2016 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Honda Pilot most often describe the engine shutting off or failing to restart when the idle-stop feature engages at a stop, along with a recurring "keyless start system problem" message. A further cluster of complaints covers engine noise and failure, rough shifting, and emissions-light trouble traced to the fuel injectors. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 12,000 miles to beyond 140,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine stalls or won't restart after idle stop

   • 491 complaints (29%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (175 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 26 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe the engine shutting down at a stop light or sign when the idle-stop feature engages, then failing to restart when the brake is released; the dash, radio and lights may also go dark. Many say the vehicle only comes back after shifting into park and pressing the start button several times, and some report the message "Shift to Park and Restart Vehicle" or a collision-mitigation warning. Dealers reportedly replaced batteries or the ignition switch, and according to complaints some vehicles received a software update, with the symptom returning in some cases. Reported from under 12,000 miles up to roughly 90,000 miles, at stops in traffic and in both mild and cold weather.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any idle-stop software update or warranty extension work was performed, and whether the feature was disabled. During a test drive, stop at a light with the feature enabled and confirm the engine restarts cleanly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had several issues but the most pressing is that the car will suddenly stop responding under acceleration. This has happened 3 times once very nearly caused a very bad accident with a big rig whilst we were entering a freeway. The car will suddenly not respond to throttle the gauges seem to reset and then the car will go. Similar to how the auto stop idle function works except we were not stopped we were under acceleration. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11299470, filed 2020-01, 12,000 miles

   “I was stopped at a red light and my engine turned off from the idle/stop feature. However, when I released the brakes this time, the car did not turn on as it normally does. Instead, the whole vehicle turned off and it took me several tries to turn the vehicle back on. This has happened to my wife on several occasions. I replaced the car battery and it happened again a month after. My Pilot would not turn on again after releasing the brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #11389300, filed 2021-01, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine knock, lost power, engine replacement

   • 326 complaints (19%)
   • median 105,350 mi at 9.0 yrs old (80 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $8,000 (median of 39 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe a loud knocking or rattling from the engine compartment, sometimes followed by loss of power and a stalled vehicle that will not restart. Owners report being told by dealers or independent mechanics that the connecting rod bearings wore and the engine needed replacement. Several owners link the symptom to the connecting-rod bearing recall for this engine. Mostly reported between about 74,000 and 144,000 miles, often while driving at highway speed.

   Recall 23V7510001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the connecting-rod bearing recall (23V751000) was completed and whether the engine has been replaced. Listen for a knock at cold start and check oil level and condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Connecting rod to piston broken of damaged. Loud rattle on engine startup and acceleration. Not shifting well. Engine cutting off at stops and not restarting without shifting to park and restarting”

   NHTSA complaint #11638677, filed 2025-01, 89,109 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's wife continued to drive; however, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11566258, filed 2024-01, 101,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   "Keyless start system problem" message

   • 360 complaints (21%)
   • median 50,571 mi at 4.0 yrs old (205 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners report a "Keyless Start System Problem" or "Keyless Start System Error" message appearing on the instrument panel, sometimes intermittently for weeks. In some cases the vehicle takes several presses of the start button to start, and a few describe being unable to start it at all and needing a tow. Complaints mention replacing the engine start/stop switch assembly, and some owners say the dealer attributed the message to a weak battery and replaced it, with the message returning. Reported from roughly 9,000 miles to about 98,000 miles, often with no particular weather pattern.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check whether the start/stop switch has been replaced and whether the battery is healthy. Start the vehicle several times and watch for the message on the cluster.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had 2 problems show up on the dashboard for my vehicle. As follows: 1) emissions systems problem 2) keyless start system problem my driving conditions are normal. I keep my vehicle maintained and serviced regularly. I want to report these 2 safety problems since I feel that they should not appear for a vehicle at this mileage. Thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #11338618, filed 2020-07, 50,571 miles

   “Remote system start error message received and then the vehicle wouldn't start. I was stranded at a gas station and had to be towed. Originally diagnosed as battery after I received a jump. We replaced the battery and had no issues for about 4 weeks. Now the error is back. Seems to be a recurring problem for 2016 pilots based on my research. This needs to be a recall issue for Honda to fix!”

   NHTSA complaint #11328768, filed 2020-06, 50,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Emissions light and fuel injector replacement

   • 276 complaints (16%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (125 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 43 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe an "Emissions System Problem" message and check-engine light, sometimes with rough running or hesitation, and report being told by dealers that the fuel injectors needed replacement. Several complaints mention that the work was quoted at over a thousand dollars, and some note that the symptom returned after other parts such as oxygen sensors or spark plugs were replaced first. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 90,000 miles, often noticed on startup or during steady driving.

   Recall 23V8580006 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel injectors have been replaced and whether any emissions-related warranty extension applies to the VIN. Scan for stored codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At just over 70k miles, I get the dreaded emissions system problem when I start my car the other morning. I immediately take it to a Honda dealership for diagnosis and I am told I will need all 6 fuel injectors replaced. Interestingly enough, Honda's TSB 018-25 indicates the probable cause of this fuel injector issue as an issue that occurred during the manufacturing process, yet they have not been fully transparent about the issue, nor have they issued a recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11306832, filed 2020-02, 70,000 miles

   “While driving my 2016 exl Honda Pilot awd, it began displaying multiple codes such as hill start assist, road departure, emissions system, power steering, and, tsa. I took it right away to a nearby auto zone and the code they gave me was p0304 cylinder misfire. When I took it to hendrick Honda the codes were no longer flashing. But they ran the diagnostic and performed regular maintenance on the car and I informed that their was a $1,500 repair charge for fuel injectors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11299103, filed 2020-01, 87,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough or jerky transmission shifting

   • 177 complaints (10%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (97 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,750 (median of 18 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe hesitation, shuddering or jerky upshifts during normal acceleration, sometimes worse on inclines, and a few report a "Transmission Overheating" message while driving uphill. Complaints mention that dealers performed a transmission software update, and some owners report the torque converter and fluid were found overheated or darkened at relatively low mileage. Reported from about 19,000 to 91,000 miles, often during steady acceleration or uphill driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, accelerate steadily from a stop and up a grade and note any shudder or harsh shift. Ask whether the transmission software update or fluid service was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The transmission has subtle but concerning jerking between 10-30mph, especially while accelerating. This can be getting on the freeway, driving straight down the street or going up hills. I noticed it is worse when going up a sloped surface. Upon having a transmission specialist dismantle and analyze, I was informed the torque converter and other elements of the trans were failing and falling apart. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11351218, filed 2020-08, 79,000 miles

   “Honda Pilot ex-l jerks and engine slows on acceleration, rough shifting between speeds always on incline and sometimes on freeway and around town. Overheats while waiting in traffic, makes loud noise. Many other complaints about this same problem have been found. The Honda service dept. Claims no knowledge of the problem on my vehicle model. It is growing worse and happens on the freeway also. I'm concerned for the safety of my family.”

   NHTSA complaint #11363072, filed 2020-10, 19,400 miles

Buying note. Check that the connecting-rod bearing recall and the fuel pump recall were completed for the specific vehicle, and ask for records of injector, transmission and start/stop switch repairs. A test drive that includes a stop with the idle-stop feature on, a cold start, and a steady uphill acceleration will show several of the reported symptoms.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.