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 1 of 26)

problem #510

Jul 032024

Pilot

  • miles

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

For the third time in less than 4 months, I have taken my car to the dealer because all of the warnings light come on and the car sputters and dies in traffic.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #509

Jun 242024

Pilot

  • miles
I have an active recall on my honda, the fuel pump. I have had symptoms of this problem over the past year even prior to the recall. Bradenton Honda is refusing to do the recall now, stating my car hasn't stalled and there is no light on. They are waiting until FALL to do the recall but there is a long list. They said they can only do recalls on cars that stall. My car has intermittent losses of power when accelerating. I have issues where all the lights on the dash would just turn on and then it disappeared. Now the alternator is dead and a faulty fuel pump can cause this. I don't want to pay twice for a faulty alternator if Honda won't honor the recall. Honda is stating the recall is not really needed and they feel Honda is making customers nervous. I would like you to contact Bradenton honda and have them honor the recall now.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #508

Apr 172024

Pilot

  • miles
Honda pilot has multiple warning lights problem. I am an extremely normal and safe driver. However, the warning sign turns on and off again and again. parking collision Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emissions System Problem This happens frequently when turning on the engine or while driving. Even there have been no accidents, no electrical changes, and even the battery was recently replaced. so I went to an auto shop and had it repaired. The car shop also said that there are too many Honda cars with this symptom. However, even after several days, the same symptoms are recurring. Sometimes it's on and sometimes it's off and it's a mess. It's all directly related to safety, so I feel very stressed every time I drive. If a safety warning light comes on while driving, the driver becomes anxious and doubts safety. I google the forum [XXX] ) and found that there were so many drivers experiencing the same symptoms as me, and they were all seriously concerned and threatened about safety. This symptom has continued since this spring. It's stressful every time I turn on the engine. I don't understand why a car that I paid many dollars for has such safety issues. We respectfully request an official problem resolution and recall from Honda. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

problem #507

Jun 192024

Pilot

  • miles

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

The vehicle is displaying MIL on these 4 warning lights: lane keeping assist problem, adaptive cruise control problem, collision mitigation system problem, and road departure mitigation system problem. The issue is intermittent and can showing up for days and disappear and then come back. Sometimes restarting the vehicle a few times will make it goes away, sometimes not, which render these advanced SAFETY features useless. There are many users have reported on this issue. Please make this a recall to get it resolved.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #506

Jun 172024

Pilot

  • miles
Keyless Start System Problem message has recently started appearing on the screen when I start the vehicle. The key fobs do not appear to work to their proper capability either. The locking feature when walking away does not work. Vehicle has continued to drive properly for now but other reports show the vehicle may shut off while driving. Some research shows a recall but local Honda dealership does not see anything regarding this. This needs attention as it appears to be an ongoing issue.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #505

Jun 172023

Pilot

  • miles
1.Engine connecting rod bearing failed causing engine to seize. 2.Push button start will not work most of time so cannot start car or shut it off at times Safety: Engine locked up while driving down a 2 lane road with no shoulder. Causing an issues with cars traveling in both directions till i could get vehicle towed. Starting/ shutting off issue is on going. Connecting rod bearing failure was confirmed by dealer, but Honda says my Vin is not part of the recall and will do nothing about it. Had to pay for repairs 7K+ out of my own pocket. I got engine replaced and 6 months later start/ stop button issue is happening and they had a recall for this also that they say my Vin is not included. When engine bearing seized happened suddenly. All lights on dash come on and engine stopped. When tried to restart engine would not turn. They start button issue has a message saying electronic start problem.

- Donnellson, IA, USA

problem #504

Jun 062024

Pilot

  • miles

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

This is a 9 year old vehicle that should not be stalling and shutting down. I had to be towed twice and have the fuel pumps replaced. Honda feels like they are not responsible. The fuel pump on the 2016 Honda pilot is no good. I should not have to replace the fuel pumps in a 9 year old car. Honda should reimburse myself and several others. Please make this a recall or a warranty extension. I almost crashed and rear ended because the vehicle stop working on the highway. Please help all of us 2016 Honda Pilot owners.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #503

May 132024

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
Defective Keyless Access Unit Car will completely lose power Honda dealer confirmed defective keyless access unit Various problems experienced : a) Car is completely disabled b) Main Battery drained c) Flashing External Lights d) Flashing Dashboard cluster lights and indicators e) Anti Theft security Alarm Horn will sound f) Defective Hood Latch g) Windshield Wipers operational compromised

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #502

Apr 222024

Pilot

  • miles
-Defective Keyless Access Unit (dealer kept old unit) -My car completely lost power -Honda dealer confirmed defective keyless access unit -Car not inspected by others, except for AAA who had to replace my battery 2 times due to drainage of power -The problems experienced were that the car start would be hit or miss and then complete drainage of battery happened

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #501

Apr 082024

Pilot

  • miles
Vehicle dash flickers and does a partial starting then stops. The interior lights come on and stay on for hours. The alarm will activate randomly and not stop until you lock then unlock vehicle.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #500

