2016 Honda Pilot Problems

1,681 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict AVOID 5/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine757
Electrical System578
Unknown Or Other289
Power Train198
Fuel/Propulsion System166
Structure53

In the owners’ words

“Alternator had been replaced a few days prior. Heard a rattling the same day we picked the car up. Called the dealership to arrange a drop off for inspection. An hour after that call, the car was at a stopped and the engine shut off. The car is currently at the local dealership. We were at risk because the engine cut off with no warning. No lights to indicate an issue. The vehicle has been inspected by a Honda certif”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Honda Pilot owner
“My vehicle got the "knock" trouble code for a faulty crankshaft. This is a widely spread, well documented engine default in the 2016 honda pilot. There are many other pilots that have a recall but mine does not. This doesnt make sense to me. I have not been able to drive this vehicle for two years because of this problem. There is nothing else wrong with this vehicle. It honestly looks brand new.”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Honda Pilot owner
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop at an intersection, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was blocking traffic and was pushed to safety. While in a safe location, the battery was diagnosed and was found to be in good ”NHTSA complaint, 2016 Honda Pilot owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
30/03/2017Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage SAFETYHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
09/06/2016Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly SAFETYHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The aff
06/07/2015Seat Belts:Rear/Other SAFETYHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat
16/10/2015Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel SAFETYHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015. In
29/11/2021Structure:Body:HoodHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood
13/11/2023Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connec
18/12/2023Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump SAFETYHonda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022
04/06/2026Structure:Frame And MembersAmerican Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Il

Questions owners ask

Is the 2016 Honda Pilot reliable?

On the federal record it scores 5/100: 1,681 owner complaints (168.1 per year on the road) and 8 recall campaigns, 5 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Honda Pilot?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 757 of 2041 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2016 Honda Pilot scored 5/100 on the federal record.

Full 2016 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Pilot yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking