Problems · by component
2022 Honda Pilot engine problems
36 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2022 Honda Pilot cite engine, 21% of all 172 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
36
21% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The issue occurred on 9-15-2026. The engine started making a very noticeable knocking sound, (obviously a rod knock). We immediately parked the vehicle until it could be towed to a Honda dealer. The dealership confirmed it was rod knock, and suggested we put a new short block engine in. Thankfully I noticed before the rod was thrown because if it was it could cause a fire, or cause loss of control due to damage to the power breaks, and power steering. The dealership confirmed it was the connecting rod bearings, and they confirmed there were oil shavings in the oil pan. I have saved all of the paperwork. I tried to work with Honda to have the repair covered because they just had a class action lawsuit filed that covered this exact issue on 2016-2020 models, and they refused even though this vehicle uses the same engine that the 2016’s-2020’s used.”
“The car stopped in the middle of the high traffic highway in IL while driving to the airport on [XXX].The car failed to restart on few restart try. Vehicle was put on emergency flashing light and turned off / turned on. it would not start. The break / clause was stiff. We turned off the vehicle completely for few min and then restarted. The vehicle started. it was the scariest thing ever happened. as we were 5 member in the car and the situation was very risky, prone to accident and death.”
“This has happened to me 5 times in the last month or so. It is a safety situation and is scary when it happens. The Idle Stop feature is malfunctioning and could cause me to be rear ended. When I am waiting to turn right at a red light, or waiting for someone to turn at a yellow blinking light, the Idle Feature isn't working properly. Sometimes the entire car actually turns off, the car goes into Neutral, and the dash board shows a crash detection or battery image. This is a safety hazard because in a right turn lane, when I am waiting for the cars before me to go, and then they do go, the people behind me are expecting me to go. Instead, I have to put on my flashers, put my car in park, AND THEN restart my car, then put it in Drive. It is not the usual Idle Stop happening; this is different; the car is actually shutting off and going into neutral and has to be put in park and then completely turned on. It goes into an accessory mode feel. I have a 2022 Honda Pilot Touring.”
“My vehicle continues to stall when coming to a stop which is a huge safety concern. Please reference service bulletin 23-010 which is exactly my problem as well. Local Honda dealership and Honda directly confirm this is my problem. However since my VIN range wasnt reported to you they will not cover the repair cost. Can you please investigate and include my VIN on the bulletin or create a new investigation.”
“The car has auto idle. It is the default and operates anytime the car is started unless you specifically push a button (each time) to turn if off. Starting about a year ago, the car battery seemed sluggish and then when I was driving if I stopped at a stoplight, the car would completely die and I had to restart it. Thinking it was a battery issue, I had a new battery put in on 10/15/25. But the issues have continued. Just recently, the car has twice died when I am at busy stoplights which could have easily led to me being rear ended. I have to put the car in park and attempt to restart it. It sometimes reads that the battery is dead, but then will start after a couple tries. I am taking it to my Honda dealer today, but they have already said "it's probably the battery - which is less than a year old and has a four year warranty.”
“After Automatic Braking engaged, within a couple days car will make a zipper noise and gas pedal will not work. Have to press it 5-6 times and then it will start working again. Very dangerous when you have cars traveling behind you and you basically start slowing down immediately. But today, not sure if related, backed out of driveway on a slope, car went immediately to park with a large sound like the bottom falling out of the car and shook the car. Several warnings kept flashing (emissions, transmission, and P for park was flashing). I powered car off and back on was able put in N to let it coast backward to get out of the road. Completely shut everything off waited a couple minutes and was able to drive it back to my driveway and there was fluid leaking from underneath halfway between the front to tires. Calling dealership tomorrow”
Showing 6 of 36 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.