When looking at the Honda Pilot engine replacement cost, you need to know if you want to purchase a used, new, or remanufactured engine for your vehicle. Purchasing a new engine in good condition can cost between $4,000 and $5,000, while a remanufactured engine is between $3,000 and $4,000, and a used engine will run between $2,800 and $3,200.
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Adding in labor to the total Honda Pilot engine replacement cost, owners can expect to pay between $800 on the low end of the spectrum to around $3,000 on the high end. Since most technicians have an hourly rate of between $80 and $150 based on the complexity of the engine, the total job will usually take between 10 and 20 hours to complete.
For car owners to understand why they need to pay the hefty Honda Pilot engine replacement cost, they first need to know the different engine types, the worst model years of the Pilot, and the most common issues to look out for!
Honda Pilot Engine Types
The Honda Pilot is a mid-size crossover SUV that has been produced and manufactured by Honda from the 2003 model year until the present. Spanning three generations, this car has undergone many changes throughout the years – like the engine choices.
First Generation
- The first generation of the pilot was produced from 2003 until 2008, offering one engine option of the 3.5-liter Honda J35A4 SOHC 24v V6 engine choice.
- The new J35A6 used in the 2005 model year engine added an additional 255 horsepower and 250 pound-per-foot of torque.
Second Generation
- The second generation of the Pilot featured the J35Z4 3.5-liter V6 engine that could produce 250 horsepower at 5700 RPM and 253 pound-per-foot of torque at 4800 RPM.
- Although the performance increased in this generation, the Honda Pilot engine replacement cost increased as well.
Third Generation
- The third and final generation of the Pilot used the 3.5-liter Honda J35Y6 V6 engine, using a direct-injection and start-stop system.
- The improved power came at a rating of 280 horsepower, producing 19 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.
Worst Model Years of the Honda Pilot
The worst years of the Honda Pilot is the 2003, having the most overall complaints from car owners and users. It is often considered the most problematic due to the early onset of issues, the severe problems, and the high replacement prices.
The top three concerns across all model years of the Honda Pilot are the following:
- Transmission Failure in the 2003 Pilot, costing $3,400 to fix at 123,000 miles
- Excessive Oil Consumption in the 2009 Pilot, costing $3,300 to fix at 95,000 miles
- Transmission Fluid Leaking in the 2005 Pilot, costing $2,100 to fix at 121,000 miles
2003 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
The worst engine concerns in the 2003 Pilot involve the engine idling roughly, premature engine failure, engine thumping noises, excessive oil consumption, and the dashboard warning light indicator coming on after minimal use.
Fix: Fix The Rough Idle
There are many causes of your engine running roughly and having a rough idle. Some of the main causes of this concern deal with dirty fuel injectors, clogged air filters, fouled spark plugs, and different exhaust system issues.
To fix the rough idle and reduce the overall Honda Pilot engine replacement cost, you may need to replace one or more of these parts mentioned above. Replacing the fuel injectors costs between $800 and $1,450 for a full replacement, with the parts costing between $600 and $1,200, and the labor running between $200 and $250 on average.
The price of replacing the air filters in your car ranges between $15 and $25 per filter, which is a very inexpensive repair cost that can reduce the overall Honda Pilot engine replacement cost in your 2003 model year.
Lastly, you can replace the spark plugs in your 2003 Pilot between $16 and $100 per spark plug, with the labor ranging between $40 and $150. The total billed time is usually between 45 minutes and 90 minutes for the entire procedure in your vehicle. Paying for these small fixes can reduce the problems from worsening and causing an expensive Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
2005 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
The engine concerns in the 2005 Pilot involve the motor mounts breaking, the check engine light on the dashboard, oil leaking, timing belt tensioner breaking, and engine failure due to a buildup of sludge within the internal system.
Fix: Replace the Motor Mounts
Usually, the replacement price for the motor mounts in your 2005 Pilot is between $224 and $63 for the parts and labor. If you can do the labor yourself, you can usually find the parts between $38 and $145, helping you save a few hundred dollars on the overall Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
2009 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
The engine category had the highest number of complaints in the 2009 model year, with owners reporting concerns regarding excessive oil consumption, engine failure, engine not starting, engine misfiring, engine stalling, and the engine air filter becoming clogged.
Fix: Replace PCV Valve and Oil Pan Gasket
Although fixing the excessive oil consumption can sometimes result in an expensive repair price, sometimes it is just the case of replacing the PCV valve and oil pan gasket in your car. Replacing the PCV valve in your car is between $65 and $83, with the pats costing only $21 and the labor ranging between $44 and $56. As you can see, this inexpensive fix is a great way to prevent future issues and prevent a costly Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
If this does not work, you may need to also replace the oil pan gasket in your Pilot. The general range of replacing the oil pan gasket is between $100 and $350, with the parts ranging between $40 and $150 for the oil pan gasket replacement. Since this part is not very expensive, the labor often makes up most of the repair process.
2011 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
Although the 2011 Pilot is often considered more reliable than the previous problematic model years, the engine category still has a high number of complaints from car owners. Pilot owners report excessive oil consumption, engine light on the dashboard, piston ring failure, shuddering, and unintended acceleration.
