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
1,706 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Aug 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSION SUDDENLY OCCURRED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR MIRROR DISLODGED FROM THE MIRROR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIRROR ASSEMBLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT MADE CONTACT WITH ANYTHING TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2019
CAR WON'T START: KEYLESS START PROBLEM ERROR. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY TWO TIMES IN 2 YEARS AND DOESN'T FIX THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2019
KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM ERROR MESSAGE. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT START UNTIL I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Electrical system, Aug 23, 2019
WE HAVE BEEN USING THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. UNTIL THIS WARNING MESSAGE "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM" POPPING UP ON MY DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE CAR IS STILL ABLE TO START WITH PUSH BUTTON JUST FINE BUT IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING THAT IT MIGHT BE ONE DAY THAT THE CAR WON'T START. AFTER DOING THE RESEARCH FROM INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS CAR AFTER 30K OR AFTER 3 YEARS. WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS TO HAVE THE HONDA DEALER TO FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT COST (RECALL) BECAUSE THE WARRANTY OF THIS CAR IS ALREADY EXPIRED.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 19, 2019
THE HONDA PILOT HAS A FEATURE CALLED AUTO ENGINE IDLE STOP. TO MEET EMISSION STANDARDS, THIS FEATURE PUTS THE ENGINE INTO A STOP/OFF MODE WHEN YOU BRAKE FOR MORE THAN 3 SECONDS. HOWEVER, THIS FEATURE SOMETIMES CAUSES THE CAR BATTERY TO FAIL AND THE CAR TO STALL. THIS COULD HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR ON A HIGHWAY STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. IF THE BATTERY HASN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO RECHARGE, THE CAR MIGHT STALL AND NEED TO BE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, WAIT A WHILE AND MAYBE WILL RESTART. WE BOUGHT OUR CAR IN LATE 2015. THE ISSUE PRESENTED ITSELF BY 2016/2017, MOSTLY AS BRIEF BLIPS AND THE CAR WOULD RESTART. IN SUMMER 2018, AFTER REPEATED VISITS TO HONDA AND NUMEROUS TIMES OF THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WE CHOSE TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. OUR HONDA SERVICE CENTERS KEPT TELLING US THAT THE BATTERY TESTS SHOWED IT WAS FINE AND THAT THE FEATURE ISN'T SUPPOSE TO ENGAGE IF THE BATTERY DOESN'T HAVE "ENOUGH JUICE" TO RESTART. BUT CLEARLY, THAT DOESN'T WORK, BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD INDEED COMPLETELY STALL AND NEED TO TRY TO RESTART. I ONCE HAD TO WAIT FIVE MINUTES STUCK AT A LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 LANE ROAD, AND MY CAR FINALLY RESTARTED. BUT ONCE WE PAID TO REPLACE THE BATTERY (THAT SUPPOSEDLY WAS FINE), THE CAR DIDN'T BLIP OR STALL. BUT ONE YEAR LATER, IT STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL JUST BLIP, WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONING WILL BRIEFLY CUT OUT AND THEN COME BACK ON AS THE FEATURE RE-ENGAGES THE ENGINE. BUT SOMETIMES, IT JUST WON'T RESTART. THERE IS A BUTTON YOU CAN HIT TO DISABLE THE AUTO ENGINE IDLE STOP FEATURE. BUT YOU MUST REMEMBER TO HIT EVERY TIME YOU START THE CAR. IF YOU FORGET, ALL IT TAKES IS STOPPING AT ONE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR COULD STALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS FEATURE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2019
SEEING AN ISSUE WITH FUEL INJECTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR IT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2019
FACTORY STEREO. I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO LIA HONDA IN ENFIELD TO SEE WHY THE FACTORY RADIO WORKS FOR EVERYTHING BUT THE SIRIUS XM RADIO. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD NEED A NEW ANTENNA AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG. CAR HAS 58827 MILES ON IT AND IS A 2016. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 750 DOLLARS TO REPLACE MY ANTENNA.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 13, 2019
WHEN ENGINE AUTO IDLE IS ENGAGED, INSTEAD OF RE-ENGAGING WHEN FOOT REMOVED FROM BRAKE, THE CAR STALLS IN ONE OF THREE WAYS. GRADE 1, THE FAN AND RADIO SHUT OFF BUT THE ENGINE ENGAGES ONCE GAS IS APPLIED. GRADE 2, THE FAN, RADIO AND ENGINE SHUT OFF BUT RESTART ONCE GAS IS APPLIED. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS THEN APPEAR ON THE DASH. GRADE 3, EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL YOU SHIFT INTO PARK AND PRESS THE START BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN CARS EXPECT YOU TO BE MOVING AND YOU'RE STALLED OUT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THESE INCIDENTS AND HAVE PROVIDED THEM TO THE HONDA DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Aug 12, 2019
AN ERROR WITH THE "KEYLESS START SYSTEM" KEEPS RE-OCCURRING. AN ERROR CODE "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM" SHOWS UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RE-SET THE COMPUTER (FOR A PRICE), BUT ERROR CODE RETURNED 24 HOURS LATER. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2016 HONDA PILOTS.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 9, 2019
VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESTART AFTER AUTO IDLE STOP ENGAGES WHEN IN STOP-GO TRAFFIC ON FREEWAY OR WHEN STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, RESULTING IN A STALLED VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY OR INTERSECTION. ATTEMPTS TO MANUALLY RESTART THE VEHICLE GENERALLY SUCCESSFUL AFTER FRANTICALLY (OR SLOWLY!) PUSHING THE START-STOP BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES. VIDEO DOCUMENTING ISSUE AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://1DRV.MS/V/S!AQY6PDPSAKNNNN5FXRZ2NGSTMND0CG (ADDITIONAL VIDEOS AVAILABLE). ISSUE ONGOING SINCE ~ OCTOBER 2018. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY & ENGINE START-STOP BUTTON TO NO AVAIL.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2019
VEHICLE IS GIVING KEYLESS START PROBLEM ERROR. VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO START (TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START). KEY FOB BATTERY REPLACED, CAR BATTERY REPLACED. IT IS INTERMITTENT BUT OCCURS WITH BOTH KEY FOBS. IT OCCURS AT VARIOUS TIMES OF DAY, AFTER SITTING FOR VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF TIME. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS STATIONARY AS IT IS PARKED AND OFF BEFORE STARTING.
