About this problem
Fuel injectors spray a fine mist of fuel into the cylinders. When an injector sticks, leaks or clogs, that cylinder runs too lean or too rich. Owners report misfires, rough idle, a flashing check engine light and loss of power. On direct-injection engines the injectors work under very high pressure, which makes failures more noticeable and repairs more expensive.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Honda Pilot since 2012, 201 (3.3%) describe fuel injector failure, making it the most reported problem we track on the Pilot. The reports cluster on the 2016, 2017 and 2019 model years, and the 2016 drew the most, with 84. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 43,000 and 82,000 miles. No recall covers it, but Honda has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of the 2016 to 2019 Pilot describe the engine misfiring, running rough, shaking at idle and flashing the check engine light. Dealers have traced many of these cases to failed fuel injectors on the 3.5-liter V6, sometimes after only 40,000 to 70,000 miles.
How it gets fixed
The fix is replacing the faulty injectors, and often all six at once. Honda extended warranty coverage on injectors for some Pilot, Ridgeline and Odyssey years, so ask a dealer to check by VIN.
Typical cost: Replacing the injectors typically runs $1,200 to $2,000 if not covered.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"At just over 70k miles, I get the dreaded "emissions system problem" when I start my car the other morning. I immediately take it to a Honda dealership for diagnosis and I am told I will need all 6 fuel injectors replaced."
2016 Honda Pilot, 70,000 miles
"At approx. 40,000 miles and after only 2 years of ownership, emissions problem dash warnings illuminated during normal use. Dealer diagnostic reveals all fuel injectors need replacement."
2017 Honda Pilot, 40,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Honda has sent dealers 7 bulletins that mention this problem on the Pilot. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Service Bulletin - The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter.
On, November 24, 2020, American Honda announced a warranty extension for certain 2016 Pilot vehicles.
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2017-19 Pilot, 2017-19 Ridgeline, and 2018-19 Odyssey models, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may come on if one or more of the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are stored: - P...
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2016-17 Pilot, 2017 Ridgeline, and 2018 Odysey models, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may come on if one of the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are stored: - P0420 (rear bank...
The fuel injectors may not have been manufactured to proper specifications.
Before you buy a Pilot
- Let the engine idle and watch for shaking or a flashing check engine light.
- Ask whether the injectors have been replaced, and when.
- Run a scan for stored misfire codes before buying.
Questions
Which Honda Pilot years have fuel injector failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2016, 2017, 2019 model years. The 2016 drew the most, with 84 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 58,000 miles, and half reported it between 43,000 and 82,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Replacing the injectors typically runs $1,200 to $2,000 if not covered.