I took my car (2015 Pilot 4WD EX-L) in for a blinking check engine light, followed by a VTM-4 light while driving on the highway.

I stopped the car and checked the vehicle owners manual and found the blinking check engine symbol means a cylinder misfire. The VTM-4 light means there is something wrong with the 4WD. (more on this later) I walked outside near the exhaust pipes and heard a definite misfire sound (like a motorboat). When continuing to drive and accelerating from stop I could feel a lack of power or a stumbling from the engine.

I brought the car into the dealership the next morning and was informed that the VTM-4 light was a result of the misfire and has to do with engine management. I left the car with them and they called me later to inform me that the misfire was coming from cylinder 1 and they would need to replace the piston rings on cylinders 1-3 at a cost of $3500!

I complained to my service writer about how outrageous this was on a 2015 Pilot that only has 99,0000 miles, which was always serviced at the dealer including oil changes, on it and that my last Pilot (2006) had well over 100,000 miles on it when I sold it to a friend, who drove it for several years without issue. This was a significant factor in purchasing another Honda Pilot.

I agreed to the repairs reluctantly because this is my wife's car and she can't do without it. This didn't set well with me so I did some research online and found out that Honda was sued over this issue and they issued an extended warranty (8yr unlimited miles) on the vehicles that were effected. Of course my vehicle with the same issue fell outside of the parameters so I am not covered!

I contacted Honda Customer Care and complained about how I have the exact same issue with my vehicle and I want it covered also. The rep I talked to took down all the information and sent it up to the Case Manager who I should hear from within a week.

I wonder if anyone on this website has had a similar issue and was able to get Honda to pay for the repair?

Thank You

Update from Jun 7, 2022: Well after multiple correspondents with Honda Care, Honda agreed to help me with the cost of repairs and issued me a check for 1/2 the amount of the repair, $1700 approx.

So even though I am not happy with the reliability / longevity of the engine, I believe to be a design flaw with their variable cylinder management system, I believe Honda treated me fairly. I won't buy another Honda with this VCM system because the cylinders effected with ring problems are the very same cylinders that they control with the VCM for better mileage. Last time I checked they are still using this engine management system.

We took our car in for a routine 100K timing belt change. The tech messed up and damage the head of the engine because the timing was off. When they took it apart to fix, they said it appeared to have fouled plugs too, like it was burning oil. When they put it back together it was misfiring really badly. They couldn't figure out why.

They decide to replace the engine block. As they were installing the replacement block, they found out it was cracked. So, they ordered another one. They installed that one and it seem it was working. I noticed after getting the car back that the gas mileage was absolutely horrible compared to the original engine. I mentioned it to the dealer and they said it probably just needed a little break-in. However, this was not a new engine block. It was from some other vehicle with about 85K miles on it. I ended up taking it to a different garage, since I couldn't really trust them anymore.

They said the engine doesn't have any faults and they don't know why the gas mileage is like that either. After doing a few oil changes since I've had this not-so-new engine installed, it seems to go through oil really fast. I inspected the vehicle several times and during every oil change and I see no signs of a leak anywhere. I have to add oil several time between oil changes now.

This is not right. I did some research and it appears this is an issue with a service bulletin 11-033 but it is for 2013s and older. My vehicle seems to be having the same issue. Some say it need to be reprogrammed at the dealer. I will try and, however, I don't think I should have to pay for this repair, since it IS a known issue. I don't have much faith in them on fixing it, since the last time they didn't admit to there being an issue with the fuel mileage after the engine replacement. It use to get around 21 MPG average, and now it gets 15 MPG at best.