2015 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2015 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the error message instructed the driver to pull over immediately. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with piston ring failures. In addition, DTC: P0301 (Misfire in Cylinder #1) was displayed. The contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

I bought my 2015 Pilot in 2024 and since then my local mechanic has told me I am burning oil and I have had to replace several spark plugs. I have had error codes like P0304 come up in conjunction with the replacements. I now have a total engine failure. I looked online after my failure and saw the VCM Warranty Extension, but I was never notified about it. I saw where the codes could come up as "misfires" but might actually be the engine failing. Component failure - engine Safety Risk - I was driving when it died. if i had not come to a complete stop i would have hit a snow covered rocky hill. Inspections - awaiting insurance inspector, engine failure confirmed by mechanic. Warnning - no lights were on when it happened.

While driving in traffic the vehicle suddenly began to sputter and lose power with check engine light flashing on the dash board. I was able to pull over and limp the car the one mile to my home on side streets. I parked the vehicle and called for a tow truck to tow the vehicle to my local dealership that I purchased the car from brand new. This is the third time this failure has occurred. The first occurrence was in October of 2023, the second was in November of 2024. The first two repairs were made at a local independent repair shop in the city of Orange ca. the first occurrence was cylinder 1 and the repair shop indicated that this is a common occurrence in this make and model. The report was a replacement of the spark plug and coil pack as oil was found to be in spark plug chamber. The second occurrence was similar but on a different spark plug (I believe number 2 or 3). This occurrence was diagnosed by the dealer and required a replacement of piston rings and major engine repair and oil in spark plug number 2 I believe. In July of 2025 American Honda sent me a notice in the mail of a known defect affecting this vehicle and offered a repair for this exact problem within an extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever is first. This was my first reciept of such information from Honda. The extended warranty however was sent to me after the 10 year warranty was already expired as I has purchased the vehicle new in October of 2014. American Honda then had fine print at the bottom of the notice extending the extension to Jan. 31st 2026. 15 days later my vehicle experienced the acknowledged problem for the 3rd time. In July of 2025 I contacted my dealership and advised them of the letter I had received and asked for an inspection and or repair of the problem listed. The service advisor spoke with his service manager, and they refused to inspect and or repair the vehicle due to no warning light or symptoms occurring at that time.

See attached document for complaint.

Started hearing a loud ticking/knocking noise, but it would get quiet once the car was running over 2500rpm. Noise was overheard by a pedestrian while dropping my kids off at school and he let me know he was a mechanic and that I should not be driving the car with that noise as the engine sounded like it could be on the way to seizing up. After inspection by 2 independent service center mechanics, it was found that there are 2 faulty connecting rod bearings. The Rod bearings to cylinder 2 and 5, specifically. There were metal shavings in the oil and a piece of a rod was found when the bottom pan was dropped. We either have to rebuild the engine or replace it. No warning lights other than the Tire Pressure Management System light. Checked VIN to recall list after hearing that this is a common issue with 2016 Pilots, but our VIN is not on the list.

The valve cover gasket spool valve is leaking oil. Oil appears to be leaking on the alternator causing it to short and die. There is a Honda service bulletin 20-023 which shows 2009-15 pilots having this problem. However, Honda has declined to cover my repair saying my VIN is not covered and my warranty is expired. Sad

5 YEARS OWNING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH 1 OF THE CYLINDER HEAD, IT CRACKED, SPENT ALMOST $ 6000 WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO FIXED IT. TODAY I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE. AND SAW IT IN YOUR WEBSITE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON IT. BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL...

In my 2015 pilot I have rod bearing connector that failed,The report says that the engine in all vehicles is the 3.5L V6 that was popular from 2016 through 2020. However , my engine is a 3.5L V6 as well, and it has the same issue. The car has 162K .

