What Happens When Engines Fail Outside Warranty Coverage
When one Maryland owner of a 2017 Honda Pilot started her car earlier this year, a loud rattling sound signaled the beginning of an expensive nightmare. The car was diagnosed with rod bearing failure at the dealership, and the owner was quoted close to $25,000 for a complete engine replacement. What’s worse, Honda refuses to pay for it as the car is out of warranty coverage, though it’s only done 56,000 miles.
Adding insult to injury, it’s the same issue that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating in over 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. The probe follows hundreds of consumer complaints about rod bearing failures, including more than 2,500 reports submitted by the manufacturer itself. If this continues, Honda could be looking at a class-action lawsuit for failing to recall affected cars voluntarily.
So The Previous Recall Missed Something
This isn’t the first time this particular Honda V6 engine has come under scrutiny. In 2023, NHTSA issued a recall affecting 250,000 vehicles from the 2016, 2018, and 2019 model years for a connecting rod defect that caused engines to stall or fail to start. However, that recall conspicuously excluded 2017 models like the Honda Pilot in question.
The current investigation focuses on a different but related component, the rod bearing, which sits between the connecting rod and crankshaft. The agency has classified the issue as a potential safety risk after reports of crashes and fires linked to sudden engine failures.
Honda
Honda’s Reputation Is On The Line
The situation reflects a broader pattern in 2025 where even traditionally dependable manufacturers are facing significant quality control issues. Consumer advocates are calling on Honda to issue a voluntary recall rather than waiting for federal enforcement.
While the NHTSA effectively handles safety enforcement, it struggles to ensure proper reimbursement for owners who paid for repairs before recalls are announced. For owners like this one, the wait continues as they hope federal regulators will force Honda to address what they see as a widespread manufacturing defect.