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.

2016 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 2 of 26)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #490

Jun 042023

Pilot

  • miles

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

Components that failed: engine blew up on a Freeway; car experienced oil leaks; air conditioner stopped working; electrical problems- windows and sunroof suddenly open on their own. Facts: In Feb. 2019, I bought a certified preowned 2016 Honda Pilot with 40K miles. I drove it for less than a year before COVID-19 began and I started working from home. Shortly after I bought the car, it started leaking engine oil, which Honda later repaired. In summer 2021, the air conditioner system stopped working. On June 4, 2023, I was driving the vehicle on the 57 Freeway, Northbound, when my engine suddenly blew up and failed in the middle of the Freeway. The sudden engine failure put me and others at risk of serious injury. Since purchasing my car, I had my car regularly serviced by a Honda dealership. After inspecting my car, the Honda dealership said they did not know what caused the engine to blow up. There were no warnings, messages, or other symptoms before the engine failure.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #489

Nov 122023

Pilot

  • miles
My 2016 Honda Pilot Touring keeps stalling at traffic lights and randomly on the road. We just took it to the dealer last week and received the "we can't replicate the stalling, please bring it back when it happens again." They checked the battery and found it healthy. A couple times, the car has refused to restart until several minutes after the stall and sometimes it has taken several presses of the "Start" button before it finally engages the starter. The car completely shuts down when this occurs. Nothing works.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #488

Aug 212023

Pilot

  • miles
The OEM stereo will only work for a minute or two. This issue is known across all types of forums across the internet, as well as at dealerships. The reason this is a safety concern, as far as I'm concerned, is that when you are in remote areas of the country on the highway system, you will often see signs informing you to tune into an AM station for road conditions and advisories. If my stereo does not work through no fault of my doing, but due to a poor design by Honda, how am I to tune into the station to receive relative information to road/traveling conditions" These locations often coincide with having no cell service, as they are in rural/remote/mountainous regions. My only recourse is to buy a new stereo, that will eventually fail with the same issue. This issue was recalled for 2018 and newer Honda Pilots, how was 2016 and 2017 left out of this recall" Seems like gross negligence on the part of the NHTSA to me.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #487

Nov 022023

Pilot

  • miles

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

The radio and all audio functions (including hand free communication) will stop working and making a constant static noise. The issue make noise the entire time. It is distracting and I cannot communicate using handsfree technology. This vehicle was diagnosed by a master technician at Acura (dealer at which it was purchase) as needing a new audio unit. The issue just began a few weeks ago. I've read multiple forums of owners the same make and model having the same issue. [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Bellefontaine, OH, USA

problem #486

Nov 302023

Pilot

  • miles
At 7:45AM EST on 11/30/2023 while stopped in heaving Pittsburgh traffic the auto stop start feature engaged. Once engaged everything in the car shut down. I received a notification on my dashboard that said to put the car in park and press start. It took me 3 times pressing the start button for the car to start. I later took it to get the battery checked and it showed the battery was good. This was a hazardous situation given the traffic conditions during rush hour.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #485

Mar 062023

Pilot

  • miles
After driving without incident, Pilot would not start 20 minutes after parking. Jumped and replaced battery. After replacing battery, car lost power while moving. Dash lights include hill start assist, traction control, AWD system, etc. Car goes into "limp mode", throwing code P0087 (loss of pressure to the rail). Visited Planet Honda dealer and was told to replace fuel pressure sensor, fuel rail and injectors. Replaced all, car still in limp mode. Back to dealer, told to replace low pressure fuel pump. Replaced, still in limp mode. Phone call to dealer told us to replace high pressure pump. Car comes out of limp mode. Continues to stall unexpectedly while in motion. Will not restart for several hours. Engine will turn over but will not ignite. When it does start it is a rough start, growling and sputtering. Stalls when driving or idling. Before stalling throws all original codes and all dash lights come on. Warranty extension on fuel system does not include P0087 code. After a second and third opinion we were told car is throwing multiple ECM/Wiring/voltage drop loss codes. Will run and drive as normal until it stalls. Will not restart after parking, engine cranks and sputters. CAN NOT SAFELY OR RELIABLY drive, especially with our kids in the car! Newest Honda recall on engine, causing stalling issues, does not cover this VIN. Just dropped off at a different dealer, hoping for solution.

- Campton , NH, USA

problem #484

Nov 142023

Pilot

  • miles

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

I have been receiving a keyless start issue warnning and my battery has malfunctioned as a result of being unable to start the vehicle in a emergency situation is not safe

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #483

Oct 312023

Pilot

  • miles
On Monday my wife was outside the vehicle with the keys in her pocket. All of a sudden the car alarm went off without anyone touching the vehicle or without her bumping the button on the key fob. Also, on Tuesday morning she walked into the garage and noticed the vehicle-??s headlights and taillights were on. The key was not in the vehicle nor did she have it on her. She opened/closed all doors thinking a door was left open. The lights eventually went off. Later that morning she got in the car and it would not start. The battery was jumped and she took it to our mechanic. The battery is fairly knew and after testing it, the mechanic said it had -??plenty of juice left-?? but he did recharge it. While doing other maintenance to the car, he noticed the headlights/taillights coming on sporadically. He could not locate any electrical issue so he suggested I take it to the dealership. This morning (Wednesday) I took it to a Honda dealership and after running some diagnostics, it was determined it was a -??keyless entry control unit-?? issue. The service tech told me he has seen this before in other Hondas and said it is a major safety issue if not repaired. The repair cost me over $1,000, and one I feel Honda should reimburse me for. This was not a normal wear/tear issue (like brakes, transmission, tires, etc.). This is a Honda internal electrical issue that malfunctioned. And as the service tech mentioned, it-??s an extremely dangerous issue that causes safety concerns for my family (and other potential Honda owners).

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #482

May 012023

Pilot

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the PUSH-to-START button was inoperable intermittently. There was no option to start the vehicle with a key. The key less start error message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer, who stated there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty extension coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to the START/STOP switch assembly located under TSB: 20-117. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #481

Sep 222023

Pilot

  • miles
Engine Auto Start failure at stop-light. Total vehicle shut-down instead of just the Engine Auto-stop/start. Happens several times annually - first noticed probably in 2021. Then can't restart car until I manually "Turn-off" vehicle. It's crazy - at a stop light and the car then car wants to fail when I release from the brake - when the light turns green. Have cars behind me honking. It's a major vehicle safety issue.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #480

Aug 302023

Pilot

  • miles

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

While driving home, about 30 mph, multiple warning lights came on, transmission feels like it is shifting oddly, the steering gets harder to steer the longer you drive and it got harder to break like the brakes were freezing up.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #479

Aug 042023

Pilot

  • miles
vehicle died/lost power on interstate traveling near 75mph in heavy traffic. warning lights on dash came on. trying to maneuver through traffic to get to the side of the road was very dangerous. car taken to dealership and had a P0716 CODE stored in the computer. was told that there was a TSB for the issue but it was no longer in effect. they said it needed a TCM update. this is not an TSB issue but is a safety issue that should be addressed with a recall.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #478

Apr 302023

Pilot

  • miles
Smart Control unit that controls keyless entry, Alarm and ignition will set off the alarm and start this electrical condition that will connect the power and then disconnect the power to the auto. The problem will suddenly go away and then come back again. Its unpredictable and varies in severity. 60% of the time the car wont start when this electrical event is occurring. See this video: https: [XXX] This should be a recall by honda. Acura is having same problem as well: https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #477

Jul 142023

Pilot

  • miles
This vehicle has had an excessive amount of problems. The electrical system seems to be failing after much maintenance. Determining if there is an electrical short. The car alarm randomly goes when not triggered. The entertainment panel randomly adjusts volume settings and turns on and off on its own. The sunroof has opened and not closed back due to electrical issue. The gas gauge does not add the available fuel correctly after refueling. Sometimes, the gauge remains at zero or the same number. There is a horrible, annoying squealing sound that is coming from the front lower portion of the vehicle when driving. No one, including the dealership, have been able to identify where this loud squealing sound is coming from. Currently, the AC has failed in 120 degree weather. It has been a horrible experience for our family and we regret purchasing this vehicle!

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #476

Jul 072023

Pilot

  • miles
Speakers static when on audio but hands free are clear through the speaker

- Kosciusko, MS, USA

problem #475

Apr 052023

Pilot

  • miles
Car alarm randomly goes off, then the car alarm goes off, dash board lights up then car won-??t start. I bought the car 2/28 and this has been happening not stop since July. Honda said it was the keyless access system and quoted 800 dollar to replace

- Independence , KY, USA

problem #474

Dec 012022

Pilot

  • miles
Problem started after fuel injectors were replaced under Recall. Since December 2022/January 2023 alarm Goes off randomly with headlights coming on, honking draining the battery. Many visits to local dealership nothing worked. In March 2023 they order Starter for replacement in this vehicle. I have to open the hood wide open with hook in place every night to avoid honking. The part arrived June 01st, 2023 with charge of CAD $1007.63. All reserved parts were used up as so many Honda Pilots needed this part.

- Medicine Hat, CA, USA

problem #473

Jun 172023

Pilot

  • miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The auto stop idle feature in my 2016 Honda Pilot Touring failed to operate correctly. This feature automatically turns off the engine while keeping the electrical systems on. I can make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The malfunction of the auto stop idle feature jeopardized my safety and the safety of others. When I stopped at a red light, the engine turned off as expected, but when I pressed the gas pedal to resume driving, all the vehicle's systems shut down. I attempted to start the car by holding the key fob to the Start/Stop button, but it would briefly start and then turn back off. The sudden loss of power and inability to restart the engine left me in a precarious situation. As a result, I was unable to activate the hazard lights, putting me at risk of being involved in a collision or not being visible to other drivers. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? At the time of filing this complaint, the problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. However, I strongly recommend conducting a thorough investigation by a certified technician to replicate the issue and address it appropriately. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by the police who responded to the incident when it occurred at the red light. However, no inspections have been conducted by the manufacturer, insurance representatives, or other parties at this point. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms indicating a problem prior to this failure. The feature had been working.

- Huntsville, AR, USA

problem #472

Jan 072023

Pilot

  • miles
The Keyless Access Control Unit (Smart Unit) is defective. After the car is shut off and locked, the dash lights, interior lights, head lights will flicker on and off. The car alarm will also be activated. All this causes the battery to be drained. The work around is to disconnect the battery when parked or not lock the car.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #471

Jun 112023

Pilot

  • miles
The engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

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