CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Honda Pilot is a solid trouble-free model year with no major problems reported, except for a minor trend of window regulator failure. However that's an easy fix of a few hundred dollars -- not a big inconvenience for an older vehicle, all things considered.
My engine started ticking very loud and suddenly on a cold February morning 2016. I'm a mechanic and first thought my valves needed to be adjusted or that something came loose. I pulled into the garage and used my stethoscope to try and narrow the problem to a certain cylinder, I was unable to do so. I pulled both valve covers and measured each cylinders valve clearance and all were within specs.
I decided to look online for other Pilots with similar problems and to my surprise I found many other complaints and postings of the same problem for 2003-2008 Honda Pilots as well as the Ridgeline and MDX models with the same drivetrain. After more diagnosis I found that the sound is caused by piston slap in the #4 cylinder which is due to a cracked engine block. Also, the connecting rod bearings are loose and failing. If I continue to drive this way I will surely breakdown soon. The only solutions are to dismantle and rebuild the engine or buy a used one that may fail the same way. Used engine cost to my shop is $2K and 10 hrs labor to remove and install, rebuild is much higher.
I purchased a Honda specifically b/c they were known for reliability and low maintenance costs. I have worked on nearly all of the brands of vehicles sold in the U.S. and most more have reliability issues than Honda or so I thought. I expected more from Honda.
Honda has just settled a class action lawsuit for the later model Pilots and other models with a very similar problem. I would urge everyone with this problem to complain and ask Honda to fix this issue at their cost in good faith and restore the Honda name. Toyota has had it's design flaws as well but has stepped up and accepted responsibility for them. I ask Honda to do the same.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My engine started ticking very loud and suddenly on a cold February morning 2016. I'm a mechanic and first thought my valves needed to be adjusted or that something came loose. I pulled into the garage and used my stethoscope to try and narrow the problem to a certain cylinder, I was unable to do so. I pulled both valve covers and measured each cylinders valve clearance and all were within specs.
I decided to look online for other Pilots with similar problems and to my surprise I found many other complaints and postings of the same problem for 2003-2008 Honda Pilots as well as the Ridgeline and MDX models with the same drivetrain. After more diagnosis I found that the sound is caused by piston slap in the #4 cylinder which is due to a cracked engine block. Also, the connecting rod bearings are loose and failing. If I continue to drive this way I will surely breakdown soon. The only solutions are to dismantle and rebuild the engine or buy a used one that may fail the same way. Used engine cost to my shop is $2K and 10 hrs labor to remove and install, rebuild is much higher.
I purchased a Honda specifically b/c they were known for reliability and low maintenance costs. I have worked on nearly all of the brands of vehicles sold in the U.S. and most more have reliability issues than Honda or so I thought. I expected more from Honda.
Honda has just settled a class action lawsuit for the later model Pilots and other models with a very similar problem. I would urge everyone with this problem to complain and ask Honda to fix this issue at their cost in good faith and restore the Honda name. Toyota has had it's design flaws as well but has stepped up and accepted responsibility for them. I ask Honda to do the same.
- Dan B., Bridgewater Corners, US