2014 Honda Pilot
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2014 Honda Pilot.
What to watch for on the 2014 Honda Pilot
Oil Consumption and Fouled Plugs from VCM
Honda V6 engines with Variable Cylinder Management from about 2008 to 2013 can foul spark plugs and stick piston rings in the cylinders that shut off, leading to oil consumption and misfires.
Timing Belt and Water Pump Service
The Honda 3.5L V6 uses a timing belt that must be replaced on schedule (usually with the water pump).
Which of these apply to your 2014 Pilot?
Your guide shows which apply to the exact car, and what to ask the seller.
Recalls on the 2014 Honda Pilot
Air bags: inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
Air bags: inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
Air bags: inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.
Source: NHTSA
What 116 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2014 Honda Pilot at a glance
- Trims
- EXEX-LLXTouring
- Engine
- 3.5L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- FWD, AWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 2nd Gen
The 2009-2015 Honda Pilot is the second generation of the three-row crossover and adopted a squarer, more upright body than its predecessor. It is powered by the 3.5-liter J35Z V6 with Variable Cylinder Management, paired with a five-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard and the VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system is optional. Seating for eight across three rows is standard, with a second-row bench that folds flat into a genuinely usable cargo floor.
The styling change was the most visible difference from the first generation, but the practical gains were in third-row access and cargo volume. Variable Cylinder Management, which deactivates cylinders under light load, was added for fuel economy and became the defining ownership topic for this generation. The third generation that arrived in 2016 moved to rounder styling and a modernized powertrain.
For used buyers, this Pilot remains a highly practical family vehicle with a strong safety record and good parts availability. Variable Cylinder Management is associated with spark plug fouling and elevated oil consumption on some engines, and many owners disable the system to avoid it. Motor mount failure is common and produces a distinctive vibration at idle. The five-speed automatic benefits from regular fluid service with Honda-specification fluid. A car with documented VCM-related maintenance is worth seeking out.
Other Honda Pilot years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2014 Honda Pilot?
Owners have filed 116 complaints about the 2014 Honda Pilot with NHTSA, most often about the engine. There are 3 recall campaigns covering this model year. Known problems on its engines include oil consumption and fouled plugs from vcm and timing belt and water pump service. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2014 Honda Pilot reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 3 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2014 Honda Pilot?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2014 Honda Pilot listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.