CarComplaints.com Notes: It's worrying when the top category for 2016 Honda Pilot problems are transmission problems. Owners report jerking when accelerating. Also as the first model year of the redesigned 3rd generation Pilot, it's not a good sign.

Honda released a TSB on October 29 2016 that's possibly related. The TSB deals with a "a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch ... while driving between 20 and 60 mph" due to deteriorated transmission fluid resulting from "specific driving conditions". In the TSB, Honda states they are developing a software fix to try to keep the transmission fluid temperature within spec.

We are keeping a close eye on this defect trend because if certain driving conditions can affect transmission shifting in the first year of ownership, we'd hate to think what 10+ years will do.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,967 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Honda Pilot engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 23)

problem #443

Jun 242024

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

With no prior warning while driving on the freeway, two warning messages appeared, Emission systems malfunction and transmission system malfunction.-?? At the same time the D started to blink. We started to lose power to the wheels. Luckily we made it to an off ramp. If this had happened someplace else it could have caused a major accident. We had to have it towed to the Honda dealer. It was caused by a rear bank spool valve failure.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #442

Jul 012022

Pilot

  • miles
July 2022, my wife was in a parking space. She placed the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the parking space. She braked to stop, placed the vehicle in drive and pressed the accelerator. Immediately the car shut off in the middle of the parking lot and the engine light came on. Some strangers helped her push the car out of the way of traffic. She thought the battery died so called USAA and they sent out roadside assistance who tried to jumpstart the battery but it didn't work. The car was towed to the closest Honda dealership and after 30 minutes told us the engine seized. When we asked how that happened, they said they didn't know. Then they tried to buy the car from us, gave us a preprinted buyback flyer and tried to hard sell us into buying a new car. We left and towed it to the Honda dealership where we originally purchased it. They tried to do a full diagnostic, but could not even get into the major components of the engine because it was all seized up, and told us that it would require a new engine. When I asked how this happened, the service manager said neither he nor the mechanic could tell us why or how. They told us to buy a rebuilt engine so we did and paid $8736.80. July 2024, and a friend told me about recall 23V-751. I immediately visited our Honda dealership who told us to open a refund claim with American Honda. American Honda (case#14788790) initially told us our vehicle didn't qualify because its production date was 6/17/2016. We emailed docs/pictures proving the production date of our car is May 16, 2016 and the date of purchase was 6/17/16. Then Honda said the claim was denied because they didn't have proof of oil changes but carfax rpt shows consistent maintenance. Now Honda is saying our VIN doesn't qualify because they use the In Service Date for recall VIN qualification and again claims ours is 6/17/16 (the purchase date) and that there is no record of a transmission flush"!" Honda keeps changing the bar on this recall.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #441

Feb 072019

Pilot

  • miles
The car does the auto shut off then doesn't restart. resulting in a panic to try and restart my car in the middle of an intersection.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #440

Oct 162023

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission issues with jerking and stalling and vehicle showing transmission overheating and improper shifting of gears

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #439

Jun 242024

Pilot

  • miles
I have an active recall on my honda, the fuel pump. I have had symptoms of this problem over the past year even prior to the recall. Bradenton Honda is refusing to do the recall now, stating my car hasn't stalled and there is no light on. They are waiting until FALL to do the recall but there is a long list. They said they can only do recalls on cars that stall. My car has intermittent losses of power when accelerating. I have issues where all the lights on the dash would just turn on and then it disappeared. Now the alternator is dead and a faulty fuel pump can cause this. I don't want to pay twice for a faulty alternator if Honda won't honor the recall. Honda is stating the recall is not really needed and they feel Honda is making customers nervous. I would like you to contact Bradenton honda and have them honor the recall now.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #438

Jun 182024

Pilot

  • miles
Auto-Engine Idle Restart issue. This is the fifth occurrence of this event over several years. After coming to a full stop at a busy intersection with the Auto Engine Idle function engaged, my vehicle's engine automatically stopped as expected but did not re-start as expected after the light turned green. As a result, traffic behind my vehicle was forced to pull out into other lanes (in several instances crossing into on-coming traffic lanes) to proceed through the intersection. Mechanics and dealers have not been able to replicate or diagnose the issue, and there were no warnings or other problems with my vehicle at the times these events occurred.

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #437

Jun 192024

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Internal failure, the bearings on the crankshaft failed. If an engine fails, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of crash, fire and resulting injury. Yes, this appears to be a very common issue with 2016 Honda Pilots. They have a safety recall for a very limited number of VINS associated with this issue. Safety Recall 23-097: Safety Recall: 2016-?"19 Multi-Model Connecting Rod Bearing Stop Sale No warning lights or indicators prior to the issue.

- Pasco, WA, USA

problem #436

Apr 172024

Pilot

  • miles
Honda pilot has multiple warning lights problem. I am an extremely normal and safe driver. However, the warning sign turns on and off again and again. parking collision Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emissions System Problem This happens frequently when turning on the engine or while driving. Even there have been no accidents, no electrical changes, and even the battery was recently replaced. so I went to an auto shop and had it repaired. The car shop also said that there are too many Honda cars with this symptom. However, even after several days, the same symptoms are recurring. Sometimes it's on and sometimes it's off and it's a mess. It's all directly related to safety, so I feel very stressed every time I drive. If a safety warning light comes on while driving, the driver becomes anxious and doubts safety. I google the forum [XXX] ) and found that there were so many drivers experiencing the same symptoms as me, and they were all seriously concerned and threatened about safety. This symptom has continued since this spring. It's stressful every time I turn on the engine. I don't understand why a car that I paid many dollars for has such safety issues. We respectfully request an official problem resolution and recall from Honda. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #435

Jul 152023

Pilot

  • miles
The engine failed in July of 2023. The vehicle was being driven on the freeway and lost complete power. New driver was behind the wheel at night going approximately 70 mph and no warning lights came on until vehicle lost power. Lights and ringing sounds then occured. Vehcile towed to dealership. Confirmed engine seized and could not confirm as to why this occured. Vehicle had coolant, gas and oil. No signs of damage in other parts. Recommendation was to replace enginge. Honda corporation refused to assist with replacing engine. November 12, 2023 recall 23V751000 was issued for engines indicating rod bearing may wear and seize the engine for certain 2016 Honda Pilot. My vehicle was not included in this recall and Honda refuses to assist with reimbursement as states in the recall.

