similar to the Safety recall related to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 and advised me to have it towed Calgary Honda. I called the Honda Dealership and they informed me that it did not qualify for the recall at the time but the issue sounded familiar. I had them and the current dealership quote me the pricing and decided that I would proceed with the repair from Honda directly. It took awhile to get a replacement engine in and I had to wait several weeks but I was finally able to have it replaced at Calgary Honda in November of 2024. It cost me $10,000 to replace the engine as well as have the work done to repair the alignment after the power failure and replace the battery due to the vehicle sitting for weeks in the cold. I believe my vehicle is part of the same issues as: NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 and wanted to submit my report to hopefully get reimbursed by Honda for the engine and all other costs associated with the Recall

- Calgary, MT, USA

problem #518

Oct 272024

Pilot

  • miles
Unknown, I was driving on the Highway when all of a sudden my car came to a stop with the engine smoking up. I had it tow to my house and had my brother in law who is a car mechanic come check and he states that it is the connecting rod bearing. We see recalls on it for other same car model and year, but not for my VIN.

- Collinsville, OK, USA

problem #517

Dec 282024

Pilot

  • miles
We were driving south on [XXX] near Ashland, Oh. We heard a knocking that got very loud and bad quickly. There was a loud metal on metal BANG. The entire dash lit up for a few seconds, I braked quickly pulling off the interstate as safely as I could. Shut the car off and called for a tow. We had it towed to Mikes Auto in Barberton, Oh. Thats where still is. The mechanic diagnosed the issue as GRENADING. The lower end of the engine blew up. It EXPLODED!!! No warning lites whatsoever before the explosion. How does that happen" Do you realize how bad that could've been" $300 tow and a $6700 bill for a new engine. I will have put $15000 In this PC O [XXX] in less than one year. We have been Honda owners since 1992. Now I know how a F O R D owner feels like. My bought our first Mazda yesterday. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cuyahoga Falls (Summit County), OH, USA

problem #516

Oct 272024

Pilot

  • miles
Unknown, I was driving on the Highway when all of a sudden my car came to a stop with the engine smoking up. I had it tow to my house and had my brother in law who is a car mechanic come check and he states that it is the rod bearing. We see recalls on it for other same car model and year, but not for my VIN.

- Collinsville, OK, USA

problem #515

Aug 152023

Pilot

  • miles
Crankshaft froze. Engine totaled.

- Oakdale, MN, USA

problem #514

Dec 262024

Pilot

  • miles
Engine failure consistent with recall 23V-751, and would like this included in NHTSA investigation RQ24013. Lost acceleration and check engine light came on. Pulled off of Interstate, turned off vehicle and restarted. Check engine light was off and vehicle accelerated normally for about 5 minutes. Then problem repeated with increased engine noise. Was able to limp the vehicle at no faster than 40mph to Honda dealer in Napleton, IL. River Oaks Honda of Napleton is able to verify the problem. Safety of occupants was put at risk due to large volume of traffic on [XXX] during holiday season and inability of the vehicle to maintain required minimum speed. Symptoms of this problem did appear in May 2024 and was diagnosed as P0369. Front bank camshaft was replaced by Hendrick Honda of Sarasota. Symptoms appeared again in October 2024 and vehicle was brought to John Hinderer Honda of Newark, OH. They diagnosed that the intake and exhaust valve lash was out of spec and they performed an intake and exhaust valvestand adjustment. This vehicle was well maintained and serviced by Honda dealers whenever problems appeared. I don't understand why previous diagnosis & repairs, which were costly, did not correctly identify the root cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #513

Nov 092024

Pilot

  • miles
Sudden Engine Failure. Possibly connecting rod related

- Springfield , MO, USA

problem #512

Dec 122024

Pilot

  • miles
There is a current recall for the engine rods, my vin is not included in this recall but I have an engine that needs to be replaced due to this @126,000 miles

- N Prince George, VA, USA

problem #511

Dec 262024

Pilot

  • miles
Honda service determined there is a failure of the number 5 cylinder connecting rod bearing. This could pose a safety issue if it had continued to be driven. We have also seen through news and online forums that this is a known, systemic issue.

- Derby, KS, USA

problem #510

Dec 022024

Pilot

  • miles
Our 2016 Honda Pilot suddenly lost power on [XXX] and simultaneously developed a loud knocking sound coming from the engine on Monday ([XXX]) evening sometime between 7 and 8 PM. My son who was driving the vehicle was lucky to avoid an accident because it was difficult to pull to the right side of the road as there were fast-moving cars merging onto [XXX] from the westbound lanes of [XXX]. He pulled onto the right shoulder of [XXX] at just about [XXX], [XXX]. My other son and I drove to him. I was able to start the car but the knocking sound was still there and the engine struggled to stay on. I drove 0.5 miles safely and slowly (20-25 mph) to Midas at 1410 S. Nevada Ave. Midas diagnosed the vehicle with "a bad engine rod knock and main bearing squeak" that they could not fix. We had the vehicle towed to Corwin Honda in Colorado Springs on [XXX]. Honda technicians diagnosed the problem as connecting rod bearing failure. They recommended an engine replacement. There were recalls for the exact problem of our vehicle but our VIN was not part of the recall. We contacted Corporate Honda but they would not assist with any repairs and denied manufacturer responsibility for the connecting rod bearing failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #509

Nov 302023

Pilot

  • miles
the engine had a rod fail while driving and destroyed the engine with no warning. This happened November 2023, about 2 weeks after the recall from Honda for some 249,000 vehicles for this exact issue. they told me it was not included in the recall. My son was driving home from a school activity when this happened. It just stopped working and slowing down. It was a dangerous situation for him. My mechanic inspected it confirming the rod failed. There were no warnings lamps or messages that ever appeared before it happened. I ended up selling the vehicle for scraps but want to hold Honda accountable now that I have seen what happened. I want them to make me whole for the FMV of my vehicle which i lost when this happened. Please help!

- Hartland, WI, USA

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