Feb 012023

Pilot

  • miles

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

The vehicle does not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #499

Mar 292024

Pilot

  • miles
The digital speedometer on the gauge cluster will sporadically stop working. Traveling at highway speeds with no idea of the vehicle speed presents a hazard for driver and passengers when approaching turns in the road and not knowing your speed. Valley Honda Naperville, IL checked the vehicle and could find no issue. A video of the issue was shared with Valley Honda. The speedometer flashes on and off without warning and sometimes remains off for extended periods of time. No warning lights or messages and the service center stated that no error codes were stored in the on board computer. Vehicle is available for inspection and a video documented the issue is also available upon request. The date listed below is just one of several dates when the problem occured.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

problem #498

Mar 012024

Pilot

  • miles
After the most recent recall fix was applied, the keyless start system started acting up. It would start, but died after 1 second I have video of this happening. In this video, it fails twice and starts on the third attempt. 03/01

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #497

Mar 012024

Pilot

  • miles
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 #496

Feb 052024

Pilot

  • 51,000 miles
The contact owned a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH and approaching the red traffic light, she depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop. The contact noticed smoke coming out of the cowl of the vehicle. The contact then turned on the AC and smoke came through the A/C vents. The contact opened the windows. The contact stated that the smoke became thicker and brownish while pulling into the parking lot of a nearby shopping center. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. The contact then noticed that there was a hole in the middle of the hood, and there was a flame coming through the hole. The contact stated that the hood and the windshield became engulfed in fire within 3 minutes even though it was raining. The fire department extinguished the fire, and police officers arrived at the scene, but the contact did not know whether a fire department report and a police report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, awaiting to be totaled. The local dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

- Winchester, CA, USA

problem #495

Jan 272024

Pilot

  • miles
happening more if we left it on, as default, all the time. We have reported it to our dealer, they "cannot replicate" it and claim "that's unusual" despite knowing there is a massive recall for this exact issue. They claim it needs a tune up, and we fear that your 1% of cars effected estimate is off and not including many more cars being effected by this. This Auto Idle option needs an override that could save lives. Please re-open the investigation, press Honda for information they may not be sharing from their dealerships regarding the extent of this (they're probably not documenting each time someone complains about this, since they can't "replicate it.") Help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Moorpark, CA, USA

problem #494

Jan 232024

Pilot

  • miles
Vehicle audio has a kind of its own, on/off/ up/ down all without touching the screen or buttons. Goes all the way to max volume without warning. Definitely a safety risk when you are not expecting noise at all.

- Farmington, MN, USA

problem #493

Jan 222024

Pilot

  • miles
The entertainment/audio/entire media system malfunctions after 25 minutes of driving, causing extremely loud static that gets louder and louder to the point that you can-??t hear yourself think. After several minutes of static the system sound dissapears and cannot be turned on until the vehicle is left off for an underground amount of time.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #492

Jan 202024

Pilot

  • miles
Severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. At 5:00 am in the morning the alarm on my car went off by itself and there was no way I could turn it off or even start the car. I finally disconnected the battery to stop the car and later reconnected the battery assuming the issue was gone. When I went back to check on the car later, found that the car had started by itself and the garage was full of fumes. I installed a carbon monoxide sensor in all rooms and parked the car outside. The car now randomly tries to start itself(and all warning lights go on and dash indicates an error with all systems) and when it does start(by itself) there is no way to shut it off except for disconnecting the battery. The car is now at the dealership but a quick google search reveals that this is a frequent issue with 2016/2017 Honda Pilots and a part - 38320-TG7-A420 (remote control unit) needs to be replaced and that this part is under serious backorder nationally (indicating a serious problem). Requesting NHTSA to investigate this issue and part.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #491

Dec 212023

Pilot

  • miles
On December 21, 2023, at approximately 2:25pm, while driving approximately 63 mph on the freeway, my 2016 Honda Pilot suddenly stopped accelerating and I was unable to accelerate the vehicle. During this time, I received several dashboard warning notifications. These notifications stated the following: -Blind Spot Info System Problem. -Stop Driving When Safe. Transmission Problem. See Manual. -Transmission Problem. Apply Parking Brake When Parked. -All Wheel Drive System Problem. -Emission Systems Problem. I pulled over to the shoulder and parked my vehicle. While parked, I was still unable to rev the engine, and the warning indicators continued to flash on my dashboard. I turned off the vehicle. After a few minutes, I turned on the vehicle. At this this time, I was able to rev the engine by pressing on the gas pedal. All of the indicator warnings disappeared with the exception of the Emission Systems Problem. I drove home and parked the vehicle. For the remainder of the day, the vehicle was not used. On the following day, I turned on the vehicle and noted that there were no dashboard warnings. Additionally, I was able to rev the engine by pressing on the gas pedal. For the next 14 days, the vehicle operated normally with no issues. (PS. I attempted to upload the photos of the warning indicators but your NHTSA application is not working properly.)

- Alamo, CA, USA

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