2012 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 20%of 172 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,650miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Honda Pilot, 20% of the 172 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,650 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently buy this car and it has 79000 miles on the odo meter and when I check the carfax miles came out 186000 miles it means they rollback the odometer and I want to report a claim because it is really a safety concern”
NHTSA complaint #11342633, filed 2020-08, 2 miles“39000 miles and EGR valve malfunction. Just bought this 2012 Honda Pilot. The dealer covered repair as I just bought it. Is this going to be a reoccurring problem? The dealer only replaced the EGR valve and did not clean carbon build up. From what I have read they should have.”
NHTSA complaint #10872569, filed 2016-06, 39,000 miles“The check engine light and vtm4 light come on after over an hour of driving. Sometimes the whole inside of the car smells has while driving and the fuel consumption is not efficient. In addition when the car sits in the garage for a few days, maybe 2-3, and I start driving, the wheels make some deep brushing noise. This gets worst when I brake. Sometimes it smells like something is burning under the hood or around the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10608297, filed 2014-07, 42,000 miles“As I proceed to accelerate onto a highway or road my vehicle is very hesitant no matter how far you push down on the gas pedal it will not go and then all of the sudden it lurches accelerating the speed very fast as if it's trying to catch up. This has caused me to almost I have three accidents now. I have to be very cautious when entering an intersection or pulling onto a freeway as my vehicle declines to accelerate as it needs to causing people to run into me almost. It is a pretty significant delay for the vehicle to catch up on its own and could be very dangerous for anyone. …”
NHTSA complaint #11361162, filed 2020-09, 172,322 miles“At various times at slower speeds the vehicle will not accelerate for approximately 3 seconds. This seems to occur when turning or beginning to travel uphill. I took it to dealer and the dealer mechanic could not replicate this occurrence. This happens about every two or 3 days. I believe it is dangerous when traveling through an intersection of merging lanes. There are several posts on a Honda owner's website with others experiencing the same problem but Honda can't find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10513859, filed 2013-05, 32,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152434Dec 20, 2018"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10087402Oct 19, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084442Jul 12, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084330Jun 28, 2016Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light acceleration, does the engine intermittently rattle or runs rough with the mil blinking?…
- 10083965May 17, 2016Service bulletin - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. Spark plug fouling may reuslt in rough engine idle and/or…
- 10099310Sep 5, 2015"service bulletin - american honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, soto et al.v. American honda motor co…
- 10099105Sep 5, 2015Service bulletin - warranty extension: mil comes on with dtcs p0301 thru p0304 - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling…
- 10053786Oct 8, 2013Honda: on certain vehicles, piston rings for certain cylinders rotate and align and can lead to fouling spark plug and a powertrain warranty extension has been issued. Model…
- 10053762Oct 8, 2013Honda: vehicles with multimodel vcm2 would experience misfire due to engine misfire of a fouled plug and a warranty extension has been issued to cover repairs. Model 2008-2013…
- 10054296Jul 30, 2013Honda: an investigation on some vehicles regarding an oil leak at the engine's b-cap side bolts. Model 2010-2012 odyssey, pilot, ridgeline.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 | 36 | 21% |
| 2021 | 112 | 25% |
| 2020 | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 | 240 | 26% |
| 2018 | 157 | 36% |
| 2017 | 476 | 51% |
| 2016 | 778 | 45% |
| 2015 | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 | 31 | 27% |
| 2013 | 79 | 29% |
| 2012 | 35 | 20% |
| 2011 | 31 | 11% |
| 2010 | 28 | 25% |
| 2009 | 35 | 26% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 48 | 7% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Honda Pilot
29 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology