Frequent struggles/failures to restart engine from the auto idle start/stop feature engaging. Multiple times, despite top of the line battery with AGM have even failed to restart the car and that is with a battery being than a year old. Wife and children have been stranded at a light in the middle lane of a busy roadway, intersection and at work. These issues also occur from cold starts, again, with newer batteries + AGM at just about the 1 year mark each year. Costs, risks, inconvenience that have been present year after year. We MUST disengage the auto idle feature manually every time we enter the car or else we are at risk for our safety or at the least a costly/frustrating series of events to restore the situation.
2019 Honda Pilot engine problems
253 complaints (27% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,084.
- owner complaints
- 253
- of this car's complaints
- 27%
- typical mileage
- 58,084
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
- Engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Honda Pilot engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2019 Honda Pilot engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 96Check engine light 53Won't start 49Knocking 30Engine failure 27Loss of power 15Misfire 13
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
- Risk
- A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Recall number 23V751000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
- Risk
- Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Recall number 19V298000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine failure
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, the federal safety agency 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
PE25008
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.the federal safety agency 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
EA25004
Engine failure
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)2016â2020 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. the federal safety agency 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.
RQ24013
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.the federal safety agency 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
PE22005
What 2019 Honda Pilot owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle went into limp mode. Engine had P0369 code for the camshaft position sensor. Timing belt kit is now getting serviced. The camshaft position switch needs replaced. Lastly the bank 1 camshaft needs to be replaced due to excessive play. Seems to be a manufacturer issue and is a safety issue because the vehicle went into limp mode up a hill in traffic.
I opened case #XXX with Honda Motor Co. regarding a fuel-injector issue with my 2019 Honda Pilot AWD. At approximately 32,725 miles, the check-engine light came on. A diagnostic scan displayed code P219A, which was later confirmed by an authorized Honda dealer in [XXX]. Based on my understanding, Honda Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-010 addresses this issue in 2018–2019 Honda Pilot vehicles. However, both Honda Motor Co. and the dealer denied coverage, stating that my vehicle’s VIN is not included under the bulletin. The dealer initially told me there was a 99% chance the repair would be covered, but the following morning I was informed that my VIN did not qualify. Honda also declined to cover the repair as a goodwill adjustment. Instead, Honda offered approximately $400 toward the repair cost without acknowledging that the underlying problem was a Honda-related defect. I declined the offer because I believe Honda should accept responsibility for the issue and cover the full cost of the repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle developed a rod knock. Confirmed by a certified automotive technician. The noise is most prevalent between 2200 rpm and up. Upon further research have found that this engine and vehicle are under investigation for my exact issue. The vehicle needs a new engine. In the process now acquiring a new engine to install into vehicle. No check engine light at this time. This is a safety risk and if the engine fails my family will be stranded or it could cause an accident. Have spoken with the local honda dealers service manager. He did confirm that this issue is prevalent in these models and that Honda is refusing to cover it at this point.
Traveling on 295 getting off onto Route 6 West, when suddenly the engine stopped working and miraculously I was able to get to the side of the road into the breakdown lane. The vehicle was towed by AAA to a garage. When the mechanic was able to get it started, it sounded like something was clanking around in the engine. He states it appears a rod broke inside the engine. And now I have to put a brand new engine into it or get rid of it.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while accelerating up to 40 MPH, the engine stuttered. The tachometer gauge fluctuated, matching the sounds coming from the engine. The contact associated the failure with TSB: 23-078. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Having strong raw gas smell when the driver pressing the break to stop from running
Auto Start / Stop for the engine when coming to a stop at idle. We cannot replicate the situation over and over, but it has happened numerous times. If the auto start stop feature is allowed to function and the vehicle motor turns off at a stop sign or a stop light, it sometimes does not turn back on when you let off the brake and push the accelerator. This puts us in a very dangerous situation at intersections with a stalled out car. It sometimes takes several minutes to restart the car, all the while (my wife usually drives this car) she is panicking while cars honk and swerve around her disabled car. Honda dealer has been less than helpful stating they cannot do anything unless they can replicate it in the shop. Most recent incident happened today while my wife was driving to work.
The motor is misfiring on cylinder 5 due to faulty engine components. The vehicle is available for inspection on request. My safety and children’s are at risk as the cabin fills up with raw fuel fumes and makes you feel dizzy. It is also a huge safety risk that I have a failed motor and not one sensor or computer component came up to warn on the dashboard(aka engine light). The problem was brought to two different Honda dealers and the second one confirmed all this is true and faulty due to the manufacturers. No it hasn’t been inspected because we can’t get corporate to take us seriously or call us back in the right department. There were no warning lights on and it first appeared since the injectors were replaced.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle experienced an intermittent catalytic converter warning light that turned on and off on the instrument panel. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 21-010; however, the vehicle was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the TSB. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Questions about the 2019 Honda Pilot engine
Does the 2019 Honda Pilot have engine problems?
Owners have filed 253 complaints about the engine of the 2019 Honda Pilot, 27% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2019 Honda Pilot engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,084 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2019 Honda Pilot engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V751000, 19V298000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Pilot have bad engine?
The Honda Pilot model years with the most engine complaints are 2016 (826 complaints), 2017 (490 complaints) and 2019 (253 complaints).
Other 2019 Honda Pilot problems
Electrical 267Driver assistance 200Fuel system 199Transmission 95Brakes 43Acceleration 30Visibility 24Body 13Lights 9Steering 9Airbags 7Suspension 7Seats 3Seat belts 2Tires 2Locks 1
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