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:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,036 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.
I and several other 2016 Honda Pilot owners have experienced the code about the auto start/stop function having a problem. I took it to the dealer and they blamed the issue on "critters, " as in rodents/squirrels. I assure you this is not the case! the light appeared while I was driving and it also affected my auto lock feature on the vehicle. This malfunction is a design flaw in the 2016 Pilot. The dealer told me they could troubleshoot where the malfunction is but it would cost me, starting at $150. The mechanic reset the code (for $65) and it has not shown up in the past week since I took it in. I am very unhappy with this issue and Honda should make this a recall. This is an electrical issue and could result in an accident or safety issue.
Faulty start/stop switch-basic internet search reflects that this is a recurring issue with 2016 Honda Pilot. The vehicle shuts off when the brake is depressed and may not restart due to faulty switch. We had to replace switch at a cost of $299.13. There should be a recall as this is a recurring issue with these vehicles.
- Huntington, WV, USA
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The keyless ignition switch (pn: 35881-TG7-A03) failed causing the vehicle to not start, the dealer (keenan Honda, doylestown, pa) charged us $127.74 for the replacement part (retail is $68.20) and another $149 for labor (should only have taken 10 min per youtube).
Check engine light is illuminated along with AWD, keyless start system, emissions system, uphill start, trailer assistance, etc. Have had two engine coils replaced and a software upgrade. The lights go off for a couple of days and then return. Have spent $250 in diagnostics and nothing is fixed. Replaced batteries in both key fobs. I was told by dealership to replace the start/stop button for $375. Dealership also recommended replacing fuel injectors for $1600.no guarantee that this will fix any of the issues.
After 4 years and 53,000 miles, we're now getting a keyless start system error while shutting off or turning on the vehicle while stopped. Apparently this is a common problem with this generation Pilot and ridgeline vehicles, according to vehicle owners at piloteers.org, the problem usually is a failing push-to-start button. So far, our vehicle starts, but the walk-away locking system no longer works. Others have reported security system alarms, dashboard malfunction, and a failure to start.
The car engine/battery shuts off at stop lights and red lights when you take your foot off the break pedal. This same issue occurred a year ago. Honda initially told us that there was no issue with the vehicle and until we pressed about finding a known issue reported online they said there was nothing wrong. Eventually a regional service rep was involved who said the issue was known and was with the battery. The battery was replaced and for one year had been okay until two weeks ago when same issue began occurring again. This is a major safety issue with the vehicle turning off. I have two young children I have to drive around and do not feel safe in the vehicle while this is happening. I am now waiting on a repeat service visit on October 8, 2020 to address the issue this year.
My Pilot has a message that reads "keyless start system problem." I have changed the battery in the phone and replaced the push button start assembly. Nothing has removed the message. I have searched Honda Pilot forums and found hundreds who have the same problem. I have found that no dealership has fixed the problem. Most have spent $500 + at dealerships with no results.my message stays on all the time. Honda should find out what is wrong and recall on effected cars to correct the problem.
I've been having a warning light issue being engine start key issue. I replaced key fob battery and warning light disappeared for about 4 days and then it reappeared. I see many people are having the same issues
The keyless start system problem light has come on and the dealership finds no codes to resolve the issue. The auto engine shutoff to conserve gas when the bake is depressed will completely shut off the car and I am not able to start the car again. This has happened many time from driving on the highway and stopping in traffic to being in the city stopping at a red light. It can take up to a minute or more to get the car to start again. The only way to disable this from happening is to manually shut off this feature every time I start the vehicle.
Keyless start system problem error comes on and off since about 50,000 miles. I often have to try several times to start the vehicle even with a new battery. Transmission issues often as we are driving along there is a bumpiness whether accelerating or just driving along. This started at about 30,000 miles
Keyless start entry system error has gone intermittently for a year or so on my 2016 Honda Pilot. Multiple complaints in Honda online discussion boards. Does not appear to affect performance yet, but is frightening to think car may not start or may quit running without warning. Error light is on when car is parked or running.
Vehicle stalls and shuts down when start/stop system is engaged. When stopped in the center of the road to make a left turn, the vehicle refused to start the engine again, stalled completely, having to turn it off and on. Turning it off is was not easy as the start button was not working. It left me in a very precarious situation with incoming traffic.
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that her daughter's push start feature failed to operate as needed when depressed. The contact stated that in a service report, it was stated that the key immobilizer code would appear on the instrument panel. The contact's daughter took the vehicle to lejeune Honda cars (2221 N marine blvd, jacksonville, nc 28546) where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective tire pressure motoring system (TPMS) control unit, which caused her failure. She declined to have the part repaired after given an estimate. The contact was not certain if her daughter had reached out to the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 101,324.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA