Honda Pilot Complaints (2016)

1,724 consumer complaints on file.

#11698589November 10, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel pump issue came up . I was in the middle of the intersection , and the car seized and broke down . The fuel pump light came on .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698236November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Honda is aware of thousands of 9 speed transmission failures. but worst of all they tell you that you failed to change trans fluid as scheduled, but there is no schedule printed in their owner's manual, nor in their vehicle service maintenance manual. the service manual only speaks to the quality of fluid required, and that it not be mixed with other brands of trans fluids. it then goes on to say "HAVE A DEALER CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL AND REPLACE IF NEEDED." I have owned cars with sealed trans that required no maintenance, which is not the case with the Honda's 9speed trans. The Honda 9 speed is a sealed unit. I am currently face with an estimated bill of $10,600 to replace my failed trans. There is a reaccuring problem with the 9 speed, that Honda should pay for. I am requesting an investigation, and a reimburstment of my total cost. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697555November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN - The hydraulics of the power tailgate in the 2016 Honda Pilot are defective. After opening, it randomly starts 1 long continuous beep while the power tailgate closes - and it will not stop. I have had multiple items crushed. I have known other owners of the 2016 Honda Pilot where the hatch closed on them and trapped them in it. This is a huge safety issue! I am afraid when my teenage son opens the power tailgate that it will happen and trap him! It has happened since the purchase of the vehicle, which was brand new off the Honda dealer lot, in 2016. Honda dealer blew me off multiple times. They cannot "recreate" the issue - but it is random, however it does seem to happen more often once the air temperature is below 40 degrees.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697558November 5, 2025
ENGINE
The V6 3.5L engine in the 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L sounds horrible when shifting. It sounds like it is sticking, and in a way lurches. It is especially noticeable around 40mph, but you can audibly hear it shift at all gears. I am concerned that this vehicle should have been part of the previous 2023 recall, or should be looked at for the current 2025 investigation of the connecting rod bearing failures. I am almost afraid to drive the vehicle. The engine sounds awful.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697563November 5, 2025
ENGINE
The engine started to knock. Upon taking it to an independent inspection it was determined to be the rod bearings and crankshaft. We find it to be consistent with the sympthoms described in the investigation RE25008 opened in August 20, 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697736November 5, 2025
ENGINE
My wife was driving our pilot on the highway. It suddenly started to get a flashing check engine light and the car immediately and abruptly slowed down, and was not able to accelerator or keep speed with traffic around her. Then the car would lurch when trying to hold it stopped at a stop light or sign when idling. We took it straight to a mechanic and they ran a scan on the Pilot and said that the flashing check engine light was due to a severe engine warning and when they investigated they found that I had rod knocking in the engine and the engine would need to be replaced due to faulty rod bearings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697038November 2, 2025
ENGINE
Engine locked up and honda says that my vin is not part of the recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696039October 28, 2025
ENGINE
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, my friend was driving my 2016 Honda Pilot on Interstate 10 in New Orleans when all the dashboard warning lights came on and the engine started clicking/ticking. He was on a bridge and had to pull to the side of the bridge during rush hour traffic. He said it was very unsafe and was afraid to stay with the car due to the high volume of traffic. The car was towed to the nearest Honda dealership. The dealership ran diagnostics on it and told me that it needs a new engine. The dealership checked to see if the vehicle was part of the connecting rod recall and confirmed the vehicle is not. Prior to this event, the car was running great. My brothers, who are retired mechanics, towed the car back home. They said a connecting rod is knocking and the car does not need to be driven until the issue has been fixed. I am sure if I continue driving the vehicle that the engine would eventually seize. The car is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695626October 26, 2025
ENGINE
