2020 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.

All of a sudden the gas pump nozzles at gas stations will not fit into the capless gas fill hole in the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11776454

Incident

Nov 6, 2026

The fuel injector failed, causing the check engine light to go on and impacting vehicle performance. This failure caused raw fuel to pass through the system, leading to odors and a noticeable drop in engine horsepower. This problem could have caused engine lock or catalytic converter failure, putting our safety at risk. This issue was confirmed by the dealership. Additionally, the manufacturer, Honda, is aware of this issue across its vehicles with this engine setup, meaning it is a known problem. Their negligence to make us aware and to account for this put our safety at risk.

NHTSA ID

11776220

Incident

Oct 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where diagnostic testing determined that the wiring harness required replacement. The dealer informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact researched the failure and learned of a recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11775911

Incident

Nov 5, 2022

Unknown. When I put the vehicle on reverse, I see this message: “Camera system failure”.

NHTSA ID

11775010

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

The front facing camera failed. Cruise control doesn’t work. Emergency braking doesn’t work. Lane departure warnings and lane keeping assistance doesn’t work. Forward collision warning doesn’t work. The forward facing camera failure was confirmed by an independent mechanic. Warning lights in the driver’s display show that the safety features are not working.

NHTSA ID

11774329

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

On October 7, 2026, at approximately 131,425 miles, my 2020 Honda Pilot Elite suddenly displayed multiple Honda Sensing safety-system failures simultaneously without prior warning. The vehicle displayed Adaptive Cruise Control Problem, Lane Keeping Assist Problem, Collision Mitigation System Problem, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, and Auto High-Beam Problem. I shut the vehicle completely off and restarted it, but the warnings returned. These failures appear to disable multiple advanced driver-assistance and collision-avoidance functions at the same time. I have found reports from other 2020 Honda Pilot owners describing similar simultaneous Honda Sensing failures, including reported failures of the multipurpose forward camera. I am having the vehicle diagnosed and will retain the diagnostic trouble codes and repair information. I am reporting this because the simultaneous loss of multiple collision-avoidance and driver-assistance safety systems appears to be a potential safety-related defect.

NHTSA ID

11769729

Incident

Oct 7, 2026

Honda Pilot 2020 sensing multipurpose camera failure. DTC U3000-49

NHTSA ID

11769429

Incident

Oct 5, 2026

When driving in normal conditions on a 2 lane road and passing oncoming vehicles the ‘auto emergency brake’ will flash on screen and briefly slow/attempt to apply brakes. Very intermittent, no consistency with other conditions such as weather, traffic flow or driving conditions. Concern - safe driving conditions are interrupted causing driver distraction and higher risk of accident.

NHTSA ID

11768803

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the auto idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions.

Dealer Message - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. In other circumstances, vehicles may experience a slow crank or fail to start under hot ambient temperature conditions. The customer should be able to restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button.

Service Bulletin - The wireless charger starts charging the phone and then stops charging, even when the phone remains in the correct position on the charger due to software specifications that can cause some phones to have issues charging.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2022-2025 Passport Blacks, TrailSports & 2019-2022 Pilots with a customer complaint of the taillight and/or brake light being inoperative. Vehicles may also have the A6 10A or C27 7.5A fuse blown. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Service Bulletin - One or more accessory running board lights are flickering or not working due to a faulty running board light assembly.