Power Train Problems of Honda Pilot - part 1

Honda Pilot owners have reported 792 problems related to power train (under the power train category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Honda Pilot based on all problems reported for the Pilot.

1 Power Train problem of the 2024 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 06/07/2026

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2024 Honda Pilot touring with approximately 46,000 miles. The exact component or system that failed is currently unknown. My best assessment is that this may involve the electrical system, powertrain, engine control/software system, charging system, auto idle stop system, or another related vehicle control system. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. The vehicle has had intermittent multiple warning lights appear on the dashboard. On June 7, 2026 around 9:00pm, while the vehicle was in drive, the vehicle shut off/lost power. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle was being operated when the shutdown/loss-of-power event occurred. I am concerned this could happen again while driving, including at freeway speeds or while transporting a child. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a Honda authorized dealership for inspection. The dealership advised that the battery tested fine and that no diagnostic trouble codes were found so far. Diagnostics are still pending, and as of this complaint, no confirmed cause, diagnosis, or repair has been provided. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. American Honda motor CO. Has been contacted, and a case has been opened regarding this concern. Warning lamps/symptoms did occur before the shutdown/loss-of-power event. The vehicle had intermittent multiple warning lights on the dashboard before/around the time of the incident. The warning lights first appeared on or around June 3, 2026. The shutdown/loss-of-power event occurred on or around June 7, 2026. I am requesting that NHTSA document this safety issue involving a 2024 Honda Pilot touring shutting off/loss of power while in drive with no confirmed diagnosis or repair at this time.

See all problems of the 2024 Honda Pilot 🔎.

2 Power Train problem of the 2019 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 06/02/2026

Driving to work and, all of a sudden, the dashboard lights flicker and the car says the transmission has issues. The car advises us to pull over out of the highway. This was driving to work. The car completely stops working. The dealer says the transmission is dead. This is a car that is a 2019 Honda Pilot. 7 years old. It was bought through Honda and serviced at Honda. The transmission should not go out this early. We also purchased a 2019 Honda odyssey in may 2023. In December 2023, the tranmission and to be replaced. I've owned 6 Hondas in twenty years and the only ones that are problems are the 2019 version.

See all problems of the 2019 Honda Pilot 🔎.

3 Power Train problem of the 2021 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/25/2026

I am having an issue with the start stop function on my 2021 Honda Pilot. When active, the start stop struggles to restart after it is engaged at a stop light. There have been two instances in the last two weeks where the vehicle did not restart on its own and needed to be restarted manually. Spoke to the dealer service team and they indicated there were no known recalls and it would be out of pocket for me to diagnose and repair.

See all problems of the 2021 Honda Pilot 🔎.

4 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/23/2026

On may 23, 2026 I was driving family and friends around san francisco, CA in my 2017 Honda Pilot (48k miles). We were driving up multiple steep hills, up to a 20% grade in some places with a full car of 7 people. The car handled it well. However, as we neared my home 25 miles away, the car started shaking and the check engine light started flashing. We searched online and the advice was to pull over immediately to prevent the car from overheating and causing permanent, expensive damage. We eventually made it home, shaken, and didn't touch the car for a couple days to let it rest. I learned that there is a warranty extension "warranty extension TSB 20-100" for what seems like this exact problem concerning the fuel injectors. The spark plugs have been replaced in the last year, which eliminates that as a potential issue. The next week, I took the car to Honda san carlos where it's been maintained most of its life. I informed them of the symptoms and that the car is eligible for this warranty extension. They tested it and found nothing. I told them that testing it in the shop or driving it around a few minutes on flat ground with one person is not going to replicate the driving conditions we encountered but they didn't seem to care and I had to pay $250 anyway. I took this to another dealership and the guy said it sounded exactly like an warranty extension TSB 20-100 issue. They tested it and also could not find anything. I called Honda corporate and they will also do nothing. This is clearly a safety issue as this problem will happen again at some point. I have a family and young children and do not want to be stuck on the freeway as a road hazard to ourselves and other drivers. Honda has clearly identified this as a problem yet they won't authorize the repair. They are waiting for this to happen again before they'll fix it, and who knows if this ticking time bomb will occur in a safe place or a dangerous one.

