For decades, Japanese automakers have built their reputations on durability and long-term reliability. That perception still shapes buying decisions today, especially for family vehicles, where buyers often pay a premium in the expectation of years of trouble-free ownership.
One recent case shows how quickly that confidence can unravel. A buyer spent nearly $50,000 on a Honda Odyssey last year, choosing it over less expensive alternatives from Chrysler, Kia, and even Toyota. The decision came down to a familiar assumption: paying more for a Honda meant fewer headaches down the road.
That assumption has come under increasing scrutiny as reports spread online that Honda’s widely used 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 may not be as reliable as many drivers believed. Investigations, recalls, and lawsuits tied to engine failures are now raising broader questions about whether one of the industry’s most trusted powertrains still deserves its reputation.
Honda’s 3.5-Liter V6 Problems Continue To Escalate
Honda’s troubles with its 3.5-liter V6 engine have not subsided. Instead, they appear to be intensifying. In August 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe into more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles after hundreds of reports alleging 3.5-liter V6 connecting rod bearing failures that can lead to loss of power or complete engine failure.
The probe followed a November 2023 recall of about 249,000 Honda and Acura vehicles over a crankshaft manufacturing issue that could cause connecting rod bearing wear and eventual engine failure. For many Honda and Acura owners, however, the recall did not provide a lasting fix. The situation has since escalated into a class action lawsuit.
A Simple Engine With Complex Failures
The irony of the situation lies in the engine’s basic design. Honda’s 3.5-liter V6 uses no turbochargers, no hybrid assistance, and no complex electrification systems. Despite its mechanical simplicity, many owners report severe drivability problems.
According to court filings, symptoms include abnormal engine noises, misfires, loss of power, hesitation during acceleration, and in some cases complete engine shutdown while driving. Behind these symptoms are far more serious internal failures.
Allegations Point to Internal Engine Damage
Plaintiffs allege premature wear and damage to connecting rods, pistons, bearings, and the crankshaft itself. In some cases, this results in total engine failure.
One example cited in the lawsuit involves an Ohio resident whose 2016 Honda Pilot suffered complete engine failure at just 76,420 miles. Because the vehicle was out of warranty, a dealer quoted $11,874 for a new engine. After Honda declined to cover the repair, the owner installed a remanufactured engine at a personal cost of $2,400.
Honda acknowledged during the 2023 recall that a manufacturing defect related to an improperly ground crankshaft journal had been identified. The lawsuit argues that the recall failed to address the root cause and that many affected vehicles were never included despite showing identical symptoms.
Affected Models Span More Than a Decade
The list of vehicles named in the lawsuit is extensive and spans more than ten years of production. It includes 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 that these issues may date back over a decade. That long timeline significantly raises the stakes for Honda from both a financial and reputational standpoint.
Owners have reported failures well before 100,000 miles, and some say dealer replacement quotes can reach the five-figure range depending on parts and labor. Complaints filed with NHTSA increasingly mention rough idle behavior, a symptom often reported shortly before catastrophic failure.
Warranty Coverage Leaves Many Owners Exposed
Honda’s powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles. As a result, many owners experience engine failure shortly after warranty coverage 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
Honda is not the only Japanese manufacturer facing scrutiny over V6 engines. Toyota has also issued U.S. recalls tied to machining debris in its V35A twin-turbo V6, including certain 2022 to 2024 Tundra and 2022 to 2024 Lexus LX vehicles plus the 2024 Lexus GX, after warnings that debris can lead to bearing failure, rough running, and even stalling. Toyota has also faced class action claims arguing recall coverage or remedies should be broader.
The Scale of Honda’s Problem Is Larger
The difference lies in scope. Toyota’s V35A debris campaigns focus on a defined set of recent model years, while the August 2025 NHTSA probe into Honda and Acura 3.5-liter V6 bearing failures spans more than 1.4 million vehicles across multiple nameplates.
For two automakers synonymous with longevity and worry-free ownership, these cases represent a significant challenge to long-standing perceptions. In Honda’s case especially, a definitive resolution still appears distant, leaving many owners questioning whether Japanese reliability is still what it once was.
This article originally appeared on Autorepublika.com and has been republished with permission by Guessing Headlights. AI-assisted translation was used, followed by human editing and review.