2017 Honda Pilot

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013, NHTSA has closed that investigation. The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of RQ24013 presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.  To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Engineering Analysis is being opened to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaign. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2019-2022 Honda Passport, and 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The repair outlined in the service bulletins is a two-stage countermeasure to remedy the issue. The first stage is a Programmed Fuel Injection (“PGM-FI”) software update. The second stage is only deployed if the software update fails to remedy the issue. The second stage, depending on the model and model year, consists of replacement of the starter assembly, starter relays, and a valve adjustment. Additionally, Honda extended the warranty coverage to 10 years with unlimited mileage for vehicles requiring the second stage component replacement. ODI continues to receive complaints of the AIS failure to restart, with many complainants alleging the campaign countermeasures had been completed.NHTSA has reviewed Honda's Information Request Letter responses involving warranty claims, lawsuits, and consumer complaints in addition to ODI's own data. This Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis, EA25004, to further consider the potential safety defect, including gathering additional data regarding Honda’s service campaign efficacy. ODI is additionally expanding the scope for the Engineering Analysis to encompass all vehicles addressed in Honda’s service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009 as well as newer model year vehicles, which are substantially similar to the vehicles covered by the service campaigns. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Started the car Check engine lights and all the other lights came on: tire pressure, ABS,ACC, break, emergency break, collision mitigation system problem, road departure mitigation,VSA. Turned off the car, the lights and check engine lights went away and a few days later while driving car did that again and then it engine decline in speed and died on highway.

NHTSA ID

11766584

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

2017 Honda Pilot 3.5 L V6 170,000 miles has mechanical "knock" noise corresponding to engine RPM at start, idle, and acceleration. Knock comes from engine block and can be heard from top and bottom of the engine bay, louder from underneath, clearly coming from the rear bank of cylinders. Possibly connecting rod bearing failure. General routine maintenance and oil changes have been completed consistently. If the connecting rod bearing were to fail while running, metal fragments would damage and seize the engine. If this would occur while driving, vehicle would unexpectedly lose engine power, crippling other systems like power steering, electrical, and possibly controlled braking. This could result in a serious or even fatal collision. Me and my children rely on this car for our transportation needs and no longer trust its reliability. I'll have the dealership inspect the engine components according the the 2023 recall campaign, even though my specific VIN, model, or year are not included.

NHTSA ID

11766006

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle as a temporary fix. The message "Emission System Failure" was displayed. An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 70,264.

NHTSA ID

11765930

Incident

Sep 18, 2026

Mileage

70,264 mi

This follows the hood repair recall done in 2022. This repair wasn’t done correctly

NHTSA ID

11765297

Incident

Sep 7, 2022

I recently purchased this car from a Nissan dealership a week after we purchased it the emissions system problem light came on took it back they replaced a catalytic converter it was ok for a couple weeks and all of a sudden it showed up again my vin doesn’t show any open recalls but I have a feeling this is a part of the recall that affects the certain years of affected vehicles

NHTSA ID

11763823

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

I own a 2017 Honda Pilot equipped with the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am reporting what I believe may be transmission/torque-converter failure and a potential safety concern. The vehicle began experiencing shuddering, jerking, and hesitation. There is significant RPM fluctuation and harsh shifting. The problem occurs on highway speeds, accelerating or shifting lanes, 40–60 mph. During these episodes, the acceleration stalls and is accident prone. 8 months ago, I brought the vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer because of these symptoms, they couldn't get the code. 3 months ago, I went again for same issues, the dealer diagnosed a damaged air-intake hose and I paid for replacement. However, immediately driving off the lot, the original symptoms continued after the repair. I returned the vehicle to the Honda dealership because the problem persisted. The dealership has now diagnosed transmission failure and has estimated the repair at approximately $10,000. American Honda has offered approximately 60% goodwill assistance toward the repair, leaving me responsible for approximately $4,000. I am concerned because there are numerous reports involving transmission and torque-converter problems in 2017 Honda Pilots. Honda has issued technical service information concerning transmission and torque-converter conditions in this model year, including information involving the 9-speed automatic transmission. I am also aware of other NHTSA complaints involving premature 9-speed transmission and torque-converter failure in 2017 Honda Pilots. My vehicle has previously required other Honda-recognized repairs, including fuel-injector/emissions-related repairs that Honda covered. I am submitting this complaint because a transmission or torque-converter malfunction that causes hesitation, harsh or unexpected shifting, loss of acceleration, or loss of motive power can create a serious safety risk, particularly while entering or traveling on a highway or crossing traffic.

NHTSA ID

11763553

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

The car is having issues with the idle stop. It started taking longer to restart after a stop and now it turns completely off. It happened today in a traffic light in a big intersection.

NHTSA ID

11762329

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

The engine started throwing emissions codes and running rough about 6 mo ago but it was very sporadic and always cleared on their own. However on 8/23 my husband was driving it, all the lights started coming on and it froze up and died while he was driving it. We had taken it to the shop where they confirmed that the whole engine was dead that its a known problem with these years pilots and would require a new engine.

NHTSA ID

11762221

Incident

Aug 23, 2026

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.

Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set the DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Performance or Stuck OFF.

Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the MIL not illuminating. “D” flashes and “Transmission Overheat” message appears setting DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.

Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.

Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.