NHTSA Complaint #11683224 — 2017 HONDA PILOT

(1)My local Honda Dealership (Herson's Honda, Rockville, MD), has diagnosed a knocking sound coming from my engine as a rod bearing failure, and they say I need a new engine. My 2017 Honda Pilot has only 56,755 on it, and I am aware my model car is now currently under NHTSA investigation as a part of the expanded probe of an earlier 2023 recall. It is available for inspection. (2)Your agency has identified this as a widespread problem among my model year, which could lead to complete engine failure. This event would put me as the driver, and any passengers I may be carrying at very serious risk. Other drivers could be at risk of injury if the engine were to fail and I were to lose control of the car. (3)Yes, I had the problem replicated by both my independent service center, and the Herson's Honda Dealership. I will upload the confirmation document in my report. (4)The car has not been inspected by a manufacturer to my knowledge (yet). Right now, the car is at the Herson's Honda dealership. Technicians have told me it is unsafe to drive the vehicle. (5)No lights appeared on the dashboard. I first noticed a slight knocking noise about a month ago, and then heard it again after returning from vacation, prompting us to take it into the dealership. It was quickly diagnosed as a rod bearing failure. -- Herson's let us know they would file a report with American Honda. Ricardo Benitez (Herson's) told us we were not the first to come in with this issue, and "would not be the last". Nevertheless, Herson's Honda has informed us that this is not currently under extended warranty, nor is it the subject of any current recall. This has left me with an inoperable car, with an engine replacement cost that I must bear to the tune of nearly $25,000. I urge NHTSA to compel Honda to issue a recall, given the widespread issue Honda is dealing with for my model year.