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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
12 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,818 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Mar 012024

Pilot

  • miles

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

1) First and most annoying is the start button displays code on the screen "keyless start system problem ". Its done it for about two three now. There is no recall for my VIN. 2) Back wheels brakes make very loud kicking noise when car put in reverse and moves in reverse. It started 4 years ago. I took it to dealership and they said breaks are fine and they don't know why its kicking. In cold weather break sensor displays warning "apply break before putting in park" while breaks are applied. So it can't sense that breaks are applied. 3)blue ray DVD player quit working years ago. 4) Transmission is jerking when switches to third gear. This car has 56000 miles. 5) Roof molding in the front came off while driving. The clips somehow broke and it flew away. This car has been parked in the garage during the day and driven carefully with all needed oil changes and one owner. It should not have this problems. 6) the tires fell apart when car was 4 years old with about 25000 miles on it. The dealership said they don't know why and its was not normal. The top of the tires pilled off in chanks.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #23

Jul 292023

Pilot

  • miles
At times, when you start the car, on the screen where the radio and Honda link and Bluetooth are a message ( like an email) with a red exclamation point appears. I check the HONDA LINK app and it says that it has to do with the brake system. I drive the car and it stays on or disappears. It will come back and the go away. It happens around every few months since July.

- Keyport, WA, USA

problem #22

May 302022

Pilot

  • miles
There is pulsating vibrations when applying brakes. This vehicle is rarely driven and has only logged 25,642 miles since I first bought it in 2016. I believe the rotors are warped. Must be a defect as this vehicle is rarely used.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #21

Feb 012021

Pilot

  • miles

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

The Pilot defaults to the automatic engine shutoff when the brake is pressed. Several times, my car would shut off at the stop, but not restart when I took my foot off the pedal. When I'd go to restart the car, pressing the Start Engine button would just turn on accessories - it would never engage the gas/ignition. I'd have to give it a few minutes. I took it to my dealership who replaced the push button ignition. I had googled the issue and saw others had the same issue and warning message about the brake mitigation system, I saw that it was likely related to the brake booster/vacuum hose. I brought it back to the dealer the following month as the shut off had happened again and explained again about finding the brake booster as the issue. They replaced the part and the stall out hasn't happened again. It was never a consistent issue. I don't know what caused it to shut off, as it happened in cold or warm weather. Having to press the brake really hard is not a natural step in driving, so I'm thinking there's something wonky with the system. Even when I remote start my car, I have to press the brake pedal extremely firmly to have it remain started when I go to drive. Otherwise, the car will just switch to the accessory mode. This is a risk because the car defaults to the auto engine shut off when in traffic. If a car is unable to restart when the brake pedal is released, accidents can happen

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #20

Feb 122022

Pilot

  • miles
There have been multiple times where the automatic emergency braking system engaged almost causing an accident with no car ahead of me. The latest incident caused a whiplash related injury to my daughter's neck. The tractor trailer behind me also locked up the brakes and luckily did so in time to avoid colliding with my car.

- Belford, NJ, USA

problem #19

Feb 252018

Pilot

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80-85 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the warning message "Transmission Overheating" was illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Moss Bros. Honda (27990 Eucalyptus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555) who did not diagnose the vehicle but informed the contact that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission fluid was replaced. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was shaking whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front rotors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he was unable to replace the front rotors himself as there were abnormally small compared to the replacement parts. The contact also stated that the front rotors were abnormally smaller than the rear rotors of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #18

Aug 012021

Pilot

  • miles

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

Steering wheel shaking violently when braking especially at highway (down hill) speed.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #17

Dec 052020

Pilot

  • 99,000 miles
Air bag did not deploy on impact. Driving approximately 15 mph on a residential road when brake's locked and car did not respond, running directly into a telephone pole while on a hill/slope. Car picked up speed before impact. Air bag sensor or error appeared on impact, car smelled of smoke/burning. Front body and frame had extensive damage, ie. Radiator cage(?). air bags did not deploy and police stated that given the impact, they should have. Car is being repaired and air bag sensor continues to display without known cause.