See all problems of the 2017 Honda Pilot 🔎.

5 Power Train problem of the 2016 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/21/2026

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle idled roughly and an abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnosis was provided. The contact was informed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

See all problems of the 2016 Honda Pilot 🔎.

6 Power Train problem of the 2018 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/17/2026

While operating my vehicle on a public roadway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of transmission hydraulic pressure and vehicle propulsion, accompanied by a dashboard warning light with a blinking "d". The vehicle completely stopped delivering power to the drive wheels while moving with traffic, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard for a rear-end collision on an active road. We pulled into the high school parking lot, stopped the car, then restarted it. It had the error on the dashboard, but we were able to get it safely home, where it was towed to the dealership later. ?the vehicle was towed to dick hannah Honda (the local authorized dealership). The service department scanned the onboard computer (from the parking lot, no actual physical inspection done) and pulled internal transmission fault codes p0730 (incorrect gear ratio) and p0746 (pressure control solenoid "a" performance/stuck off). Based solely on these electronic fault codes, the dealership stated that the internal mechanics of the zf 9-speed transmission had completely failed. They stated the transmission is completely unrepairable and quoted a full replacement cost of $11,984. 41. ?prior to this failure, the vehicle had service documentation and inspection records from authorized Honda franchise technicians, who repeatedly marked the transmission condition and vehicle health check sheets as completely healthy and "green" at every visit for 60,000 miles by american Honda motor CO. Case management was contacted (case #16371194), but they refused any financial goodwill assistance. ?this sudden operational failure of the zf 9-speed transmission platform without any prior maintenance minders given by the computer system. This failure matches the exact software calibration and pressure defects currently cited in ongoing consumer protection litigation involving the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot 9-speed drivetrain.

See all problems of the 2018 Honda Pilot 🔎.

7 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/12/2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a red light, the vehicle stalled; the contact restarted the vehicle for the vehicle to return to normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to get a diagnosis however, the failure cause was unidentifiable. The contact did research and was made aware of an unknown NHTSA campaign number however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

8 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/09/2026

On Thursday may 7th, while driving the 2017 Honda Pilot elite it lost power and all the dash lights started to come on. Once we limped it to our home, and the code information was obtained, it revealed number 3-cylinder misfire. After replacing all the spark plugs, I started the car to make sure all the codes were cleared and heard a "knocking noise". After further investigation noted the following, I found the following information via a google search, is there a recall for 2017 Honda Pilot knocking noise. Found that NHTSA is doing a major investigation on the 2017 Honda Pilot for a connecting rod and knocking noise. Honda did a recall in 2023 for the year model 2016, 2018-2019. This is the same engine that was in the recall for doing the same thing. Nhtsa is currently investigating a potential recall of 1. 4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, including 2017 Honda Pilots, over engine failures linked to connecting rod bearing defects that can cause knocking, stalling, or complete engine failure. Credit autoblog+2. Scope of the investigation models affected: 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, 2017–2019 Honda ridgeline, 2018–2020 Honda odyssey, 2018–2020 Acura tlx and mdx Honda-tech+1. Engine type: Honda’s 3. 5?liter j35y v6, which has been under scrutiny for rod bearing wear leading to catastrophic engine damage Honda-tech+1. Failure symptoms: knocking noises, sudden stalling, loss of power, and in some cases, fires or crashes autoblog+2. Reports: over 400 incidents of engine failure, with at least four involving crashes or fires; Honda has logged more than 2,500 warranty claims for the iss the oil had been changed at the correct intervals, no oil is leaking from the car, the timing chain and water pump were replaced at 100,000 miles with no issues. No metallic shavings are noted on the oil dip stick, and it has 50% oil life remaining as of 05-09-2026. I have it scheduled for a diagnostic service with flow Honda in winston salem, nc tomorrow, may 12th at 0800.

9 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 05/04/2026

We have a 2017 Honda Pilot exl. It had approximately 163,000 when the engine seized.

