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Air bagsPart report

2016 Honda Pilot Air bags Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
1%of 1,724 total for the year
Median mileage
57,165miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Honda Pilot, 1% of the 1,724 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,165 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“We were hit on the drivers and passengers sides of the vehicle by another vehicle that was travelling at an estimated 90-100 MPH, and the airbags did not deploy. My vehicle was travelling at about 50 MPH on an interstate when it was struck on the driver's side first. The force of that impact pushed my vehicle into a large box truck on the passenger's side. The police stated that the airbags should have deployed with the extreme force of the impact.”

NHTSA complaint #11307300, filed 2020-02, 44,500 miles

“Takata recall the passenger's side airbag of our 2016 Honda Pilot spontaneously deployed as my daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH straight along route 195 in mansfield, ct on may 11, 2019. At the time of the deployment she had passed over a storm drain that sticks out into the narrow road. The drain causes a slight depression in the roadway, which the wheels rolled over. There was no impact. There was no accident. She managed to keep her wits about her so she didn't get hit on the busy, narrow road. The outside of the car is pristine. The interior is a mess. …”

NHTSA complaint #11209618, filed 2019-05, 72,000 miles

“Air bag did not deploy on impact. Driving approximately 15 MPH on a residential road when brake's locked and car did not respond, running directly into a telephone pole while on a hill/slope. Car picked up speed before impact. Air bag sensor or error appeared on impact, car smelled of smoke/burning. Front body and frame had extensive damage, ie. Radiator cage(?). Air bags did not deploy and police stated that given the impact, they should have. Car is being repaired and air bag sensor continues to display without known cause.”

NHTSA complaint #11385404, filed 2020-12, 99,000 miles

“An airbag warning light recently appeared in our 2016 Honda Pilot. Believing it might be a faulty sensor, we scheduled a service appointment with our local Honda dealership. During the inspection, we were advised that the airbag was not properly seated and requires replacement. This vehicle has not been involved in any recent accident or other event that would explain why the airbag became dislodged. I am very concerned that a critical safety component such as an airbag could become improperly positioned without any apparent cause. …”

NHTSA complaint #11772132, filed 2026-10

“Hi. Soon after I bought the car the steering wheel is making a loud cleacking noise. I took it to the Schaumburg Honda dealer and they replaced the cable reel under the airbag 4 times. They replaced the wrong part while the car was under the manufacturer warranty. Now the car has no warranty and they said honda knows about the faulty airbag and they do not want to replace it. When you turn the steering wheel to the right or to the left is making a loud cleacking noise. I have all the paperwork. Please help me so no one will get injured or killed on the road. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #11438311, filed 2021-10

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026311%
202563%
202443%
202343%
202232%
2021327%
202041%
201971%
201841%
201730%
2016151%
20151110%
201498%
2013187%
20122012%
20116823%
20103229%
20092922%
20083224%
20075426%
20066123%
200512018%
20048115%
200311516%

Other parts of the 2016 Honda Pilot

Engine
781 complaints
Electrical system
582 complaints
Other or unknown
292 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
201 complaints
Fuel system
193 complaints
Body and structure
54 complaints
Engine cooling
45 complaints
Vehicle speed control
39 complaints
Electronic stability control
37 complaints
Brakes
31 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
25 complaints
Steering
18 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Honda Pilot

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology