08:30 30-01-2026

Honda 3.5L V6 engine failures: lawsuit details and affected models

Learn about the Honda 3.5L V6 engine failures leading to a class-action lawsuit and NHTSA investigation, covering affected models like Pilot and MDX.

Honda finds itself embroiled in a major scandal, with widespread failures of its naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine sparking a class-action lawsuit and a federal investigation. The NHTSA is examining data on 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, as owner complaints cite knocking, vibrations, loss of power, and premature engine failure.

The issue dates back to before the 2020s, with the first vehicle mentioned in the lawsuit being a 2014 Acura RLX. Despite its simple, non-turbocharged and non-hybrid design, the engine has proven highly unreliable. Owners of the Pilot, MDX, TLX, Odyssey, and Passport describe a consistent pattern: rough running followed by damage to bearings, connecting rods, and even crankshafts.

One plaintiff from Ohio saw her Honda Pilot fail at 76,420 miles, and Honda refused to replace the engine. The dealer quoted nearly $12,000 for repairs, forcing her to install a rebuilt engine for $2,400. Worse cases exist: a 2017 Pilot's engine failed completely at 56,000 miles, while a 2019 Pilot required replacement at just 38,000 miles.

Honda previously recalled around 200,000 vehicles in 2023, blaming improperly machined crankshaft pins. However, the lawsuit claims the defect affects far more vehicles than were included in that program. Many owners are left unprotected because the five-year powertrain warranty had expired by the time of failure.

Affected models include the Acura RLX from 2014 to 2020, TLX from 2015 to 2020, MDX from 2016 to 2020 and from 2022 onward, Honda Pilot from 2016 to 2022, Odyssey from 2018, Passport from 2019 to 2025, and Ridgeline from 2017. This spans over a decade of active use for the problematic component.