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2015 Honda Pilot

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Honda Pilot do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 239.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Pilot years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

64 reports with mileage · 45 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

22 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2023
EnginePower Train

Hello my car has had an ongoing issue that was recalled for the 2009 to 2013 year Honda pilots regarding oil consumption. My car constantly has issues with misfiring due to oil on the spark plugs. This started happening around 90000 miles on my vehicle. After several expensive repairs including having the heads on my engine rebu…

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Hello my car has had an ongoing issue that was recalled for the 2009 to 2013 year Honda pilots regarding oil consumption. My car constantly has issues with misfiring due to oil on the spark plugs. This started happening around 90000 miles on my vehicle. After several expensive repairs including having the heads on my engine rebuilt, having the coils replaced and having the cylinder 1 spark plug replaced at least 4 times. My mechanic pointed me to the VCS system in the car which many have complained about causing this issue. When the vehicle exhibits these symptoms it has caused me to lose speed instantly on the highway and the vehicle begins to shake.

NHTSA ODI #11502565

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE/MISFIRING ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED TIMING TENSIONER, TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP ALSO REPLACED VARIABLE TIMING TENSIONER, COIL PACKS, SPARK PLUGS. ISSUE STILL PERSIST WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON BLINKING CLEARING CONSTANTLY ALSO ANTI TRACTION LIGHT. THERE ARE SE…

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ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE/MISFIRING ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC REPLACED TIMING TENSIONER, TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP ALSO REPLACED VARIABLE TIMING TENSIONER, COIL PACKS, SPARK PLUGS. ISSUE STILL PERSIST WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON BLINKING CLEARING CONSTANTLY ALSO ANTI TRACTION LIGHT. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IS THERE A RECALL IN PROCESS????

NHTSA ODI #11439210

118,854 miles · Feb 10, 2021
Engine

DEAR SIR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING UP ALONG WITH SHAKING OF MY VEHICLE, THIS ALSO TURNS ON MY TRACTION LIGHT ON MY PANEL. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN JUNE 2019 IN SAN ANTONIO. I HAD WARRANTY AT THE TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO HILL COUNTRY HONDA FOR EVALUATION, THE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A COIL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. …

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DEAR SIR, I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT COMING UP ALONG WITH SHAKING OF MY VEHICLE, THIS ALSO TURNS ON MY TRACTION LIGHT ON MY PANEL. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN JUNE 2019 IN SAN ANTONIO. I HAD WARRANTY AT THE TIME. I TOOK MY CAR TO HILL COUNTRY HONDA FOR EVALUATION, THE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST A COIL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THE EXACT SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED AGAIN REPEATEDLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER AFTER I LEFT SAN ANTONIO, I NOW LIVE IN HOUSTON. I HAVE MET WITH MANY MECHANICS, ONE MASTER MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WAS SURE IT A WAS A DEFECTIVE PISTON RING . MOST MECHANICS HAVE JUST BEEN CHANGING THE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS. HE TOLD ME THIS WAS WASTE OF MY MONEY SINCE IT IS NOT THE REAL ISSUE. UP ON HIS RECOMMENDATION, I SOUGHT A SECOND OPINION AT AT HONDA DEALERSHIP SINCE I FELT IT WAS STRANGE FOR A PISTON RING NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. WITHOUT ME SAYING ANYTHING DESCRIPTIVE ABOUT VEHICLE, THEY IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME, ITS THE PISTONS, WE CAN CHANGE THEM (6) FOR 4000. DID NOT TELL ME WHY OR WHAT CAUSED THIS UNUSUAL DEFECT. UPON RESEARCHING I FOUND HONDA PILOTS 2008-2013 MODELS HAVE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND WERE PART OF A RECALL TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING TO ME. WHAT IS REALLY UNLAWFUL IS THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE PISTONS IN HONDA PILOTS AND INSTEAD ISSUED A TEMPORARY FIX. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE. I DESPERATELY NEED HELP IN FIXING THIS DEFECT, I STILL OWE VEHICLE AND HAVE TAKE A GREAT FINANCIAL TOLL ON ME AND MY FAMILY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11395647

