2016 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,706 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 23 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 20 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalNov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Campaign 23V751000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hoodNov 29, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Campaign 21V932000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageMar 30, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KE8.
Campaign 17V219000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyJun 9, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
Campaign 16V417000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelOct 16, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015. In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic stability control systems", number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 138, "Tire pressure monitoring systems".
If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.
Campaign 15V668000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherJul 6, 2015
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.
If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the rear third row seat belt, free of charge. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JS7.
Campaign 15V424000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
579 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Sep 2, 2021
Keyless start system problem on the screen when starting the car
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2021
Keyless start system problem appeared at about 40K miles. Now auto lock feature doesn’t work. At 45k miles now it’s appeared again and doesn’t go away. Many other owners of same car report similar issue apparently
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 21, 2021
The car was traveling on a highway and stopped responding while quickly decelerating all the while rolling through all of the warning sign sign screens. Luckily was in I side lane and able to hop curb to pull off to shoulder. Every time we take to dealer they claim it’s a known problem and “reboot” system. Then seems to work ok for a while. This is the fifth or sixth time taking back to dealer. This time almost caused an accident. I’m starting to think the vehicle is not fit to be on the road.
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2021
Keyless Start System error in the 2016 causes a risk of being stranded without the ability to start vehicle. There is no option on the car to use a manual key for starting. You can get the door open with a manual key, but not operate the car engine. There is nothing wrong with the engine. It’s a safety issue.
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2021
Remote key start error
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2021
The vehicle is starting itself in accessory mode. It is completely off, no one around, no one touching the key fobs, and it will just try to start itself. Because no one is inside of the car pressing the brake, it just defaults to accessory mode. The vehicle is just turning itself on by itself. When the vehicle is locked, this triggers the alarm.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2021
Got a “Keyless Start System Problem” message on the display board. Changed the batteries in the key fobs and the message won’t clear.
Electrical system, Jun 8, 2021
At a stop light the vehicle will intermittently, during the idle stop sequence, not restart. I have had it to the dealer for this problem where the outcome was NTF. I had the battery replaced and the vehicle still does this on occasion. In order to restart it must be placed in park, powered down, powered back up and then you can restart. This process on average takes 15 to 20 seconds. In a busy intersection this is very stressful as cars behind you start to honk and yell as you try and keep your cool to go through the restart process.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 2, 2021
Emission problem system keeps lighting up, going to service with Honda 3x times but engine light keeps popping up, replaced knock sensor failure at first, then still pop up, they figured out now it’s 2 bank failure, need to replace engine harness and knock sensors sub harness, p0328, p0333. It will cause acceleration problem
Electrical system, May 31, 2021
I get a keyless start system error that hasn’t been fixed with changing out the battery on the remote. From reading about this, it is a major issue with the Honda Pilots
Electrical system, May 30, 2021
"remote start system Problem" is displayed and starting and shutoff of vehicle
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, May 7, 2021
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO SHUT OFF AND RESTART FEATURE. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT A STOPLIGHT OR IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN DOES NOT RESTART AUTOMATICALLY AS IT SHOULD. THE VEHICLE MUST BE POWERED OFF AND ON MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY SENSOR OR SOME THING. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP HAS PROVIDED NO EXPLANATION EXCEPT IT'S A BATTERY ISSUE WHICH IT IS NOT CONNECTED AS WE HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC AT A STOPLIGHT IF I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO DISENGAGE THE AUTO RESTART THEN I'LL BE STRANDED WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE CAR. IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT THE LAST 18 MONTHS.
Electrical system, Engine, May 7, 2021
THE ENGINE AUTO/STOP FEATURE HAD FAILED 3 TIMES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE FEATURE TURNS OFF THE ENGINE WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND DOES NOT TURN BACK ON AND DISENGAGES THE CAR.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2021
RECURRING PROBLEM WITH IDLE STOP FEATURE CAUSING CAR ENGINE TO SHUT OFF COMPLETELY (EVEN WHEN DISABLED), RESULTING IN AN ERROR MESSAGE AND REQUIRING THE CAR TO BE TURNED OFF AND ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IF IN AN INTERSECTION WHILE TURNING. HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/HONDA/PILOT/CAR-STALL-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTPS://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/THREADS/ELITE-SHUTS-OFF-AT-STOP-LIGHT.157005/PAGE-13