Electrical system, Aug 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA PILOT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT DIFFERENT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF AND RESTART THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HONDA CARLAND (LOCATED AT 11085 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076, (770) 993-2805) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Power train, Aug 3, 2019
WHEN I COME TO A STOP, THE AUTO STOP FEATURE TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, IF I TRY TO GO AT THE SAME MOMENT IT TURNS OFF, THE CAR STALLS. IT IS VERY RARE BUT HAS HAPPENED 2-4 TIMES. THE CAR STARTS AGAIN BUT IT TAKES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 30, 2019, crash
I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AS A "CERTIFIED PRE OWNED BY HONDA" AND FOUR DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, IN "PARK" WHEN I HIT THE START/STOP ENGINE BUTTON AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START. ALARMS STARTED TO GO OFF SO I ASSUMED IT WAS THE KEY WAS STILL INSIDE THE HOUSE. AS I WENT INSIDE TO CHECK, MAYBE A FEW SECONDS, WHEN I WENT BACK OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS GONE. I FOUND IT IN MY FRONT YARD. IT HAD ROLLED OFF WHILE IN PARK WITHOUT ENGINE ON. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO HONDA, DAYS LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE START/STOP ENGINE SYSTEM AND THAT IT ALSO NEEDED THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM REPLACED. ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND THE PHOTO I TOOK OF THE VEHICLE STILL IN PARK WHEN I FOUND IT IN MY FRONT YARD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2019
THE BOARD IS SHOWING THIS MESSAGE AFTER I TURN THE ENGINE ON: KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2019
THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THE LOCK FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK WHEN YOU WALK AWAY FROM THE CAR. IT BEEPS ONCE, BUT DOES NOT LOCK. CONTINUE TO GET THE MESSAGE "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM". THE SCREEN (FOR RADIO AND SUCH) GOES BLACK. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. I CAN OPEN MY CAR DOOR AND IT WILL SAY "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM BEFORE I EVEN START THE CAR.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2019
THE KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR STILL STARTED BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN THE WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM ITSELF.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2019
KEYLESS START SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF,AUTOMATIC LOCKS DONT WORK ANYMORE
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 25, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AWD SYSTEM LIGHT BOTH SPORADICALLY ON AND SLUGGISH ACCELAERATION - DISC IWTH MECHANIC, AFTER INSPECTION AND RESEARCH - FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY NEEDING REPLACMENT LESS THAN 3 YEARS OWNERSHIP, ACCORDING OT MECHANIC, HONDA DELAERSHIPS KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ARE SELLING A LOT OF FUEL INJECTOR SYSTEM AND AN ADDITIONAL REQUIRED PART
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 24, 2019
MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 50K MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I RECEIVE A DASHBOARD MESSAGE THAT SAYS "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM" WHEN I TURN ON THE VEHICLE. THE MESSAGE STAYS DISPLAYED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON, AND WILL ONLY GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF.
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2019
MY 2016 HONDA PILOT HAS STARTED DISPLAYING "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM" ON DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STILL OPERATES NORMALLY WITH EXCEPTION OF NOTICE ON THE DASHBOARD. I'VE RESEARCHED AND NUMEROUS OTHER 2016 HONDA PILOTS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION.
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2019
KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE ERROR MESSAGE COMES AND GOES OVER THE LAST WEEK. WHAT'S CONCERNING IS THE REPORTS OF THE ENTIRE CAR TURNING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING OR IDLING. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2016 HONDA PILOTS YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2019
BACK UP CAMERA NOT WORKING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
2016 HONDA PILOT BEGAN DISPLAYING "KEYLESS START SYSTEM PROBLEM" ON DASH BOARD AFTER STARTING CAR. VEHICLE STILL OPERATES NORMALLY MINUS THE WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE ON DASH. NUMEROUS OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND YEAR.
Power train, Jul 22, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKY AND CLUNKY IN LOWER GEARS. OFTEN WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST AND SECOND GEARS THE PILOT JERKS AND MISFIRES. HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, BUT CONSISTENTLY. STARTED AROUND 25 -30K MILES AND GETTING WORSE.