Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Honda Pilot engine problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Honda Pilot have filed 25 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Pilot | 17 |
| 2011 Pilot | 18 |
| 2012 Pilot | 24 |
| 2013 Pilot | 42 |
| 2014 Pilot (this page) | 25 |
| 2015 Pilot | 14 |
| 2016 Pilot | 495 |
| 2017 Pilot | 278 |
| 2018 Pilot | 79 |
2crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Engine accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2014-2017 Odysseys and 2014-2015 Pilots with a customer complaint of the vehicle Check Engine Light (CEL) on with one or more of the DTC(s) listed below (in Qualifiers) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific Information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Honda Pilot accumulates complaints of multiple, distinct engine failures. The most common issue is piston ring deterioration and oil blow-by. Owners report Check Engine lights, cylinder misfires (especially cylinders 1, 2, and 3), rough idle, and repeated spark plug fouling starting as early as 15,000 miles but more typically in the 80,000–129,000 mile range. Despite swapping plugs and coils multiple times, the underlying problem persists. Repair costs run $2,500–$5,000 for piston ring replacement.
A second critical failure involves cylinder head cracking. Multiple owners describe overheating warnings, mixed oil and coolant leaking from under the vehicle, and in one case, complete engine replacement. These failures occur without prior warning despite proper maintenance.
Several owners report sudden uncontrolled engine acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers, with the engine reaching maximum rpm despite foot on brake; brakes became ineffective. Vehicles struck walls and objects.
The VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system causes persistent vibration when transitioning between 3- and 6-cylinder operation, typically at 30–60 mph. Owners worry about long-term engine damage.
One complaint involves camshaft wear causing loud clunking, with the vehicle unsafe to drive pending backordered parts.
Honda has not recalled 2014 models for piston ring issues, despite covering 2009–2013 models through settlement. Dealers refused repair coverage and in some cases refused further service.
Same Honda Pilot engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Piston Ring Deterioration and Oil Blow-By
Oil leaking past degraded piston rings into the combustion chamber, fouling spark plugs and causing engine misfires. Owners report this occurs repeatedly despite spark plug and coil replacement. The 2009–2013 model year Pilots were recalled for the same issue, but Honda has not extended coverage to the 2014 model.
When: 80,000–129,000 miles; some reports from 15,000 miles onward
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light flashing or illuminated; Engine misfire (P030X codes, particularly P0303 and P0305); Rough idle; Loss of power or hesitation; Fouled spark plugs; Repeated misfire after spark plug replacement
Codes mentioned: P0303, P0305, P030X
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite piston ring replacement costs ranging from $2,500 to $5,000; many report repeated spark plug and ignition coil replacements before root cause identified; timing belt replacement mentioned in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda recall PE25008 covers 2009–2013 models at no cost; 2014 models are not covered. Dealers have offered buyback rather than repair in some cases. Honda has refused to perform repairs without active diagnostic codes present, requiring owners to drive a vehicle with known defects.
Cylinder Head Cracking and Oil-Coolant Mixing
Front and rear cylinder heads crack prematurely, allowing oil and coolant to mix. Occurs without prior warning in some cases. Multiple owners report the failure is unexplained given mileage and normal operation.
When: Around 80,000 miles; one case at 23,000 miles (head gasket); one case with 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Overheating warning light; Milky/foamy fluid leaking underneath vehicle; Mixed oil and coolant in engine bay; Engine running rough before failure; No prior warning signs in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement cited in one case; cylinder head removal, machining, and resurfacing required; one head gasket failure covered under warranty at 23,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Customer Service stated nothing could be done to assist in at least one case. No recall identified.
Uncontrolled Engine Acceleration
Engine rpm increases dramatically without driver input, overriding brake control during low-speed maneuvers or parking. Propelled vehicles into walls and other objects.
When: Occurred during parking maneuvers and low-speed driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rpm suddenly increases to maximum without throttle input; Brakes become ineffective; Violent shaking of vehicle; Airbag deployment in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in reported cases; Honda inspection was scheduled but outcome not disclosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda stated no recalls applied; factory authorized safety inspection arranged at collision center; one owner reported encountering another Pilot owner with identical symptom.
VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) Vibration
Persistent vibration and engine bucking when the VCM system transitions between 3-cylinder and 6-cylinder operation, particularly at 30–60 mph and around 2,000 rpm when eco mode engages. Owners worry about engine damage.
When: From 15,000 miles onward; occurs repeatedly during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Engine vibration during acceleration at 35–45 mph; Low-frequency rumble and vibration when cruising at 50–60 mph; Engine bucking when ECM engages; Flashing Check Engine light in some cases; Vibration when eco/VCM kicks in
Repairs/costs cited: Oil and spark plug changes have temporarily resolved issues in some cases; no permanent fix reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned; one owner reported dealer knew of the problem but would not disclose it before purchase.
Camshaft Wear and Mechanical Noise
Camshaft deteriorates and rubs against adjacent engine components, producing loud clunking noise and risk of complete failure that could strand the vehicle.
When: Timing not specified in complaint; vehicle already required transmission and timing belt replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Very loud clunking noise from engine bay; Noise indicates camshaft rubbing against other parts
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replacement required; part was backordered as of complaint submission (Jan 17 to end of March); owner instructed not to drive vehicle due to risk of further engine damage.
Engine Stalling and Rough Running
Engine stalls or runs rough during driving, particularly during left-hand turns or in wet conditions. Vehicle exhibits hesitation at constant speeds.
When: Reported as ongoing from time of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls mid-turn in rain; Hesitation when traveling at 45 mph (occurs repeatedly); Lunging forward with brake engaged; Lifter tapping under hood; Overall rough engine operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership declined to service vehicle after owner reported multiple concerns; issues unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated nothing was wrong and refused further service.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
When the variable cylinder management kicks in at 2000 RPM the engine vibrates. It does this constantly when the eco green light comes on. Very distracting and annoying. Also is a problem in my sisters 2013 pilots. Dealer knew it was a problem but would not disclose until after I purchased the car. *tr
From 85,000 miles onward, had intermitent misfires on #1 and #2 cylinders. Replaced both plugs and coils on those cylinders. However, intermitent misfires continued. At 105,000, took vehicle for 100,000 mile maintenence. Honda dealer informed me that my vehicle needed new piston rings on cylinder #1, #2 and #3. Oil was leaking past rings and fouling plugs. A $2500 repair!!…
Check engine light turned on one day and the vehicle started running rough. Immediately noticed an impact on being able to drive safely and could not operate the vehicle any further. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and they stated the piston rings need to be replaced and I am getting a cylinder #3 misfire. They also stated that my dealership should be able to fix this for free as it should be…
Last week I turned on my 2014 Pilot and saw the check engine and VTM-4 dash lights on. When I checked the cause I received error code P0303 - Piston #3 Misfire. Upon researching this error I discovered this issue was addressed by Honda for model years through 2013 because of a class action lawsuit. However models 2014-2015 have the same components and should be addressed/fixed by Honda. I’m lucky…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 25 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 54,443 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.