NHTSA Complaint #11587583 — 2016 HONDA PILOT

On [XXX] 2023 our 2016 Honda Pilot experienced a total engine failure while we were driving on [XXX] in Maryland just south of the Delaware border. The only warning was a clicking noise that lasted for a few minutes and then an engine warning light. We had just had the car serviced by Sheehy Honda in Alexandria, VA on November [XXX] (which is the only place we have it serviced) and the vehicle only had 65,000 miles on it. We were stranded beside the highway and had to get the vehicle towed to the nearest Honda station (Martin) in Delaware where they said that pieces of metal had broken off inside the motor requiring total engine replacement. Martin showed us photos and video of the metal pieces. After getting the engine replaced by Martin Honda, I did some online research and found Service Bulletin 23-097 dated November 9, 2023 posted on the NHSTA website regarding malfunctions of Honda Pilot 2016 models with the connecting rod bearing possibly leading to engine failure. When I complained to Honda three times about this engine failure (cases [XXX], [XXX] and [XXX]), I was told that my VIN was not covered. I find this problematic. This failure occurs in some 2016 Pilots, but not in mine according to Honda. Something major certainly occurred causing total engine failure in our Pilot. I also complained to the Better Business Bureau, but Honda did not respond to them. The fact that the engine failed while driving on the highway put my wife and me at risk as well as others driving around us at the time. The engine failure was confirmed by Martin Honda and they were in correspondence with Sheehy Honda, our normal service center. I have the service documents from both Martin and Sheehy as well a photos of the damage from Martin. American Honda Corporation stated that this failure is not their responsibility, but I find this unacceptable from a major corporation to pass on an obvious defect in their product to the consumer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.