2014 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud pop coming from the engine department. The contact became aware of a severe drop in the oil level while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #4, and that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the engine sputtered with the check engine and several other warning lights illuminated. The failures persisted. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, Friendly Honda of Fayetteville (534 E Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY 13066); and was diagnosed with piston rings failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the spark plugs, and alternator were also replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

NHTSA ID

11744773

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

Mileage

142,000 mi

I own a 2014 Honda Pilot that experienced an engine misfire related to piston ring deterioration. An authorized Honda dealership diagnosed and documented qualifying engine misfire codes (P030X). After the misfire occurred, we stopped driving the vehicle due to safety concerns, including risk of loss of power or stalling. While the vehicle was not being driven, the battery failed and cleared diagnostic memory. Honda has acknowledged the prior diagnosis but refuses to perform the repair unless the vehicle is driven until the misfire occurs again and diagnostic codes are active at the time of service. Honda is requiring operation of a vehicle with a known intermittent engine defect to re-verify the condition. We believe this creates a safety risk by encouraging operation of a vehicle that may experience sudden misfire, loss of power, or stalling. We do not feel it is safe to drive the vehicle to intentionally reproduce the defect.

NHTSA ID

11714451

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

2014 Honda pilot touring--ENGINE-is running through oil faster than it should. The spark plugs/coil packs have all been replaced now. Starting with 1 an 3.I was driving down the road and it started stalling out while I was in traffic about 8 mo.ago . The vehicle didn't want to go anywhere an when it would get some power to go it was slow an the engine was shaking so hard the whole time even at idle. So I pulled over, turned car off an then on trying to get it home since I wasn't far at all. Finally the check engine light came on as I pulled in the drive. Put a code reader on it to find out that plugs 1.and 3 were misfiring., Fixed that problem and 2 months later it did the same thing. Checked codes again and seen now we needed to replace the rest of the spark plugs and all coil packs. Which made it run normal again. Dates are unknown at this point. Best guess it started about between 6 months an a year ago. We have had problems every since though. The check engine light came on again an the car was shaking and idling up an down an the code was- low transmission fluid. Transmission fluid doesn't leak unless something's wrong. There was none leaking and when we checked the level it was perfect We just turned the car off for awhile an when we started it back it acted fine. Seems like it could be something with the computer possibly?? There is so many more problems with this 14 Pilot. This thing shakes really bad during take off an slowing down. Drivetrain-- there is something in the front end making noise like it's gonna break any moment. Could be CV joint, hub assembly or numerous things. Also sometimes I can smell gas fumes or a burning smell and it doesn't show that it's overheating. ELECTRICAL- the doors used to unlock all over when put in park. Now only the driver door unlocks. Also the daytime running lights warning comes up on the dash. It stays on there. The taillights stopped working, wasn't a fuse or anything. Its the wiring. Paint-gone above windshield.

NHTSA ID

11711134

Incident

May 14, 2025

10/27/2023 replaced all spark plugs 12/16/2/24 Engine light and VTM-light and traction control light on, misfire in 1st cylinder, replaced spark plugs and ignition coil 1/9/25 Engine light and VTM-light and traction control light on, misfire in 3rd cylinder. These issues are consistent with many complaints on this year, make and model of Honda Pilot

NHTSA ID

11709829

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

My 2014 Honda Pilot has intermittent engine misfires (DTCs P0301–P0304) caused by piston ring failure. The defect leads to rough running, sudden loss of power, and unsafe driving conditions. On October 24, 2024, Crown Motors Honda in Holland, MI confirmed piston ring failure on cylinders 1–3, with oil wash and fouled spark plugs. The vehicle had to be towed when my wife was driving due to loss of power. This vehicle is driven daily by my two high-school sons, often with my youngest as a passenger. The misfire and power loss create dangerous situations when merging, accelerating, or driving in traffic. Honda has refused to perform warranty repair unless the check engine light (MIL) is currently illuminated, even though their own Technical Service Bulletin 25-060 explains that stored codes and spark plug inspection are sufficient for diagnosis. Waiting for the CEL to reappear puts my children at risk of sudden failure. The defect has been confirmed by a Honda dealer, and is consistent with known issues covered by Honda warranty extensions and the Soto v. American Honda settlement. The problem is reproducible, poses an ongoing safety hazard, and remains unresolved.

NHTSA ID

11685705

Incident

Oct 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side wheel. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into gear as needed while moving the gear shifter. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had progressed. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not identified. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: PE25008 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ID

11683379

Incident

Jan 15, 2019

Mileage

27,000 mi

Oil blow by in cylinders 1, 2 and 3 do to rings and cylinder deactivation. Oil fouling plugs and causing misfire at 129,000 miles on the pilot and 25,000 miles on the plugs. Issue caused lack of power while driving.