We have owned our 2016 Pilot since 2023. We have never had a problem with it and have had the recommended maintenance performed on schedule. The incident of our engine failing, out of the blue, occurred when my husband drove from MN to Indiana and then he made it back to MN and the engine died literally at the exit to our hometown. Our Honda Pilot ran perfect when my husband drove from MN to IN with no problems at all. He made it all the way back to MN and when he took the exit to our town, a bunch of lights went off on the dashboard. There were several lights and I don't know exactly which ones unfortunately. He was able to get it into our driveway and it was unable to be started once he turned it off. We had to get it towed to the dealer (Tom Kadlec) . After diagnostic testing, wewere told we needed a new engine. I realize our vehicle has higher mileage, but this is so unlike a Honda vehicle to just quit and then to have such a drastic repair of a new engine. Of course, completely unexpected and disappointing,out of the blue, just am shocked and would like to know if it had something to do with the recall. I appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695590October 25, 2025
ENGINE
The start/stop function caused the engine to shut off. At times we have to shake the battery to get the engine to go back on. We have replaced the battery and that didnt fix the issue. The dealership said they couldn't recreate the problem. The issue hasn't been inspected by anyone but the dealership and there were no warning messages or lights.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695301October 23, 2025
ENGINE
Started hearing rattling sound on acceleration yesterday. Today heard it again. Engine light came on and a lot of other safety lights came on and noted less power with hitting accelerator. Took it to dealer. They are investigating but say it is the connecting rod bearing failure that so many Hondas have. My car currently is not in the recall list by Honda. It is a 2016 Pilot, 105,000 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695104October 22, 2025
ENGINE
My 2016 Honda Pilot with 81,000 miles has very definite pinging in the engine that increases with RPM increase. It has had an engine ping for over a year but was told that the noise is "just something Honda's are doing". Since pinging has gotten louder, I had an independent mechanic try to find the problem. He checked the cam shaft, rocker arm and push rods for wear and all were normal. He then stopped the ignition to one cylinder at a time. When number 5 was isolated the pinging stopped. His conclusion is that it is likely the connecting rod bearing on cylinder 5 and I should take the car to my Honda dealer. Took the car to dealer and their preliminary diagnosis was: "Found a noise coming from bottom end of engine." Since my VIN is not covered by the earlier engine recall the repair costs are mine. It will cost $875 to get an indepth evaluation and then pay the additional costs for parts or engine replacement. I contacted the Honda Service Center and was told the VIN is not covered but they "might" beable to help on the repair costs. So: Is it safe to drive? Do I keep the pilot and hope that my VIN will be included in a future recall? Will Honda help in the repair? Unsure what I will do, but the quality of 2016 Honda engine is definitely in question and hope that Honda will acknowledge their engine problem and expand the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694497October 20, 2025
ENGINE
I took my car in for a safety recall and was not provided a loaner vehicle. Both the dealer and Honda have refused to provide me a rental and now I will be picking my vehicle up and driving it while it’s unsafe with children in the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694600October 20, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Honda issued Service Bulletin 20-117 regarding a Warranty Extension for the 2016–2017 Pilot and 2017 Ridgeline addressing a Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5. Following an NHTSA investigation, Honda extended warranty coverage to 9 years or 125,000 miles under this bulletin. My 2016 Honda Pilot currently has 107,000 miles and is only six months past the nine-year time limit. Earlier this year, the Keyless Start System warning indicator began appearing intermittently—illuminating for a few seconds before disappearing for days or weeks. Recently, the warning began to stay on continuously. Per Honda’s initial guidance, I replaced the key fob battery and even swapped fobs with my wife, but the issue persisted. On October 16th, I brought the vehicle to Honda of Chantilly, where technicians diagnosed a faulty start/stop button requiring replacement. I then opened case #15920037 with Honda, but they declined to cover or reimburse the repair, despite it being a known defect covered under the extended warranty for others. I respectfully request that the NHTSA assist in having Honda honor the warranty extension for this documented issue, given the close proximity to the coverage limit and the long-standing nature of the defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694253October 18, 2025
ENGINE