10 Power Train problem of the 2020 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 04/13/2026

Most network problems continue to persist even after most fakra service cables safety recall work was performed. Typical progression: radio goes silent, infotainment screen displays error message, "network communication lost / most net off", driver information interface display goes blank, then 3 error messages cycle, "blind spot info system problem", "emissions system problem", "transmission system problem", and vehicle enters limp mode (stuck in 3rd gear). Multiple safety issues: rearview camera does not function, vehicle speed is not displayed, vehicle gas gauge is not displayed, blind spot system does not operate, reduced vehicle power.

See all problems of the 2020 Honda Pilot 🔎.

11 Power Train problem of the 2025 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 04/07/2026

The power steering system software problem undriveable. The awd failed said undriveable. Only 30k miles on it and it just locked and couldnt steering right to left in the middle of traffic. Could have caused a bad accident lycjuly my kids weren't in the car. The computer software took over completely made my car uncontrollable. Have a video of all warnings that came on.

See all problems of the 2025 Honda Pilot 🔎.

12 Power Train problem of the 2021 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 04/02/2026

Engine started knocking and within a couple days my wife was left stranded. The vehicle went into limp mode with check engine light flashing, and would not accelerate. The vehicle stopped completely in the middle of the road and lost all power, which could’ve caused a major accident. Scheduled maintenance and oil changes has been kept up by me. I had the vehicle towed to a trusted shop and was informing that there were metal shavings in the oil filter. They inspected the top end of the engine and everything was normal. The only indication is that the problem is internal to the engine. There is a recall for Honda Pilots up to model year 2020 but I believe this issue is affecting vehicles up to 2022.

13 Power Train problem of the 2016 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 04/02/2026

Engine has rod bearing knock noise. Transmission has a torque converter issue, acts up once in a while when shifting from park to drive or reverse.

14 Power Train problem of the 2019 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 04/01/2026

The engine is making the same clunking sound that is associated with the known connecting rod bearing issue detailed in NHTSA campaign number: 23v751000.

15 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/26/2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(n) while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for a fuel injector replacement. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign: 23v858000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

16 Power Train problem of the 2022 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/23/2026

Upon accelerating from a stop, or at various speeds, the vehicle experiences a significant loss of motive power(pulling backwards) followed by an abrupt lunge forward. This hesitation occurs unpredictably and makes entering traffic or intersections extremely hazardous. This feels like a fuel delivery or transmission engagement failure. The last incident occurred on or around the afternoon of March 23. My vehicle has been examined at the dealership on multiple occasions for this same issue and each time I have been told that they are unable to replicate the issue and can not help me further unless they are able to replicate the issue.

See all problems of the 2022 Honda Pilot 🔎.

17 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/19/2026

I was taking my kids to school and then suddenly a knocking sound started and then a boom. I found out that at 134,000 miles my engine threw a rod and punched a hole in my block. My [xxx] old was freaking out because there was smoke coming from the engine and her sisters said the car was going to catch fire. The [xxx] old was stuck in her seatbelt and couldn't get out. Then as I was calling a tow truck my [xxx] old almost walked out into traffic because she wanted to see what I was looking at. After getting another family member to get my kids to school I was able to get to a repair shop where I was informed that Honda had a safety recall for rod issues and was advised to see if my car was covered. I check and it looked like only the all wheel drive cars were covered but mine was front wheel drive so it didn't fall under the recall. I want to issue a formal complaint to expand the recall on Honda Pilots for rod issues because mine obviously had an issue with the rod and should have been recalled. American Honda refuses to give any good will because I didn't get my oil changes with them, even though it is an hour drive to get to the closest dealership. Engines shouldn't throw rods at 134,000 miles. A car is a big investment and it died after 9 years. I had all my maintenance done as scheduled, this never should have happened. Currently my car is at carson Honda in carson city nv. Also, another issue. I would get transmission system warnings. I did take it to the Honda dealer because I was told there was an injector issue and they looked at the car, reset the code and said there was nothing more they could do. I don't know if the two were connected in any way but wanted to throw that out there. They need to be investigated for crappy parts and scamming customers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

18 Power Train problem of the 2019 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/18/2026

I own a 2019 Honda Pilot. The transmission failed and was replaced under warranty in October 2023. In March 2026, the same transmission problem occurred again and the vehicle is now not drivable. The dealership diagnosed the issue and estimated the repair cost to exceed $19,000. The manufacturer, american Honda motor CO. , inc. , opened and then closed my case (#16240409) without explanation and has not responded to repeated requests for assistance. The vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting authorization from american Honda motor CO. , inc whether to repair the vehicle or not.

