2012 Honda Pilot engine problems

Filed Apr 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN · fire

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.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OK

The check transmission light comes and goes. Ive had the transmission flushed with no issues. It pulls codes for the torque converter as its supposedly getting stuck per mechanic or is over heating and throwing the code. It does not drive rough and I believe it is a faulty code that needs to be addressed and updated and cleared. Ive had it cleared out once and it stayed off for a whole month. The light and blinking D doesn't come on all the time or in patterns so that also tells me it isn't a transmission issue or it would be on more frequently and consistently. To where when mine comes on and then I shut my car off for an hour it stays off for quite some time. This really needs to be addressed instead of causing car owners unnecessary costs for diagnostic purposes through a Honda dealer which costs 100.00 or more or even them putting in a complete new transmission.

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · PA

See attached document for complaint

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Engine, Suspension · WV

Unusual amount of oil consumption. Faulty cylinder 3. Gaskets cause the oil to leak into the spark plugs causing the engine light to come on with loss of power. Changed cylinder 3 spark plug at least 10 times or more since purchasing the vehicle in 2021. Oil also drips onto the alternator, replaced it twice in 9 months. Wheels and steering wheel shake when hitting the brakes. Replaced brakes and rotors twice as well.

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Engine · PA

MIL comes on with DTCsP0301 through P0304 Car is available for inspection. Dealer confirmed along with independent service center. Service Bulletin 13-082

Filed Nov 13, 2022 · Engine · NJ

burning to much oil and engine light turn and just put 2 quarts and iwas looking at complaints anf few people have the same issue i really take care of my truck

Filed Jul 15, 2022 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while at a stop light, the engine shuddered and the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The check engine, battery, traction control, and Variable Torque Management 4-WD system (VTM-4) warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with piston and piston ring failure mentioned in Honda bulletin 13-082. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Engine · CA

Excessive oil consumption which led to engine misfire while driving and trying to merge onto the freeway. This cause a significant loss of power and poor performance by the vehicle. Fortunately the roadway was not busy, but this issue could have caused an accident. Took the vehicle to local mechanic, Affordable Automotive (Chico, CA). They ran a diagnostic and it revealed a P0301 and P0175 code. They removed the spark plugs which showed excessive fouling and they replaced them. The specific cylinder effected was Cylinder 1. I have contacted Honda and filed a claim (Case #12234271). They opened a case and initially had good communication, but have since stopped responding and have not provided me with a conclusion. Honda initially responded on May 21, 2021.

Filed Mar 25, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v063000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Engine · 137,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 honda pilot. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle jerked while shifting gears. Additionally, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was not taken to a dealer due to the distance of the nearest dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.