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:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,912 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Oct 302017

Pilot

  • 20,431 miles

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

Two different times my car has sputtered while driving also when trying to accelerate. One time happen twice 2 weeks ago. Yesterday happened several times and transmission system problem light came on and emissions system light. Car jerked and sputtered very scary while I had my child in the car with me.. Honda currently reviewing problem.

- Loxahatchee, FL, USA

problem #30

Aug 012017

Pilot

  • miles
Something is wrong with our vehicle when we try to accelerate it skips and sputters and does not pick up speed just happens in the economy state and also without the economy button

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #29

Aug 182017

Pilot

  • 76,000 miles
I stopped the car to let pedestrian cross the crosswalk and the vehicle was jumping ahead while my leg is on the brakes. The vehicle almost hit a pedestrian. The indecent was in a city street. Prior to this incident two additional incident happened while stopping in a stop sign and red traffic light. Fourth incident happened while driving in a highway and the vehicle decelerated on its own on from 65 mph, went from D drive to N.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #28

May 212017

Pilot

  • 56,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact noticed an oil stain on the ground. The contact made an appointment with the dealer. Stream valley Honda in New York diagnosed that a new radiator was needed and the vehicle had to be flushed three times. The dealer also stated that there was no guarantee that the vehicle would function normally because the radiator coolant leaked into the transmission and it was possible that a new transmission was required. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: 06048532. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Lawrence, NY, USA

problem #27

May 182017

Pilot

  • 20,000 miles
I pulled into a parking spot, put the car into park, and then the car lurched forward at an extremely powerful speed. The car struck a cypress tree causing $7,500 damage on my car.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #26

May 252017

Pilot

  • 11,724 miles
Engine stops won't restart multiple warning light flashing giving appearance of computer failure. Second incident. First incident dealer said no problem after checking battery. Second incident in traffic when failure occurred (5/25/17 approx 8 a.M) blocking intersection. Fortunately we were slowing to stop at light. Video of dash available too large to upload.

- Pembroke Pine, FL, USA

problem #25

Feb 092017

Pilot

  • miles

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

Surge while braking during parking caused vehicle to accelerate ahead and hit vehicle parked in front. This caused damage exceeding $1600. See Honda service bulletin 16-008. This bulletin was not brought to my attention until after this incident even tho my vehicle had been serviced by my Honda dealer only since II purchased it new.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

problem #24

Mar 022016

Pilot

  • 22 miles
I got problem with transmission with grinding gear when I use eco on and now my transmission make whistle noise when change shift from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4. I would like american Honda responsibility with transmission new Honda Pilot 2016 and they should be recall for transmission. Now I feel not comfortable with this noise.

- Rego Park, NY, USA

problem #23

Jan 092017

Pilot

  • 37,009 miles
Problem with transmission making "squeaking/chirping" noise when shifting between 2nd & 3rd gear. Also rough ride at highway speeds as if engine was misfiring. Local Honda dealer service representative indicated design flaw for 2016 Honda Pilot touring model involving transmission cooler. Seals fail in cooler allowing engine coolant to mix with tranmission fluid and transmission fluid to enter cooling system. Complete transmission replacment and cooling system detergent flushed was performed. Vehicle had 37,009 miles when taken to dealer...just out of warranty. Dealer completed repairs for no cost as "good will gesture". ongoing concern that oil contamination in cooling system may have caused unknown damage.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #22

Jan 112017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
I was driving around town running errands. As I pulled out of a parking lot, my display panel showed emissions system problem and the engine light came on. Called dealer and they said it's not a big concern unless engine light was flashing and to bring it in after the weekend (was a Friday afternoon). Drove it 30 minutes home at 55-65 mph and noticed no problems. Drove it that distance and speed to take it to the dealer as well with no problems. Picked it up a few days later. Service notes indicate: Code P0328, knock sensor failure, replaced knock sensor and retested, ok at this time. After picking it up, was about 10 min away and trying to go from 60 to 68 and set cruise. Speed began to jump around, not staying at a speed for more than a second 70-60-65-68-63, etc. Engine light now flashing took off cruise and it continued. Turned around to head back to dealer. Car working fine for a bit, but then continued to jerk at different speeds (60, 40, 25). Was stopped at light and engine was still revving at 4 RPM. Stepped off brake and car accelerated on own to 25. Dealer notes: Code P2638, idle relearn, torque management feedback, performed relearn. Today, 6 days after picking it up, I was stopped at a stoplight. Eco button is on, engine idle is running, seat warmer and heater on. While I was still applying brake, the engine idle sounded like it was trying to kick off and the whole car shut off on me. All indicator lights came on, but the engine was off and nothing was running. Turned car off and back on, drove the 2 miles to the dealer, and left it with them.

- Blair, NE, USA

problem #21

Oct 012016

Pilot

  • 24,000 miles

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

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 #20

Dec 122016

Pilot

  • 4,046 miles
Car is throwing fault codes for transmission, check engine, electrical. The car suddenly goes to "engine limp mode". hard shifting, shuttering and loss of power. Random occurrences. Has been to dealer 3 times for same issue. Issue occurs from a start or at low speeds 20-35mph while in motion. The hard shifting is causing long term damage to the drive train.

- Incline Village, NV, USA

problem #19

Dec 112016

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 12,500 miles
Vehicle mileage 12500 miles transmission replaced, but the new transmission is having the same problem as the first. Chirping and grinding when shift up or down from 3 to 4 or at 30 miles per hour while moving.

