2012 Honda Pilot engine problems
45 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2012 Honda Pilot, which is 20% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 45 20% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 13,000 miles 32 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 18 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 32 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 13,000 miles, and 84% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 fire.
What owners wrote
On April 9, 2026, my daughter came in from school and parked her Honda Pilot at about 5:10PM. At about 7:03PM, my wife and I were sitting outside and heard a loud POP, it sounded like a car backfiring. I went to investigate and saw a little smoke and a small orange glowing piece of something on the ground under the vehicle towards the front of the vehicle. I grab a fire extinguisher from my work truck and went towards the vehicle.
The pilot cranks, but the engine intermittently fails to start. Honda recognizes problem, but offers no solution or time frame for a fix. Car was bought new, but honda will not provide alternative safe vehicle.
Other problems reported for the 2012 Honda Pilot
- Brakes 29 complaints
- Electrical system 22 complaints
- Air bags 20 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 20 complaints
- Cruise control 17 complaints
- Fuel system 17 complaints