For decades, Japanese automakers have built a reputation for durability and long-term reliability. This notion still influences buying decisions today, especially for family vehicles, where buyers often pay a premium in anticipation of years of trouble-free ownership.
A recent case shows how quickly that confidence can crumble. Last year, one buyer spent nearly $50,000 on a Honda Odyssey over cheaper alternatives from Chrysler, Kia or even Toyota. The decision comes down to a familiar assumption: Spending more money on a Honda means fewer headaches later.
That assumption has come under increasing scrutiny as reports circulate online that Honda’s widely used 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine may not be as reliable as many drivers believe. Investigations, recalls and lawsuits related to engine failures now raise broader questions about whether one of the industry’s most trusted powertrains is still worthy of its reputation.
Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 problems continue to escalate
Image source: Autorepublika.
Honda’s troubles with its 3.5-liter V6 engine haven’t subsided yet. Instead, they appear to be intensifying. In August 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles after hundreds of reports that 3.5-liter V6 connecting rod bearing failures could cause a loss of power or complete engine failure.
The investigation follows a November 2023 recall of about 249,000 Honda and Acura vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing problem that could cause wearing of connecting rod bearings and ultimately engine failure. However, for many Honda and Acura owners, this recall does not provide a lasting solution. The situation has since been upgraded to a class action lawsuit.
Simple engine with complex faults
The irony of this situation lies in the basic design of the engine. Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 uses no turbochargers, no hybrid assist, and no complex electrification system. Despite its mechanical simplicity, many owners reported serious drivability issues.
Symptoms include unusual engine noises, misfiring, loss of power, hesitation when accelerating and, in some cases, a complete engine shutdown while driving, according to court documents. Behind these symptoms are more serious internal failures.
Allegations point to internal engine damage
Image source: Autorepublika.
The plaintiffs allege premature wear and damage to the connecting rods, pistons, bearings and the crankshaft itself. In some cases, this can lead to complete engine failure.
One example cited in the lawsuit involves an Ohio resident whose 2016 Honda Pilot suffered a complete engine failure after 76,420 miles. Since the vehicle was out of warranty, the dealer quoted $11,874 for a new engine. After Honda refused to cover the cost of repairs, the owner installed a remanufactured engine at a personal expense of $2,400.
Honda admitted that a manufacturing defect related to improper crankshaft journal grinding was discovered during the 2023 recall. The lawsuit alleges that the recall failed to address the root cause and that many of the affected vehicles were never recalled despite exhibiting the same symptoms.
Affected models span more than a decade
Photo credit: Acura.
The list of vehicles named in the lawsuit is extensive, spanning more than a decade in production. These include the Honda Pilot, Passport, Odyssey and Ridgeline, as well as Acura models such as the TLX, RLX and MDX.
Notably, the inclusion of the 2014 Acura RLX suggests these issues may date back more than a decade. Such a long timeline significantly ups the stakes for Honda from a financial and reputational perspective.
Owners are reporting failures before they reach 100,000 miles, and some say dealer replacement quotes can run into five figures, depending on parts and labor. Complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration increasingly mention rude idle behavior, a symptom often reported shortly before a catastrophic failure.
Warranty coverage puts many car owners at risk
Honda’s powertrain warranty is 5 years or 60,000 miles. As a result, many car owners experience engine failure shortly after the warranty expires. For a brand long associated with durability and low ownership risk, this represents a serious erosion of consumer trust.
Honda is not alone among Japanese brands
Photo credit: Toyota.
Honda isn’t the only Japanese manufacturer facing scrutiny over its V6 engines. Toyota has also issued a recall in the U.S. related to machining debris in the V35A twin-turbo V6 engine, including certain 2022 to 2024 Tundra and 2022 to 2024 Lexus LX vehicles and 2024 Lexus GX, after warning that the debris could cause bearing failure, erratic operation and even stalling. Toyota also faces a class-action lawsuit arguing that the recall or remedies should be broader.
Honda’s problem is bigger
The difference is scope. Toyota’s V35A debris cleanup campaign focuses on specific models from recent years, while NHTSA’s August 2025 investigation into bearing failures in Honda and Acura’s 3.5-liter V6s involves more than 1.4 million vehicles across multiple nameplates.
For two automakers that symbolize longevity and worry-free ownership, these cases pose a significant challenge to long-held perceptions. Especially in Honda’s case, a final solution seems far away, leaving many owners questioning whether Japan’s reliability is still what it once was.
This article was originally published on Autorepublika.com and is republished with permission from Guessing Headlights. Use AI-assisted translation, followed by human editing and review.
