2012 Honda Pilot: misfire or rough idle

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

My 2012 Honda Pilot is experiencing the same engine defect that Honda acknowledged in later model years (2013–2015) and issued recalls/extended warranty coverage for. The defect involves the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system causing excessive oil consumption, spark plug fouling, cylinder misfire, rough idle, fuel odor, and drivability issues that create an unsafe driving condition. I brought the vehicle to a Honda dealership in 2023 due to rough idle and a strong fuel smell — symptoms consistent with Technical Service Bulletin 13-082 for misfire and piston ring failure in 2009–2013 Honda Pilots. The dealer did not repair the issue or disclose that this matched a known defect. The vehicle now exhibits severe engine performance issues that pose a safety risk, including hesitation, engine shuddering, loss of power during acceleration, and strong fuel odor that may indicate improper combustion. Honda has issued recalls and warranty extensions for the identical defect on 2013 and newer Honda Pilot models with the same 3.5L V6 VCM engine but refuses to repair or acknowledge the defect for my 2012 Pilot, even though it uses the same engine architecture and has the same symptoms. This discrepancy indicates a potential gap in recall coverage that leaves owners of 2012 Pilots with a known safety-related defect unprotected. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate why the 2012 Pilot was excluded, despite identical engine design and failure patterns.

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Electrical · FL

Check engine light came on followed by shaking of the vehicle. The code was checked indicating a cylinder 1 misfire. This has been an ongoing issue of cylinders misfiring. The spark plugs and coils have been replaced multiple times and the issue is still persisting.

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 Aug 4, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · NC

My 2012 honda pilot ex-l has had issues with vibration when driving at consistent speeds between 40-50 and 60-70 (I.e. Not accelerating). Local dealer initially tried to update control software with no impact, then replaced the torque converter under warranty, also with no impact. Honda service manager now says that this is a known issue with the variable cylinder management program that is designed to increase fuel economy - and the only way to correct this is to drive with the overdrive turned off (thereby significantly lowering fuel economy). The vibration can be best described as a sort of "stuttering" that typically occurs during highway driving while moving at a consistent speed, almost as if it were misfiring and goes away once the accelerator is pushed harder, only to return once consistent speeds are again reached. The issue has been non-stop since purchase in january 2012, and the vehicle now has approximately 55,000 miles. Had honda initially explained the issue I would have applied for the north carolina lemon law program, but instead they were less than up front about a known issue.

Filed Apr 18, 2012 · 125 miles · MD

Two days after purchase of the vehicle, the vehicle has rough idle upon start and stalls. This has happened three times in three days. Honda has no fix for the problem at this time. Honda advised they are not aware of the problem, yet I was able to find the federal safety agency reports that involve the same problem.