- Amherst, NH, USA

problem #16

Oct 212020

Pilot

  • 48,900 miles
Since buying this vehicle the transmission and computer module have already been replaced once due to similar problem. While my son was driving around a corner on a city block so turning left at 15 miles per hour the transmission suffered a failure and error message and accelerated forcing him off the road. Dealer has denied any assistance.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #15

Sep 012017

Pilot

  • 70,000 miles
Purchased a 2016 Pilot ex-L certified used with 8K. While pressing the brakes, they would go pretty far down before engaging. If I let up on the pedal and press again, they immediately grab like they are supposed. I have taken the vehicle in several times, brakes bled and flushed, still the same. I was informed that Honda says the distance of brake pedal pressing down is 2" is normal. I also had issues with the screen going out, and the driver side vent wouldn't stay up, and the A/C wasn't cooling property. Also the system wont connect to my phone randomly. I now had a problem with the transmission. Makes a rattling noise while driving/coasting at any speed. Have taken it in and was told it was the bumper and hood noise. After paying for that, I still have the noise. The rpms jumps from under 2 to just above two, then down again. When the rpms do this the noise happens and also the econo mode turns off to white, then green again. Now it feels like when this happens the transmission feels as iff it is trying to go into gear, slipping. Now when driving and trying to pass, it seems to slip. It is definitely a safety issue! come on Honda please fix the issues.

- La Pine, OR, USA

problem #14

Apr 182019

Pilot

  • 67,851 miles

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

It engine is idle all the time when the ac is

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #13

Jul 102019

Pilot

  • 12,000 miles
While idol at red light, the automatic idol kicked in for power save yet jerked and all red light indicators turned on, including parking breaks, and car seized up. No power, no ability put car in park or drive. On/off switch no reaction to turn car on or off. No brake function. I sat in an unresponsive vehicle at very busy intercetion. Luckily the vehicle behind me was stopped and only laid on their horn for 2 red light cycles rather than hitting me. I activated my emergency flashers yet other driver did not respond. I repetitively kept pushing power button in effort for car to respond and restart, eventually did and was able to drive off. Have appt with dealership in am.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #12

Sep 172018

Pilot

  • 29,395 miles
My vehicle was in motion on a neighborhood street when several alerts went off on my dashboard: Road departure mitigation system problem, trailer stability assist problem, hill start assist problem, vehicle stability assist problem, emissions system problem, power steering system problem. I could find no reason for these alerts. I took my car into a dealership the next day and was told there was no issue and the lights were turned off. 10 days later they all came on again as I was driving on a local street. The next day when I went to take my car to the dealer, the lights had turned off. I took it in anyway, and they again said there was no issue. I reported the issue to Honda corporation and was told by one agent that this wasn't the first time the issue had come up in a newer model Pilot. Again 2 days ago, all the lights came on and now also the brake assist alert is also on. I will take it to the dealership again. I am concerned all the false alarms may be hiding an underlying issue that could result in a dangerous accident. I also feel that Honda global is not taking me seriously as I am active duty stationed overseas and have to rely on local Honda dealerships that do not have much experience with the Honda Pilot. The dates of the lights were 17 Sept, 27 Sept, and 6 Oct 2018.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #11

Oct 132017

Pilot

  • 2,000 miles
I am hearing a clicking noise when I step on the brakes. I took it ro Honda and they said it's something people complaining about and they don't have a fix and thwy know about it. They don't know how to address the situation.

- S Richmond Hill, NY, USA

problem #10

Sep 242017

Pilot

  • 15,000 miles
I had pulled out of a parking place and was waiting in the traffic lane to exit the area. There were two cars in front of us. The cars were stopped. I was approximately 20-25 feet behind the car in front of me. I took my foot off the brake in my car to let it idle forward. As I approached the Yukon I reapplied the brake. The car accelerated to what sounded like full RPM's and I applied the brakes as hard as I could and nothing happened. The car slammed into the Yukon with such an impact that both front airbags deployed. The driver side airbag hit me in the face. The passenger airbag did not reach my wife in the passenger seat. She immediately experienced severe chest pain and rapid heart beat. Bystanders called 911 and two park Ranger arrived in approx. 15-20 minutes. The Ranger finished taking pictures and asked me to pull in to a parking spot out of the travel lane of the parking lot. I started the car and proceeded slowly and turned into a parking spot. As I applied the brake to park, the same phenomenon occurred again. The car accelerated forward over a curb and walkway and struck a pedestrian before coming to a stop on a retaining wall. I desperately tried to stop the car without success. The ems was there shortly after this occurrence. A Ranger asked me how fast I was moving and I stated I had no idea. I asked him to ask the Ranger who was right behind me and he said 5 mph. I exited the vehicle after they transported the pedestrian on the backboard.the ambulance was ready to take my wife to the hospital so I approached the park Ranger and told him that I needed to ride in the ambulance with my wife.