NHTSA ID

11651063

Incident

Mar 14, 2025

2014 Honda pilot Misfire repeatedly happening. Changed spark plugs and coils 3 times continues to happen. I have had the above problem 3 times (check engine light flashing, VTM-4, traction lights all on. Check engine light started flashing, engine was revving weird. This is an ongoing issue that I am having to spend money on over and over. I have found on [XXX] that others have been dealing with the same situation. A recall needs to happen to fix this problem. I have been stuck on the highway with no fix out of the situation. Tired of having to take my car in for the same ongoing issue. Spending time and money that I don't have, P0303, P0305 codes that appear. They get fixed temporarily, then the same issue occurs. When driving long distances it becomes worse. Please HELP! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11614345

Incident

Aug 11, 2024

Last week I turned on my 2014 Pilot and saw the check engine and VTM-4 dash lights on. When I checked the cause I received error code P0303 - Piston #3 Misfire. Upon researching this error I discovered this issue was addressed by Honda for model years through 2013 because of a class action lawsuit. However models 2014-2015 have the same components and should be addressed/fixed by Honda. I’m lucky to have been in my driveway when I had the misfire, it could have cause an accident had I been on the road. Honda needs to issue a recall for 2014-2015 Pilots.

NHTSA ID

11552451

Incident

Oct 22, 2023

I have a 2014 Honda Pilot, and while driving on the road, the car started to violently shake, and the engine turned off. The inspection from dealer indicated code P0303- Misfire cylinder due to fouled #3 spark plug caused by worn piston rings. The spark plug was found to be melted. Honda quoted $4000 to fix the issue, and the concern is that the 2014 model could have also been included in the 2013 and earlier models. It appears that Honda has requested dealers to send in reports if this particular issue has been identified. Even though the dealership was aware of the diagnosis, they have not offered to cover the repairs for this known issue on previous models of Pilots. Instead, they are offering to buy back our vehicle. After further research, there has been a lawsuit "Honda Engine Misfire" with this same issue with Honda Pilot for year 2013 and prior. I want to know if my 2014 used 2013 parts, and therefore resulted to the manufacturer defect on my vehicle. The dealer has offered to buy back the car immediately and has not addressed our concerns with the vehicle having a faulty mfg part. Honda has not responded back to the issue and the issue has not been resolved. My concern is if this issue is not fixed that the engine may further malfunction causing more damage to the car.

NHTSA ID

11545889

Incident

Sep 19, 2023

My wife pulled into a diagonal parking space and was ready to put the vehicle into park when the engine rpm increased dramatically and propelled us into a concrete wall. The front end and left front fender are damaged and the two seat belts locked. The airbag indicator light is on but the air bag did not deploy. Thankfully we suffered no injuries. I contacted American Honda who initially seemed interested. I provided much information and then did not hear back from them. After a month I contacted them again and was told there have been no recalls on our vehicle. I relayed that I am very concerned with what may have caused the acceleration and will be very uncomfortable driving the vehicle after repairs are complete. I was told they will send a factory authorized representative to do an unattended acceleration safety inspection at the collision center where the repairs will be made. While sitting in the waiting room at the collision center I spoke to another person who also owns a Honda Pilot. She told me she also experienced engine acceleration while driving her Honda Pilot. I am not sure if I will feel safe again driving the Honda Pilot even if it goes through a successful safety inspection.

NHTSA ID

11541929

Incident

Jul 13, 2023

On May 14 2023 I was driving my 2014 Honda Pilot when the Check Engine, VMT-4, and Stability Control dashboard lights all came on. I took my car to the local Honda dealer who said the #2 spark plug was fouled causing engine misfiring. I was also told I was low on oil. I have not seen any stains underneath the car but I was told the oil was leaking out past the piston rings and out the exhaust. I was also told by the dealer that 3 of the piston rings need replacing. And the cost is $5,000. The Honda service representative said there was no recall on this issue. But I found out later that the 2009 to 2013 Honda Pilots had a similar issue that was corrected by Honda at their cost. So why is there no recall for 2014 Honda Pilots ?? I am not rough on my car when I drive. So why should I have to pay $5,000 to fix a problem that Honda had in the 2009 to 2013 Pilots and apparently have not corrected for the 2014 Pilots ???? A quick internet search reveals other 2014 Pilot owners with similar if not the identical problem that I have.

NHTSA ID

11522370

Incident

May 14, 2023

Very loud clunking noise. Camshaft needs to be replaced. I have already had to replace the transmission and timing belt. Honda ordered the part Jan 17. The part is backordered until the end of March. I was told the vehicle should not be driven until the part is replaced because the noise is the camshaft rubbing against other parts of the engine which could cause further damage to the engine. Once the Camshaft completely goes out, then the vehicle will just stop. I do not want to be stranded or cause further damage to the engine. I have been unable to drive my vehicle since Jan 17.