19 Power Train problem of the 2025 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/16/2026

On 3/16/26 I attempted to accelerate and the vehicle experienced severe "bucking" and gear hunting hesitation before losing all drive power and stalling. Following the stall, the engine would not crank or "catch" despite multiple attempts. State police arrived as I was in an unsafe location (blind on-ramp to highway) they called their tow trucks deeming it hazardous to wait as Honda roadside assistance would not arrive for an estimated 60-90 minutes. It was brought to the local dealership. After an hour from incident to inspection at the local Honda dealership, the vehicle powered on normally of which no codes showed and the vehicle started with no issues. The manufacturer and dealer state they cannot replicate the problem and found no historical or pending diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Despite the lack of codes, these symptoms are a direct match for nhsta recall campaign 25v-031 (Honda recall al0) which was officially announced to address torque control failures caused by the fi-ecu software. According to Honda’s safety report, improper programming in the fuel injection unit causes the engine to stall during "sudden changes in throttle opening"—which is exactly what I experienced. As of now, my VIN has not been identified on the current recall list. This loss of power during acceleration creates an immediate safety risk of rear-end collisions and leaves the driver stranded in active traffic.

20 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/07/2026

Transmission issues began to occur shortly after purchase in 2017. The Honda dealership finally did a software update after several complaint. This temporarily fixed the issue. The car shifts low gears harshly and with hesitation. The transmission system failure/problem light came on and the car lost power. The car makes a squeaking noise between 23-30mph. Most recently we were traveling on an interstate at 75mph and had to slow down quickly (~55mph) once we began to accelerate the car went limp. This incident happened twice within a weeks time. This put the occupants in the car in danger because the car would not accelerate. It did finally begin to accelerate.

21 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 03/01/2026

Internal engine damage was determined by a folsom Honda dealer in California. The damage is originating from the primary rod bearings; replacement of the short block is necessary. Folsom Honda also stated the vehicle will need cams and heads of the engine replace. Needless to say, this a major engine failure. The vehicle only has 140k miles mainly freeway. Dealer estimated it will cost from 11k to 15k to repair the problem. We aware of savannah messenger v. American Honda motor CO. Inc lawsuit. We need help from you guys on this…. . Please advice francisco talavera [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

22 Power Train problem of the 2022 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 02/10/2026

Vehicle: 2022 Honda Pilot elite awd mileage at first occurrence: ~30,000 miles current mileage at worsening/repeatability of issue: ~48,000 miles my 2022 Honda Pilot elite experiences a loss of propulsion during cold starts, most commonly after using remote start. The issue occurs when the vehicle is cold, shifted into drive, and remains stationary for approximately 10–15 seconds. Under these conditions, the vehicle displays the message “stop driving when safe. Transmission problem. See manual,” disengages the transmission, and shifts itself into neutral. The vehicle will not move until it is shut off and restarted. This condition has occurred multiple times and is repeatable under the same circumstances. There are no other warning lights present, and restarting the vehicle temporarily restores normal operation. I reported this issue to my Honda dealer. The dealer contacted Honda north America technical support, who stated they are aware of this exact issue and the specific sequence of events that causes it. Honda advised that they do not consider this behavior a defect and declined to provide any repair guidance or corrective action. This condition results in an unexpected loss of drive capability and could pose a safety risk if it occurs in traffic or at an intersection. The issue can occur during normal vehicle operation and does not involve misuse of the vehicle.

