2019 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 43owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $1,704median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
242 of the 907 complaints on this car are about the engine. 43 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 43 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 (42 reports), the short block or long block (3 reports) and the timing chain (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
All 13 recalls on the 2019 Honda Pilot, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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
9 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $7,609.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 52,000 and 105,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The connecting rod snapped in my 2019 Honda Pilot V6 engine at 102,000 miles. This is the exact mechanical failure described in NHTSA Recall 23V-751, but Honda is refusing to repair it due to a VIN exclusion. The dealership has confirmed this was a sudden, unpreventable structural component failure.”
Filed Aug 20, 2026 · 102,000 miles
“My car is a 2019 pilot and with 105k miles, engine has the rod bearing knock problem currently being investigated by nhtsa.”
Filed Dec 14, 2025 · 105,000 miles
“2019 Pilot 3.5 liter V6 ~82000 miles has developed a nasty rod knock, failure is imminent. I am aware of the current probe that includes this year/make/model.”
Filed Sep 18, 2025 · 82,000 miles
“vehicle needs a new engine has spun a bearing internally and sent metal throughout the motor has to be replaced This is a vehicle with 75,000 miles and loan just payed off. My son was driving car earlier and reported it lurching in the highway”
Filed May 9, 2025 · 75,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 43 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 201 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 165 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 65 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 63 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 63 reports
- Fuel pump failure 57 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 57 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 57 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 43 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 42 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 31 reports