NHTSA ID

11508529

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ONE DAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AN IMPACT ON BEING ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND COULD NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THE PISTON RINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND I AM GETTING A CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT MY DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS FOR FREE AS IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN FOR A CYLINDER #3 MISFIRE AND COST ME A FORTUNE TO FIX. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT ONLY MODELS 2009-2013 WERE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. LOOKING AT THE OTHER NHSTA COMPLAINTS WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND IS YET STLL HAPPENING IN MODELS 2014. PLEASE EXTEND THIS COVERAGE TO THE YEAR 2014.

NHTSA ID

11492639

Incident

Nov 4, 2022

1. Our 2014 Honda Pilot EXL with only 70,000 miles on it needs a complete engine replacement. The cause was determined to be driving with low oil. The oil life gauge read 50% and we had an oil change only 3 months earlier. No check engine light or low oil light came on, so we had no way of knowing the oil was low unless someone qualified had done a manual inspection which ordinary drivers don't/can't do. In our view the warning lights and/or oil life gauge all failed to warn us of any issue of this nature, therefore letting it get to the point whereby the car needs a complete engine replacement. 2. UNKNOWN. We were lucky that we noticed the smell of fuel/burning close to home so we were thankfully not left stranded on the side of the road. But we were left stranded 500 miles from home while on vacation with no car. It was an absolute nightmare. 3. Yes, we had to tow the vehicle 40 miles to the nearest Honda dealership who confirmed that the engine needs replacing. 4. Yes, the nearest Honda dealership inspected the vehicle. 5. No, and that is the issue. No warnings lamps appeared. The smell of fuel/burning coming from the engine alerted us to the fact that there was an issue and the engine fan carried on running even after the ignition was turned off. Prior to this we had no idea there was an issue with the vehicle. We took care of the vehicle, doing regular oil changes and fluid replacement, etc. FYI - Telling someone that they need to manually check the oil level as you should not rely on the oil life gauge and/or the various warning lights that are designed to detect this problem is both devoid from reality and is akin to telling people that they should manually dip the gas tank to check the gas level as you should not rely on the gas gauge etc. That makes no practical sense and the vast majority of car owners don't do it.

NHTSA ID

11478245

Incident

Jul 7, 2022

Check engine and VSA light on. Vehicle jerks and shakes/ rough when slowing down. Diagnosis Misfire in cylinder two- foul plug ( that was just replaced), burning up oil rapidly. Piston rings are defective on a car with 75000 k miles. The repair is $5k after I just spent $2k on plugs, coils, replaced again, alternator. Undsafe and feels like car will crash. This was recall on 2013 and class action suit. Not on 2014 after they knew about issue!! Wreckless

NHTSA ID

11462885

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

3 engine piston rings failed. Wife was driving the vehicle. Yes, verified and repaired by Honda of Fort Worth. Engine light flashing when misfiring and rough idle before pulling over. Also needed timing belt kit replaced. 2009-2013 Pilots had same problem and were part of a class action suit. Same 3 pistons that the VCM and ECO mode effects the operation of engine.

NHTSA ID

11458843

Incident

Mar 24, 2022

As I was driving home during rush hour, I smelt an odd smell. I thought that it was coming from the vehicle next to me but that vehicle turned and the smell remained. I looked down at my dashboard and the OVER HEATING WARNING LIGHT WAS BRIGHT YELLOW-- I immediately pulled over into a parking lot with my 2 young kids, got them out of the car, and began to try and figure out what was going on. Thank goodness I didn't ignore this issue and that I was able to pull off of the road when I did. This could have been a very unsafe situation for myself, my kids, and other motorists. Prior to this moment there were NO indicators of anything being wrong with the vehicle, there was absolutely no warning of what I am about to describe either. LUCKILY, my husband was nearby and able to pick us up. There was a milky fluid leaking from underneath the car and when my husband opened the hood he said that oil and water had mixed--it looked like something had just exploded. Needless to say I had to have the vehicle towed to a shop. After taking the engine out and sending parts off to a machinist it was determined that the front cylinder head had cracked and the rear cylinder head had to be resurfaced due to the damage. Several mechanics have noted that there is NO REASONABLE EXPLINATION FOR THE CYLINDER HEAD TO CRACK before 200,000 miles. I had just purchased this vehicle in September 2020, it had 72,000 miles on it then. It currently has around 80,000 miles on it. I purchased this vehicle because I thought it would be a SAFE FAMILY VEHICLE but now I'm not comfortable driving it because I'm worried that it will "blowup" on me. I contacted Honda Customer Service and they basically said that nothing can be done to assist me. I have seen an identical scenario posted on here and was shocked by it as well--because I thought that my mechanic wrote it but alas it was someone with the same situation! There is obviously something faulty here and it should be repaired/replaced by Honda!

