Is my 2016-2019 Honda Pilot misfiring because of the fuel injector problem?

Short answer: On 2016-2019 Pilots, an 'Emissions system problem' warning with misfire or air-fuel codes is often the known fuel injector problem. Ask a Honda dealer about service bulletin 20-100 and the warranty extension for your VIN. Many owners got all six injectors replaced free, but some VINs, including some 2019s, weren't covered.

Symptom: An 'Emissions system problem' message, the check engine light (sometimes flashing), rough idle or stumbling, loss of power, and extra warnings like hill start assist or power steering lights.

What to check first

1. Read the codes. Look for P0304 or other misfires, P0430, P219A or P219B.
2. Ask a Honda dealer to check your VIN for bulletin 20-100 and the warranty extension.
3. Ask for the air-fuel test result in writing.
4. Rule out coils and plugs if only one cylinder misfires.
5. If the light is flashing, slow down and get it checked right away.

Likely causes

1. Faulty fuel injectors. Fuel injectors spray fuel into the engine. On these Pilots some injectors stop spraying evenly, so the engine runs lean or rich and can misfire. Dealers replace all six as a set.
2. Ignition coil or spark plug. A misfire can also be a coil or plug. One owner's stumbling turned out to be a coil pack.
3. Weak battery (for hard starts). Hard starts without misfire codes are more likely a weak battery than injectors.

What it usually costs

Covered owners paid nothing. Without coverage, owners were quoted about $1,700 and about $2,300 for injectors.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Usually OK for short trips if the light isn't flashing and the car drives normally, per dealer advice owners got. A flashing light means an active misfire. Slow down and get it in, since it can damage the catalytic converter.

DIY or shop?

Injectors are a dealer or shop job. Reading codes and checking coils is DIY.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 18 recall(s) for the Honda Pilot in these years, and none is for this problem. Recall 23V751000 covers connecting rod bearings on some 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilots, which is a different engine problem worth checking for. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 878 keyword-matched complaints for Honda Pilot 2016–2019 (of 4034 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: injector, misfire, p030, rough idle, stall, shak). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2016 Honda Pilot Fuel Injector Bulletin 20-100 on Reddit r/hondapilot, a 2016 Pilot owner had codes P0430 and P219A and found Honda service bulletin 20-100 for this problem, but their VIN didn't show it. A Honda tech said they'd yet to see one not covered unless the car had been a total loss, and another owner said theirs was covered under the bulletin even though it didn't show up in a VIN search.
• In Fuel injector repairs on Reddit r/hondapilot, a 2017 Pilot Touring owner at 45k miles was quoted $2,800 for injectors plus an oil and differential fluid change. Replies estimated the fluids at about $450, linked bulletin 20-100, and said Honda extended the warranty to 10 years or 150k miles on many vehicles, but only for certain VINs. One owner's 2016 needed injectors twice.
• In 2017 Pilot - Check engine light, P0304 Misfire - it's the extended fuel injector warranty issue, right? on Reddit r/hondapilot, a 2017 Pilot owner got a flashing check engine light, rough idle and loss of power, with code P0304. A Honda tech said the dealer must confirm the code and run an air-fuel test, and if it fails, injectors are replaced as a set of six. Another owner said theirs failed the test, got a software update, failed again and got new injectors.
• In 2017 Fuel Injector Issue on Reddit r/hondapilot, a 2017 owner's injectors were confirmed bad and covered, but parts were back-ordered. Owners said the dealer told them it was OK to drive while waiting if the light wasn't flashing, and that other warnings like hill start assist light up because of the engine code. A 2019 Ridgeline owner said his VIN wasn't covered and the dealer wanted $1,700.
• In 2019 Honda Pilot Fuel Injector Issues - not covered on Reddit r/hondapilot, a 2019 Pilot owner had emissions warnings and codes P0430 and P219B and was told it wasn't covered. Other 2019 owners said the same.

Quick tip

Before paying, make the dealer show you whether your VIN is covered under the extension.

Vehicle focus: Honda Pilot 3.5L V6, 2016-2019 (3rd generation). Some Ridgelines and other Hondas share it.

Safety / mechanic note

A flashing check engine light means a misfire that can overheat the catalytic converter. Verify with a mechanic.