Verified government source

NHTSA complaint #11761063

This page summarizes an official U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration owner complaint. Use the verification links below to confirm the record directly with NHTSA.

Vehicle

2023 HONDA PILOT

Manufacturer

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

Dates

Incident: 08/13/2026
Filed: 08/31/2026

Owner complaint summary

The engine required a short block replacement at approximately 40,000 miles. There was a severe knocking sound and the dealer diagnosed heavy scoring and abnormal wear present on the front bank cylinder walls. The result was excessive internal engine clearance and cylinder wall damage. Engine cylinder piston block holes were worn beyond spec. After 33 days the vehicle was returned and developed a growling/grinding noise when the AC was in operation and at lower speeds that followed the RPMs. Vehicle was returned to dealer and told sound was normal operation for this model and stated it was coming from AC Compressor. Independent shop verified 2 days later AC compressor was failing and possible metal contamination. AC compressor is backordered with no ETA. Advised to not use AC or Defroster to avoid seizing and causing serpentine belt to snap. Advised Honda Customer Care and assigned Case Manager who was made aware of knock and compressor failure and contacted dealer who stated vehicle could not be seen for 7 days due to being booked. Advised Case Manager of vehicle safety concern with internal engine failure damage and failing AC system and was denied emergency loaner or assistance and told it was all they could do. Vehicle now unsafe due to both with no timeline for fixing and known hazards due to severe engine failures and associated issues with main systems.

This is an owner complaint filed with NHTSA (ODI #11761063). It is not automatically an official recall, investigation outcome, or manufacturer admission unless the complaint text itself describes one.

Official record ID (ODI): 11761063. This page is the human-readable source link used across afterwarranty. The raw JSON link proxies NHTSA's public API for machine verification; prefer this page when reading the complaint.