Honda Pilot knocking problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Engine · MA

I was stopped at a traffic light just off a highway exit ramp, with my vehicle in drive. When the light changed and I attempted to accelerate, the vehicle would not move forward. I immediately shut off the engine. Because I was stopped in an active traffic lane near a highway ramp, I became concerned for my safety and restarted the vehicle in an attempt to move out of traffic. Upon restarting the engine, I heard a knocking noise that had not been present previously. I was able to move the vehicle approximately five feet to a safe position before shutting it off again.I did not attempt to drive the vehicle any further because I was concerned about causing additional damage. The entire incident unfolded within seconds. This was a single, sudden failure rather than a recurring issue. The knocking occurred only during the period leading up to the vehicle becoming inoperable. This was not an ongoing issue that I had been experiencing for months. Car would not accelerate, I began experiencing a knocking noise from the engine. The vehicle subsequently stopped running.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · PA

I am filing this complaint as a proactive safety measure regarding my 2021 Honda Pilot EX-L, equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 engine. I am deeply concerned about the severe manufacturing defect involving connecting rod bearing failures that cause sudden, catastrophic engine stalling and total loss of motive power while driving. This exact defect was the subject of the federal safety agency Recall Campaign 23V‑751. However, Honda arbitrarily restricted that recall to select 2016, 2018, and 2019 model years. As a current owner of a 2021 model year vehicle utilizing the exact same J-Series V6 engine architecture, my vehicle is suffering from the exact same underlying vulnerability but is entirely excluded from safety protections and repair remedies. A sudden engine failure at highway speeds poses an extreme and immediate safety risk to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. I am submitting this to formally urge the federal safety agency to expand its current investigation into Honda’s V6 engine failures and force American Honda Motor Co. to expand Recall 23V‑751 to include the 2021 Honda Pilot fleet before a catastrophic failure occurs.

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · CA

During acceleration between 1000-2000 rpm when I back out of the driveway or slowly start to accelerate on the street I hear a knocking sound only at that specific rpm. When cruising and I release the gas I feel a heavy sluggish and quick decrease of speed instead of it smoothly decelerating and slowly cruising. I took it to Carmax where I bought it at 79,900 miles and they heard the distant knocking as well. Sent it to Honda to inspect for a second opinion they also heard the noise but want to tear the engine apart or lower the oil pan and inspect the connecting rods and bearings but they want me to pay out of pocket.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Engine · OH

Hello, While driving, the engine developed a distinct, heavy metallic knocking sound coming from the bottom end. I took the vehicle to an independent repair shop for inspection, where the mechanic drained the oil and cut open the oil filter. The filter pleats contained significant metallic debris and bearing shavings, confirming internal connecting rod bearing failure. The mechanic confirmed the engine has severe bottom-end damage requiring a complete replacement. The damaged oil filter and engine are available for inspection upon request. According to the previous owner, the vehicle was brought to an official Honda dealership in April 2024 for this exact knocking noise. Per the seller, the dealership misdiagnosed the engine knock as a faulty timing belt tensioner and charged approximately $2,000 to replace the timing belt assembly. That repair failed to resolve the noise, but because of the dealer's misdiagnosis, the vehicle continued to be driven with failing rod bearings. This failure poses an immediate safety hazard. Sudden connecting rod bearing failure on the highway can lead to complete engine seizure, abrupt loss of power at high speeds, power steering loss, or a thrown rod causing an engine fire, putting passengers and surrounding traffic at severe risk. Prior to the diagnostic check, there were no low oil pressure warning lights or dashboard indicators. This failure directly aligns with the federal safety agency Campaign 23V‑751 (Honda Recall XG1) for 3.5L V6 (J35) engine connecting rod bearing defects. This 2016 Honda Pilot has the exact affected J35 engine type and exhibits the exact failure mechanism described in the recall, yet this specific VIN was excluded. Given that non-recalled VINs are experiencing identical catastrophic bearing failures, Honda should expand the recall parameters or cover the replacement engine cost for vehicles with this confirmed defect.

