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.
Honda Pilot stalling problems
758 of the 9,442 owner complaints about the Honda Pilot describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 758
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,500
- typical mileage
- 57,000
By model year
Often reported together
Start-stop 92Engine failure 61Check engine light 57Fuel pump 56Won't start 48Knocking 48Loss of power 45Warning lights 44
Trouble codes mentioned
P0087 10P0430 4U0401 2P2638 2P219B 2P219A 2U3006 1U1281 1U1211 1U0404 1
What owners say
Car stalled when engine auto idle was engaged after stopping at a stop light. This problem was “fixed” in May 2026 but had started occurring again.
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.
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.
We just purchased last month a 2017 Honda Pilot Elite. We have had issues with the auto start/stop function. Once at a drive through and once at a stoplight. After letting off break, it failed to restart and had to put it in park and restart. This is a dangerous situation being stalled in the road at a busy intersection. I haven't got it in the shop yet, but planning it next week.
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 car engine shut off while in auto idle stop, prompting me to take to the dealership last year,2025. There, I was informed that the wiring is made from soy, which attracts rats, leading to a repair bill exceeding $1000. Unfortunately, this issue has recurred, as the engine has stalled twice when the vehicle shifted to park during a stop, necessitating a restart.
My vehicle continues to stall when coming to a stop which is a huge safety concern. Please reference service bulletin 23-010 which is exactly my problem as well. Local Honda dealership and Honda directly confirm this is my problem. However since my VIN range wasnt reported to you they will not cover the repair cost. Can you please investigate and include my VIN on the bulletin or create a new investigation.
We have a 2016 Honda pilot. The front fuel rail assembly which included the fuel rail pressure sensor & the high pressure fuel pump had to be replaced in our vehicle and it is currently going to the mechanic shop for the low pressure pump to now be replaced as well. There have been multiple complaints regarding the fuel pump on 2016 Honda pilot and while there was a recall for the pressure one, our VIN wasn’t not on that list. This issue started somewhere between 165-170k miles. This causes sputtering when starting and stalling.
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to continue driving but at a reduced power. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the fuel level was near half a tank. However, after refueling the vehicle, the failure was corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 251,000.
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
Engine
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear.
- Risk
- A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).
Recall number 13V382000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be damaged and fail.
- Risk
- If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 30, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V226000 · Recall details
Questions about the Honda Pilot stalling
Which Honda Pilot years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (245 complaints), 2017 (175 complaints) and 2019 (96 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Honda Pilot?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 37 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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