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:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,967 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Honda Pilot:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 15 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #163

Apr 012021

Pilot

  • 78,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would intermittently shut-off upon depression of the accelerator. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle soon after failure and resume normal driving. The contact had called two dealers and was informed that they had never heard of such a failure. The contact was informed by each dealer that he would be charged a diagnostic fee to service the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Moorestown, NJ, USA

problem #162

Aug 092021

Pilot

  • miles
The idle stop feature engaged but the engine would not restart when foot taken off brake at a busy intersection. I had to change transmission to park, turn off engine, push start button to restart engine. It took several times pushing start button before engine started. Delay caused traffic congestion at the light. This same scenario has happened at least 4 other times over the last 3 months.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #161

Jul 222021

Pilot

  • miles
When I stop and the car has the "auto-engine shut off" turned on, when I press the button to disable the "auto-engine shut off"; the pilot completely turns off and all warning lights are thrown up on the display. I then attempt to turn on the pilot by pressing the start button and it takes a couple of attempts to restart the pilot. This has happened at stop lights, on the highway in stop and go traffic and other places as well. This has been happening for over a year. Last time Honda told us to replace the battery, even though it wasn't bad, and they weren't sure, and it still isn't fixed.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #160

Jul 222021

Pilot

  • miles

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

When the vehicle was at a stop signal, the engine went into idle stop but would not restart. This happened three times so far. Once 2 years ago and twice in the past 3 days. The vehicle eventually restarted after we turned it off then on again. In all cases we were at a large intersection, but this could have happened on a highway ramp and could have been dangerous.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #159

Jul 142021

Pilot

  • miles
Occasionally, the engine does not automatically re-start after the idle engages. This has happened multiple times over the last couple of years. The result is a stalled vehicle, sometimes at busy intersections. This is confusing, annoying, and potentially dangerous --- thankfully so far the drivers behind me have reacted quickly to a stalled vehicle in front of them. The vehicle also seems to hesitate when attempting to start manually. The situation can become quite frantic. I changed the on-off push button which was having some other problems, but the problem with the engine not re-starting after idle persists. I have also changed the battery and regularly check my current battery, but it just happened again yesterday and I almost got hit! What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Engine automatic re-start after idle. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Stalled vehicle in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" No.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #158

Jul 132021

Pilot

  • miles
Issue: Auto Stop / Start feature on 2016 Honda Pilot Touring does not re-engage / start the car after being idle from a stop. This is a repeated issue that has been occurring intermittently since I bought the car brand new. I have taken it to the dealer multiple times and they state they can't replicate so can't fix. However, multiple forums have stated others are having similar issues. This originally was happening about once a month. Its now at least once per week. I have blocked traffic and almost been hit multiple times as my car won't start again at stop signs / lights. Usually after 30 seconds to 2 minutes, I can put it in park and wait a bit and it will eventually start. The last two times it would not restart until it was jumped after waiting for roadside service. I have taken it for battery and alternator evaluation and both are fine.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #157

Jul 142021

Pilot

  • miles

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

Occasionally, when the vehicle is stopped at a stop sign, or stoplight, the idle stop will engage and shut off the engine. When releasing brake pedal, engine will not restart. Vehicle must be placed in park, brake pedal depressed very hard and then attempt to restart. Vehicle will restart after one or more tries. When the vehicle will not re-start, the symptoms are that or a dead battery. Warning lights, engine will not crank. But, then it restarts just fine. The issue does not happen if Idle stop feature is disabled. Dealership has not been able to repeat problem, has tested primary electrical components and cannot fix it. Dealership has looked at the problem 3 times. This is becoming a safety issue, and it is easily found in online forums with other owners of the same years, make, model having the same issue. I believe this to be an issue with the control logic in the Idle stop loop.

- Wauwatosa, WI, USA

problem #156

Jul 052021

Pilot

  • miles
O2 sensor in regards to fuel injector recall. Fuel Injector failure with 55,000 miles on injectors. All injectors replaced by dealer under recall. Now with, 57,000 miles, so 2,000 additional miles since original recall, now the O2 sensor fails. Obviously, O2 sensor failed due to original fuel injector failure putting too much fuel into the emissions system, which caused the O2 sensor to fail. The O2 sensor not part of recall and not covered under any extended warranty. But the extended warranty added onto catalytic converter. Entire emissions system has extended warranty except O2 sensors. O2 sensors are just as much a part of the emissions system as fuel injectors and catalytic converters. O2 sensors should be covered under this entire recall.

