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

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 5 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #363

Oct 022023

Pilot

  • miles

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

While driving on the highway, all of a sudden all the check engine light flashed on, and then a popping sound came from the engine and all the lights on the dash came on. The vehicle would no longer accelerate. I was able to pull off to the side of the road. I was able to get the vehicle started and carefully drove it home. We took it into a car place, and when they were test driving it to see what the issue was the engine seized.

- Haymarket, VA, USA

problem #362

Apr 012023

Pilot

  • miles
On 04/01/2023, when driving with my family in our 2016 Honda Pilot from a trip coming back from Washington D.C. enroute to our home in Michigan, I started to hear a vibration in the engine. You would hear it when depressing the gas pedal, and it would fade off if you let off of the accelerator. The vibration continually became worse. I checked the oil, and it was full. We continued driving and then the vibration became significantly worse. Then all of a sudden several dashboard lights came on and the engine exploded with parts of the engine blowing apart underneath the car. Thankfully we were in the far right lane when the engine exploded, as we were barely able to get off the side of the highway. Our 2016 Honda Pilot had 119,336 miles on it. We have maintained our vehicle on or before any maintenance due dates. What is bizarre is that all of the oil changes throughout the life of the vehicle have been with Mobil 1 synthetic oil, and always performed early. I recently noticed an upcoming Honda recall pertaining to some of their engines, and the issue appears to be identical to what we experienced.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #361

Nov 142023

Pilot

  • miles
The vehicle was making a noise when being driven and we took it to Fletcher Honda for diagnosis. They told us there was a safety bulletin out for rod bearing noise but no other information available. Now there is a recall and they say our VIN is not included in the recall but we have rod bearing noise and cannot drive the vehicle for fear the engine will blow out.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #360

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 #359

Oct 182023

Pilot

  • miles
The short engine block failed while driving the car. Engine experienced problems prior to event such as engine shudder, engine shutoff while driving, and ultimately an engine failure while driving. Honda dealer stated that a failure in the short block is due to a manufacturer defect, but did not identify what the defect is. Having a car shut off while driving is extremely dangerous. Having a car engine fail while driving is also extremely dangerous. Car has been well maintained to all Honda standards. The 2016 Honda Pilot should be investigated for engine shudder, engine shutoff and premature engine failures.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #358

Aug 302023

Pilot

  • miles
1. The camshaft on the engine, took to a mechanic and Honda dealership, they are both saying its the camshaft. 2. Cannot drive the vehicle because every time I get up to about 20 - 30 mph the shuts off without warning while driving, not even coasting to a stop enough to pull over to a shoulder of a highway, leaving me and my 3 kids stranded in the middle of busy roads/highways. 3. yes, Honda issued a "technical service bulletin" but refuses to fix the issue without causing unnecessary hardship to owners who are affected. 4. The manufacture Honda Co., is aware the Camshaft was "not machined according to spec" based on their own bulletin. 5. No warnings as far as I can tell, it just started happening more and more frequently until I can hardly drive it anywhere without it breaking down. Once it breaks down a bunch of unrelated warning lights come on such as, "Emission system problem, power steering problem, Vehicle stability /assist problem, Hill Start problem, Trailer Stability Assist problem, Road departure mitigation system problem, Keyless start problem, along with the check engine light.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #357

Oct 022023

Pilot

  • miles

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

REFERENCING PRIOR SERVICE BULLETING HONDA 20-117 Warranty Extension: 2016-17 Pilot and 2017 Ridgeline Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5 This failure continues to occur but Honda will no longer cover since mileage is greater than 125,000 miles. The time is within the limits. This appears to be a known issue which is why the service bulletin was issued. My car has now had this issue but it wont be covered since I have 140,000 miles on my vehicle. Yet if its a known issue, its a known issue?

- Lakewood Ranch, FL, USA

problem #356

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 #355

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 #354

Sep 242023

Pilot

  • miles
While driving at freeway speeds of 80 mph, and while passing a vehicle, Engine wants to temporarily slow (like it's dropped a cylinder or two), and the car will NOT speed up. Then engine warning light starts to blink, Emissions Problem light starts to blink, then car downshifts several gears and slows dramatically - or will rev at 4500-5000 rpm. ON THE INTERSTATE! DRAMATICALLY UNSAFE. I've reported this to my dealer, Penske Honda in Carmel, IN - and they can't resolve any issue or see a stupid "error code". This has happened three times in past 3 years. IT"S TERBBYLY UNSAFE. Car goes from 80 to 60 and engine and transmission go on the blank.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #353

Aug 042023

Pilot

  • miles

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

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 #352

Aug 072023

Pilot

  • miles
My 2016 Honda Pilot was recently repaired as the Cam-Shaft had move within the care engine. My car has 109,000 miles on the vehicle, and should not have this issue given the cars age and the way that the car is driven. I am a suburban mom, who drives the car to work and with both of my children within my car. This put my entire family as risk driving within the care and could have hurt other drivers if the malfunction happened in the middle of the free-way or otherwise. The vehicle was inspected by the Honda Dealership for the issue. The vehicle has all of the dash lights flashing and the car was driving erratically, so much so that mid driving the car, it we were in a near miss accident due to the mechanical malfunction. The 2nd issue that has presented itself, it the start and stop button within the vehicle. It is a known defect to the vehicle.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #351

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 #350

Jul 202023

Pilot

  • miles
I drive my vehicle with the auto stop on. When I get to a stop light or traffic light and stop the vehicle, the engine shuts off as it should. When I let off of the brake and go to accelerate, the engine appears to start, then shuts all the way off. This happens multiple times during the ride and each time requires engine to be started manually.

- Snohomish, WA, USA

problem #349

Jul 122023

Pilot

  • miles
i have a 2016 Pilot touring (69k miles on it now) and have now had this problem 5 times in the past 4 months where, I stop at a signal, the idle stop will engage and shut off the engine, but then it won't start for almost 20 seconds when i keep pressing the start button. Once the engine gets to start, it wont happen all the time but when it happens it creates a safety risk. I tried to get inspected and there is no issue with battery or the remote key fob. Considering the panic it creates for the passengers on the road, appreciate some action is taken to prioritize the fix or recall the parts that might contribute to this shut off.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #348

Jul 062023

Pilot

  • miles
Car left us stranded at busy intersection. Auto start system failed to restart vehicle. Car would not restart even after placing car back into park.

- Grimes, IA, USA

problem #347

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 #346

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

problem #345

Jun 032023

Pilot

  • miles
Unintended Acceleration While at a standstill, on a hill, holding a foot on the break pedal, I lifted my foot from the break pedal to drift forward down the hill, (without ever getting near the gas pedal ) The car accelerated at a very high RPM. I pressed down on the break pedal to stop the car, but it was at such a high RPM rate that I was unable to stop the vehicle from hitting another vehicle in front of me, caroming off of it and my vehicle landed atop a hugh shrub suspending it several feet in the air. My vehicle was totaled and the vehicle it hit was severely damaged. There were no serious bodily injuries to any passengers in either vehicle. There are two issues here. The unintented acceleration, and the inability of the breaks to stop the vehicle.

- Paxinos, PA, USA

problem #344

May 182023

Pilot

  • miles
1. When Engine Idle Stop is engaged vehicle cuts off or stalls when you let up off of brakes. - Honda could not tell me why it was doing it. - no warning -car cut off completely in the middle of traffic at a stop light during rush hour. I was able to get it to cut back on after 2 minutes. - I fear for the safety of my family while in this vehicle. 2. Malfunction of stereo system cause a continuous screeching static sound through speakers. GPS and all other voice function stop working at this time.

- Marion, NC, USA

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