- Spring Lake, NC, USA

problem #18

Nov 082016

Pilot

  • 5,000 miles
I backed out of a parking space at work, and when I braked and pressed the drive button, the car did not shift. After several tries the car went into drive. I drove out of the parking lot onto a side street. However, after accelerating up to the 20 mph limit, the car apparently jumped down to 2nd and had to be shifted back into drive. After a block or two, I stopped at an intersection, waited for the light to change and accelerated after turning left onto a city street. After about six blocks I braked, turned left, then right in to a parking lot. I continued across the parking lot at about 10 mph until I neared a parking space. As I began the left turn into the space, I applied the brake and slowly entered the space. I continued to turn at a slow speed with light brake pressure when suddenly the car surged forward and crashed into the front of a parked vehicle, damaging the front of both vehicles.

- Deer Park, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 072016

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 200 miles
We bought a new 2016 Honda Pilot ex-L AWD in November 2016 (manufactured in Oct-2016) and experiencing some transmission issue when eco button is on. When driving around in about 30 mph, seems the transmission has difficulty in shifting gears as if it cannot decide if it needs to move up or down the gear. Then it seems to get stuck in the lower gear and feels like as if the gears are grinding. I can also feel the gears grinding in the acceleration pedal. At this point, I am able to smell metal burning through the air conditioning - seems like the transmission is getting overheated. With eco off, I have observed that the gear shifts smoothly and swiftly.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #16

Dec 062016

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
I was driving with my family inside the car I would say between 35 - 45 miles / hour then I step on the gas just for little bit what happen the revolution went up to 3000- 4000 RPM & stays there for a while I hear like engine noise sound & feels like it went to stall so at this point. I look at dash board still on drive mode when I step on the gas im not speeding up the RPM remains on 3000 4000 RPM car slowing down I haveto go to the side of the road I press the drive button it went to sports mode the revs climb even higher so I press it again to go to regular drive mode that's the only time the revolution came down to less than 2000 RPM engine noise subsided. So I think the car unexpectedly randomly shifting to neutral while U driving I happen to me 2 -3 times. This is Honda Pilot touring model with nine speed zf transmission. I call Honda usa mention what happen because I read that there was alot of complained about thistransmission issue. In the article & forum I read it was stating that software update recall to fix the problem but Honda customer service just advise me to bring the car to service I think they aware of the problem but told me that there is no recall to fix the transmission issue according to Honda usa customer service. All this event happen when the car is in motion in the city street. Thanks

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #15

Oct 212016

Pilot 4WD 6-cyl

  • 800 miles
We bought a new 2016 Honda Pilot AWD ex-L in October 2016 and are experiencing some pretty serious transmission issues. The first incident happened about a month ago before the vehicle even had 900 miles on it and it has re-occurred numerous times since then and we only have 2,000 miles on it. It appears that if you decelerate rather quickly from let's say 50 mph+ to zero, that when you re-start from zero, the transmission is all out of sorts. When you hit the gas at zero (after the fast deceleration) the vehicle will be very hesitant/slow to start (almost as if you're starting in a higher gear than 1st) and then when you get to about 25-30 mph, the vehicle will slam into that gear and shake the entire vehicle. That 'slamming into gear' issue will continue every time you drop down or accelerate to that 25-30 mph range during that driving session. The only way to get the issue to stop during that driving session, is to stop the vehicle and re-start the engine. It's almost like it resets the transmission or the computer that runs the transmission' there are no check engine lights/warnings that come on and it's a hard issue to duplicate, but the only thing that seems to make it occur sometimes is fast deceleration from a high speed down to zero (I.e. coming off an off-ramp and hitting a stop light, or driving on a 50mph type road and then hitting a stop light). There's obviously a major transmission flaw and the continued "slamming into gear" when this issue occurs, can only be doing more damage to the transmission and feels like the engine is on the verge of locking up.

- Barre, MA, USA

problem #14

Feb 052016

Pilot

  • 11,000 miles
While the car was in motion on a country road, warning messages came on stating that the car should not be driven, and then the engine suddenly shut off. Car coasted to a stop. Could not restart the car for 5 or 10 minutes, but it finally started again. After taking it to the dealer twice, the diagnosis was that coolant had mixed with transmission fluid, thus the transmission had to be replaced.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #13

Nov 112016

Pilot

  • 19,000 miles
2016 Honda Pilot touring - chirping sound appeared at 19,000 miles followed by shuddering and difficulty shifting between 28-32 mph. Got diagnosed at the dealership - transmission cooling unit failed, leaking transmission coolant into the transmission unit. Dealer is currently replacing with a remanufactured part. The transmission manufacturer zf friedrichshafen ag has recalled the transmissions. Honda usa is now responsible to recall the vehicles which they have not done. Honda is unsympathetic and can only recite the warranty. I feel my vehicle is unsafe to drive and the value has been substantially impacted.

- Cocoa Beach, FL, USA

problem #12

Sep 112016

Pilot

  • 839 miles
While merging onto the highway going approximately 20mph, the car seized up, brought the car to a near stop and would not accelerate. It did this 3 times. No warning lights on the dash, no notice of something malfunctioning. This car was built on August 19,2016. I purchased it on August 25 only 839 miles on it when incident occurred.

- Purvis, MS, USA

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