2012 Honda Pilot Fuel system Problems

On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle. The car was locked and I saw flames under the hood standing by the driver door looking down where the windshield wipers are. I used the extinguisher till it was empty and the flames kept getting worse. I just walked away and my wife was already calling 911. No one was hurt no damage to any exposures. My daughter did not indicate that anything was wrong with the vehicle. No lights on, no smells, everything ran fine. It had 154,000 miles on it. I do have RING video footage of the event. I did file a claim with my insurance and sent them the video footage.

NHTSA ID

11730697

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

My 2012 Honda Pilot is experiencing the same engine defect that Honda acknowledged in later model years (2013–2015) and issued recalls/extended warranty coverage for. The defect involves the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system causing excessive oil consumption, spark plug fouling, cylinder misfire, rough idle, fuel odor, and drivability issues that create an unsafe driving condition. I brought the vehicle to a Honda dealership in 2023 due to rough idle and a strong fuel smell — symptoms consistent with Technical Service Bulletin 13-082 for misfire and piston ring failure in 2009–2013 Honda Pilots. The dealer did not repair the issue or disclose that this matched a known defect. The vehicle now exhibits severe engine performance issues that pose a safety risk, including hesitation, engine shuddering, loss of power during acceleration, and strong fuel odor that may indicate improper combustion. Honda has issued recalls and warranty extensions for the identical defect on 2013 and newer Honda Pilot models with the same 3.5L V6 VCM engine but refuses to repair or acknowledge the defect for my 2012 Pilot, even though it uses the same engine architecture and has the same symptoms. This discrepancy indicates a potential gap in recall coverage that leaves owners of 2012 Pilots with a known safety-related defect unprotected. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate why the 2012 Pilot was excluded, despite identical engine design and failure patterns.

NHTSA ID

11699821

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND HESITATING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROUSH HONDA (100 W. SCHROCK RD, WESTERVILLE, OH 43081, (614) 882-1535) AND MADE THE DEALER AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11404789

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

AS I PROCEED TO ACCELERATE ONTO A HIGHWAY OR ROAD MY VEHICLE IS VERY HESITANT NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU PUSH DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL IT WILL NOT GO AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT LURCHES ACCELERATING THE SPEED VERY FAST AS IF IT'S TRYING TO CATCH UP. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST I HAVE THREE ACCIDENTS NOW. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSECTION OR PULLING ONTO A FREEWAY AS MY VEHICLE DECLINES TO ACCELERATE AS IT NEEDS TO CAUSING PEOPLE TO RUN INTO ME ALMOST. IT IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT DELAY FOR THE VEHICLE TO CATCH UP ON ITS OWN AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COLUMNS WHERE CUSTOMERS WITH HONDA PILOTS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ORDEAL AND YET IT'S HARD TO TAKE TO A DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAIN WHAT'S GOING ON AND THEN GET IN THE CAR AND IT NOT HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY BUT MY CAR DOES IT ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE ON TO ANY ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT CAUSES A LIFE

NHTSA ID

11361162

Incident

Sep 10, 2020

Mileage

172,322 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT START-UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE MECHANIC THEN REPLACED THE VAPOR CANISTER VENT VALVE AS WELL AS THE GAS CAP AND THE PURGE VALVE. DESPITE THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED BETTEN BAKER HONDA (2501 HENRY ST, MUSKEGON, MI 49441) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,185.

NHTSA ID

11359771

Incident

Jul 22, 2020

Mileage

108,185 mi

MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIME IN ONE WEEK. FIRST TIME IT WAS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS SITTING IN LINE AT A DRIVE THRU, WAITING TO MOVE FORWARD, WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY GARAGE AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS BUT I AM NOT SURE IF I SHOULD KEEP THIS CAR, AFTER I REPAIR THE DAMAGE OR GET ANOTHER CAR? PLEASE CHECK CARCOMPLAINTS.COM

NHTSA ID

11043599

Incident

Oct 23, 2017

Mileage

51,000 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL USAGE - FOULING PLUGS - REDUCED GAS MILEAGE - VCM FAULT DTC 3400 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #11-033)

NHTSA ID

11003562

Incident

Nov 1, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

GAS TANK LEAKS AFTER FILLING. STRONG ODOR OF GAS.