78,000 miles · Jan 15, 2021
Engine

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…

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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. LOCAL HONDA REPRESENTATIVE SAID HONDA WOULD COVER 70% BUT THEY SHOULD REALLY COVER 100% SINCE ITS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11388271

85,000 miles · Jan 9, 2020
EnginePower Train

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 INDI…

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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 ODI #11298201

36,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2015 HONDA PILOT EX-L HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING. IT MOSTLY HAPPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT, WHEN I TURN AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES NON RESPONSIVE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THERE'S NO ACCELERATION WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER IN 3 OCCASION BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE TH…

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MY 2015 HONDA PILOT EX-L HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING. IT MOSTLY HAPPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT, WHEN I TURN AND TRY TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES NON RESPONSIVE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THERE'S NO ACCELERATION WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC! I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER IN 3 OCCASION BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WROTE TO HONDA AMERICA INC. BUT THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEY CAN'T HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM VERY CONCERN ABOUT THESE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BECAUSE I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR!

NHTSA ODI #11220630

22,000 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Engine

VEHICLE SHUDDERS (SHAKES) AT SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. HAD CONVERSATION WITH HONDA ADVISOR (3/18) WHO SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. NOT SURE, BUT WANT TO REPORT IT ANYWAY BECAUSE IT SHOULDN'T BE NORMAL. I'M STILL NOTICING THIS (2/2019). HOPEFULLY, VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #11176382

37,225 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Engine

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…

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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.!!??. IN SPITE THERE IS< AS I SAID< NO TEMPERATURE RISE AT THE TIME IN THE CAR METER AT ALL !!>> I COMPLAIN TO OUR MINISTRY OF COMMERESE.. AGAIN THEY DID NOTYHING.??..I TOOK THE CAR OUT SIDE THE AGENCY AND BOUGHT NEW ENGINE ( COSTE ME ALOT) AM USING THE CAR AGAIN WITH THE SAME ORIGINAL RADIATOR <WHICH OUT SIDE THE AGENCY THEY ASURE ME, ITS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT>>??..NOW ALMOST 6 MONTHS, SINCE 18-4-2018>>> WHICH AM USING THE CAR WITH THE SAME RADIATOR >>> TAKE INTO COSIDERATIONS I DID IN THE AGENCY THE 52932 KM, FULL MAINTANANCE THE 50000 KM MAINTANANCE (WITH CHANE OIL AND FILTER) AND AT 58119KM AGAIN CHANGE OIL AND OIL FILTER WITH STANDARD CHEKINGS OTHERS LIKE WATER >>ETC >>>THE ENGIN GIVE UP(MIX WATER +OIL) WITHOUT TEMP. INCRESE???!! AT 59909 KM.. WHERE THE WARRENTY IS 3 YEARS OR 60000 KM..PLEASE CHECK THESE CARS FROM SUCH A DENGEROUS ACT... IF I DID NOT HEAR THE NOISE AND STOP THE ENGINE MIGHT BE ON FIRE>> HONDA AGENCY ABDULLAH HASHIM CO.LTD, RIYADH, KSA.....THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11140216

55,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
EnginePower Train

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 TRANSMISS…

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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. THE RESULTS OF THE TRANNY FLUSH WERE GOOD HOWEVER I CAN STILL FEEL A VERY FAINT ALMOST UNNOTICEABLE HESITATION THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #11122875

47,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineStructureFire

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 FLA…

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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 ODI #11075979

Official recalls

4

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

19V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 27, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

May 16, 2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

18V661000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Sep 27, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ24013 · Engine Failure

Opened Nov 8, 2024 · Closed Aug 20, 2025

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of all available data from Honda has not indicated that the same manufacturing defect exists in the out-of-scope engines as the engines recalled by 23V-751. Based on this analysis ODI has determined that Honda has properly defined the scope of recall 23V-751. Consequently, ODI will close this RQ investigation.  NHTSA will continue to investigate these complaints of engine failure as part of a new Preliminary Evaluation Investigation (PE25008). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.