Fix: Replace Piston Rings
Replacing the piston rings in your 2011 Pilot is an inexpensive fix, helping reduce the potential for a hefty Honda Pilot engine replacement cost. The price is between $30 and $150 for the parts, with the labor adding $40 to $200 depending on how many rings need to be replaced and how many cylinders your car contains.
2013 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
The 2013 Pilot has various engine issues, with owners reporting the check engine light comes on the dashboard, the car hesitates while accelerating, the engine misfires, noises come from the engine, and the car excessively vibrates while going into Eco mode.
Fix: Address The Car Hesitation
If you find your vehicle hesitates while trying to accelerate, unfortunately, there are many causes and reasons why this could be occurring in your car. Some of the reasons require only minimal fixes, while some require more extensive and expensive repairs and replacements.
- One of the main causes of car hesitation is a faulty throttle position sensor. Replacing the throttle position sensor costs between $110 and $200, with the parts costing between $70 and $105, and the labor ranging between $35 and $95 total. Although you may not want to pay for this replacement, it can help prevent an expensive Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
- Another reason for hesitation could be a vacuum leak from one of the engine hoses in your car. If the hose becomes worn-out due to excess friction and exposure to high temperatures, it can prematurely break down. In this case, you will need to replace the vacuum hose for between $88 and $111.
- The third cause of the engine’s hesitation is due to issues within your fuel system, like a malfunctioning fuel injector, fuel pump, or fuel pressure regulator. Replacing the fuel pressure regulator is between $252 and $336 total, with labor between $104 and $131, and the parts costing between $147 and $204.
- The final most common cause of engine hesitation is a faulty ignition system. If one of the spark plugs, rotors, or wires has become damaged, your engine can lose power and the ability to accelerate while driving. Replacing the brake rotors in your car costs between $350 and $500 total, helping reduce the overall Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
2016 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
The top three categories of concern in the 2016 Pilot are the transmission, electrical system, and engine, with owners reporting issues with the auto idle, engine dying while driving, unintended acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and leaking oil pan.
Fix: Replace the Carburetor
To fix the auto-idle and rough idling situation in your 2016 Pilot, the most common solution is to address the carburetor problems. The carburetor prevents the engine from making any noise, helping clean the internal engine system. If there is an issue, you will notice the rough idle. Replacing the carburetor costs between $500 and $800 total at most dealerships and mechanic shops.
2021 Honda Pilot Reliability
To determine if the Honda Pilot engine replacement cost is worth the price, you need to know the safety, reliability, and performance of the latest model year. Regarding the 2021 Honda Pilot, this vehicle earned the #9 spot in the Midsize SUVs car category against the competition.
The 2021 Pilot has many positives, such as a smooth ride, agile handling, adult-friendly and comfortable seating, and a spacious cargo room. However, the negatives of this car include a poor predicted reliability rating, limited infotainment technology, and an expensive Honda Pilot engine replacement cost.
The Car US News Scorecard gave this production year a 7.9 out of 10 overall. This vehicle earned a 9.0 for critics’ rating, 7.5 for performance, 8.4 for interior, 9.4 for safety, and just a 2 out of 5 for the JD Power reliability rating. The low-reliability rating caused the 2021 Pilot to earn an unfavorable #10 ranking in the SUVs with 3 Rows category and the #23 spots in the Crossover SUVs category.
Honda Pilot vs. Toyota Highlander
By comparing the Pilot against the competition, you can determine as a car owner if paying the expensive Honda Pilot engine replacement cost is worth the price for you and your wallet.
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- The positives of the Highlander include a higher predicted reliability rating, more standard features, high-tech infotainment options, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 12.3-inch touch screen.
- The positives of the Pilot feature more passenger room, comfortable seating, and a lower overall base price for the model. Although the Honda Pilot engine replacement cost can be quite expensive, the Pilot is over $1,600 less than the Highlander, helping you save money in the long run.
- If you want more space, then we recommend choosing the Pilot. However, if you want a reliable car, we recommend choosing the Highlander.
Honda Pilot vs. Mazda CX-9
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- The positives of the CX-9, when compared to the Honda Pilot, are the engaging and agile ride, tight handling, and user-friendly steering for tight turns and sharp corners. In addition, a luxurious cabin and a large touch screen increase the high-tech and upscale feel of the car.
- The positives of the Pilot include a high horsepower rating, more cargo space, and increased third-row room.
- The better gas mileage, improved performance, easy handling, and the avoidance of paying the hefty Honda Pilot engine replacement cost makes the Mazda CX-9 a better overall choice.
The Bottom Line
When looking at the Honda Pilot engine replacement cost, you need to know if paying for this expensive fix is worth it for you and your wallet. Purchasing a new engine in good condition can cost between $4,000 and $5,000, while a remanufactured engine is between $3,000 and $4,000, and a used engine will run between $2,800 and $3,200.
For some model years, the replacement is not worth the headache – however, for other years, paying the replacement price can be a great investment!