2011 Honda Pilot: misfire or rough idle

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Engine · TX

The front cylinder head valve cover developed an erosion hole adjacent to the middle spark plug (#5) tube cutout. The valve cover is available for inspection. This portion of the valve cover is directly above the oxygen sensor on the exhaust manifold. Engine oil could leak onto the hot manifold and ignite, causing an engine fire. I have not taken this cover to a Honda dealer or independent service center as I do my own maintenance work on my vehicles. This failure occurred after 153,235 miles and there were no indications, messages, or symptoms. The hole was not leaking oil as it was filled with valve cover material that had degraded and turned into powder. The powder was easily dislodged after probing with a metal pick, leaving a hole in its place. The #5 ignition coil was inspected and was visually unremarkable. The engine was not misfiring. The MIL lamp was off and there were no DTC codes present. A web search found several other complaints about this issue (with pictures of incidents of greater severity) and it is not confined to Honda vehicles.

Filed Oct 2, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

My Honda Pilot 2011 EXL w/ AWD displayed a flashing engine light while driving, which is a sign of a serious engine problem. When it was towed to the Honda dealership, the service representative told me that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) of P0302 was recovered, which occurs when the spark plugs misfire, and is fully described in Honda's Service Bulletin 13-082: I was told by the Honda service rep that one spark plug was fouled and covered with engine oil, and that I needed to clean the pistons and replace three piston rings along with the spark plug, a $3500+ repair. This costly problem with some Hondas was the subject of a class action lawsuit (Soto v. American Honda Motors), and is known to cause a sudden loss of power while driving, putting the driver, passengers, and other nearby vehicles at significant risk. By way of background, I began experiencing intermittent and temporary electrical system failure and increased oil consumption as early as January, 2021, which was never fully diagnosed until it progressed to a state of engine failure in September. Honda was clearly aware of this problem, yet it failed to take preemptive action to protect Honda owners and others. Rather than recalling vehicles with defective Program Control Module (PCM) software/firmware and updating it on affected vehicles (a relatively inexpensive fix), they allowed drivers to continue to operate their Hondas, effectively playing vehicular Russian Roulette, until their engines failed catastrophically, like mine did.

Filed Jul 31, 2019 · Engine, Suspension · 163,000 miles · SC

I have replaced coils and plugs due to misfire code po302 two or more times. I have had cv joints replaced 2 or more times. I purchased this vehicle used approximately 4 years ago. I have contacted honda USA on several occasions only to be told their are no recalls except takata airbag. Only to find out their is a (known) problem with cylinder misfires for my vehicle. I brought this up to honda's attention. Not the other way around.

Filed Aug 24, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 149,000 miles · MD

Continued replacement of spark plugs and burning too much oil. I'm now replacing spark plug #2 every 6 months. Without notice while driving, all engine lights illuminate, engine begins to sputter and will not accelerate. No option available other than to pull off the road and wait for a tow truck. In some cases, simply the act of accelerating too quickly to will cause the same issue. Very dangerous! Can someone please explain why the class action against honda for the 2011 honda pilot engine misfire didn't include my VIN# yet I continue to experience engine misfire? It should be apparent that this issue was not specific to one manufacturing plant and that it is an overall design defect. I purchased my 2011 honda pilot because I wanted a safe and reliable vehicle. This engine misfire has left me sitting on the side of the road with children and dogs in tow. The opposite of safe and reliable with a $30,000 price tag. Very disappointed that honda isn't stepping up to make these repairs.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Driver assistance, Engine · FL

P0301 through p0304 honda engine misfire settlement honda manipulate the dealer to make false allegations and the vehicle they refuse to repair it. I wish to have the truth come to light how they refuse to service and take accountability to repair the vehicle. They rather not repair it even though it is there. I was driving and the engine misfired. I was forced to drive into autozone to have them test it out and the diagnosis came back that I had to change the spark plugs. In which I did but now honda does not wish to repair it.

Filed Apr 15, 2015 · Engine · 41,000 miles · MA

While doing routine driving the check engine light, vsa light, and vtm-4 light all came on and stayed on. The vehicle seemed to be running normally so I pulled over, turned off the vehicle and restarted it. Then only the check engine light stayed on. I continued to drive and about 10 minutes later the vsa light and vtm-4 lights came on again. I called my dealership and made an appointment. They said the vehicle could be driven with the check engine light on. I researched the issue online and found that a possible cause was a known issue regarding rings and pistons on v6 honda engines from 2009 to 2013 that allows the oil to seep past the rings and foul the plugs and that there was no recall from honda. When the dealership looked at the issue they said the vehicle was reporting that cylinder 2 had misfired once (they did not state that it was due to oil fouling the spark plug but my adviser implied that was the cause when he mentioned to keep an eye on the oil levels and change the oil at 5000 miles). They replaced all of the spark plugs and updated the vsa software per a tsb (technical service bulletin??) from honda. The service adviser told me the issue might never reoccur, or it might, and that I should keep an eye on the oil level monthly, and change the oil every 5000 miles max (I've used mobil 1 fully synthetic since the vehicle was purchased new... And super unleaded gas). If it happens again I'll attempt to push the dealership to replace the rings and pistons as they are doing for some customers. If it doesn't happen again I'll need to sell the vehicle in the next 3 years before the extended 8 year warranty on this issue expires, which is too bad because it's been mostly a great vehicle, in great condition, and with low miles. Honda really should be doing a recall on this, but instead it seems they would rather lose customers and future sales.