2016 Honda Pilot Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,003miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Honda Pilot, 3% of the 1,720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,003 miles. 1 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.
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after attempting to use the Push-To-Start to start the vehicle, an abnormal clicking sound was heard and the engine failed to turn over. Several Unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a seized engine that was possibly related to NHTSA Campaign: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …”
NHTSA complaint #11741576, filed 2026-06, 78,962 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated with an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11621221, filed 2024-10, 126,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that his wife was driving at 35 MPH when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included in the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11625049, filed 2024-11, 135,830 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, or while the vehicle was cold started, the engine was running rough and making an abnormal clanking sound. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the connecting rod bearings were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11627306, filed 2024-11, 165,383 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a knocking noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered metal shavings in the engine oil and determined that the engine rod bearings had failed causing severe damage to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic informed us of a manufacturer's recall related to the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11578622, filed 2024-03, 95,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Honda (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…Covers: Honda Pilot 2016, 2018–2019, Acura TLX 2015–2020, MDX 2016–2020 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245550Nov 10, 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…
- 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…
- 10232977Mar 10, 2023Product Update - Honda is conducting a product update to your 2019-22 Passport, 2016-22 Pilot, and 2020-23 Ridgeline. Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the…
- 10232975Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- 10232973Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
- 10232960Mar 1, 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…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 13 | 1% |
| 2016 | 45 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 6% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% |
| 2005 | 43 | 6% |
| 2004 | 28 | 5% |
| 2003 | 37 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2016 Honda Pilot
778 complaintsElectrical system
581 complaintsOther or unknown
292 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
201 complaintsFuel system
192 complaintsBody and structure
54 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