2014 Honda Pilot

Component Involved: Engine Lubrication / Cylinder Head / Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Spool Valve (Solenoid Assembly) and Electrical Charging System (Alternator). Vehicle Affected Example: Honda vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 (J35 Engine Series) with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), including the Honda Pilot. Description of the Safety Defect & Failure Mechanism: The rear (bank 1) variable valve timing spool valve assembly is mounted directly above the vehicle's alternator. Due to thermal cycling and material degradation, the molded rubber gasket on the upper portion of this spool valve assembly experiences premature compression set and fails, resulting in a pressurized engine oil leak. Because of the physical packaging and architecture of the J35 engine, the oil dripping from this failed gasket falls directly into the open housing of the alternator located immediately below it. The engine oil contaminates the alternator's internal brushes, slip rings, and diodes, leading to a catastrophic electrical short circuit and total failure of the charging system. Description of the Safety Risk: When the alternator fails due to oil contamination, the vehicle experiences an immediate drop in system voltage, resulting in a sudden and un-warned loss of electrical power while the vehicle is in motion. This triggers a cascade of safety hazards: Loss of Power Steering Assist: The sudden loss of electrical generation drops the vehicle into battery-reserve power, frequently causing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) to shut down immediately, drastically increasing steering effort and the risk of a crash. Engine Stalling: Total depletion of the battery occurs rapidly without alternator output, leading to sudden engine stalling in active traffic without the ability to restart. Loss of Safety Systems: Reduced system voltage disables critical safety components, including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), supplemental restraint systems (airbags).

My 2014 Honda Pilot has intermittent engine misfires (DTCs P0301–P0304) caused by piston ring failure. The defect leads to rough running, sudden loss of power, and unsafe driving conditions. On October 24, 2024, Crown Motors Honda in Holland, MI confirmed piston ring failure on cylinders 1–3, with oil wash and fouled spark plugs. The vehicle had to be towed when my wife was driving due to loss of power. This vehicle is driven daily by my two high-school sons, often with my youngest as a passenger. The misfire and power loss create dangerous situations when merging, accelerating, or driving in traffic. Honda has refused to perform warranty repair unless the check engine light (MIL) is currently illuminated, even though their own Technical Service Bulletin 25-060 explains that stored codes and spark plug inspection are sufficient for diagnosis. Waiting for the CEL to reappear puts my children at risk of sudden failure. The defect has been confirmed by a Honda dealer, and is consistent with known issues covered by Honda warranty extensions and the Soto v. American Honda settlement. The problem is reproducible, poses an ongoing safety hazard, and remains unresolved.

Check engine and VSA light on. Vehicle jerks and shakes/ rough when slowing down. Diagnosis Misfire in cylinder two- foul plug ( that was just replaced), burning up oil rapidly. Piston rings are defective on a car with 75000 k miles. The repair is $5k after I just spent $2k on plugs, coils, replaced again, alternator. Undsafe and feels like car will crash. This was recall on 2013 and class action suit. Not on 2014 after they knew about issue!! Wreckless

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER CAR, AND STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THE CAB OR THE CAR. YOU COULD SMELL IT BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND A FUEL LINE WAS CHEWED THROUGH, LEAKING GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE PART IS UNDERNEATH THE MANIFOLD, SO IT WILL HAVE TO BE PULLED TO REPLACE THE PART. IT WILL BE AROUND $800 TO FIX. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD RODENT DAMAGE. WE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH OUR OLDER HONDA VEHICLES.