23 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 02/05/2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving between with the rpm between 2,000 and 2,500, the vehicle bucked. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a transmission triple flush was performed; however, the failure recurred within 1-2 months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was serviced several times; however, the failure reoccurred. Transmission fluid was added to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that another diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB: 16-091 (judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch); however, the model year was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

24 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 02/02/2026

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a 2017 Honda Pilot experiencing a connecting rod bearing failure. Which has left my vehicle disabled. While driving on I-270 north, the vehicle suddenly made a loud “pop” noise and immediately lost power, creating a dangerous situation on a busy highway. Shortly afterward, the engine developed a very loud knocking noise, consistent with internal engine failure. The vehicle does not need to reproduce the concern, as multiple technicians were able to immediately hear the knocking upon inspection. The issue is constant and clearly present. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no prior indications of failure before the incident occurred. This sudden failure without warning presents a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds. The vehicle has been regularly inspected and serviced, including services performed in dealership settings. The vehicle is currently available for inspection if needed. I am aware that similar model years have been affected by connecting rod bearing issues, and I believe this vehicle should be included or further investigated due to the sudden and dangerous nature of the failure.

25 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/26/2026

Transmission and torque converter, were effected on my car. Safety concerns were witness when wife was driving on freeway with our 4 kids and car was jerking and not going like it’s was suppose to. We drove to slow lane were we proceeded to destination slowly . Problem was detected when transmission light came on when my wife and sister in law were driving on freeway. America Honda didnt want to look into it due to it being out of there warranty-of 150,000. So we took it to a transmission shop. We’re he diagnosed the code for the torque converter. The warning light came on at 166,000 miles. Thats when we’re actually aware of the issue. We never received a letter or call from America Honda warranty regarding this issue.

26 Power Train problem of the 2021 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/25/2026

After driving the vehicle for a few hours during a very cold day, as we got off an exit ramp. We then turned onto the next road in our travels and the check engine light went off and blinked. The vehicle went into limp mode. Pulled the vehicle over, turn the car off and then back on and everything worked just fine. Had an oil change already scheduled for 2 days later. Brought the vehicle in for it oil change and we told the Honda mechanic (dealership) what just happened. His response was: that is a common Honda problem. "you did what we would have told you to do. Turn the car off and then back on. When the engine compartment gets really warm when driving for long periods of time with the cold weather, something tells it to misfire and throws a check engine code. We tell people to do what you did and turn the car off and then back on". Meanwhile we had to go out of town again the following weekend. As soon as we got near our destination the same thing happened again. This time in an intersection! thankfully nobody was coming at the time of the limp mode to avoid a potential serious accident. I have put a lot of research into this and there are a lot of forums online that state this issue with no solution by Honda. I do not see how that is safe to have your car randomly throw a code and be forced to pull over immediately.

27 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/24/2026

On [xxx], approximately 17 hours after purchasing this vehicle from a licensed dealer, the transmission began violently jerking, shuddering, and hesitating without warning while traveling at highway speed in alabama. The sudden loss of smooth vehicle control created an immediate risk of collision with other vehicles. Diagnostic evaluation at o'reilly auto parts confirmed fault code p0741 — torque converter clutch circuit performance or stuck off. A subsequent Honda dealership evaluation confirmed this as a permanent dtc, meaning the fault existed across multiple drive cycles prior to purchase and prior to the failure event. I am aware that Honda previously acknowledged this transmission defect in 2016-2017 Honda Pilots and extended the warranty to 150,000 miles. This vehicle failed at 152,848 miles. . . . Just 2,848 miles beyond that threshold. Honda USA denied goodwill assistance based solely on mileage. A permanent fault code cannot be cleared by battery disconnect. The defect was pre-existing at time of sale. The dealer listed the vehicle as having "no issues. " the dangerous transmission behavior at highway speed represents a serious ongoing public safety risk for any owner of an affected vehicle. I am requesting formal investigation and recall consideration for this known defect. Two independent repair facilities have confirmed transmission replacement is required. Estimated repair cost: $5,374 to $7,000. We have parked this dangerous vehicle until we can find a way to information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

