Honda Pilot Complaints (2016)

1,724 consumer complaints on file.

#11625775November 17, 2024
ENGINE
Was driving on the highway when I heard a loud, banging, crashing noise coming from the engine, followed by clunking repeating noise. I managed to safely pull off and get the car towed to the repair shop. The repair shop said that the engine was completely damaged and not repairable as per the invoice. There is already a recall for this issue for the same year make and model of the car but honda said it does not include my particular VIN number in the recall. The mechanic said that in their opinion, it is the same issue. I am kindly requesting that you review this and extend the recall to include other Vin numbers that are currently not included for this make model and year of car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625783November 17, 2024
ENGINE
My Honda Pilot started having a jerky-hesitation-lack of power at certain RPMs and make a loud clicking noise during acceleration. I had my mechanic look at it when I took it in for inspection. He said that the rod bearings were causing the noise and that the engine needs to be replaced. He advised me to check for any Honda Pilot recalls that might apply because he said rod bearings should not be an issue. Although there is a recall from some 2016 Honda Pilots for rod bearings, but my VIN number is not within the recall numbers. I called Honda and they said that the recall only applied to cars on the assembly line at a certain time. They recommended getting a diagnoses from a certified Honda service center, and maybe I could get what they call a "good faith" repair. The Honda service center would only say they hear "lower engine noise," and that to say it was rod bearings they would have to charge me $600 to drop the oil pan. I didn't because I can't afford it. However, at the bottom of the invoice, they gave a quote for replacing the rod bearings. I was able to find out about the rod bearings before something dangerous happened, but I am also unable to afford a new engine in my Pilot right now. So, I am barely driving it (only when I have no other choice-we have 3 children and are primarily using one car right now). The Honda dealership told me that because I bought my Pilot used and don't have the service records, that I wouldn't qualify for the the "good faith" repair anyway. I just saw a news article that you were opening an investigation into 2016 pilots for problems with rod bearings, so I wanted to file this report, even though I have been lucky enough not to have an accident because of it. I am attaching both my regular mechanics' invoice, as well as the one from Honda.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625793November 17, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicles engine will stop running sometimes while the car is at a complete stop and sometimes while it's in motion. Sometimes the vehicle restarts immediately and sometimes it struggles to restart. The problem happens sporadically sometimes going weeks between occurrences. This has caused me to be stalled in busy traffic and has also caused more dangerous situations where the vehicle loses power while in motion. I have taken the vehicle to a dealer and a local repair shop and neither were able to reproduce or confirm the problem. They each performed what they thought could be helpful maintenance procedures but these did not seem to work. Other than the local repair shop and the dealer nobody else has inspected the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625693November 16, 2024
ENGINE
Around October 1, 2024 we were driving home and our entire dashboard lit up. The car still drove but lost all power. Concerned we would cause an accident as we were in a busy section of town, we immediately turned around and limped it to our independent mechanic. Upon inspection by the mechanic the following day, we were sent a list of codes. The mechanic also sent a video of the engine, explaining it sounded like a blown engine. He advised replacing the engine. The mechanic, who was previously a Honda technician, said he had rarely seen a Honda engine blow with so few miles. Given his experience and expertise, we moved forward with replacing the engine on October 9, 2024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625698November 16, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car keeps hesitating to accelerate, stalled a few times & is burning through gas extremely quickly. Error code "engine emissions problem" came up, believe this is part of the recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625720November 16, 2024
ENGINE
Engine started to make noise at around 130,000- difficult to get diagnosed- engine noise went away - engine started to run rough at around 147,000: changed plugs and coils along with air filter- engine power returned momentarily but then the engine started to get noisy - diagnosis was engine failure due to possible rod bearing letting go. Vehicle ran so rough- it was parked. 151,000 miles - regular maintenance and oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625534November 15, 2024
ENGINE
When I am at a complete stop all the sudden when I want to accelerate my engine shuts off and all the warnings come up, this is very dangerous as it has happened to me a few times when I have cars behind me and my cars slows down and does not accelerate. I have to turn off the car and restart like 2 or 3 times to go back to normal. Could be the auto restart, I have tried turning it off when I get in the car but since this can only be done once you turn it on not permanently if you forget then this could happen. Is unknown when it happens but definitely a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625235November 14, 2024
ENGINE
Engine stall out while driving in highway was able to cruse to safety. Check engine light on and was unable to restart. Was told by local mechanic that the engine jump timing and damage the valves. Vehicle is not operational.No warning lights just happened. VIN was not in range with Hondas engine recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625312November 14, 2024
ENGINE
On Sept 29, my vehicle’s engine light came on while driving on a hwy. I have kept the vehicle serviced, and have all maintenance records. Due to minimal shoulder space, I continued to the nearest turnoff, and before approaching the turnoff the engine shut off entirely, creating a dangerous situation (no power, no power steering or power brakes), and I was forced to cross the highway by coasting. My vehicle was undriveable and towed to a Honda dealership, where I was told the engine was finished. I found a recall linked to engine failure, but Honda claims my VIN isn’t included, though it likely came off the assembly line during the affected period (May-June 2016) and the symptoms are indicative of the recall. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2024/INOA-RQ24013-27484.pdf
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625371November 14, 2024
ENGINE
My engine failed at 133,000 miles and had to be replaced. I have owned Hondas for many years and found them to be very reliable vehicles. No accident was involved but I was very surprised that the engine failed so early with no apparent causes. I understand that there have been many issues with engines with 2016 Pilots so I wanted to report my problem in case there is a manufacturing issue that needs to be corrected for safety issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625373November 14, 2024
