2015 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 20%of 109 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Honda Pilot, 20% of the 109 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While stopped at a red light, smoke started coming out from under the hood. I immediately pulled into a parking lot and turned the engine off. A bystander yelled at me to get out of the car. She saw fire coming out from underneath the engine. Smoke continued to pour out and then the whole front of the car was engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11075979, filed 2018-03, 47,000 miles“My check engine light came on and my mechanic informed me that cylinder 2 was misfiring. Mechanic mentioned that this was a problem with this style of Pilot and he recommended taking it to a Honda dealer. There was a warranty extension for 2009-2013 pilots to cover this problem so I don't understand why this extension wouldn't cover 2015 pilots since they are the same generation vehicle. I reached out via phone and email to at leat 4 Honda indivduals and never heard back. Sounds like they dont want to call or email back since they know this is a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11388271, filed 2021-01, 78,000 miles“All the saden no meter read any high temperature, when I return from airport to my house (no more than 50 km)>> I heared the strong sound of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,, I stoped the car, and open the cover of the engine ,,to find something like milk speting in a form of burkaning lava...I tow the car to the agents ask the co. To check ,,they open the engine to small parts and never gave me any report till today>> instead he refuse to apply the warrenty ??!! And said the engine mix water and oil,, becouse the radiater dameged.!!??. …”
NHTSA complaint #11140216, filed 2018-10, 37,225 miles“At about 55000 miles my Pilot started jerking/hesitating at all speeds, any road, usually after shifting gears both up and down. Now I bought it in february 2017 certified pre-owned so all recommended scheduled maintenance should have been performed. So, I took it in for diagnosis and the dealer in dublin oh said the transmission fluid needed to be triple flushed flushed 3 times!!! Since I needed a vehicle to drive to work, I couldn't argue and got the service done. After reading of other languages with similar issues with the jerking/stutter/hesitation I decided to file this complaint. …”
NHTSA complaint #11122875, filed 2018-08, 55,000 miles“3rd time in 12 months that the check engine light begins flashing and the car begins to lose acceleration power and vibrates excessively. Recent issue happened while driving off of the freeway and at a stop light. The previous 2 occurrences it is determined to be an engine misfire. The last time oil spotted in spark plug indicating that the piston ring is faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #11298201, filed 2020-01, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11028516Feb 1, 2026Service 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…
- 11022767Aug 29, 2025Service 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…
- 11021759Jul 29, 2025Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon…
- 11020824Jul 18, 2025Service 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…
- 11020087Jun 17, 2025Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug, potentially leading to…
- 11020084Jun 17, 2025Service 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…
- 10142617May 7, 2018Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2014-2016 Odysseys & 2014-2015 Pilots with a customer complaint of engine oil leak. To fully…
- 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?…
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 2015 Honda Pilot
19 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2015 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