2017 Honda Pilot: engine overheating

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

On May 23, 2026 I was driving family and friends around San Francisco, CA in my 2017 Honda Pilot (48K miles). We were driving up multiple steep hills, up to a 20% grade in some places with a full car of 7 people. The car handled it well. However, as we neared my home 25 miles away, the car started shaking and the check engine light started flashing. We searched online and the advice was to pull over immediately to prevent the car from overheating and causing permanent, expensive damage. We eventually made it home, shaken, and didn't touch the car for a couple days to let it rest. I learned that there is a warranty extension "Warranty Extension TSB 20-100" for what seems like this exact problem concerning the fuel injectors. The spark plugs have been replaced in the last year, which eliminates that as a potential issue. The next week, I took the car to Honda San Carlos where it's been maintained most of its life. I informed them of the symptoms and that the car is eligible for this warranty extension. They tested it and found nothing. I told them that testing it in the shop or driving it around a few minutes on flat ground with one person is not going to replicate the driving conditions we encountered but they didn't seem to care and I had to pay $250 anyway. I took this to another dealership and the guy said it sounded exactly like an Warranty Extension TSB 20-100 issue. They tested it and also could not find anything. I called Honda Corporate and they will also do nothing. This is clearly a safety issue as this problem will happen again at some point. I have a family and young children and do not want to be stuck on the freeway as a road hazard to ourselves and other drivers. Honda has clearly identified this as a problem yet they won't authorize the repair. They are waiting for this to happen again before they'll fix it, and who knows if this ticking time bomb will occur in a safe place or a dangerous one.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Engine · TX · fire

Teenage daughter was driving in rush hour traffic and the car seemed at have stalled out. She pulled over on the shoulder and manually turned off the car. When she tried re-starting it, it would not start. Electrical came on, but no power to the engine. Something then seemed to have overheated because when fire department was called, they extinguished something that had melted the plastic covering underneath the car. Fire department called due to smoke. No flames seen. We believe the smoke was from the melted plastic under car from something (a fluid) that was leaking. Insurance was called, car was towed to a Honda repair shop and then towed to a local Honda dealership. They say engine seized and is locked up and will not re-start. Other noted repair needed they say is torque converter. No other problems with this vehicle in the past. One of the best cars we have owned. No warnings prior to this happening on the highway. Disappointed that Honda did not have a cause and origin expert determine what happened to the car.

Filed Nov 11, 2024 · FL

18 June 2021 took car in for A/C no longer working. They stated the a/c compressor failed, but not under recall, however they didn't have any parts since it was a common problem. Got the parts and repaired it 7 July 2021. Only safety issue is that on another Honda we own the compressor also failed during an interstate drive with thunderstorms and a tornado we couldn't see out of the window and while attempting to exit the interstate the compressor seized causing the engine to overheat leaving us stranded.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Engine · TX

My engine seized up and needs to be replaced. There was no warning lights on, no check engine lights, no sounds coming from the engine. It wasn’t overheating. It just suddenly stopped working. It’s been properly maintained & now I have to replace it. There was metal shavings in the oil and I noticed how there were issues with the bearings on the 2016, 2018 & 2019. It’s just fishy that the problem was fixed for one year but then was an issue again for the next 2 years again.

Filed Jan 2, 2023 · Transmission · MD

RPM Judder from Torque Converter Lock up clutch felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The issue is caused by transmission fluid that overheats and deteriorates quicker than it should. It can be resolved by a vehicle software update which prevents transmission fluid from overheating and prevents the judder. A transmission warning light appears in the vehicle when the issue is experienced. This issue has been confirmed by Honda - see Honda Service Bulletin 17-014 dated 2/27/18. Honda service centers will try to blame consumers for not flushing and changing transmission fluid frequently enough due to black transmission fluid and service is not covered by most warranties since it's considered a fluid maintenance service by Honda.

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · SC

Honda knows that there is a problem with the transmission that causes the fluid to overheat. The overheating issue leads to a 'judder' in the transmission. The car accelerates in a very jerky way especially between 30 and 50. This is a big safety issue if you are trying to pass someone. As soon as the vehicle reaches 80,000 miles honda will no longer cover the so-called 'repair' which is to flush the burnt transmission oil multiple times. This costs almost $400. Honda knows they have a defective transmission and, instead of fixing it, they are passing the transmission flush cost on to the buyers. A recall should be issued before someone gets killed trying to pass in a vehicle with a faulty transmission. Already happened twice on my pilot. First time was repaired for free, second time I had to pay since my car has 86000 miles and they only cover under 80000.