2017 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 134owner reports
- 101,436median miles
- $8,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
483 of the 929 complaints on this car are about the engine. 134 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Narrower sheets: Rod bearing failure (62 reports) · Engine knocking or ticking (47 reports)
Tick what matches of 134 reports
Engine failure 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: 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (128 reports), the short block or long block (6 reports) and the timing chain (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2017 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.
What owners paid
30 of the 134 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,500 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 130,000 miles, from the 56 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My car starting making ticking noises. The engine oikd light briefly came on while I was driving with my family. It started to get worse so I took it to my mechanic. They discovered that it was a rod bearing failure.”
Filed Sep 29, 2026
“Car bought at 103,000 miles engine failed at 109,700 verified thru Honda Dearler with metal shavings in number six (6) cylinder. Started ... with check engine display and started missing.”
Filed Feb 6, 2026 · 103,000 miles
“My Honda which has 120,000 miles is experiencing rod bearing issues. Honda refuses to help cover costs. I know there is an ongoing investigation with this year and similar mileage issues with Honda pilots so I am submitting this as proof of another case this is happening.”
Filed Oct 20, 2025 · 120,000 miles
“My engine has a rod knock and apparently needs replacement. It is at only about 50,000 miles. The technician estimated the repair at $21,911.47.”
Filed Nov 26, 2024 · 50,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 134 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.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 292 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 84 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 75 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 58 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 56 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 51 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 39 reports
- Fuel pump failure 32 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 27 reports