- Holtsville, NY, USA

problem #155

Jul 022021

Pilot

  • miles
Auto Idle shut off stalls the car. Once the car is stopped...the engine will shut off. When I take my foot off the brake...the engine stalls, goes into park..several lights come up on the dash. This is very concerning....especially when it is difficult to start the car back up again.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

problem #154

Jul 022021

Pilot

  • miles
While waiting for the green light and pressing the brake engine suddenly stopped. Thinking that engine stop and go mode kicking in but despite releasing the brake it won't restart. Tried to restart vehicle but only on the 3rd attemp that engine restarted. This is the second time it happened despite the repair last month at dealership which according to them they change the start switch botton that might caused the problem. I believe the stop and go feature of the car causing this problem. Releasing the brake from full stop should render the engine to restart but for any reason this is malfunctioning.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #153

Jun 252021

Pilot

  • miles

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

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The auto engine idle fails to restart / shuts own the vehicle completely in busy intersections or stop and go traffic. A common symptom that is character I ed as the root cause is a weak battery, even when the battery is less than 2 years old. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Yes, vehicle has stalled several times on the busiest highway in Hawaii during rush hour traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem was recreated by me during a road east several times with the service manager from the local Honda dealer in the vehicle. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" All lights come on instantaneously before the vehicle completely does. The vehicle must be placed in park and takes as long as 30 seconds to restart. Again, in the middle of the highway H1 on Oahu.

- Ewa Beach, HI, USA

problem #152

Jun 272021

Pilot

  • 90,615 miles
The Auto Idle Engine malfunctioned and would not allow the car to start again at an intersection. Previously, It has been stalling out and turns the electrical of the car off (radio) when engaging but this time the car would not start at all. After approximately 90 seconds I was able to turn the car back on.

- Goddard, KS, USA

problem #151

May 262021

Pilot

  • miles
When I was stopped at a stop light, the auto idle malfunctioned. The car totally shut off and I was unable to get it restarted despite the flashing lights telling me to put it in park and restart it. It wouldn't start. After sitting for awhile in traffic waiting for the tow truck. I opened the door and closed it and then it restarted. I moved it over to a parking lot where it happened once again for the tow truck driver.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #150

Jun 052021

Pilot

  • miles
The auto engine idle feature when enabled will not start back up properly and stall at times. I-??ve taken this car to my Honda dealer to repair and they do not see an issue.

- Maple Glen, PA, USA

problem #149

Jun 022021

Pilot

  • miles
Emission problem system keeps lighting up, going to service with Honda 3x times but engine light keeps popping up, replaced knock sensor failure at first, then still pop up, they figured out now it-??s 2 bank failure, need to replace engine harness and knock sensors sub harness, p0328, p0333. It will cause acceleration problem

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #148

May 222021

Pilot

  • miles
My vehicle shut down while driving with error messages on screen: emissions transmission, vehicle stability assist, hill start assist, trailer stability, assist, power steering, road departure, collision mitigation, blind spot, transmission, battery light, oil light. Coasted into safe place and had towed. Could not turn car back on other than seeing the above warnings.

- Marion, IA, USA

problem #147

May 242021

Pilot

  • miles
The 2016 Honda Pilot Elite has an auto idle stop (AIS). Three times in the last six months my Pilot has stalled when at a stop and not automatically restarted when the foot was taken off the brake. It then took 5-6 tries to have the car restart. Twice it happened at stop signs with traffic behind me and once in rush hour traffic in Dallas when stopped for traffic backup. Mine does not seem to be an isolated problem since I have read numerous accounts of similar problems online. Dealer said did not have a fix for problem.

- The Woodlands , TX, USA

problem #146

May 212021

Pilot

  • miles
Won't start after idle stop, and i have reported to Honda Dealer Elcrrito service center they updated systems last three months back again its same issue and have now had this problem 4 times in the past 4-5 months while we stopped at a light, the idle stop will engage and shut off the engine, but then it won't start without completely turn off for a couple of minutes, this serious safety issue if this will happen the same issue at freeway then we don't know what to do.

- Hercules, CA, USA

problem #145

May 162021

Pilot

  • 46,100 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and would not restart. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed however, the mechanic stated that there was nothing that needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. A complaint was submitted with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 46,100.

- Playa Del Ray, CA, USA

problem #144

May 062021

Pilot

  • miles
Auto Idle stop. twice my car has shut of when auto idle was engaged. Traveling at speed have to stop to merge or at red light auto idle will engaged. Car shut off when the brake was released followed by a warning display in the speedometer screen to put car in park and and restart. Those are the facts now for the issue. I was traveling on I35 in Texas merged onto 190. Had to momentarily stop to merge. I let off brake and the car died. Cars where coming up on me fast. I was able to engage hazard flashers and restart car. Second time I was at red light released brake and car died. Followed same procedure and got car restarted. This has happened twice in last two weeks My car is now in the shop. When researching on line this seems to be a common problem.

- Flint, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?