2012 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 56 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Honda Pilot, 33% of all 171 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 20,800. There are no related recalls tied to this engine issue.
- Engine complaints
- 56
- 33% of 171
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 20,800 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or hesitation when pulling into parking spots or slowing at intersections, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Several report a delay between pressing the accelerator and the engine responding, especially from a stop or slow roll.
- Some describe an abnormal vibration felt in the seat, floor, and center console between 30 and 45 mph that alignment and balancing did not fix.
- A recurring pattern involves a spool valve gasket leaking oil onto the alternator, causing loss of electrical power or alternator failure.
- Owners also mention high oil consumption tied to a faulty cylinder, fouling spark plugs and triggering the engine light with a loss of power.
When 2012 Honda Pilot engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 22, 2012, latest Apr 12, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2012 Honda Pilot
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
Engine complaints by Pilot model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Are engine problems common on the 2012 Honda Pilot?
- Yes. NHTSA received 56 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Pilot, making up 33% of all 171 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Honda Pilot engine?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine issue.
- At what mileage do 2012 Pilot engine problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 20,800 miles.
- Have engine complaints caused crashes or fires in the 2012 Pilot?
- NHTSA data shows 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries associated with complaints in this area.
- How does the 2012 Pilot compare to other years for engine complaints?
- Its 33% share is higher than 2010 (27%), 2011 (18%), 2014 (29%), and 2015 (23%), but lower than the 2016 (49%) and 2017 (54%) model years.