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Engine Internal Failure Risk — Timing Belt Tooth Separation — Recall 19V298 (2019)
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
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2019-2022 Honda Pilot: 18 NHTSA recalls — engine bearing, 3 camera recalls, brake & airbag defects. California lemon law buyback may apply. Free review.
You bought the 2019-2022 Honda Pilot because Honda meant reliability — a vehicle trusted by families who need room for seven, a mountain of gear, and genuine peace of mind on the road. Instead, many Pilot 4G owners found themselves navigating a minefield of overlapping recalls, engine failures, and electronic gremlins their dealer couldn't seem to fix permanently.
The scope is staggering: 18 separate NHTSA recalls in four model years, touching the engine, fuel system, brakes, airbags, rearview cameras, side mirrors, tires, and frame structure. Three separate recalls address the same symptom — a backup camera that refuses to display. Two sequential airbag recalls cover seat weight sensors that can deploy at the wrong moment. Two fuel pump recalls on the same model years confirm Honda's first repair was insufficient.
Beneath the recall surface lies a deeper layer: the J35Y6 engine's Variable Cylinder Management system burns oil so excessively that Honda extended the warranty to eight years or 125,000 miles. The 9-speed automatic lurches through upshifts in ordinary traffic — TSB-acknowledged, only partially fixed by software updates. Honda Sensing applies emergency braking on clear highways, startling passengers and accelerating brake pad wear.
A vehicle that spends cumulative weeks at the dealer for recall work, engine diagnostics, and software reprogramming has failed the basic purpose for which it was purchased. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, that pattern matters — and it may entitle you to a replacement vehicle or full refund.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
engine knocking or ticking at idle; sudden loss of power at highway speed; metal shavings in oil; engine seized or locked up; oil pressure warning light; engine smoke or fire; vehicle stalls without warning
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 18V848 addresses a structural failure that can prevent curtain airbag deployment in a side-impact crash — a textbook Song-Beverly safety defect. If a 2019 Pilot owner received recall notice and the dealer was unable to complete the bracket repair within a reasonable timeframe, or if the fix required multiple visits to hold, those attempts count. Owners who experienced a side-impact collision with a non-deploying curtain airbag on an unrepaired vehicle have strong grounds for both product-liability and lemon-law action.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket on the right center pillar that will securely hold the center pillar trim clip, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is D3D.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Recall 19V298 covers timing belt tooth separation — a failure mode that can cause catastrophic engine damage and, in extreme cases, engine fire. Because this defect poses a direct fire and loss-of-power risk at highway speed, it falls within Song-Beverly's highest-severity category. Any 2019 Pilot owner who experienced engine damage from this defect prior to the recall remedy, or who required multiple dealer visits for inspection and replacement, has a strong repair-attempt history.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may c
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 19V784's missing unibody welds are a structural safety defect: an incomplete frame cannot meet federal crash standards, meaning every mile driven before inspection was at elevated risk. Honda's own remedy — offering repurchase or replacement for vehicles with confirmed missing welds — is effectively a lemon buyback, establishing the precedent that these vehicles cannot be adequately repaired. 2019-2020 Pilot owners whose dealers confirmed missing welds but offered only repair (not replacement) should consult whether Honda honored the buyback commitment.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing welds, free of charge. If the vehicle is identified as missing welds, the dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle or provide a similar replacement vehicle. Owner notification began November 6 2019. Owners may contact Hond
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 20V067 is a regulatory compliance defect (label solvent-erasable ink) rather than a mechanical safety hazard. Standing alone, this recall is unlikely to support a Song-Beverly claim. However, if a 2020 Pilot owner experienced dealer delays in completing this recall alongside other open recalls on the same vehicle, the cumulative out-of-service time may contribute to a broader lemon-law filing.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification label, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is B6T.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 20V439 addresses instrument panel software that suppresses rearview camera display — a direct violation of FMVSS 111. Because a non-displaying backup camera creates a real risk of backing over a pedestrian or object, this is a federal safety-standard failure. Pilots requiring multiple software reprogramming attempts before the camera displayed reliably accumulate repair visits that support Song-Beverly eligibility.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 20V440 addresses a separate but concurrent central-network software defect that also delays or blocks rearview camera display, again violating FMVSS 111. The fact that two simultaneous recalls (20V439 and 20V440) both cause camera failure on the same vehicle in the same model years demonstrates a systemic design deficiency. Owners who had both recalls applied yet continued to experience camera delays have unusually strong evidence of an unrepairable defect.
Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 20V725 covers over-cured Continental CrossContact tires fitted to 2021 Pilots; over-curing compromises tread integrity and increases blowout risk at highway speed. A tire blowout at 70+ mph in a 4,400-lb SUV poses catastrophic injury risk, making this a genuine safety-class defect. Owners who experienced a tire failure on vehicles awaiting dealer inspection under this recall have grounds for both product-liability and warranty breach claims.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is U8Y.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 21V165 expands the Continental tire over-cure defect to 2019-2020 Pilots; the risk profile is identical to 20V725 — tread separation or blowout at highway speed. Owners who drove on these tires past the recall notice date — especially if dealers lacked replacement inventory causing extended delays — may have additional negligence exposure against Honda. If an actual blowout occurred, Song-Beverly buyback and civil damages are both viable remedies.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 22, 2021. Owners may contact American Honda Motor Co. customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UA2.
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
Recall 21V215 addresses the low-pressure fuel pump impeller degradation defect — the pump can fail without warning, causing engine stall at highway speed. A sudden stall in traffic or on a freeway creates a rear-end collision hazard. This is an expansion of recall 20V-314; owners of 2019 Pilots who experienced stalling prior to the remedy, or whose pump failed after a first replacement, have accumulated Song-Beverly repair attempts.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 21V932 involves a hood latch striker that can separate from the hood, causing the hood to fly open at highway speed — a catastrophic visibility and structural hazard. If a 2019 Pilot hood opened while driving before the recall remedy was applied, the owner has documented a safety-incident on record. Dealer delays in sourcing replacement latch parts, combined with any other open recalls on the vehicle, contribute to out-of-service time for lemon-law purposes.
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 23V174 addresses side-view mirror glass that can detach while driving — a flying glass hazard to cyclists, pedestrians, and adjacent vehicles, and a FMVSS 111 violation depriving the driver of required rear visibility. Mirror detachment is sudden and irreversible; no warning is possible. Owners who experienced mirror glass detachment on the road, or whose dealers required extended back-order waits for replacement mirrors, have strong warranty-breach and Song-Beverly grounds.
Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 23V431 is the third distinct camera-display recall on 2019-2022 Pilots, this one caused by a faulty MOST communication coaxial cable connector. Three separate recalls all causing the same symptom — no backup camera display — on the same generation of vehicle is exceptionally strong evidence of a systemic unrepairable defect. Owners who experienced recurring camera failures across multiple recall repairs should document each visit: that pattern is precisely what Song-Beverly's 'reasonable number of attempts' standard addresses.
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
Recall 23V458 covers brake master cylinder separation from the booster assembly — a defect that can cause sudden, dramatic brake failure. Complete loss of brake assist at highway speed in a 4,400-lb three-row SUV is among the most severe safety defects possible under Song-Beverly. Any 2021-2022 Pilot owner who experienced soft pedal, spongy brakes, or required brake system repair before this recall's 2023 notification should have those visits documented as pre-recall repair attempts.
Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Recall 23V751 covers J35Y6 connecting-rod bearing manufacturing defect causing engine seizure and potential fire — this is the precursor scope to fleet-wide Recall 25V266 (iss-19). Connecting-rod seizure at highway speed can destroy the engine and create a fire hazard, qualifying as a Catastrophic defect. 2019 Pilot owners who experienced engine knocking, sudden power loss, or required engine replacement before this recall was issued have pre-recall repair attempts supporting Song-Beverly eligibility, potentially including the 30-day out-of-service presumption.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner n
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
Recall 23V858 is the second expansion of the LPFP defect, now covering 2019-2021 Pilots after Honda's prior pump replacements proved inadequate for a portion of the fleet. Multiple sequential LPFP recalls on the same vehicle — 20V-314, 21V215, and 23V858 — is direct evidence that Honda has been unable to adequately repair this defect in a single attempt. Owners who received pump replacements under one recall and then experienced renewed stalling or no-start conditions have documented the exact repeated-repair pattern that triggers Song-Beverly's presumption.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 24V064 covers a cracking passenger seat weight sensor that fails to suppress the airbag as designed, allowing airbag deployment toward an unoccupied or child-occupied seat — or conversely, suppressing deployment for an adult passenger. Either failure mode constitutes an airbag safety defect that can cause serious injury. Owners of 2020-2022 Pilots whose SRS warning light illuminated before the recall notification, or whose dealers performed multiple diagnostic visits without resolution, should document those visits.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Recall 26V332 is a fleet-wide expansion of the seat weight sensor defect first covered by 24V064, now encompassing 2019-2022 Pilots. Like 23V858 for the fuel pump, two successive airbag-related recalls on the same vehicle generation demonstrates Honda's inability to fully resolve the defect in one repair cycle. Owners whose SRS warning light has returned after a prior repair, or who purchased their Pilot used and discover pending recall work, should initiate the Song-Beverly process promptly — recall remedies do not waive private rights.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 26V365 addresses rear subframe corrosion at suspension mounting points in salt-belt states — corrosion that can cause suspension component failure while driving. A rear suspension collapse at highway speed in a 3-row SUV carrying a family is a catastrophic injury risk. California owners in coastal areas with road-salt exposure, or owners who relocated from affected states, should confirm eligibility. Dealers are required to inspect and install reinforcement kits; refusal or unreasonable delay in scheduling constitutes a warranty violation supporting a Song-Beverly claim.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Ho
engine knocking or ticking at idle; sudden loss of power at highway speed; metal shavings in oil; engine seized or locked up; oil pressure warning light; engine smoke or fire; vehicle stalls without warning
Recall 25V266 is the defining failure mode for the 2019-2020 Pilot 4G J35Y6 engine. If a dealer performed an engine inspection, replacement, or repeated oil-related repairs that failed to resolve knocking or stalling before the recall was acknowledged, those visits count as repair attempts under Song-Beverly. Owners who experienced engine replacement or loss of vehicle use for 30+ cumulative days should evaluate eligibility. The recall's wide scope — covering the entire 2015-2020 J35Y6 fleet — underscores a systemic manufacturing defect, strengthening the pattern-of-failure argument.
Engine inspection; replace connecting rod bearings, crankshaft, and timing components as needed. Severe cases require full engine replacement. Honda/dealers performing remedy free of charge under Recall 25V266.
harsh jolt or lurch when transmission upshifts; transmission hesitates then slams into gear; clunk felt at 30-50 mph steady acceleration; shudder between 2nd and 4th gear; 'banging' during normal city driving
The 9AT harsh-shift defect is TSB-acknowledged, meaning Honda formally concedes the problem exists. If a dealer reprogrammed the TCM and the lurching returned — or if multiple visits failed to replicate the symptom — those attempts satisfy the Song-Beverly 'reasonable number of repair attempts' threshold. Transmission harshness that substantially impairs use or value of a family SUV is squarely within Song-Beverly's scope.
TCM software reprogramming via J2534 rewrite (TSB 20-015). If symptom persists, valve body inspection and, in severe cases, valve body replacement. Some owners required multiple TCM updates.
burning oil smell; blue smoke from exhaust; oil level drops 1 qt or more between 3,000-mile changes; check engine light for misfires; spark plug fouling; low oil pressure warning; need to add oil between oil changes
Honda's own extended warranty (8yr/125k under TSB 19-006) is a formal admission that VCM oil consumption is a manufacturing defect. If a Pilot owner brought the vehicle in for oil consumption complaints and the dealer dismissed, denied, or failed to repair under warranty within the extended coverage period, those unsuccessful dealer visits constitute repair attempts under Song-Beverly. Owners who paid out-of-pocket for oil and repairs before learning of the extended warranty may have additional claims.
Perform oil consumption test per TSB 19-006 protocol. If confirmed excessive (>1 qt/1,200 mi), replace piston rings and clean cylinder walls under extended warranty. Some owners required full short-block replacement. Aftermarket VCM Muzzler or similar device can prevent cylinder deactivation as a preventive measure after warranty repair.
car suddenly brakes hard without obstacle ahead; CMBS warning activates on highway with no vehicles present; collision warning beeps then full brake application at highway speed; 'ghost' braking near overpasses, medians, or lane markings; rear-end collision caused by unexpected braking
Unintended emergency braking at highway speed creates an immediate rear-end collision hazard and constitutes a safety defect under Song-Beverly. NHTSA's formal investigation (PE21-018) establishes that this is a documented systemic defect, not operator error. Owners who experienced phantom braking events — particularly any incident that caused a near-miss or actual collision — and whose dealer either could not replicate or applied the TSB update without lasting resolution, have strong grounds for a lemon-law claim.
Update Honda Sensing radar unit and camera control software per TSB 19-100. Re-calibrate forward-facing camera after any windshield replacement. If phantom braking persists after software update, radar unit replacement may be needed.
touchscreen goes black while driving; infotainment system reboots mid-trip; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto drops connection randomly; audio cuts out; backup camera delayed or not loading; navigation freezes; HondaLink app cannot connect
While infotainment defects alone typically fall below the Song-Beverly threshold, the Pilot's HondaLink freeze directly impairs the backup camera — which is a Federal FMVSS 111 safety system — and the navigation display. When screen freezes prevent the rearview camera from functioning, the defect crosses from 'functional' to safety-adjacent. Multiple dealer visits for infotainment issues that remain unresolved, combined with camera-related recalls on this same vehicle, strengthen a cumulative-defect claim.
Dealer software update to latest HondaLink firmware version. Hard resets (holding power button) as temporary workaround. Some owners found USB CarPlay more stable than wireless. In persistent cases, head unit replacement may be warranted but is often declined under warranty as a software issue.
AC blows warm air only; loud grinding or rattling noise when AC is engaged; AC compressor clutch not engaging; refrigerant leak; AC works intermittently; clicking sound from engine bay when AC is switched on
AC failure in a family 3-row SUV — particularly during summer months in California — substantially impairs use and value. If the compressor failed within the powertrain warranty period (5yr/60k) and the dealer denied coverage or failed to resolve on multiple visits, the owner may have a viable Song-Beverly claim. AC contamination failures where the full system requires replacement are especially costly and can support damages claims.
AC compressor replacement; full refrigerant circuit flush if contaminated; replace condenser, orifice tube, and receiver/dryer as part of contamination protocol. Cost out-of-pocket ranges $1,200-$2,500.
brake pads worn at 15,000-25,000 miles; brake squeal or grinding during normal stops; brake pulsation or vibration when braking; front rotor scoring or warping; brake warning indicator triggered before expected service interval
Premature brake wear alone rarely triggers Song-Beverly eligibility, but it is relevant in a cumulative-defect claim. If CMBS phantom-braking events contributed to accelerated brake wear, the ADAS defect (iss-22) and the brake wear are causally linked, supporting a broader pattern-of-failure argument. Document every brake-related dealer visit with mileage.
Front brake pad and rotor replacement; upgraded aftermarket pads with better heat resistance. Honda warranty covers brakes for defects but not for 'normal wear' — dealers often deny coverage even at unexpectedly low mileage.
remedy available
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
remedy available
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020 Passport and Pilot vehicles. The certification label may have been printed with ink that can be wiped away with a solvent, removing the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Pilot and 2019 Passport vehicles. The front frame left and right side upper members may not have been welded completely to the unibody. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 219, "Windshield Zone Intrusion."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Honda Ridgeline and Pilot vehicles. The mounting holes for the clip that secures the right center pillar trim panel may be larger than intended. In the event of a crash necessitating right side curtain air bag deployment, the clip may not hold the center pillar trim panel in position and it may potentially interfere with the curtain air bag deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act applies to new vehicles purchased or leased in California that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts within the warranty period.
Applicable warranty coverage for the 2019-2022 Pilot:
Your claim may qualify if:
What you can recover: full vehicle repurchase (purchase price minus a mileage offset), replacement with a comparable new vehicle, and attorney's fees paid by Honda — meaning qualified representation typically costs you nothing.
Honda's own TSBs (19-006, 20-015, 19-100) are formal admissions these defects exist. Preserve every repair order — they are your evidence.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The Pilot's most frustrating defects — 9AT harsh shifts, CMBS phantom braking, intermittent camera failures — are hard to replicate on demand. Here is how to build an undeniable service record:
1. VIDEO THE SYMPTOM IMMEDIATELY. Pull over safely and capture the jolt, blank camera, or CMBS warning on your phone. A timestamped video defeats 'cannot duplicate — no fault found.'
2. RECORD DETAILS BEFORE THE VISIT. Exact date, time, weather (CMBS worsens in rain and glare), speed, and driving conditions. Specificity removes the dealer's room to dismiss.
3. CITE HONDA'S TSBS BY NUMBER. TSB 20-015 (9AT shifts) and TSB 19-100 (phantom braking) are Honda's formal admissions. Ask the service writer to note on the repair order which TSB was applied and whether it resolved the symptom. If the advisor says 'working as designed,' get it in writing.
4. DEMAND ALL OPEN RECALLS BE COMPLETED. With 18 recalls, some are likely unperformed. Request a recall-status printout at check-in; the three camera recalls and both LPFP recalls are priorities.
5. INSIST ON A HIGHWAY TEST DRIVE. The 9AT harsh-shift must be replicated at steady throttle, 25-50 mph, on the highway — not a parking-lot loop. Ask the tech to note test-drive conditions on the repair order.
6. ESCALATE TO HONDA AMERICA. Call 1-888-234-2138, open a case number, request a district specialist (DTSM). A case number is leverage and a legal paper trail.
7. LOG EVERY OUT-OF-SERVICE DAY. Under Song-Beverly, 30 cumulative days at the dealer — for any warranty repairs — creates a legal presumption the vehicle cannot be repaired.
The 2019-2022 Pilot's 18 NHTSA recalls are notable not just in number but in pattern: three for the same camera failure, two for the same fuel pump, two for airbag sensor defects, and a fleet-wide engine recall acknowledging Honda shipped vehicles with defective connecting-rod bearings. These are not minor compliance cleanups — they are repeated attempts to fix the same fundamental defects. Layered on top are TSB-acknowledged problems that never became recalls: oil consumption severe enough to warrant an 8-year extended warranty, a 9AT calibration so poor it lurches families through intersections, and ADAS software prone to phantom braking on open highways. This is the profile of a vehicle California's lemon law was designed to remedy.
— The Margarian Law team
If your 2019-2022 Honda Pilot has been back to the dealer for engine problems, brake failures, camera outages, or transmission harshness — and the repairs haven't stuck — you may have options. Margarian Law has handled thousands of Honda lemon-law cases and offers a free case review. Call or submit your repair orders online today.
