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.

5.0

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,700 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 accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #9

May 132024

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles

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

Defective Keyless Access Unit Car will completely lose power Honda dealer confirmed defective keyless access unit Various problems experienced : a) Car is completely disabled b) Main Battery drained c) Flashing External Lights d) Flashing Dashboard cluster lights and indicators e) Anti Theft security Alarm Horn will sound f) Defective Hood Latch g) Windshield Wipers operational compromised

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #8

Apr 032023

Pilot

  • miles
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.

- Lexington , SC, USA

problem #7

Sep 292021

Pilot

  • miles
Sun visor part number 83230-TG7-A11ZA has failed twice now (6/24/2019 and again 9/29/2021). What happens is that the tension spring internal to the sun visor fails causing the sun visor to flop down impeding the driver's vision directly forward. We had to purchase new replacement sun visors twice. This is likely to happen again, so I'm keeping a close watch for it. This puts the safety of driver, passengers, other vehicles and pedestrians as risk as it happens suddenly. Honda has made no attempt that I am aware of to remedy the problem.

- Vernon, VT, USA

problem #6

Jan 202023

Pilot

  • miles

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

Front windshield wiper washer jet hood nozzle sprayer fell off and is lost. Called Honda dealer. They checked with Honda corporation and are advised that there are 1,100 of these on back order. Lead time is approximately 4 months! Without this part, windshield cannot be cleaned by the windshield washer should it be urgently needed while traveling down highway. This puts safety at risk.

- Vernon, VT, USA

problem #5

Nov 012020

Pilot

  • 85,000 miles
While driving along the highway, sunroof exploded. Small pieces of glass pieces went flying everywhere.

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 232019

Pilot

  • 27,300 miles
I was driving down the interstate, no other vehicles in front of or beside me. I heard a loud explosion sound and saw most of my sunroof land on the road behind me. No rocks or other projectiles impacted the glass before it happened. There was no previous damage to the sunroof. There were no warnings or indications that there was about to be an issue with it. The weather was cloudy with a temperature of approximately 70 degrees.

- Dothan, AL, USA

problem #3

Dec 042017

Pilot

  • miles

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

I am experiencing water leaking by the passenger seat. I took it to the shop and I was explained that they will have to remove the whole front part including the steering wheel to be able to fix the problem. According to the mechanic there is a sealant on rubber band that it underneath the windshield that has to be replaced since the band is really tin and need to be replace since the quality of it is not so good as the one that was used in the 2014-2015 Pilot. So I live in a state where is always raining and so the water is getting in to my car, and I have to constantly change the towels as the passenger side floor gets so wet if I do not use anything to absorb the water. This fix will take at least 5 days to be repair and will cost me over $2000 to have it repair, when this is an issued cause for the bad rubber quality that Honda used.

- Tigard, OR, USA

problem #2

Dec 012017

Pilot

  • 44,000 miles
Passenger and back left passenger windows either came off track or track became "gummed up". both issued occurred while in motion and within a few months of each other. Window made this grinding noise when lowering and would not go back up. No incident was reported other then taking the car to the Honda dealership to get an estimate. The grinding noise sounds like glass on metal when window is raised or lowered. Required fix from dealership was a new track installed and window regulator replacement. Repairs were quoted at $750 per window. One window goes bad and chalk it up as a fluke. Same issue on both windows...manufacturer defect!

- Clover, SC, USA

problem #1

Sep 232016

Pilot

  • 21,000 miles
While driving 65 mph on the highway a sudden loud bang occurred which sounded exactly like a gunshot going off and glass showered down on my head. Startled, I swerved on the highway, but luckily did not hit any other vehicles. I pulled off the freeway and found that my sunroof had exploded with no outside influence. It was shattered and the glass was blow out in an upward fashion, as if it had happened from the inside of the vehicle. I immediately took the vehicle to the local Honda dealership and they stated that it was not from an outside source. I was given a loaner car and the dealership said they would take care of it, but this happened 9/23/2016 and it is yet to be seen if I will need to front any money out of my pocket.

- Blaine, WA, USA

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