I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a safety issue with my 2016 Honda Pilot. While driving and attempting to turn into my local Walmart, my vehicle suddenly came to a complete stop without any warning. A vehicle traveling behind me had to swerve abruptly to avoid a collision, which could have resulted in a serious accident. After having my vehicle inspected by a local certified mechanic, I was informed that the engine had failed and that the estimated cost of repair would be approximately $9,000. Upon reviewing existing recall information for the 2016 Honda Pilot, I discovered that my vehicle is not currently included in the active recall related to engine failure. However, I have found numerous consumer reports describing the same issue with the 2016 Honda Pilot that were also not covered under the existing recall. I understand that as of August 2025, the NHTSA and Honda were reportedly reviewing the possibility of expanding the recall to include additional affected vehicles. Given the safety risks involved and the clear pattern of similar failures, I am respectfully requesting that my vehicle be considered for inclusion in the recall and that the engine repair costs be covered accordingly. Please let me know if additional documentation, such as repair estimates or VIN information, is needed to support this claim. Thank you for your attention to this serious safety matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693820October 16, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The white paint on my 2016 Honda Pilot (White Diamond Pearl, NH-603P) is peeling and flaking off on the roof and tailgate, exposing the primer. The vehicle has never been repainted or damaged. Honda confirmed my VIN isn’t covered, but this is the same factory paint defect affecting other Pilots and Hondas with the same color. The issue keeps spreading and reduces resale value while exposing metal to corrosion. This is a clear manufacturing defect, not wear or neglect. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate and push Honda to expand coverage for all affected VINs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693243October 14, 2025
ENGINE
Broken connecting rod leading to total engine failure on a beltway single lane overpass during rush hour on December 11, 2023. I paid to replace the engine (and matching transmission) with recovered (junk yard) parts from a 2017 (as advertised). The failed engine has been retained in storage since the event and is available for inspection. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for diagnosis where the findings of failed connecting rod. Dealer indicated that the failure was NOT part of the November 2023 recall. Shortly before the catastrophic engine failure the vehicle went into limp mode. The dealer advised attempting to get it to the dealership which was only a few miles further. The vehicle did not make it. The failure occurred on a very dangerous fly-over single lane overpass ramp on I-95 to I-695 WB in Baltimore, Maryland. When the vehicle was purchased, a (7) year / 150,000 mile extended, bumper to bumper warranty was also acquired. This warranty expired (19) days prior to the failure. My concern is that my only option, at the time, was to replace the failed engine with an available 2017 engine from the same vehicle model and trim level. This engine may very well have the same potential issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693289October 14, 2025
ENGINE
Our 2016 Pilot errored while driving on the highway at 75mph and went to half power. This happened multiple times; resulting in a dangerous situation. After getting it towed to a Honda dealer, it was discovered that there was a defect of the engine crankshaft. This part needed to be replaced at our cost.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693157October 13, 2025
ENGINE
Hi, I have a Hoda Piot 2016 EX AWD V6, with odometer around 90000 miles. Last weekend my son who's 17 with his friends tok the car to go camping on the coast. The car has no problem at all, and I have folllowed the all Honda recommended maintenance. In fact it just have the break job and inspection done by the dealer a month ago. Well, my son parked the car in Fred Meyer and couldn't start the car. I took it to the dealer and notice that there's a recall 23V-751 and the dealer said that my car is not part of the recall based on the vin number. The dealer quote me to replace the engine with a used engine for $11,000 plus, they do not know what caused the engine to seize, and they can tear apart into the engine to know exacty what caused the issue for $616. How can I check if this is related to th erecall without paying $616 just to tear aprt the seized engine, and I also complain because I thought the car is the safest car my son can drive to his first camping trip.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692162October 8, 2025
ENGINE
Heard a knocking sound, had it towed, diagnosed by local mechanic ans then diagnosed by Honda mechanic as engine rod bearing failures. Consistent with recall. However Honda says this vehicle VIN is not scoped within the recall, and therefor requires an engine replacement. Both mechanics, and Honda Sales Mgr, service Mgr, and sales rep, along with other mechanical knowledgeable persons, all were shocked by the issue, and suggested the vehicle should go for 100,000 more l without this type of problem. Furthermore, all were shocked that the recall / Honda would not cover it, due to it being the same issue listed on the recall. Additionally, the dealership claimed the "lifetime powertrain warranty " was void and this would not be covered there either.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Honda Pilot