2016 Honda Pilot Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 581about this part
- Share
- 34%of 1,720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 581 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Honda Pilot, 34% of the 1,720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Keyless start system problem error message: having trouble starting and turning off vehicle. Have to press start button several times or hold longer. Sometimes, I have to depress break and then trying again...start button light is not always on. It's taking longer and longer to start and turn off vehicle. I have been getting this message for about 7 months. I have”
NHTSA complaint #11306681, filed 2020-02, 42,216 miles“When I try to start the vehicle by pressing the start/stop button while sitting in the vehicle with my foot on the brake, the key fob in my hand, and the vehicle in park, the vehicle will not start. Also, after several attempts, if the vehicle does start, I get a message 'keyless start system problem' and it often times takes several attempts to turn the vehicle off.”
NHTSA complaint #11377835, filed 2020-12, 65,000 miles“While stopped at a freeway off ramp. The car automatically shut off the engine per the start/stop feature. When the light turned green the car did not restart and instead completely shut off and put itself into park. I had trouble restarting while traffic built up behind me. This is not the first time this has happened. It is a very dangerous and disconcerting problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11307767, filed 2020-02, 38,000 miles“Keyless start system problem has been popping up on my dashboard for past month while I'm driving. I have 51,000 miles on Pilot. Doesn't seem to affect car yet but I have read online that others are having this problem which is causing issues with car not starting. Online comments suggest Honda has no clear resolution on what is causing this.”
NHTSA complaint #11217871, filed 2019-06, 51,000 miles“Keyless start system problem error message when starting engine. 2016 Honda Pilot 45k miles. My Honda service dept wants to hook it up for $170 to diagnose problem. He did say if the warning light is orange, not to worry about it too much (I guess red means worry). New batteries in both fobs. This has been ongoing intermittently for 6 weeks - now constant”
NHTSA complaint #11255021, filed 2019-09, 45,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V668000Oct 16, 2015Honda (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…Covers: Honda Pilot 2016
Related service bulletins
- 10234629Apr 12, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop…
- 10231048Jan 25, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
- 10229678Jan 6, 2023Dealer Message - During development, the idle stop enable criteria was mis-set allowing idle stop to improperly engage while battery health is low. Under certain circumstances…
- 10229676Jan 6, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or…
- 10229675Jan 6, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
- 10187552Feb 16, 2021Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, the MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and…
- 10187006Feb 11, 2021"Service Bulletin - The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter. Additionally, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector…
- 10184331Dec 9, 2020Dealer Message - Today, December 9, 2020, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2015-17 Fit, 2016-18 HR-V, 2016-17 Pilot, and 2017 Ridgeline vehicles…
- 10184330Dec 9, 2020Service Bulletin - The vehicle may not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR, and DTC B12C5…
- 10183525Nov 24, 2020Dealer Message - The fuel injectors may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector machining…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 45 | 21% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 28 | 19% |
| 2022 | 40 | 24% |
| 2021 | 136 | 30% |
| 2020 | 214 | 44% |
| 2019 | 266 | 29% |
| 2018 | 85 | 19% |
| 2017 | 266 | 28% |
| 2016 | 581 | 34% |
| 2015 | 13 | 12% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 9 | 3% |
| 2012 | 22 | 13% |
| 2011 | 26 | 9% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 9 | 7% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 18 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 60 | 11% |
| 2003 | 129 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2016 Honda Pilot
778 complaintsOther or unknown
292 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
201 complaintsFuel system
192 complaintsBody and structure
54 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
39 complaintsElectronic stability control
37 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsForward collision avoidance
25 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsAir bags
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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