Honda Pilot Complaints (2016)

1,724 consumer complaints on file.

#11527115June 14, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525946June 8, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Transmission has continued to have ongoing kickback issues from 1st to second gear and 2nd to 3rd gear. As well as multiple hesitating accelerations from a stop to go. Safety is at risk due to intersection turns which require acceleration that the pilot transmission at times can’t produce.. no warning lamps to show there are issues with the transmission. Have taken it into a shop only to hear “ 2016 honda pilots have transmission issues, kink wasn’t worked out until 2018” which is never a good answer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525451June 5, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Unintended Acceleration While at a standstill , on a hill, holding a foot on the break pedal , I lifted my foot from the break pedal to drift forward down the hill, (without ever getting near the gas pedal ) The car accelerated at a very high RPM. I pressed down on the break pedal to stop the car, but it was at such a high RPM rate that I was unable to stop the vehicle from hitting another vehicle in front of me, caroming off of it and my vehicle landed atop a hugh shrub suspending it several feet in the air. My vehicle was totaled and the vehicle it hit was severely damaged. There were no serious bodily injuries to any passengers in either vehicle. There are two issues here. The unintented acceleration, and the inability of the breaks to stop the vehicle.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524814June 1, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
2016 HONDA PILOT ELITE- Consumer is writing to about the exceptional service provided at the motor company after a software update. After the motor company installed TSB 23-0087, PGM-FI Idle Stop Software Update on the consumers vehicle, the vehicle had problems with idle stopping and no auto or cold restart. Consumer lodged a complaint with the motor company. Motor company reached out to the consumer in reference to the issue. Consumer states the motor company went "above & beyond" to fix and assist & fix the issue. Consumer greatly appreciates everything and thinks highly of the motor company "Top Notch" and thank you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524744May 31, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
*The roof molding that runs along the top flat part of the roof from front to back, one on both sides right & left of the car. It is in place to connect and/or cover where the roof & body/ sides come together & were welded. *The safety issue is that it falls off while the car is moving. Mine flew off on a major highway, while driving, which creates a risk to others on the road driving behind the vehicle. *Honda and my vin search is stating it is not recalled. However, there was a 2018 Honda Service Bulletin stating the front end caps are loose & that this was a known issue. My vehicle falls under the: 2016 Pilot, All Trim models & all vin ranges was included. But Honda is not honoring this because the vin# is not pulling up a recall. The updated notice from Honda is stating some vin#s but mine flew off due to the issues with the clips & the other side that’s still intact is actually loose in the front & I have to be mindful & remember to keep Che king to press it down & back in place or possibly tape it down. * dealership looked at the vehicle and confirmed that they were simple clipped on and known (2016-2017) to be an issue of them falling off. Advised me to cover until I can repair it, to prevent moisture, rust & possible future internal water damage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524416May 30, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. My moonroof/sunroof will not close. when trying to close it, it comes close to closing then opens up again. Tried to close multiple times and the same result. Then I tried to hold down the wind deflector as it closes and hope not to pinch my finger. after trying that multiple times, I was able to close my moonroof/sunroof. 2. with a moonroof unable to close, weather could come in and compromise the safety of everyone in the car. Further, holding down the wind deflector while trying to close could injure someone if the timing is not right. 3. Have not taken it to dealer yet. 4. Has not been inspected yet. 5. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure of closing moonroof.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523011May 20, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. When Engine Idle Stop is engaged vehicle cuts off or stalls when you let up off of brakes. - Honda could not tell me why it was doing it. - no warning -car cut off completely in the middle of traffic at a stop light during rush hour. I was able to get it to cut back on after 2 minutes. - I fear for the safety of my family while in this vehicle. 2. Malfunction of stereo system cause a continuous screeching static sound through speakers. GPS and all other voice function stop working at this time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522964May 19, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
keyless control module, alarm Goes off randomly with headlights coming on, draining the battery.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522523May 17, 2023
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Rear glass window exploded outward. It was parked in the parking lot and was not forcefully shut or anything. Luckily, I was not driving when this happened and no one was hurt but it was very odd. No extreme temperatures. No extreme pressure from inside the vehicle. It is very unusual what happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521968May 15, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When car is locked alarm sporadically goes off on its own also when the headlights are set to auto and the car is turned off the headlights will come on sporadically and drain the battery. Having electrical components come on on their own is obviously a safety concern. The dashboard lights and warning icons will also flicker. There have been numerous complaints of this kind on the Honda Pilot forum Piloteers.Org
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522012May 15, 2023
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
When coming to a stop and the engine idle stop is activated the car will sometimes die. The car will then need to be shifted into park after a complete reset of the system in order to start. Very dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520974May 8, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The keyless start systems problem light has been on for about a month and sometimes I have issues starting the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520690May 5, 2023
POWER TRAIN
Torque converter on transmission failed at 86,643 miles. This is a common problem on most Honda Pilots
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519409April 28, 2023
ENGINE
2016 HONDA PILOT ELITE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO IDLE STOP RESTART PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517405April 17, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unless I remember to disable "Auto engine idle stop" my car will die at a light or any place I'm stopped. A bunch of random lights or warnings flash across the dashboard , brake won't push in, and I am unable to put it in neutral for my vehicle to be moved off the road or interstate. I have had cops park behind my completely dead vehicle stating "I just want to make sure the other cars on the road stay off your back so you don't get hit" all while we figure out why we can't even put it in neutral just to move it. We then have to jump-start it to get it moving again with no promises it will either start or stay on once started. Because this has happened multiple times, my vehicle has now been having issues starting at random, once happening the afternoon of 4/16/2023 after it wasn't driven the day before. My battery and alternator have both been checked and are excellent condition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516971April 13, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When car is off and locked, alarm will go off unexpectedly. There is a repeated clicking noise and the lights on the dash will flicker and it sounds and appears like the car is trying to start itself. Very disconcerting to have an electrical issue, particularly where the car seems to want to start itself. Also can’t lock it overnight as alarm will continuously go off. Problem is all over owner forums for 2016 Pilots. Honda needs to investigate. Dealer tried to fix but doesn’t seem able to identify issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516134April 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The cars emergency horn will go on for no reason and the dashboard lights will flicker on and off. Honda dealer has my car and the part is back ordered now for 2 weeks and they don’t know when it is coming in. I have been reading several issues with this. This needs to be recalled with so many having issues and it being about $800.00 to repair
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515768April 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While traveling from northern Illinois to Sarasota, FL, vehicle transmission stopped functioning along I-75 near Tifton, GA. It had been raining the entire trip. No one was injured. We were passing a vehicle in the left lane, and without any warning the transmission just stopped. We couldn’t accelerate. We coasted to the shoulder. We couldn’t put the vehicle into park. 2 warning lights/messages came up: emissions system failure and AWD system failure. We turned off the car, waited 10 minutes, then drove to the nearest exit and turned off the car for an additional 45 minutes. The Honda Dealership in Sarasota said it needed a software upgrade. After paying for the upgrade we learned from a previous Honda engineer that it’s a known problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515504April 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
My sunroof glass spontaneously exploded. It was not hit by an object nor were temperatures extreme. Had my inside sunroof visor not been closed, the broken glass would’ve fallen on the vehicle occupants causing injury. I received a minor glass cut will taping the glass so that the vehicle could be driven home. The issue has been reported to insurance but no inspections have yet been made nor were police reports filed. There were no warning signs prior to the glass explosion, just a loud pop as the glass began popping up and cracking. I watched it happen from outside the car. Little pieces popped up onto the roof, then a wave went through the glass, portions fell into the sunroof, and then cracks ran though the entire pane. After researching, I learned this is a known glass defect issue with certain makes and models. I am fortunate that I had just parked; if I had been driving, the glass could’ve fallen into the car inurying occupants or could’ve flown off the car and hit other cars or pedestrians.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514017March 27, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Auto idle stop randomly fails to restart engine when attempting to accelerate from stop. After coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not restart. While in heavy traffic on interstates the failure to restart creates panic. Car stalls to neutral. Car must be turned off and restarted and then shifted to drive in order to accelerate. Same at traffic lights, or turn lanes, on hills, a sudden shut down requiring a complete restart. There are several steps required to get the vehicle to restart. This takes several seconds (enough time that traffic lights cycle). This results in following vehicles attempting to pass if a lane is available, angry motorists, and panicked driver. Car has been inspected by dealer but there is no fix for the problem. There are no warning lights or indicators that the system will or is about to fail. The problem apparently does not create any kind of “code” in the system. The only solution is to turn the system off each and every time you start the vehicle. The system cannot be legally disabled and by default it is always on when vehicle is started. This problem began approximately 18 months ago when the vehicle had @ 90k miles. Honda recently announced a software update and a warranty extension regarding the problem. The software update has been completed on the vehicle. However the problem continues. Honda’s apparent solution is to extend the warranty on the parts involved - the starter, or starter relays, or adjust the valves on the engine. But there is no “fix” for the problem. We are told to simply “continue to monitor”.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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