2014 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 25owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
36 of the 105 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe misfire, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2014 Pilot.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Misfire on other Pilot years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (8 reports) and the ignition coils (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Pilot
Engine failure. Open.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.
Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Closed mar 26, 2025.
Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.
Low beam headlights stop illuminating. Closed sep 17, 2012, led to recall 12V-136.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 52,000 and 91,100 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Honda Pilot that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
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 misfire.
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 misfire.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2014-2017 Odysseys and 2014-2015 Pilots with a customer complaint of the vehicle Check Engine Light (CEL) on with one or more of the DTC(s) listed below (in Qualifiers) stored.
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 UNDER THE FRONT AND/OR REAR CAMSHAFT AT THE JOURNALS AND IS A RARE OCCURRENCE.
What owners wrote
“10/27/2023 replaced all spark plugs 12/16/2/24 Engine light and VTM-light and traction control light on, misfire in 1st cylinder, replaced spark plugs and ignition coil 1/9/25 Engine light and VTM-light and traction control light on, misfire in 3rd cylinder. These issues are consistent with many complaints on this year, make and model of Honda Pilot”
Filed Jan 9, 2026
“Oil blow by in cylinders 1, 2 and 3 do to rings and cylinder deactivation. Oil fouling plugs and causing misfire at 129,000 miles on the pilot and 25,000 miles on the plugs. Issue caused lack of power while driving.”
Filed Mar 27, 2025 · 129,000 miles
“3 engine piston rings failed. Wife was driving the vehicle. Yes, verified and repaired by Honda of Fort Worth. Engine light flashing when misfiring and rough idle before pulling over. Also needed timing belt kit replaced. 2009-2013 Pilots had same problem and were part of a class action suit. Same 3 pistons that the VCM and ECO mode effects the operation of engine.”
Filed Mar 29, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
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