Honda Pilot Complaints (2016)

1,724 consumer complaints on file.

#11682384August 22, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2017: transmission replacement UW 2021: Vehicle stopped/ lost power on I44 at a speed of 70 mph. I immediately pulled over and called Roper on a recorded line per roper Honda. Took it to roper- needs a new motor. 2021: motor replacement Not UW 2024: vehicle was called in about hatch defect . Apparently, Roper reports that it is fixed yet- it IS NOT. I was unaware of the rods recall. That would explain why I need another motor. 2025: motor is knocking. Not UW 2025: AIS: vehicle has stalled at busy intersections after an idle stop. Scary when you have a car full of kids and your car doesn’t want to go. Now the car will just loose power and not start at a stop light regularly. I paid $43,000 for a vehicle that may have all the bells and whistles but it is complete trash to say the least. I have records of all of the work, issues, and roper has recorded calls that could be supenaded. ROPER HONDA JOPlIN MO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682468August 22, 2025
ENGINE
Engine started knocking going down highway then shut off imeediatly. Dealer said engine needs replaced due to rod bearings. Dealer also said there was a recall for this exact issue but only certain VIN numbers were included. How can an engine type have the same issue but not be included in the recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682060August 21, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
I was pulling into a parking space. Hit the brake. Instead of stopping, the car accelerated, jumping a curb and barreling across into another business drive. It hit a sign and a stone garbage can, which caused the car to recognize a collision and automatically go into park which caused it to stop. If it hadn’t been for the stone garbage can, it would have gone through the store window where people were sitting. Luckily at that moment there wasnt a car parked in the space or something coming down the road. Because I didn’t understand what was happening , so I looked at my foot to see if I had pushed down on the gas instead of the brake. My foot was firmly on the brake. I talked to the local Honda dealership. They had never seen that issue before. They said they could do the diagnostic which I would have to pay for, but couldn’t promise it would show what happened. I also called Honda customer service. They started a claim, but also would do nothing unless diagnostics showed the problem and also said it may not. I was very fortunate that i didn’t kill or seriously harm someone. I am now scared to drive the vehicle. If I had not looked at my foot to see where it was placed, I would say possibly driver error; but I know it wasn’t. My foot was on the brake
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11681960August 20, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, the contact attempted to drive forward, and the vehicle lurched forward and then hesitated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the camshaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681491August 19, 2025
ENGINE
While merging onto the highway at about 45 mph the vehicle started to shake, stall, fail to respond and make a horrific noise. This caused a traffic situation as the car would not correctly get up to speed thereby affecting my merge and those behind me. I took the vehicle to my local dealer and upon completing an engine teardown I was advised that the connecting rod bearing had failed. When I asked how this could have happened I was told that I was "unlucky and got a defective part." The dealer quoted me about $18k for a replacement engine and actually discouraged me from proceeding with the repair. The vehicle body, interior and all components are in very satisfactory state and earlier in the year I ran a KBB report to value it. Those reports ranged from $12k - $16k. Ultimately, due to this situation not only were my daughter and I in danger but I lost any value.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11681073August 16, 2025
ENGINE
Engineer appears to have seized while driving in the mountains. I was able to pull off to the side but the steering and braking was very hard and we were going 55mph with a car full on our way back from camping. I had my family in the car and I’m thankful there wasn’t a disaster that happened due to the failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680895August 15, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car staring jerking and engine seized up while i was driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680450August 13, 2025
ENGINE
We purchased our 2106 Honda Pilot Elite new in 2016. In 2022, I was driving the car and heard a rattling noise after accelerating at a stop light. I took it to Honda and they determined the engine failed and we need a new one. Our engine went out at only 80,000 miles. I experienced other issues with the Pilot; getting stalled at stop lights due to the auto idle engine stop and the start was by far the worst. Honda repaired the start button, but it did not fix the issue. The next time they said my battery was bad, they were wrong because I purchased a new battery a few months prior. The auto tailgate and sunroof worked about 60%. The next thing we did was file a claim with Honda Corporate. Case number ending in 7316 We provided every receipt requested and hand-delivered them to the service manager at Honda Schaumburg. Ultimately our claim was denied.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679890August 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact was unsure if the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed, causing catastrophic damage to the engine. In addition, there were metal shavings inside the engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679995August 11, 2025
ENGINE
Driving home on a Thursday evening and experienced engine knocking sound(only heard when pulling into garage) after 30 minute drive of mixed highway and street driving. Shut down car and restarted engine. Engine knocking sound occurs just above normal idle rpm and also when rpm is going back down(deceleration) Advised spouse not to drive car until it is diagnosed. Not ideal due to a family vacation the following week. Drove very slowly to dealer on Sunday evening for a Monday mid day diagnosis appointment. Suv did have a check engine light on ( Thursday) but did go away after sitting over weekend(sunday night drop off) Honda Dealer diagnosed my engine has a damaged connecting rod bearing on cylinder #6. The dealer then proceeded to quote around $12,000 USD to replace the engine with a used engine with 115,000 miles on it already. The quote also has individual cost to replace the timing belt, water pump, coolant, hydraulic tensioner on the used motor. My vehicle has 141,000 miles. I estimate the value of the car to be around $12-14k. I am an ASE Master Certified Technician who at one point did work for a Honda Dealer. I am very familiar and comfortable with the manufacturer. I have owned 7 Honda/Acura vehicles over my lifetime. I have meticulously cared for this vehicle as I am now older with a family (3 kids)that relies on this SUV. Never once has the oil life reminder been below 10%. Honda brand Transmission fluid, Front axle fluid, Rear diff fluid (purchased from Honda)x2 and of course all oil changes done by me. I am a believer in not trusting anyone putting any brand oil/fluids in your vehicle. Vehicle has not seen anything else besides Mobil-1 full synthetic and Honda brand filters. This combo has served me well in my 6 other Honda/ Acura vehicles. With all that being said, I strongly believe this Pilot should be included in the connecting rod bearing recall that is currently affecting other 2016 model year Pilots. My VIN is not included.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679279August 8, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle violently shook, vibrated, decelerated, and stalled. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the local Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The diagnostic test revealed failures with the ECM and ECU, and the camshaft sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678821August 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE
