NHTSA Complaint #10321120 — 2004 HONDA PILOT

DEAR SIR/MADAM, MY 2004 HONDA PILOT HAS 58K MILES ON IT. I SCHEDULED A 60K MAJOR MAINTENANCE ON 3/19/2010. BUT ON 3/18/2010 ON MY WAY BACK HOME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, THE CAR GOT VIBRATION AND SMOKE. I SENT MY CAR TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AT ABOUT 7:00 PM ON 3/18/2010. ON 3/19/2010, THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THE NO. 5 SPARK PLUG CAME OUT AND BURNED OUT THE COIL, IT'S A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE DAMAGES: THE SPARK PLUG ONLY HAS THE METAL PORTION LEFT, THE COIL BURNED OUT AND ONLY 1/3 OR 1/2 LEFT, THE CYLINDER HEAD GOT SOME DAMAGE TOO AND SOME METAL CHIPS REMAINED IN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND CYLINDER. I DID THE OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP REGULARLY AND DROVE THE CAR GENTLY. I DON'T THINK THIS INCIDENT IS RELATED TO MY DRIVING STYLE. IT HAS TO BE QUALITY ISSUE ON EITHER THE COIL OR THE SPARK PLUG. BUT I AM NOT A MECHANICS AND DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (3 YEARS/36K MILES), I REALLY THINK IT'S A SERIOUS QUALITY ISSUE. HONDA NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM UNLUCKY, THIS HAPPENED TO ME, I AM LUCKY, IT HAPPENED TO ME NOT ON HIGHWAY. HOPE THE AUTHORITY CAN DO SOME INVESTIGATION AND URGE HONDA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *TR