- Brea, CA, USA

problem #434

Jun 172024

Pilot

  • miles
My 2016 Honda pilot with 3.5 engine has known issues for rod bearing failure campaign # 24-001 has failed. In speaking with the Honda Dealership they stated that I needed to call American Honda to get my vin added to the campaign since I have had this issue. American Honda refused to do this and expects me to pay for an engine replacement and possibly get reimbursed later. This is unacceptable. I see many complaints online with the same circumstances. I bought a Honda for reliability but yet this has been a known issue for years and American Honda is not addressing it. I can't afford a new motor. Because this is a manufacturer defect Honda needs to take responsibility. Please help!

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #433

May 272024

Pilot

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Skipping whole driving

- Waterloo, SC, USA

problem #432

Jun 172023

Pilot

  • miles
1.Engine connecting rod bearing failed causing engine to seize. 2.Push button start will not work most of time so cannot start car or shut it off at times Safety: Engine locked up while driving down a 2 lane road with no shoulder. Causing an issues with cars traveling in both directions till i could get vehicle towed. Starting/ shutting off issue is on going. Connecting rod bearing failure was confirmed by dealer, but Honda says my Vin is not part of the recall and will do nothing about it. Had to pay for repairs 7K+ out of my own pocket. I got engine replaced and 6 months later start/ stop button issue is happening and they had a recall for this also that they say my Vin is not included. When engine bearing seized happened suddenly. All lights on dash come on and engine stopped. When tried to restart engine would not turn. They start button issue has a message saying electronic start problem.

- Donnellson, IA, USA

problem #431

Jun 092024

Pilot

  • miles
The vehicle has had so many problems since it was new. We are the only owners this vehicle has always been unsafe. Auto idle has always turned car off and left me stuck in traffic. The engine just failed. Multiple malfunction indicators lights came on flashing D (drive) light, engine light, emissions light. Vehicle was shuddering under acceleration. Vehicle stopped as unsafe and had it towed.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #430

Jun 042024

Pilot

  • miles
Mechanic looked at it and said their is internal engine failure, also known as "Rod Knock". He then advised me to take it to a Honda dealer because of the known recall.

- Irondale, OH, USA

problem #429

Jun 062024

Pilot

  • miles
This is a 9 year old vehicle that should not be stalling and shutting down. I had to be towed twice and have the fuel pumps replaced. Honda feels like they are not responsible. The fuel pump on the 2016 Honda pilot is no good. I should not have to replace the fuel pumps in a 9 year old car. Honda should reimburse myself and several others. Please make this a recall or a warranty extension. I almost crashed and rear ended because the vehicle stop working on the highway. Please help all of us 2016 Honda Pilot owners.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #428

May 272024

Pilot

  • miles
We noticed the engine making an unusual sound, so we took the vehicle into the Honda dealership service department. The engine tech used a borescope which showed damage to the cam shaft. The tech then determined the knocking sound was caused by a rod knock. The service advisor recommended replacing the engine with a remanufactured engine. The cause of this issue is unknown, although we are suspecting 23V-751. There have been no lights or codes that indicated any engine issues. This vehicle has 125,000 miles on it, and has been meticulously maintained at the local Honda dealership for that entire time.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #427

May 232024

Pilot

  • miles
When the auto idle stop engages to shut off the engine at a stoplight, it does not reengage and the car stalls in the middle of traffic.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #426

Oct 022023

Pilot

  • miles
My spouse was stopped at a traffic light, when the light turned green she accelerated but immediately lost power and the vehicle was stalled in the middle of the intersection. She tried to start it but would not restart. We had to leave the car in the intersection while waiting for the police and towing.She worried that a vehicle would collide with our vehicle and until she was able to exit the vehicle and move to a nearby sidewalk.. Luckily she made it safely and no-one collided with the car. We had it towed to our local mechanic. The inspected the car and found that the bearing had seized up the crankshaft. I connected with Honda and they told me to take it to a local dealer to have it inspected by them. The dealer had the vehicle for two weeks and came up with the same conclusion. After a little back and forth with Honda they declined to give any help with fixing the engine, (a $20,000 repair estimate). I ended up selling the car for junk. Two weeks later a friend sent me an article that Honda was recalling 2016 Pilots for the same incident that happened to my car. There were no warnings prior to the engine failure. My vehicle is not listed on the recall. Honda knew the problem and was attempting to issue a recall.

- Laguna Woods, CA, USA

problem #425

May 162024

Pilot

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to veer to the exit, the vehicle failed to accelerate and suddenly lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Jackson, MI, USA

problem #424

May 042024

Pilot

  • miles
Engine is making a knocking noise at startup, continues when accelerating. This was confirmed by the dealer who cited "engine has lower end rod knock. These are the same symptoms as NHTSA Recall #23v-751. I opened a case with Honda but they said because my VIN was not included in the recall, they would not cover the cost of the repair. This is a known problem with the 2016 Honda Pilot and Honda is trying to get away with limiting the number of vehicles it will cover or wait until people's mileage is too high. It's just wait us out with this company.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

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