We were on our way out of town in May 2022 when the car suddenly idled and wouldn't go past 35 mph. The spark plugs would constantly need replacement and we bought a connector which seemed to make them last longer, but eventually still burn out sooner than they should've. We've had diagnostics through friend mechanics and family and cylinder 2 was the main culprit. We took the car to honda recently and there is valve repairs that need to be done, to include all necessary gaskets, water pump and tensioner. There's also need to replace power steering pump, bushings and vtec spool valve. There were no prior indicators, the engine light suddenly came on when the car idled and riding on the highway at 35-40 mph was not very fun or safe. We've left the vehicle in the garage since the malfunction as is since we had other vehicles until we saved funds for the fix. We just didnt think it'd be this high of a cost and granted the car is only 98,800 miles in, i just dont understand how this all could be when my honda accord is 255k and still in good shape with no major fixes... Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT CYLINDER 2 WAS MISFIRING. MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS STYLE OF PILOT AND HE RECOMMENDED TAKING IT TO A HONDA DEALER. THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR 2009-2013 PILOTS TO COVER THIS PROBLEM SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS EXTENSION WOULDN'T COVER 2015 PILOTS SINCE THEY ARE THE SAME GENERATION VEHICLE. I REACHED OUT VIA PHONE AND EMAIL TO AT LEAT 4 HONDA INDIVDUALS AND NEVER HEARD BACK. SOUNDS LIKE THEY DONT WANT TO CALL OR EMAIL BACK SINCE THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM. LOCAL HONDA REPRESENTATIVE SAID HONDA WOULD COVER 70% BUT THEY SHOULD REALLY COVER 100% SINCE ITS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF VEHICLE.

DEAR SIR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING UP ALONG WITH SHAKING OF MY VEHICLE, THIS ALSO TURNS ON MY TRACTION LIGHT ON MY PANEL. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN JUNE 2019 IN SAN ANTONIO. I HAD WARRANTY AT THE TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO HILL COUNTRY HONDA FOR EVALUATION, THE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A COIL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN REPEATEDLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER AFTER I LEFT SAN ANTONIO, I NOW LIVE IN HOUSTON. I HAVE MET WITH MANY MECHANICS, ONE MASTER MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WAS SURE IT A WAS A DEFECTIVE PISTON RING . MOST MECHANICS HAVE JUST BEEN CHANGING THE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS. HE TOLD ME THIS WAS WASTE OF MY MONEY SINCE IT IS NOT THE REAL ISSUE. UP ON HIS RECOMMENDATION, I SOUGHT A SECOND OPINION AT AT HONDA DEALERSHIP SINCE I FELT IT WAS STRANGE FOR A PISTON RING NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. WITHOUT ME SAYING ANYTHING DESCRIPTIVE ABOUT VEHICLE, THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME, ITS THE PISTONS, WE CAN CHANGE THEM (6) FOR 4000. DID NOT TELL ME WHY OR WHAT CAUSED THIS UNUSUAL DEFECT. UPON RESEARCHING I FOUND HONDA PILOTS 2008-2013 MODELS HAVE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND WERE PART OF A RECALL TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO ME. WHAT IS REALLY UNLAWFUL IS THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE PISTONS IN HONDA PILOTS AND INSTEAD ISSUED A TEMPORARY FIX. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE. I DESPERATELY NEED HELP IN FIXING THIS DEFECT, I STILL OWE VEHICLE AND HAVE TAKE A GREAT FINANCIAL TOLL ON ME AND MY FAMILY. THANK YOU.

