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2014 Honda Pilot Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Honda Pilot carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Piston ring wear causing cylinder misfire.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V661000 · Sep 27, 2018

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V502000 · Jun 27, 2019

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #19V378000 · May 16, 2019

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Honda Pilot.

Reported to NHTSA

Piston ring wear causing cylinder misfire

ENGINE

20 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2026-06

“IN MAY I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE #2 CYLINDER PLUG FOULING IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 7/25/18 & 1600 MILES LATER ON 9/8/18. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S A OIL SEAL PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11128460
“Last week I turned on my 2014 Pilot and saw the check engine and VTM-4 dash lights on. When I checked the cause I received error code P0303 - Piston #3 Misfire”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11552451
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON ONE DAY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AN IMPACT ON BEING ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND COULD NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492639

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint peeling and clear-coat failure on roof and hood

STRUCTURE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2025-07

“PAINT IS STARTING TO PEEL ON VEHICLE. STARTED ON ROOF OF CAR FROM THE SUNROOF DOWN TO THE WINDSHIELD. PHOTO PROVIDED. NOW THE PAINT IS PEELING ON FRONT FENDER AND ON HOOD OF CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11204474
“PAINT IS PEELING OFF DOWN TO BARE METAL ON THE ROOF BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10957387
“MY PAINT IS FLAKING. HONDA REFUSES TO FIX IT DUE TO MY VIN NUMBER NOT BEING PART OF THEIR WARRANTY EXTENSION. THIS IS WEIRD SINCE MY YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, AND PAINT COLOR MATCH THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BUT MY VIN DOES NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11384350

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel rim cracking at factory weld

WHEELS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2016-02 → 2018-11

“CRACKED RIMS IT HAS HAPPEN TWICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121729
“WHEEL WELDS ARE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. HOWEVER, A HAIRLINE FRACTURE APPEARS IN THE WHEEL WELD CAUSING THE TIRE TO DEFLATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928771
“OVER A PERIOD OF TIME FROM 2/14/16 UNTIL 2/29/16, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH FLAT TIRES DUE TO CRACKS IN THE WELD OF A RIM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838951

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine vibration during VCM cylinder deactivation

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2018-08

“WHEN THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT KICKS IN AT 2000 RPM THE ENGINE VIBRATES. IT DOES THIS CONSTANTLY WHEN THE ECO GREEN LIGHT COMES ON. VERY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10556767
“WHEN CRUISING IN MY 2014 HONDA PILOT EX-L AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON RELATIVELY FLAT TERRAIN, THERE IS A LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION AND RUMBLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO THE VCM FEATURE OF THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567514
“MY HONDA PILOT 2014 HAS VIBRATION EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. I WORRY THAT IT WILL DAMAGE THE ENGINE. I THINK IT HAPPEN WHEN TRANSITION BETWEEN 3 CYLINDER AND 6 CYLINDER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11119317

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle rollaway from park or sudden acceleration

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2023-08

“2014 HONDA PILOT BOUGHT FROM DEALER IN 12/2015 WITH 18,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY WHILE TRANSMISSION WAS IN "PARK". THIS WAS AN UNCONTROLLED RUN-AWAY VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10845792
“I PULLED MY HONDA PILOT INTO MY DRIVEWAY THAT ONLY HAS A SLIGHT GRADE. I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT IF OFF, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOCKED THE DOORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692362
“TWO INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE FIRST ON JANUARY 31, 2014, THE SECOND ON MARCH 25, 2014. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10575919

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS and VSA control module and warning-light failure

SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2024-04

“ABS and Vehicle Stability System Indicator lights remain on. OBD code is 66-13 Pressure Sensor (Inside of VSA Modulator control unit) circuit malfunction. The Honda dealership wants $2600 to fix this ($2100 part + $500) labor”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558506
“A little over 100K miles in my Honda and the ABS module has gone out. This part is over $2200 from Honda and on backorder. This is a known issue from Honda and yet, no recall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11535148
“The ABS, brake, and traction control lights come on when the slightest bump in the road is hit. I am being told by the Honda dealership technician that the issue is a $2000.00 sensor that must be replaced but however is on back order”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11534260

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal vibration from warped rotors

SERVICE BRAKES

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2017-09

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861277
“LEASED BRAND NEW PILOT LX ON MARCH 15, 2014. IT APPEARED TO BE IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITION. THEN, SUDDENLY ON 3/30/14 WHILE DRIVING HOME, IT LOST ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF ITS BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10576271
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10672215

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall and non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2023-03

“"TAKATA RECALL" UNFORTUNATELY, BEFORE THE RECALL BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED LEAVING A BURN ON THE PASSENGERS LEG. THE DRIVERS SIDE BAG ALSO EXPLODED AFTER DEPLOYMENT LEAVING A BURN ON THUMB OF RIGHT HAND OF DRIVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11161146
“WE HAD A HUGE BUCK DEER RUN INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGERS SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935042
“TAKATA RECALL, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY NEVER SENT TO ME ANY NOTIFICATION OF A NATIONAL RECALL OF OR INJURY, DEATH OR DAMAGE BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG DEFECTIVE INFLATORS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140170

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

28 crashes 1990–2024

How the 28 occupant deaths break down

19

driver deaths

9

passenger deaths

28

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Honda Pilot reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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