- Goodland,, FL, USA

problem #9

Mar 302017

Pilot

  • 6,400 miles
While pulling into a parking spot and pushing the brake lightly, the car accelerated uncontrollably and struck a concrete wall. The engine revved up as if it was really taking off. It jumped a curb on the way to the wall, struck the building and then engine went back to normal running.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #8

Mar 122017

Pilot

  • miles
Vehicle is 16 months old with only 5,200 miles on it. Braking action currently seems unaffected, however, the brake fluid reservoir had green algae on the strainer, heavy black sediment on the floor of reservoir, and the fluid was brown. The reservoir was never opened until 2 days ago when I noticed the fluid was brown while looking through the side of the reservoir as I was checking the fluid level and decided to investigate further. The cap was properly sealed because there was a slight suction as I began to lift the cap after twisting and the seal was in perfect condition. The Honda dealer stated that Honda would not cover under warranty a fluid flush because they assume it was from something I did and further assumed it would not be from contaminated fluid they put in at the factory. As a result I just flushed the system myself with dot 3/4 synthetic fluid. My complaint is that Honda may have used contaminated brake fluid at the factory that could have affected other cars or, if not, something specifically happened to my vehicle prior to my purchasing of it from Honda.

- East Norwich, NY, USA

problem #7

Oct 012016

Pilot

  • 24,000 miles
I have the Honda AWD 2016 touring model with Z transmission. Since purchase, the vehicle will accelerate by itself when driving down the slope between 25 -30 miles per hour, the brake will not stop the speeding, and actually will reduce the speed and it appears transmission will force the speed goes up against the brake. During the drive, at this range, when accelerate, the vehicle will make a squeaky sound by the tire level, almost feel the tire is trying to catch up with the speed of transmission and won't turn as fast as it could and hence the squeaky sound, the vehicle is about 24 K miles and very challenging in driving this car. Need this to be replaced as the Z transmission recall is starting by other manufactures.. the worst is the speed of the car at drive down slope and could kill anyone due to it actually automatically start speeding even though my foot is on brake.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #6

Jan 032017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
I was driving in the rain at about 30 miles and hour towards a red light. I began to slow down with the brakes, but the car would not stop and skidded right through the red light. I also tried steering the car to the right, but the car would not steer right and kept skidding through the red light until it slightly hit the median and stopped. Luckily, no oncoming cars were coming or my car would have went right into them. The tires claim to be "all weather tires" which are Bridgestone dueler tires, 245/60R18. On other occasions in the rain, I have felt the car skid when tapping on the brakes while turning, but not to the extent of yesterday when I could have been in a terrible accident. I also read on line of another person reporting skidding while turning in the rain in a Honda Pilot. Something happens with this car in the rain that causes the brakes to not stop the car and instead skid as if it is on ice without control of the steering at the same time.

- Adamstown, MD, USA

problem #5

Nov 232016

Pilot

  • 40 miles
Since purchasing new, I have noticed a peculiar phenomenon whereby the brake pedal develops a very high resistance from the time of being parked, until the next time I get in the vehicle. I will routinely depress the brake pedal to place the vehicle in park at the conclusion of a drive. The pedal feels normal at this point. Approximately 80-85% of the time upon re-entry in to the vehicle after allowing the vehicle to sit stationary (off) for 2-12 hours, the brake pedal becomes very firm. To the point where I feel uncomfortable with the amount of force I must press with my foot, in order to the engine to start. I don't want to over-pressure the brake lines unnecessarily. However, most of the time, if I simply press the brake with an average amount of force to start the car, I press the "start" button, and the system will only turn on to aux mode, the engine starter will not activate. Due to the highly firm pedal, my "acceptable" level of foot force will not sufficiently displace the brake pedal to enable "engine start" ready mode. I am perplexed by this odd behavior. I have never experienced this in any other vehicle I have owned in my 17 years of driving experience. I would really like to know how the brake system becomes "loaded" if it is just sitting. This is the sort of result I might expect if one were to "pump" the brakes without the engine running, but I am doing nothing of the sort. Please Honda, address this. I really have to wonder if other 2016 and newer Pilot and ridgeline owners are experiencing this.

- Richboro, PA, USA

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