ALL THE SADEN NO METER READ ANY HIGH TEMPERATURE, WHEN I RETURN FROM AIRPORT TO MY HOUSE (NO MORE THAN 50 KM)>> I HEARED THE STRONG SOUND OF ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ,, I STOPED THE CAR, AND OPEN THE COVER OF THE ENGINE ,,TO FIND SOMETHING LIKE MILK SPETING IN A FORM OF BURKANING LAVA...I TOW THE CAR TO THE AGENTS ASK THE CO. TO CHECK ,,THEY OPEN THE ENGINE TO SMALL PARTS AND NEVER GAVE ME ANY REPORT TILL TODAY>> INSTEAD HE REFUSE TO APPLY THE WARRENTY ??!! AND SAID THE ENGINE MIX WATER AND OIL,, BECOUSE THE RADIATER DAMEGED.!!??. IN SPITE THERE IS< AS I SAID< NO TEMPERATURE RISE AT THE TIME IN THE CAR METER AT ALL !!>> I COMPLAIN TO OUR MINISTRY OF COMMERESE.. AGAIN THEY DID NOTYHING.??..I TOOK THE CAR OUT SIDE THE AGENCY AND BOUGHT NEW ENGINE ( COSTE ME ALOT) AM USING THE CAR AGAIN WITH THE SAME ORIGINAL RADIATOR <WHICH OUT SIDE THE AGENCY THEY ASURE ME, ITS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT>>??..NOW ALMOST 6 MONTHS, SINCE 18-4-2018>>> WHICH AM USING THE CAR WITH THE SAME RADIATOR >>> TAKE INTO COSIDERATIONS I DID IN THE AGENCY THE 52932 KM, FULL MAINTANANCE THE 50000 KM MAINTANANCE (WITH CHANE OIL AND FILTER) AND AT 58119KM AGAIN CHANGE OIL AND OIL FILTER WITH STANDARD CHEKINGS OTHERS LIKE WATER >>ETC >>>THE ENGIN GIVE UP(MIX WATER +OIL) WITHOUT TEMP. INCRESE???!! AT 59909 KM.. WHERE THE WARRENTY IS 3 YEARS OR 60000 KM..PLEASE CHECK THESE CARS FROM SUCH A DENGEROUS ACT... IF I DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE AND STOP THE ENGINE MIGHT BE ON FIRE>> HONDA AGENCY ABDULLAH HASHIM CO.LTD, RIYADH, KSA.....THANK YOU

VEHICLE SHUDDERS (SHAKES) AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. HAD CONVERSATION WITH HONDA ADVISOR (3/18) WHO SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. NOT SURE, BUT WANT TO REPORT IT ANYWAY BECAUSE IT SHOULDN'T BE NORMAL. I'M STILL NOTICING THIS (2/2019). HOPEFULLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

I PURCHASED A NEW TOP OF THE LINE HONDA PILOT EX-L BACK IN 2005. MY WIFE DROVE IT FOR NINE YEARS AND TOOK IMPECCABLE CARE OF IT. I STARTED DRIVING IT A YEAR AGO WHEN WE LEASED A 2013 CR-V FOR HER. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, I WAS MAKING THE THREE MILE JOURNEY TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY HEAT WAS NO LONGER WORKING. AFTER WORK, THE CAR HAD SOME TRANSMISSION SLIP WHEN LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. I STOPPED HOME BRIEFLY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALER. WE ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED THERE ( MOSTLY OIL CHANGES, A SET OF BRAKE PADS, ETC. AS IT ONLY HAD 84,000 MI. ON IT). ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS FIVE MILES AWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING MORE AND MORE. THEN, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MASSIVELY OVERHEAT. I'M GLAD I WAS NOT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER THE TECHNICIAN EVALUATED IT, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXING WITH THE ANTIFREEZE. I NEEDED A HEAD GASKET FOR THE MOTOR DUE TO THE HEAT, A NEW RADIATOR THAT HAD AN INTERNAL DESIGN FAILURE, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. A VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE A MIXTURE OF ANTIFREEZE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID ANYWHERE, NOR AT ANY TIME IN THE HISTORY OF AUTOMOBILES. THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE COST NEARLY WHAT THE VALUE OF THE CAR WAS. I CALLED HONDA MOTOR CORP. AND WAS OFFERED NO HELP. THE VALUE OF THE CAR WAS ROUGHLY 10,000.00. I CHOSE NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR, AS I FELT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FOOLISH DECISION. AFTER MY FAMILY HAS OWNED A HALF-DOZEN HONDA VEHICLES, WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. I FEEL THAT HONDA OWES ME THE VALUE OF THE CAR DUE TO THEIR OVERLY ENGINEERED RADIATOR. WE SUGGESTED THAT THEY PUT THE VALUE OF THE PILOT AGAINST THE LEASE BALANCE ON THE CRV, THEY DENIED THAT SUGGESTION. THE MOMENT THE HEAT WENT OUT, I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY CAR WAS ALREADY A TOTAL LOSS. CAN YOU SAY RECALL?????????? *TR