2019 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
Engine problems account for 266 of 904 total complaints (29%) on the 2019 Honda Pilot. NHTSA data shows 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries tied to this component, with a median failure mileage of 40,613. Two related recalls cover connecting rod bearings and timing belt issues.
- Engine complaints
- 266
- 29% of 904
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 40,614 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Rod bearing failure allows metal debris into the engine oil, often triggering a cylinder misfire code and eventually engine seizure.
- Some rod bearing failures progress to the engine breaking through the block, spraying oil, and igniting a fire under the hood.
- Owners report the engine stalling or failing to restart when the auto idle-stop feature engages, sometimes accompanied by a battery warning light.
- A subset of owners describe the start/stop system causing the engine to cut off unexpectedly while driving through parking lots or in traffic.
- Some owners report a loud engine noise followed by jerking during acceleration and dashboard error messages, with dealers later citing rod bearing failure.
- Timing belt replacement in at least one case did not resolve an ongoing engine clicking noise, which was later traced to rod bearing failure.
When 2019 Honda Pilot engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 3, 2019, latest Sep 10, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2019 Honda Pilot
- NHTSA 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Engine248,999 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
- NHTSA 19V298000Apr 12, 2019Engine93,946 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Risk: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Engine complaints by Pilot model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems on the 2019 Honda Pilot?
- NHTSA lists 266 engine complaints for the 2019 Pilot, which is 29% of all 904 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for engine problems on the 2019 Honda Pilot?
- Yes. Recall 23V751000 covers a connecting rod bearing manufacturing error requiring engine inspection or replacement, and recall 19V298000 covers a timing belt defect.
- At what mileage do 2019 Honda Pilot engine problems typically occur?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 40,613 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2019 Pilot.
- Did the 2019 Honda Pilot engine problems cause any fires or injuries?
- NHTSA records 2 fires, 2 crashes, and 4 injuries associated with engine complaints on the 2019 Honda Pilot.