The most likely cause is the J35Y6 connecting-rod bearing defect covered by NHTSA Recalls 23V751 and 25V266. A manufacturing error causes premature bearing wear; as the bearing degrades, the connecting rod contacts and scores the crankshaft. Early symptoms: metallic knock at idle that worsens under load. In advanced stages the engine seizes or stalls at highway speed. Bring your Pilot to a Honda dealer immediately — inspection and engine repair are free under the recall. If your engine failed before the recall notice arrived, Honda must still repair it at no cost. Document all prior repair visits: multiple unsuccessful engine or oil-related service visits before the recall was issued may qualify under California's lemon law.
Your 2019-2022 Pilot may be affected by one or more of three distinct NHTSA recalls: 20V439 (instrument panel software), 20V440 (central network software), and 23V431 (faulty MOST coaxial cable connector) — all producing the same blank screen in reverse. When you bring the car in, ask the dealer to check all three recall numbers. Software updates (20V439/20V440) take one visit; the physical cable swap (23V431) is a separate procedure. If the camera failed again after a prior recall repair, or if all three have been applied and the problem persists, that pattern is exactly what Song-Beverly's 'reasonable number of repair attempts' standard addresses. Blank camera display violates FMVSS 111 and is a documented safety defect, not a software inconvenience.
This is phantom braking — an unintended Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) activation. The forward radar and camera misidentify stationary objects (overpass signs, medians, oncoming headlights) as collision threats and apply full emergency braking without driver input. Honda published TSB 19-100 with a radar/camera software calibration update. NHTSA opened Preliminary Evaluation PE21-018 across the Honda/Acura fleet. The software update helps most owners but does not fully resolve all cases. If your Pilot phantom-braked after the TSB update, ask the dealer to document the returned symptom in writing. Emergency braking at 70 mph creates a rear-end collision hazard — this is a genuine safety defect. Multiple events with failed repair attempts can support a California lemon-law claim.
Multiple recalls alone don't automatically make a lemon — but the 2019-2022 Pilot's history creates unusually strong conditions for a Song-Beverly claim. California law allows a claim when: (1) the same safety defect required two or more unsuccessful repairs, or four or more for a non-safety issue; OR (2) the vehicle was out of service for a cumulative 30+ days for warranty repairs. With 18 recalls, many owners have multiple open campaigns; extended parts-wait time counts toward the 30-day threshold. Owners who experienced engine bearing failure (23V751/25V266), master cylinder separation (23V458), or recurring fuel pump failure (21V215/23V858) are in a strong position. Preserve every repair order — they are your evidence.
Yes — Honda formally acknowledged this defect via TSB 19-006, extending the J35Y6 VCM engine warranty to 8 years or 125,000 miles from the original purchase date. If your Pilot consumes more than ~1 quart per 1,200 miles, request an oil consumption test at any Honda dealer — it is performed free under the extended coverage. The test: fill to 'full,' drive 1,200 miles, re-check. If consumption is confirmed, Honda must repair the piston ring assembly or replace the short block at no charge. This coverage applies regardless of whether you are the original owner. If the dealer denies coverage or the repair fails to resolve consumption, call Honda Customer Relations at 1-888-234-2138 to open a case number and escalate. Multiple failed oil-consumption repairs can support a California lemon-law claim.
A soft or spongy brake pedal on a 2021-2022 Pilot may indicate the master cylinder separation defect in NHTSA Recall 23V458. An improperly assembled tie-rod fastener can allow the master cylinder to separate from the brake booster, causing dramatically reduced braking force — a pedal that sinks toward the floor. Do not drive the vehicle if the brake pedal feels abnormal. Tow it to a Honda dealer and reference Recall 23V458; inspection and repair are free of charge. If the soft-pedal symptom appeared before August 2023 (when owner letters were mailed) and you had brake repairs that did not resolve the problem, those prior attempts count as Song-Beverly repair visits. Owners denied warranty coverage for a brake complaint that the recall later explained should consult about warranty remedies.
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