NHTSA Complaint #11705461 — 2017 HONDA PILOT

Vehicle: 2017 Honda Pilot VIN: [XXX] Mileage at incident: ~137,800 miles Description of the problem: My 2017 Honda Pilot has experienced repeated engine misfire issues involving cylinder 5 following a major engine repair performed by an authorized Honda dealership. On September 22, 2025, Honda of Kenosha, WI performed a camshaft and camshaft thrust cover repair on my vehicle at a cost of approximately $4,080. The dealership documented in the repair order that the camshaft thrust cover was not torqued to specification and that the engine misfired immediately after the repair. On December 5, 2025, approximately 44 days later, the vehicle was returned to the same dealership due to slow cold starts and warning lights. During the initial diagnostic at drop-off, the dealer documented a stored P0305 trouble code indicating a cylinder 5 misfire, which is the same cylinder involved after the prior camshaft/thrust cover repair. The dealership recommended and performed a battery replacement after a load test showed low reserve capacity. After replacement, the technician later confirmed that the battery was not the cause of the cylinder 5 misfire. The diagnostic codes were cleared, and the issue was described as intermittent. During the same visit, the dealer documented a tear in the lower portion of the engine air intake flex tube and evidence of a small rodent nest under the engine cover. However, the dealer also documented that no hoses, wiring, connectors, or sensors showed signs of damage. The dealer stated that the intake tear could cause random lean conditions and misfires, but this does not explain the cylinder-specific P0305 misfire that was present at drop-off. The misfire issue is intermittent and most noticeable on cold start. The condition has caused sluggish engine response and concern about potential stalling or loss of power, which could pose a safety risk during driving, especially in traffic or intersections. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)