NHTSA Complaint #11655062 — 2017 HONDA PILOT

On [XXX] I was driving my 2017 Honda Pilot [XXX], 11 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, CA. about [XXX]. Suddenly, simultaneously, my Pilot’s engine light began to blink, the entire instrument panel lit up, and my steering wheel began to lock up as the vehicle was losing power. I was able to get the vehicle onto the shoulder without hitting the guardrail that was inches from where I stopped. Smoke began to pour out from under the hood, and liquid began to empty out from underneath. We needed to get towed to our vacation destination spot, which was 12 miles from where we broke down. Since this happened on the weekend, needed to get towed again on Monday April 14 to the Honda dealer in Bishop, 44 miles from where we were staying. The service manager took photos. There is a GIANT hole in the engine, none of which was caused by anything I’d come in contact with on the road. To American Honda Corp. I have some questions for you: Why isn’t the 2017 Pilot part of the recall? Why did you include 2016 and 2018 but not 2017? Do you expect me to have any more trust in your product, or think I will be recommending to friends and others that you make a safe, reliable vehicle? Can you begin to imagine the stress, anxiety and not to mention INSANE AMOUNT OF $ it will be costing me for a NEW ENGINE? NOT TO MENTION THE MONEY I’VE ALREADY SUNK INTO PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT’S REQUIRED MAINTENANCE? Did you also know that I have 80,000 miles on the Pilot’s current odometer? Do you know that I have never been in an accident or have had a speeding ticket? Do you care to know that I DID EVERY SERVICE REQUIRED, ON TIME, and ALWAYS AT THE HONDA DEALER NEAR MY HOUSE BECAUSE I AM ABOUT FOLLOWING RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORTH BY YOU, FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY OF MY HONDA PILOT? Do you realize how LUCKY AND GRATEFUL my husband and I are that, because of conditions and traffic the afternoon this happened we are lucky to be alive? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C