POWER TRAIN
My 2016 Honda Pilot engine rods failed on 1/31/2024 causing complete engine failure. My pilot was not recalled. Honda wanted $10920 to replace my engine. I negotiated with Honda and my out of pocket cost was $7000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624944November 13, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that valve timing needed to be completed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the engine had since started making an abnormal knocking sound. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine connecting rod bearings were failing and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624954November 13, 2024
ENGINE
My 2016 Honda Pilot started making a terrible clacking sound when I was driving it a few weeks ago. I brought it into my local auto mechanic and he told me the sound was coming from the engine and that it would probably have to be replaced but that he did not do that work. He told me it would be dangerous to drive, and that I should have it towed to another repair shop that does engine work to confirm his opinion. I did, and they did confirm that it would need a new engine. I then had it towed to a Honda dealership for a final opinion, in hopes that they could give me a break on putting in a new engine since my car was out of warranty but only had less than 75,000 miles on it, relatively low for engine problems. They did confirm that I would need a new engine and stated that it may be a rod. I have always gotten regular oil changes, and have not had many other problems with the car. They had been giving me the run around regarding paying for anything, and the other day refused outright to pay for anything. I have been without a car for 3 weeks now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624973November 13, 2024
ENGINE
While driving a knocking sound started progressively getting worse. I took it into the Honda dealership. They said I had the same engine rod problem as covered by the recall, but my VIN wasn't covered. I was told driving it was dangerous and it could lose power at anytime.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624983November 13, 2024
ENGINE
The vehicle was not functioning properly and was running badly on Friday 10/25/2024. The SUV was dropped off at Reeves Honda on 10/26/2024. Vehicle was picked up from the Honda dealership on 10/28/2024. The dealership service department reported a transmission code and the transmission and , torque converter would need to be replaced. Additionally, a failing AC compressor was noted and spark plugs needed to be changed at 100,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 87,100 miles. On 11/3/2024 the spark plugs were replaced by myself. The car was test, drove and appeared to be running fine. However, the engine continues to have a mild knocking sound. They did not appear to be any issue with the Transmission/gear-shifting and appeared to be smooth. On 11/7/2024 while my son was driving to school suddenly stopped at the intersection of Davis and precinct line. A tow truck was required to tow the vehicle back to our home. After close inspection of starter alternator, battery, and virtually all fuses and relays without indication of problem. Code reader was applied to the ODB port and no codes were seen. An attempt to rotate engine was unsuccessful, indicating a seized or locked engine. On 11/13/2024 call to dealership for advice. The dealership denies any engine issues or any complaints of engine issues however, in their paperwork it specifically states that customer indicated a check engine light during the event on 10/25/2024 and that the engine was not idling and had a knocking sound. When the vehicle was driven to the Honda dealership on 10/26/24. To be running extremely with the very mild knocking sound again noted from the engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625018November 13, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the same diagnostic result was provided to the contact. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 78,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625049November 13, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that his wife was driving at 35 MPH when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance informing the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall and the repairs were completed by an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was 135,830.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625074November 13, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Purchase Honda Certified with around 38,000 miles. Within days of owning became apparent there were drivetrain issues. In higher gears while cruising at speeds between 25 and 60 MPH, the car would pulse -- the speed goes up and down and the tachometer indicated same with RPM pulsing. I've had the vehicle at the dealership shop 7 times and very little was done to remedy. Very nearly one year later - near the end of the extended warranty they finally correctly identified, acknowledged and made an attempt to solve with a triple flush of the transmission fluid. That seems to have solved the pulsing issue, but a couple months later the transmission began making a loud clunking judder noise when shifting lower gears while accelerating. Also apparent the transmission is slipping. Very poor gas mileage and tach shows unreasonably high RPMs for given speed. Vehicle still has less than 60,000 miles and is undriveable. Been sitting undriven in my driveway for nearly 3 months. Of course the pulsing behavior that was evident for a year was a bit of a driving hazard. Now the clunking transmission is also a hazard. Only a matter of time until there is a major failure. Only once, briefly, have I seen a warning indicator.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625090November 13, 2024
ENGINE
driving on highway engine made a large bang and lunged froward and started to rattle and driver panel lite up with codes and check engine lights . towed to repair shop .. quoted need a new engine . known failure rod issue .... had the vehicle towed to nearest dealership and was told the engine needed to be replaced and contacted Honda America for assistance and said since I did not do all of the repairs at a dealership my product loyalty was not good enough for repair .. this is my third honda . had the engine replaced at 175k total cost of repair was $6,200.00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625093November 13, 2024
ENGINE
I am writing to report a serious issue with my 2016 Honda Pilot. After taking it to 3 mechanics ,the vehicle has been diagnosed with premature rod bearing failure, which I believe could be a safety concern for other owners as well. Despite regular maintenance and care, the rod bearings failed unexpectedly, causing significant engine damage and posing a potential safety risk. I am concerned that this may be a widespread issue affecting other vehicles of the same make and model. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter to determine if there is a manufacturing defect that needs to be addressed. Ensuring the safety and reliability of vehicles on the road is crucial, and I believe this issue warrants attention. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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