2025 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2025 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH up a ramp with an incline in the rain and merging onto the freeway, the accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard, but the vehicle hesitated while responding and slowly accelerated. It was unknown whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that it felt like the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,435.

Vehicle was driving normally when the engine failed and lost power. The vehicle following nearly rear ended ours. Pulled the car over into a side street and tried to restart with no success. Emission control problem warning displayed. Called road side assistance and had the vehicle towed to the dealer from where it was purchased. Dealer contacted us an told us that the engine had seized an would need a new motor. The vehicle was 7 days old and had 160 miles on it.

I was driving and I began slowing down as I approached a red light. My vehicle suddenly stopped. I was unable to turn the vehicle back on nor change the gear. When I would press the start button while pressing the brakes, some dash lights would turn on but again I was not able to change the gear. After several attempts of turning the car on, the car started and I was able to change gears to Drive. Approximately one or two blocks later, while in motion, the car abruptly stopped again. This time the dash displayed "Engine Oil Pressure Low" Stop Engine. Do not Drive". The car was subsequently towed to a nearby Honda Dealership where an inspection was allegedly done and the issue was supposedly fixed. The service notes stated the vehicle was found with low oil levels and that no leak was found. They released the car back to me. …

Vehicle stopped at a stoplight for about two minutes. It shut itself off and would not restart wouldn't go into neutral or do anything. There had been zero issues with this vehicle to date until this occurred. This happened in a very busy intersection my wife had to scramble to get the children out of the vehicle and up on the bank before they got rear ended by somebody. The police had the vehicle towed to our friends residence as the dealership couldn't get it towed for several hours. The vehicle was towed from our friends residence on the morning of [redacted] The tow truck driver and my wife both tried starting the vehicle before it was towed to the dealership, it would not start. Only july 5th at Honda of turnersville , technician Mike said he hopped in the vehicle and it started right up and that there were no error codes. …

On 3/16/26 I attempted to accelerate and the vehicle experienced severe "bucking" and gear hunting hesitation before losing all drive power and stalling. Following the stall, the engine would not crank or "catch" despite multiple attempts. State Police arrived as I was in an unsafe location (blind on-ramp to highway) they called their tow trucks deeming it hazardous to wait as Honda Roadside Assistance would not arrive for an estimated 60-90 minutes. It was brought to the local dealership. After an hour from incident to inspection at the local Honda dealership, the vehicle powered on normally of which no codes showed and the vehicle started with no issues. The manufacturer and dealer state they cannot replicate the problem and found no historical or pending diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). …

Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system failed to restart engine after automatic shutdown at high elevation (~10,000 ft), following a long sustained incline. Vehicle had been driven through extreme heat (100 F+) in foothills prior to the climb, then ascended into cooler mountain air (~70 F). Coolant temperature gauge read normal (under half) at time of incident. At a stop, AIS shut off the engine as designed. Engine did not start when I released the brake pedal. I have tried to turn off the car completely and start it again. Engine would not restart via the ENGINE START/STOP button afterward. Cranking was strong and fast, but engine did not catch/start. Vehicle was inoperable for approximately 5 minutes, after which it started normally with no further intervention (no jump start, no mechanical repair). After restart, Auto Start/Stop was manually disabled for the remainder of the trip. …

The message "emission system problem, power may be reduced, see your dealer" indicates a potential issue with your vehicle's emission control system, which may also be causing a reduction in engine power. I was told by the Honda Service Center, that i shouldn't drive it until it is serviced because the car might stall or engine damage may occur. The car only has 86 miles, I have had it less than a week. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I was told the car might stall Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? It has been reported Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …

- Extremely strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle while driving. Didn't matter AC on or off, smell was terrible but more evident with AC/Fan on. Had to lower all the 4 windows to let out the air. - With a toddler in car it was terrifying with the nauseating smell and/or the risk of fire if at all. - Problem not reproduced by dealer and was mentioned it's a sticky plastic in exhaust, will go away. - First appeared only on 23rd Oct 2024 with around 1,590 miles on it and not until then. No other related symptoms. - Fuel was almost 3/4th full and had been more than 8 days since last filled. Never filled to the brim ever or overflowed.

At 65 mph or higher ( highway speed), I hear the constant troubling noise coming from the front of the vehicle. I had taken the car to the dealership in Fallston, Harford County, Maryland, for inspection twice. The mechanic acknowledged hearing the same noise but could not diagnose any problem with the vehicle. The same mechanic drove another 2025 Honda Pilot and was able to replicate the same noise while driving at highway speeds. Subsequently, I wrote the letter to American Honda Motor Co., Inc outlining the problem and seeking resolution. I was informed there was no open campaigns and to contact NHTSA to file my complain.

- Had initially reported this problem to dealer at ~1590 miles on the vehicle. After ~2,200 miles gasoline smell is still there and severe. - The smell is obnoxious to driver if driving with Windows rolled up and is a safety concern. - Issue is more pronounced, severe when driving at the beginning of the day after overnight parking. - Took it to same dealer twice, they did diagnosis and informed it's because of the plastic stuck to the exhaust which is the cause. They want to wait out till it's fully burnt and the smell should go away. - Have raised a case with the manufacturer too and they're looking.

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Pilot years