NHTSA ID

10970298

Incident

Mar 31, 2017

Mileage

52,000 mi

SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING OUT AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AT THE LEAST AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS ONE COULD EASILY GET REARENDED OR WORSE YET GET CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME I WAS BARELY ABLE TO ACCELERATE ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE INTERSECTION. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO HONDA DEALERS OF THIS EXISTING PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE FAILED TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION OR ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE THIS GETS THEIR ATTENTION. SEE LINK BELOW OF COMPLAINTS. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2012/HONDA/PILOT/VEHICLE_SPEED_CONTROL/PROBLEM.ASPX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659665

Incident

Nov 17, 2014

Mileage

14,000 mi

ON APRIL 30 2014 MY WIFE [XXX] ENTERED THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA CAMPUS IN THE 2012 HONDA PILOT. SHE APPROACHED THE GUARD BOOTH AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS CAN BE VERIFIED AS THE GUARD STOPPED HER AND THEY HAD A BRIEF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE TO PARK. [XXX] THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF THE GUARD BOOTH WHILE MAKING AN IMMEDIATE LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN DOWN A RAMP INTO A PARKING GARAGE. FROM THIS POINT THE HONDA PILOT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DOWN THE RAMP AS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND FAILED TO BRAKE. IT JUMPED A SMALL MEDIAN AND EVENTUALLY HIT A CONCRETE BLOCK WALL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP. [XXX] MAINTAINS THAT SHE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES DURING THE DESCENT DOWN THE RAMP UP THE MOMENT OF IMPACT AND THE CAR WAS STILL CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE AND BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. I CONTACTED HONDA AND SUBMITTED A WRITTEN REQUEST THAT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) BE TESTED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HONDA CALLED ME ON SEPTEMBER 6 (I WAS ONLY GIVEN A FIRST NAME OF [XXX]) HE EXPLAINED THAT ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 19 A TECHNICIAN EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT NO PRE ACCIDENT DATA COULD BE RECOVERED. HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THE 2012 HONDA PILOT HAS AN EDR ONLY SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE ABILITY TO RECORD PRE ACCIDENT DATA AND THAT MINE DID NOT HAVE THIS ABILITY. HE ALSO SAID THAT I WOULD NOT RECEIVE A REPORT OR ANY CONFIRMATION IN WRITING ABOUT THE INCIDENT OR SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER MANUAL INDICATES THAT EDRS HAS THE ABILITY TO RECORD DATA UP TO 30 SECONDS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT IT WILL REPORT IF THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE WAS BEING ACTIVATED AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT. IT WILL ALSO INDICATE THE VEHICLE SPEED. MY REQUEST IS THAT HONDA FOLLOW THROUGH AND TEST THE EDR TO DETERMINE IF THE BRAKES AND OR ACCELERATOR MALFUNCTIONED AS [XXX] MAINTAINS AND SUPPLY THE RESULTS TO ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10643861

Incident

Apr 30, 2014

Mileage

40,000 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND VTM4 LIGHT COME ON AFTER OVER AN HOUR OF DRIVING. SOMETIMES THE WHOLE INSIDE OF THE CAR SMELLS HAS WHILE DRIVING AND THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS NOT EFFICIENT. IN ADDITION WHEN THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE FOR A FEW DAYS, MAYBE 2-3, AND I START DRIVING, THE WHEELS MAKE SOME DEEP BRUSHING NOISE. THIS GETS WORST WHEN I BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD OR AROUND THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10608297

Incident

Jul 4, 2014

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL SPEWED FROM THE FILLER NECK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.

NHTSA ID

10536686

Incident

Aug 21, 2013

Mileage

12,000 mi

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM BRICKELL HONDA IN MIAMI WITH 7,000 MILES. I HAD TRADED MY 2010 HONDA PILOT SO I WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS VEHICLE IN GENERAL. IMMEDIATELY, I FELT A HESITATION WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A WEEK IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CONTINUALLY HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPRESSED MY SAFETY CONCERNS. THEY DROVE THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEIR "MASTER MECHANIC" EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS A NEW FEATURE WITH THE PILOT'S TO SAVE GAS! I SAID, WELL THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AND THE GAR DOES NOT MOVE! THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS THAT IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS MADE TO RUN?! I HAVE SINCE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO MINE WITH THE 2012 HONDA PILOT. FRANKLY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I WANTED TO BE SURE OTHER OWNERS KNEW OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10531949