Electrical system, May 4, 2021
CAR ENGINE TURNED OFF IN DRIVE THRU AND TOOK 1 MINUTE TO RESTART CAR. KEPT PRESSING START BUTTON AND CAR FINALLY STARTED. THIS IS 2ND OR 3RD TIME HAPPENING.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, May 4, 2021
VEHICLE STATIONARY. AUTO ENGINE IDLE ENGAGED. CAR LOSSES POWER. BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL YEAR. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG. NOW ON TWO OCCASIONS, CAR HAS STALLED WHEN BRAKE RELEASED TO RE-ENGAGE ENGINE. CAR GOING INTO SHOP. CAR IS STATIONARY AND BASICALLY STALLS. SOMETIMES POWER LOSS DISABLES COLLISION MITIGATION SYSTEMS
Electrical system, Engine, May 1, 2021
AUTO SHUT OFF WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT WILL NOT RESTART ENGINE. HAD ORANGE RED LIGHT ON DASH SAYING YOU MUST PUT IN PARK AND PRESS BREAK TO AND PRESS START AGAIN. ALSO RADIO WENT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS ALSO. IT ALSO HAS BEEN HESITANT TO ACCELERATE AFTER AUTO SHUT OFF STARTS ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES JUST IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS
Electrical system, Apr 24, 2021
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED IT CERTIFIED USED FROM GOUDY HONDA 626.576.1114 ON 11/13/2019. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AT TIME OF VEHICLE'S PURCHASE. I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR LESS THAN 2000 MILES SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE STALLING ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES EACH BEING PROGRESSIVELY MORE ACUTE THAN THE PREVIOUS. I FIRST REPORTED THIS TO LONG BEACH HONDA AT MY SERVICE APT ON 10/15/2020. AT THAT TIME THE ISSUE WAS A HESITATION WHEN THE AUTO IDLE WOULD ENGAGE AT A RED LIGHT, IT WOULD START AFTER A SECOND OR TWO OF DELAY. TO COPE, WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE HABIT OF USING THE AUTO-OFF BUTTON BELOW THE GEAR SELECTOR. HOWEVER, THE LAST TWO TIME I HAVE FILLED UP FUEL AND GOT IN TO DRIVE OFF I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO 'PUSH THE BUTTON.' TODAY I FORGOT TO PUSH THE BUTTON AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, WHEN MY CAR STALLED AND REFUSED TO START BACK UP. I NOTICED IN THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE CAR GEAR SELECTOR WENT TO NEUTRAL. THE DANGER WAS I WAS ON A DOWN HILL SLOP AND ROLLED INTO TRAFFIC AS I MISSED MY WINDOW TO PULL OUT HAD MY CAR STARTED UP PROPERLY. THE DASH DISPLAYED THE PUSH BRAKE AND PUSH START MESSAGE. THAT DID NOTHING. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK USING THE PARK BUTTON AND THEN OPEN MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. AFTER I CLOSED THE DOOR THE CAR BEHAVED NORMAL AND STARTED WITHOUT ISSUE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY, THAT THE DRIVER HEADING AT MY DOOR WAS AWARE ENOUGH TO MITIGATE A MUCH WORSE TURN OF EVENTS. I WILL AGAIN REPORT THIS TO LONG BEACH HONDA WHEN THEY OPEN ON MONDAY. SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER MODEL OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RESOLUTION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE. I WILL BE INSTALLING A DASH CAM TO TRY AND CAPTURE THIS WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. ONCE THAT IS COMPLETE, I WILL HAVE A COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION OF THE CASE TO FORWARD TO COUNSEL. LEMON LAW.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2021
KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM ERROR MESSAGE.
Electrical system, Apr 13, 2021
VEHICLE DOES NOT RE-START AND APPEARS TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL OUTAGE (ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE RADIO SHUTS OFF) AFTER "IDLE OFF" FEATURE IS ACTIVATED (MEANING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE) AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TAKES 2-3 TRIES TO RE-START BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON. SO VERY DANGEROUS WHEN I'M AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, AND ESPECIALLY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR AND I CAN NOT MOVE. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ALMOST ALL OF THE TIME. I HAD TO TURN OFF THIS FEATURE FOR SAFETY REASONS OR RISK BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. TWO YEARS AGO I HAD A HONDA DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND AN ISSUE. I CHOSE THE MOST RECENT DATE OF OCCURRENCE (YESTERDAY) FOR THIS FORM BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 4 YEARS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 45,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2021
2016 HONDA PILOT ALARM GOES OFF RANDOMLY/SPORADICALLY WHILE PARKED/LOCKED.
Electrical system, Apr 12, 2021
SPEEDOMETER FLICKERS AND IS NOT WORKING MOST OF THE TIME. AND GOES BLACK MOST OF THE TIME IN MOTION STANDING STILL EVERYWHERE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
A NOTICE HAS STARTED POPPING UP ON MY HONDA PILOT SAYING KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM. BUT MY CAR STILL STARTS. THE ERROR MESSAGE WENT AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS THEN CAME BACK.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 9, 2021
CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER GOING INTO AUTO IDLE STOP.CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF.HAD TO PUT IN PARK AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WOULD START.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2021
WHEN I STOP WITH THE IDLE STOP IN ON THE HONDA PILOT , WHEN RELEASE THE BRAKES THE PILOT DISCHARGE BATTERY AND NEVER TURN ON. THE BATTERY WAS DISCHARGED WHEN IS INSPECTED. NEVER WAKE UP. I NEED TO CHARGE BATTERY AND THEN THE BATTERY IS FUNCTION WITH NO PROBLEM WITH THE IDLE STOP DISABLE. THIS PAST ONLY WITH THE IDLE STOP IS IN ON ONLY. FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE TIMES PASS ME IN TRAFFIC AREA AND IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE NOT TURN ON BRAKES LIGHTS AND SIGNALS LIGHTS. IS A VERY PROBLEM AND ATTEMPT TO SECURITY. HOPEFULLY HELPS. THANKS ALWAYS PAST WHEN RELEASE THE BRAKES PADS AFTER IDLE STOP. NEVER TURN ON AGAIN.