The vehicle has started displaying numerous codes/error messages on the display. Vehicle jerks while attempting to accelerate and loses power. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a camshaft, stating the camshaft, timing belt, camshaft thrust cover, and spark plugs would all need to be replaced. They also said this may have caused damage to the converter, which will not be known until other repairs are made. This is apparently a common and widespread issue with these Hondas despite no recall being issued.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678740August 6, 2025
ENGINE
The engine on my 2016 Honda Pilot needs to be replaced. It started to have a rattle, and my local mechanic diagnosed it as an issue with the connecting rod bearing. Honda issued a recall for this type of failure mode for Honda Pilots built in May and June of 2016, but mine was built in September of 2016. Honda says the recall does not cover my vehicle, even though the failure mode is similar. I performed all standard maintenance on this vehicle, yet it failed well short of its expected life.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678255August 4, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678006August 2, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
At high rate of speed on two lane road the hood would lift when another vehicle coming from the other direction. was driving cross country when this first happen. Call the local dealer who looked up by vin an showed no recall. They wanted me to come in and pay out of pocket repair. I feel this should be a recall because if you look it up by year it shows there is a problem with either the hood or hood latch.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677770August 1, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a complete stop in a drive thru, the vehicle started shuddering and stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart 40 minutes later after several attempts; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at 55 MPH, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,440.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677832August 1, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 68 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated. There was an abnormal odor detected. The contact was able to take the exit ramp. The engine light illuminated, and the vehicle became inoperable. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was jumpstarted, and the contact was informed about an engine replacement. The vehicle was diagnosed with a split crank shaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that no additional assistance would be provided. The manufacturer was no longer returning phone calls. The failure mileage was approximately 237,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677681July 31, 2025
ENGINE
I am writing to formally report a serious and dangerous mechanical failure that occurred while I was driving my 2016 Honda Pilot, which was later diagnosed by a certified Bell Honda dealership as a rod bearing failure. On July 25 2025, I was driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph when, without warning, the vehicle began to shake violently, and I lost power and control of the car. The engine began making a loud knocking sound, and the vehicle decelerated rapidly, creating a hazardous situation in the middle of high-speed traffic. I narrowly avoided a collision while attempting to safely maneuver the car to the shoulder of the road. After the vehicle was towed to my home and to Bell Honda Dealership when they open, their inspection confirmed that the engine had suffered a rod bearing failure, which ultimately led to catastrophic engine damage. I was informed that the entire engine would need to be replaced at significant cost. This vehicle has been regularly maintained, including a recent [60K/other] mile service. It has never missed scheduled maintenance, and I have always followed Honda’s service recommendations. Despite this, I was told my VIN is not included in any current recall, even though this type of failure is a well-documented issue for 2016 Honda Pilots and is currently under NHTSA investigation. Honda of America has since denied my goodwill repair request, citing the age of the vehicle — despite the clear evidence that this was not due to owner neglect, but due to a manufacturing defect that poses a major safety risk. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed carefully, as it represents not just a financial burden, but a life-threatening mechanical failure. I am pursuing further action, including reporting this to the NHTSA, filing through BBB Auto Line, and seeking legal counsel if necessary. Please contact me if you need additional documentation, including the dealership’s diagnosis, repair estimates, maintenance records.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676883July 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel injection system routinely fails or misfires. Not only does this cause an issue with said system but it also triggers a host of other dashboard alerts. The alerts display all wheel drive problem, emission system problem, power steering problem, hill start problem, vehicle stability assist problem. This is a safety issue because the amount of alerts especially unrelated alerts is obfuscating any actual problems and making it difficult to diagnose the real issue. Investigation shows many other drivers having the same issues with this model only going away when the fuel injection system is replaced. It's also safety issue because if the fuel injection is failing then the car may shut off at a danger to the driver and the public. Given that it is known and chronic it should be a recall
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675745July 23, 2025
ENGINE
Engine seized, mechanic mentioned potential connecting rod bearing failure. Was on freeway when car started to malfunction. Car was immediately taken to trusted mechanic and issue was found. Towed to additional mechanic following that. Honda dealership/service center was called regarding recalls on other 2016 Honda pilots engine seizures and no response yet, want to have car inspected by them if possible.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Honda Pilot