YearToAvoid

2017 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 501 engine-area complaints for the 2017 Honda Pilot, 54% of all complaints filed for that model year, with a median failure mileage of 46,000. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
501
54% of 924
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
46,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or fails to restart after the Auto-Idle Stop feature shuts it off at a stop light or in traffic.
  • Some vehicles lost power while driving, followed by smoke or flames coming from the engine area.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed while parking, resulting in a crash into a stationary object.
  • Dashboard warning lights for multiple systems illuminate at once along with rough running.
  • One owner reported an engine knock traced to a connecting rod issue found by a dealership technician.
  • Loss of steering and braking was reported alongside a burning smell and smoke from the engine.

When 2017 Honda Pilot engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 22, 2017, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2017 Honda Pilot engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter662017 Q22018 Q32020 Q22021 Q32022 Q42024 Q12025 Q22026 Q3
501 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (66).

Engine recalls for the 2017 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.

  1. 201030 (27%)
  2. 201152 (18%)
  3. 201256 (33%)
  4. 201391 (34%)
  5. 201434 (29%)
  6. 201525 (23%)
  7. 2016838 (49%)
  8. 2017501 (54%)
  9. 2018183 (42%)
  10. 2019266 (29%)
  11. 2020119 (24%)
  12. 2021114 (26%)
  13. 202236 (23%)
  14. 202317 (12%)
  15. 202415 (13%)
  16. 202544 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2017 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA lists 501 engine-area complaints for the 2017 Pilot, which is 54% of the 924 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Honda Pilot engine issue?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do 2017 Honda Pilot engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 46,000 miles.
What specific engine symptoms do owners report on the 2017 Pilot?
Owners describe stalling tied to the Auto-Idle Stop feature, sudden unintended acceleration, engine knock, and in some cases smoke or fire from the engine area.
Were there any injuries or crashes linked to these engine complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area shows 2 crashes, 4 fires, and 2 injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.