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Engine · FL

Connecting rod spun a bearing/ rod knock Verified le customer's concern regarding an abnormal engine knockır oise. Conducted a diagnostic inspection and confirmed pronounced metallic knocking noise originating from the ower engine assembly. Used a mechanic's stethoscope tr isolate the noise to the crankshaft/connecting rod area technician verified a catastrophic lower-end engine failure. Specifically, the diagnostic notes state: "Connecting rod spun a bearing / rod knock Verified" "Pronounced metallic knocking noise originating from the lower engine assembly" "Testing indicated that the knocking noise was most prominent at cylinder #2, consistent with excessive connecting rod bearing clearance and a spun connecting rod bearing." Furthermore, the computer scan sheet shows zero codes for low oil pressure, engine overheating, or vehicle neglect. The temporary misfire codes listed occurred solely because the technician intentionally disconnected individual ignition coils to isolate the mechanical knocking sound. This precise diagnosis—a spun connecting rod bearing at cylinder #2 due to improper clearance—is the textbook definition of the inherent manufacturing defect that triggered the major the federal safety agency Action regarding Honda 3.5L V6 engines. Because my vehicle was manufactured at the Lincoln, Alabama plant and has been maintained perfectly by Honda its entire life, this failure is undeniably due to a factory structural defect rather than normal wear and tear or owner oversight.

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Engine · OR

While driving our 2016 Honda Pilot on the highway approximately three weeks ago, we experienced a sudden, loud clunk from the engine, followed by catastrophic engine failure. The failure occurred unexpectedly while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed, creating a serious safety concern. Following the incident, we learned that the engine had suffered severe internal damage involving the connecting rod/piston assembly, with internal components breaking through the engine block. The vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement, estimated by the Honda dealership at approximately $20,000. At the time of failure, the vehicle had approximately 95,000–105,000 miles and had received regular maintenance at an authorized Honda dealership, including major engine maintenance in November 2025. We are particularly concerned because Honda previously issued Safety Recall 23V‑751 for connecting rod bearing failures affecting certain 2016 Honda Pilots. However, our vehicle’s VIN was excluded from that recall despite experiencing an apparently similar catastrophic engine failure. the federal safety agency also opened Investigation PE25008 to investigate additional connecting rod bearing failures involving Honda vehicles outside the original recall population. We believe our vehicle’s failure warrants investigation to determine whether it is related to the known connecting rod bearing defect and whether additional vehicles were improperly excluded from the original recall. We have opened a case with American Honda, which is currently reviewing our request for assistance with engine replacement. We request that the federal safety agency document and investigate this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect, given the sudden engine failure at highway speed and the risk of a serious accident.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · ID

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.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Engine · CA

The engine has developed a severe internal engine knocking/rattling noise while running. This symptom matches the defective crankshaft and connecting rod bearing failures detailed under the federal safety agency Campaign 23V751000, presenting a severe risk of sudden stalling and complete engine failure under load.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Engine · MN

I am writing to report a severe internal engine defect on my 2016 Honda Pilot that poses a sudden stalling and safety hazard, identical to the failures covered under the federal safety agency Recall Campaign Number 23V‑751. My vehicle is currently experiencing a distinct metallic rattling/knocking noise coming from the lower engine block. This noise is highly noticeable under acceleration and high-load conditions right before the transmission shifts gears at higher RPMs. Upon performing an inspection of the engine oil system, the drained engine oil revealed a heavy concentration of microscopic metallic "glitter" and shimmering copper/silver shavings suspended in the fluid. This confirms acute, active connecting rod bearing degradation and crankshaft journal wear. Despite displaying the exact textbook symptoms, failures, and manufacturing characteristics of the defect outlined in Recall 23V‑751 (improperly ground crankshaft journals from the factory), my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall scope. I am submitting this complaint to formally document that my vehicle is a clear positive match for this manufacturing defect. I request that my VIN be added to the active recall scope or included in the federal safety agency’s ongoing investigation regarding Honda’s under-inclusive recall volume, as this failure introduces an immediate risk of catastrophic engine seizure and sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Engine · OH

The issue occurred on 9-15-2026. The engine started making a very noticeable knocking sound, (obviously a rod knock). We immediately parked the vehicle until it could be towed to a Honda dealer. The dealership confirmed it was rod knock, and suggested we put a new short block engine in. Thankfully I noticed before the rod was thrown because if it was it could cause a fire, or cause loss of control due to damage to the power breaks, and power steering. The dealership confirmed it was the connecting rod bearings, and they confirmed there were oil shavings in the oil pan. I have saved all of the paperwork. I tried to work with Honda to have the repair covered because they just had a class action lawsuit filed that covered this exact issue on 2016-2020 models, and they refused even though this vehicle uses the same engine that the 2016’s-2020’s used.