Honda's 3.5L J35 V6 with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) burns oil and fouls rear-bank spark plugs by cycling cylinders 1-2-3 off under light load. Pilot, Odyssey, Accord V6, Crosstour, and Ridgeline owners reported a rear-cylinder misfire pattern. Soto v. American Honda settled in 2013 and extended powertrain warranty for affected V6 vehicles, plus reimbursement for spark plug and oil-related repairs.
Many owners install a "VCM Tuner II" device that defeats cylinder deactivation. This typically eliminates the rear-cylinder oil burn and motor-mount vibration complaints. The device is not Honda-approved and may affect warranty.
VCM idles cylinders 1, 2, and 3 (the rear bank on transverse minivan and crossover applications) by holding the valves closed under light load. The rear bank ends up running cool and idle for long stretches, then suddenly fires under heavier throttle. Oil accumulates on the deactivated cylinders' piston rings, the rings stop sealing, and the rear bank consumes oil and fouls plugs. Driveline shake on transitions stresses motor mounts. Soto v. American Honda Motor Co. (C.D. Cal.) settled with a powertrain-warranty extension for affected J35 V6s and reimbursement for documented spark plug and oil consumption repairs.
| Model | Years | Engine | TSB / Settlement | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot | 2009-2013 | 3.5L J35 V6 with VCM | Soto settlement | High |
| Honda Odyssey | 2008-2013 | 3.5L J35 V6 with VCM | Soto settlement | High |
| Honda Accord V6 | 2008-2012 | 3.5L J35 V6 with VCM | Soto settlement | High |
| Honda Crosstour | 2010-2013 | 3.5L J35 V6 with VCM | Soto settlement | High |
| Acura TL / RDX (related) | 2009-2014 | 3.5L / 3.7L V6 with VCM | Companion claim | Medium |
| Honda Pilot / Odyssey (later builds) | 2014-2020 | 3.5L J35Y6 with VCM | Not part of Soto; owner complaints continue | Medium |
Data sourced from NHTSA recall database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), manufacturer technical service bulletins, and publicly filed class-action documents. Always verify with your VIN before purchase or repair.
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Soto v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., No. 2:12-cv-01377 (N.D. Cal.) resulted in a settlement that extended the powertrain warranty for VCM-related oil consumption and spark plug fouling, and reimbursed prior out-of-pocket repairs. Later J35 V6 builds are not covered by Soto, but state lemon-law claims continue to address driveline vibration and oil-burn complaints individually.
If you have a 2008-2013 J35 V6 burning oil between changes, request a Honda oil-consumption test at the dealer, reference the Soto settlement, and preserve all ROs. Out of settlement coverage, consider a VCM-disabling device (third-party) and shorter oil change intervals.
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It is widely used by Honda V6 owners but is third-party and may affect warranty. It does not throw a check engine light.
No. Honda has not released a dealer-installed VCM disable. The settlement remedy was warranty extension plus repairs, not disabling VCM.
They use VCM and have similar but generally milder reports. They are not in the Soto settlement class.
Within the extended warranty window and after a documented consumption test, yes. Repairs typically involve piston rings rather than a full engine.
Indirectly. By keeping all six cylinders running, it reduces the on/off transitions that stress motor mounts.
The Soto class focused on oil consumption and spark plug fouling. Motor mounts have been addressed through separate goodwill on case-by-case basis.