Incident

Apr 29, 2013

Mileage

7,500 mi

28000 MI ESTIMATE. COMPLAINT REPORT JUSTIFICATION- RESEARCH INDICATES HONDA IS RECALLING VEHICLES FOR FUEL SYSTEM ERRORS INCLUDING POTENTIAL FIRES. VEHICLE: HONDA PILOT 2012 "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR LIGHT HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP: FIRST TEXAS HONDA, 3400 STECK, AUSTIN, TX, I REPORTED THE "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR LIGHT DURING PRIOR SERVICE APPOINTMENTS FOR STANDARD SERVICES SUCH AS TIRE ROTATE, OIL CHNG ETC. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ATTENDING STAFF RECOMMENDED THAT I GET A NEW FUEL CAP. 12-8-2012 - I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR NEW FUEL CAP. HEAD SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED AUDIT OF FUEL SYSTEM SAYING THAT THE "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR DOES NOT PERTAIN JUST TO THE CAP BUT TO THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR 12-14-2012. 12-14-2012 - VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. 12-15-2012 - RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE GAS CAP WAS NOT ON PROPERLY AND CAP TETHER WAS WRAPPED AROUND CAP. I DISPUTED LEAVING THE CAP IN LOOSE CONDITION AND STATED THAT IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN LEFT LOOSE BY A TECHNICIAN. 12-15-2012 - PICKED UP VEHICLE. INVOICE ODOMETER IN: 31646. SERVICE INVOICE C51253 WRITTEN UP AS: (1) CONCERN 51 CUSTOMER STATES LOOSE FUEL CAP LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. PER CHECK FOR FUEL LEAKING. (2) CAUSE GAS CAP LOOSE, REPLACED GAS CAP PER JEFF SMITH. (3) CORRECTION - PERFORMED EVAL FUNCTION TEXT, VEHICLE IS OPERATING PROPERLY. (4) COMMENT - 67D PER JEFF S __/ RICHARD TR__SEE HARD COPY 12-15-12 PART NO HON 17670-TR0-A11. QUESTIONS SEE RICHARD TR__. COMPLAINT JUSTIFICATION RESULT: PICKED UP VEHICLE AFTER 5:00 PM PRIOR TO DEALERSHIP 6:00 PM CLOSING. RETURNED HOME. ODOMETER IN: 31677. "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ON AT 31677. DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, I DO NOT KNOW MILEAGE WHEN INDICATOR CAME ON. 12-16-2012 - 10:15 AM COLD STARTED VEHICLE AT ODOMETER IN: 31677. "CHECK FUEL CAP" INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10488910

Incident

Dec 15, 2012

Mileage

28,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,700... UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF

NHTSA ID

10462096

Incident

Jun 9, 2012

Mileage

6,700 mi

2012 HONDA PILOT - DOES NOT START CONSISTENTLY. CONSISTENTLY HAS A ROUGH START, AND OFTEN STALLS. WITHIN DAYS OF OWNING MY BRAND NEW 2012 HONDA PILOT, THE CAR STALLED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT IN MY GARAGE. I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR THE DAY, THEN REPORTED TO ME THAT HONDA OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND TRYING TO FIX IT. THEY PROMISED TO KEEP ME POSTED ON THE STATUS OF THE HONDA OF AMERICA ENGINEERS PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE. SIX WEEKS WENT BY, AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH INTERMITTENT CALLS FROM MY LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER. I WAS TOLD NOT TO BOTHER TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE EACH TIME IT STALLED BECAUSE THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RECALL/FIX FROM CORPORATE. AFTER SIX WEEKS, MULTIPLE STALLS, WHICH WERE ALL REPORTED TO MY DEALER AS REQUESTED, I WAS THEN ADVISED, BY MY DEALER TO CONTACT HONDA OF AMERICA MYSELF GET SOME RESULTS. I SPOKE WITH HONDA OF AMERCIA'S NICE, BUT USELESS CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE FOR TWO WEEKS, AND GOT FED UP WITH HER INABILITY TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN AGREE THAT MY PROBLEM WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THEN I CALLED THE GM OF THE DEALERSHIP, EXPLAINED MY FRUSTRATION & CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAND NEW HONDA PILOT. HE CLAIMED TO NOT HAVE HEARD OF MY PROBLEM BEFORE, AND QUICKLY AGREED TO FULFILLED MY REQUEST TO TRADE MY VEHICLE IN FOR A DIFFERENT CAR, SAME MODEL - 2012 HONDA PILOT IN THE HOPES THAT MY CAR WAS A LEMON. WITHIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS OF OWNING THIS SECOND 2012 HONDA PILOT, MY NEW CAR STALLED. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ON YOUTUBE AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 HONDA PILOTS, AND HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED WITH SOME 2011 HONDA PILOTS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A NEW CAR TO BE SO UNRELIABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10452727

Incident

Feb 8, 2012

Mileage

63 mi