NHTSA ID

11422792

Incident

Apr 8, 2021

FROM 85,000 MILES ONWARD, HAD INTERMITENT MISFIRES ON #1 AND #2 CYLINDERS. REPLACED BOTH PLUGS AND COILS ON THOSE CYLINDERS. HOWEVER, INTERMITENT MISFIRES CONTINUED. AT 105,000, TOOK VEHICLE FOR 100,000 MILE MAINTENENCE. HONDA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDED NEW PISTON RINGS ON CYLINDER #1, #2 AND #3. OIL WAS LEAKING PAST RINGS AND FOULING PLUGS. A $2500 REPAIR!! THIS ISSUE WAS ADMITTED AND CORRECTED AT NO CHARGE BY HONDA ON 2009 TO 2013 HONDA PILOTS. OBVIOUSLY, THE ISSUE CONTINUED INTO 2014 AND SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. NOTE: I HAVE INVOICES FOR ABOVE REPAIRS..

NHTSA ID

11374752

Incident

Nov 11, 2020

CONSISTENT VIBRATION WHEN ECM ENGAGES CULMINATING IN ENGINE BUCKING ALONG WITH ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING THIS OCCURRED ON RURAL ROAD AT 55MPH. MECHANIC CHANGED OIL AND SPARK PLUGS WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TWO MONTHS LATER, ENGINE LIGHT ON AND ECM NOT ENGAGING AT ALL. VTM LIGHT ON FOR A SHORT WHILE. CODE INDICATES A CYLINDER PROBLEM. THIS WAA ALSO AT APPROX. 50MPH. THE CODE IS AMBIGUOUS BUT SEEMS TO INDICATE MISFIRE OF SOME SORT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?

NHTSA ID

11297199

Incident

Jan 5, 2020

Mileage

91,100 mi

I AM 30 YEARS EXPERIENCED AUTO MECHANIC AND RECENTLY EXPERIENCED MY ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED IN MY 2014 HONDA PILOT WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE OVERHEATED . PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OIL LEAKED COMPLETELY INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM AND RADIATOR RESERVOIR WAS FULL OF OIL/COOLANT. I REMOVED BOTH SIDE CYLINDER HEADS, COULD NOT FIND ANY DAMAGES EITHER HEADS OR GASKETS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. I FOUND SAME CASES ONLINE AND ASKED THE HONDA FOR THIS CASE, HONDA DID NOT LET ME KNOW WHAT THEY KNOW. VEHICLE WAS JUST PAID OFF AND HAS 82000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED PROPERLY SINCE DAY 1.

NHTSA ID

11243253

Incident

Jul 11, 2019

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS (LEFT AND RIGHT) WENT AT 60K MILES. SUNROOF NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT AT 60K (RUST WAS EVIDENT INDICATING SIGNS OF ONGOING LEAK), ENGINE BUSHING NEEDED REPLACED AT 60K MILES. ALIGNMENT NEEDED BECAUSE ENGINE BUSHING AND WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11131142

Incident

Sep 24, 2018

IN MAY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE #2 CYLINDER PLUG FOULING IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 7/25/18 & 1600 MILES LATER ON 9/8/18. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S A OIL SEAL PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2009-2013 PILOTS WHY NOT ON THE 2014? SAME PROBLEM AS COMPLAINT #11122936 THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH SOMETHING

NHTSA ID

11128460

Incident

Jul 25, 2018

Mileage

52,000 mi

CHECK ENGINE AND VSA/VTM-4 LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASH. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER AND CODE RETURNED ISSUE WITH A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER #3 DUE TO A PISTON RING FAILURE. KNOWN ISSUE 2009-2013 HONDA PILOTS THAT RESULTED IN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. HONDA REPAIRED THOSE VEHICLES AT NO COST AND EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY. HONDA NOT WILLING TO DO THE SAME FOR A KNOWN ISSUE IN A 2014 VERSION.

NHTSA ID

11122936

Incident

Aug 23, 2018

Mileage

68,000 mi

MY HONDA PILOT 2014 HAS VIBRATION EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. I WORRY THAT IT WILL DAMAGE THE ENGINE. I THINK IT HAPPEN WHEN TRANSITION BETWEEN 3 CYLINDER AND 6 CYLINDER. DRIVING BETWEEN 30 MPH TO 60 MPH. I DON'T THINK THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT (VCM) IS WORKING WELL AT ALL. HONDA PLEASE FIX THIS ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11119317

Incident

Jun 27, 2014