2009–2015 Honda Pilot: Misfire codes and oil-fouled spark plugs (VCM V6)
Likely causes, ranked
- Stuck piston rings on VCM cylindersShop
- Oil-fouled spark plugsDIY
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A flashing or steady check-engine light with P0301–P0304 misfire codes, rough running, and oil-fouled plugs.
Likely causes
- VCM and rings. Odyssey Club owners trace misfires to oil fouling the plugs on cylinders that shut off under VCM. Honda's coverage replaces pistons and rings when needed.
DIY or shop?
Plugs are DIY. Ring work is a dealer job.
Useful steps
- Read misfire codes.
- Pull the plug on the misfiring cylinder.
- Ask a Honda dealer if VCM extended coverage still applies to your VIN.
Vehicle focus: 2009–2015 Honda Pilot.
Safety / mechanic note
A flashing check-engine light means a severe misfire. Avoid hard driving. Verify with a mechanic or dealer.
Related trouble codes
Recalls & service bulletins
Technical service bulletins
- Honda VCM extended coverage Honda extended coverage for piston ring and spark plug repairs on VCM V6 engines with oil consumption and misfires. Terms and dates vary by model year. Details
NHTSA complaints: 228 keyword-matched complaints for Honda PILOT 2009–2015 (of 1,199 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.