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.
In addition to "keyless entry error" message that keeps popping up on my display these past few months, today, my car won't start and is displaying the following error messages : "vehicle stability assist problem", "hill start assist problem", "trailer stability assist problem", "road departure mitigation system problem". mileage is about 54,000. I had my car in the shop in both 2017 and 2018 for transmission problems, too. This is the worst Honda I have ever owned.
At about 47250 miles on my 2016 Honda Pilot LX AWD, keyless start system problem displays on instrument panel. Started on 6/29/2019. All I did was push the engine start stop button 2 times before pressing the brake and actually starting up the vehicle. Then then message appears. No hesitation upon starting either or any weird sounds, nor any other warning lights on display. Vehicle purchased as a certified pre-owned with about 20000K on it in 2018. Key fob battery is good in both keys.
Keyless start system problem warning continues to come up in my 2016 Pilot from talking with multiple Honda Pilot owners it seems as though the switch (engine start/stop) being installed are faulty.
- Evington, VA, USA
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I have a "keyless start system problem" message on since the car is more than 37,000 miles. Tried changing battery but it did not fix the problem. It does not seem to affect the driving. At 61,000 miles the dealer reset the code but after one day, the message came back. This issue disabled the autolock feature as you walk away. Not sure what else is being disabled by this.
I have a "keyless start system problem" message on and off for about 4 or 5 months, started when I had 37000 or 38000 miles. Dealer will replace with only a 1 year warranty. Seems like this is a problem with many Pilot at the same mileage. The error message appears when the SUV is started. It stays on at all times. Then it will turn off after a week or so. Reappears after another week or so.
When starting push button ignition, keyless start system problem alert appears on dashboard screen. Sometimes takes several attempts to start car. Honda dealership could not replicate problem and was not able to fix. Problem still continues, but not every time I try to start car.
The engine idle stop feature not working properly. When the vehicle is at a stop the engine turns off like intended. Sometimes the radio turns off and restarts immediately. Randomly when you take you foot off the gas the entire vehicle and all functions turn off. In order to turn the vehicle you need to press the ignition button and set the vehicle in park. This is very dangerous in stop and go traffic. The most recent time it happened was on the freeway at a crest. Took it to dealer and they could not replicate.
The keyless start system error has come on recently and goes on and off intermittently. I have changed the battery in the key fobs and the error still comes up. After researching the problem I have learned that several other people have had this problem and in a lot of cases the vehicle will shut down during operation due to the problem. This is a major manufacturer defect that could lead to great bodily injury and /or death. This problem needs to be investigated and and remedied. There have been several complaints through NHTSA about this same problem.
My 2016 Honda Pilot have been popping up a 'keyless start system problem' message. It happened about 3 weeks ago. It's sometimes will go away and come back the next day. It's on and off. When this issue occurs the 'walk away auto lock ' also didn't work too. I hope Honda to resolve this issue by recalling the model.
This has happened several times and Honda has been unable to replicate. It has happened on the freeway and on city streets. The car is in drive and my car has an engine idle so that when traffic comes to a halt the engine cuts out to conserve gas. On many a occasion it will not just automatically start but will instead kick the vehicle into park. It is extremely scary as it will then not start as if the battery is dead but the battery if fine and has been replaced as Honda thought that would resolve it. They also replaced all the fuel injectors and this also has not stopped the problem. I feel I am going to be killed in this car. I have case # 08783155 with Honda and after having just spoke to them they advised me to film problem!! yes they expect me to get my phone out and film while my vehicle has come to a halt in moving traffic!
My vehicle received the "keyless start system problem" on the dash and has not gone away after two dealership visits and $500 later. After performing some research, this seems to be a chronic problem with most Honda Pilot owners. The problem occurs every time you are trying to start the vehicle.
Car was engaged in "idle-stop" at a traffic light. Following driver's lifting of foot off of the brake pedal, car shut off completely. All dashboard lights lit up, and car was not able to be turned back on for 1-2 minutes. Car was in the middle of a busy street, and a large vehicle nearly rear-ended the dead car. Driver was thereafter able to follow on-screen instructions for restarting vehicle, but was unsuccessful in several initial attempts. (in other words, car was not starting despite driver's complying with instructions. Prior to this incident, car had in some instances very momentarily "cut out" following an "idle-start." Driver noticed a "popping" at this time. But the problem, which the manufacturer and dealer claim to know nothing about and are "unable to replicate" during service, is clearly becoming worse and more dangerous over time. The best the Honda dealership service department appears to be able to do in diagnosing the problem is to suggest battery recharge or replacement, which has not been an issue for our car and is apparently a common suggestion from dealerships. This is an apparently bigger issue than Honda has been willing to admit.
Keyless start system problem began showing up on the instrument panel a few months ago. It comes and goes and lasts for different lengths of time. 2 different Honda dealers/service reps have not heard of this and do not know the fix. Should not have to spend upwards of $1000 for guess fixes. Spoke to Honda and they do not have anything for a fix either. Hopefully Honda will address to prevent critical issues. Date with this posting is the most recent date.
My 2016 Honda Pilot with 61,000 miles on has recently given me the kelyess start system warning. It seems that this is a problem with Pilot from this model year. It also seems that dealers do not know how to fix it. It appears many people have tried numerous things, without any luck. I do not wish to pay for the dealer to fix something that may not be fixable. What can be done about this?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mooresville, NC, USA