28 Power Train problem of the 2017 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/07/2026

I received a letter from Honda regarding a warranty extension on the torque converter of my 2017 Honda Pilot. When I took the vehicle into the dealership, their senior technician confirmed the mechanical issues happening with the vehicle are aligned with the description of the concerns outlined in the warranty extension. The only element of the extension condition that was not happening was a code popping up on the screen. When I asked what conditions would need to take place for the code to pop up, they stated the torque converter would seize up while driving and cause the vehicle to be a hazard to those in the vehicle. When I explained this to Honda, they continued to deny the repair since the code did not populate. I am asking the NHTSA to look into this matter as I assume the purpose of the warranty extension was to repair an issue that could cause serious injury to the inhabitants of the vehicle, and not to rely on an electronic error code to pop up. Thank you.

29 Power Train problem of the 2021 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/05/2026

While my husband was taking our daughter to school on 01/05/2026 around 6:00am, a warning message flashed on the radio screen: "emissions system problem: the engine is not operating properly. Avoid high speeds and visit your dealer as soon as possible. If the indicator is blinking, stop in a safe place where there are no flammable objects. Turn off the engine for 10 minutes or more to let it cool. Restart the engine. If the indicator continues to blink, immediately have your vehicle checked by the dealer. " this was a safety at risk for my husband, my child, and the public - anyone driving near the vehicle. My husband pulled over and called me to let me know what was happening. He called aaa to have the car towed to the dealer. And called the dealer to let them know we were having the vehicle towed to them. They diagnosed it with "a unit in need of engine replacement. " the car was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle in 12/2021. It is a 2021 Honda Pilot and had a few hundred miles over 8000 at the time of purchase. The dealer is not taking responsibility as the miles 62,007 are just over the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. And over the 5 years by weeks - 11/2020 to 01/05/2026. I was advised to contact american Honda. They basically told me I was not eligible for a goodwill assist as because: 1. ) I was not the original owner 2. )I did not have my service done at Honda. However, I did have documents of all of the service that had been done and sent those receipts to the Honda dealer. The engine failed. The dealer confirmed engine failure. The vehicle did stall out - at a stop light and took several minutes to start back up around October or November 2025. There were also some engine noises, including loud noises while accelerating, especially in sport mode.

30 Power Train problem of the 2025 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 01/01/2026

I contacted Honda America regarding a concern with my 2025 Pilot, which has just over 5,000 miles. The service light for the rear differential came on at the 5,000?mile mark (I don't drive off-road, and my driving is 50/50 city/highway), even though the dealership indicated this service is not typically required until 10,000–15,000 miles. My goal was simple: confirm that there is no premature wear issue with the rear differential, and request that Honda cover the service if it is occurring earlier than expected. Instead, the experience was extremely disappointing. The representative repeatedly stated that he could not provide any technical information because he is a customer service agent. That raises an obvious question: if Honda’s own customer service cannot address technical concerns about a Honda vehicle, who exactly should a customer contact? he then informed me that he reached out to the dealership I use and spoke with the service manager, who said that “this could happen. ” I already knew that from the dealer. Repeating the same vague statement does not add value, nor does it require involvement from a service manager or a manufacturer representative. It certainly does not address my actual concern about potential premature wear, nor does it justify the back?and?forth emails when no meaningful assistance was provided. To be clear, I am fully aware that dealerships profit from performing services—whether the vehicle truly needs them or not. That is precisely why I reached out to Honda America for clarification and support. Instead, I received no answers, no guidance, and no resolution. If additional information is needed, do not hesitate to contact me.

31 Power Train problem of the 2019 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 12/30/2025

The 9 speed transmission suddenly lost power while accelerating onto an interstate from an on ramp. It is available for inspection at the auto shop as it is not driveable and had to be towed. The vehicle did not give any indication in the moment. My safety and the safety of other drivers were at risk due to the posted speed limit of 65 mph and my car had no ability to accelerate and get to a shoulder with three lanes of traffic. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the dealer. I've reported this issue numerous times and they always state they don't find anything defective with the vehicle. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or other entities. There has never been any warning lamps or messages prior to the sudden loss of power on this occassion. In the past when I have lost power, it's been momentarily and no signs have illuminated. It has gained power within seconds of me stepping on the gas. On this occassion, it never got power back and the signs came on. Once I got to the side of the road, I tried turning the vehicle off and back on but once I try to put it in drive, it goes back to neutral automatically on its own. Prior to this incident, other than losing power momentarily at times, when stopped at a red light or stop sign, the car would automatically put itself in neutral and I was unable to drive when the light turned green/my turn at stop sign. I had to turn the car off (in the middle of the road) and turn it back on to get it to go in drive and accelerate again.

32 Power Train problem of the 2024 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 12/28/2025

My car stalled at a red light due to auto idle-stop failure. It failed to restart, shifted itself to neutral/park, and the car was completely unresponsive for a minute. This is a huge safety hazard.

33 Power Train problem of the 2016 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 12/26/2025

I heard knocking as I was leaving gas station. I was scared about what was going wrong and if it was safe to drive home. I was alone and it was after dark. I took the next day off and took the car to my mechanic. He said it sounded like rod knock but didn’t want to do the engine replacement so he sent me to another mechanic who also said it sounded like the engine needed to be replaced. I didn’t have the money or the time to deal with it so it has been parked for the last five months. Today I took it to the dealer (that I bought it from new) for a diagnostic inspection. They stated that the noise was coming from main shaft, unable to repair, will need to replace engine. Cost estimate to replace engine is $15,964. 36. I do not remember a check engine light coming on, only the lights for the driving sensing items. Which I read were also problems on this vehicle. Photos of the inspection report have been uploaded. A mistake was made on the mileage it is 103,203 not 103,703. Thank you for your time.

34 Power Train problem of the 2013 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 12/18/2025

Repeatedly there has been a cylinder 1 misfire causing the check engine light to activate. The vehicle starts to shake and idling is rough. It has happened repeatedly over the past 3-4 years. In 2025 it happened in August, October and December despite repeated maintenance. Error codes that have popped up due to the issue primarily include cylinder 1 misfires a known and documented issue related to the faulty vcm system. The problem has repeatedly been identified by multiple mechanics. I use my vehicle primarily to transport my children to and from school. We have all been in the car during these misfires endangering their safety. At many of the times when the misfires have happened my children have been in the car and any engine failure while operating the vehicle puts them in danger. My children are adhd/autistic and during the times the vehicle has broken down while driving it has caused them extreme distress. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I have reached out to Honda repeatedly to have the issue resolved however despite repeated promises the vehicle would be fixed due to recalls and extended warranties Honda officials have repeatedly made erroneous claims and insist my vehicle's VIN needs to be approved for any repairs. This is a well documented known issue for this make and model due to the faulty vcm system causing oil to get into the cylinders leading to the misfires and piston ring wear and corroded spark plugs. All I am requesting is for Honda to make the necessary repairs so my vehicle is safe to transport my children. I have kept up with the maintenance of the vehicle. The problems we have experienced are directly caused by the known vcm/mil failures. Also we have consistently had codes come up for the abs as well. Under the magnuson-moss warranty act Honda is responsible for making the repairs.

See all problems of the 2013 Honda Pilot 🔎.

35 Power Train problem of the 2018 Honda Pilot

Failure Date: 12/12/2025

This 2018 Honda Pilot has been taken to mechanic after a number of check engine and other dash lights came on while trying to accelerate to merge with freeway traffic. Mechanic pulled a p0369 code and I paid for replacement of the cam shaft sensor. Problems continued shortly after work and mechanic conducted further inspections and determined the sensor had been worn by a walking camshaft. There are hundreds of these same complaints posted on the web by angry customers dating back over 5 years yet no recall. The car will unexpectedly lose power at any time and shudder and will not accelerate with difficulty steering when all the engine lights start flashing. With luck, you can pull over to side of road. Repair is over $3500 after spending a lot of money already replacing the camshaft sensor which didn't fix the problem.



Pilot Service Bulletins
Pilot Safety Recalls
Pilot Defect Investigations