2016 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 778about this part
- Share
- 45%of 1,720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 778 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Honda Pilot, 45% of the 1,720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,700 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“UPON INSPECTION FOUND KNOCKING NOISE FROM LOW END ROD KNOCK. INTERNAL FAILURE OF ROD CAUSING NOISE FROM SPUN BEARING- Honda told me that the VIN was not included in the previous recall despite being manufactured in the same month and year of the recall causing me to pay out of pocket to replace the short block of the engine at 85,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11667080, filed 2025-06, 87,701 miles“This vehicle has a good service history but when I was driving on the highway the motor stalled almost causing an accident I heard a popping sound then the motor started to knock like crazy I know there was a recall on these vehicles for the same issue I feel that honda should honor the recall on the pilot elite as well”
NHTSA complaint #11650925, filed 2025-03, 128,000 miles“On friday, 2/21, the 'emissions system problem' came on my dash (again). Dropped it off at the dealer on monday, 2/24. We were told the fuel injectors all needed to be replaced. Then we got a call back that after they got in there, all the seals needed to be replaced too. I have only had this brand new car for 4 years & 4 months. Very disappointed in Honda.”
NHTSA complaint #11315396, filed 2020-03, 54,000 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“While stopped at a traffic light the car put itself into park without my (the driver) knowledge. When the light turned green I attempted to accelerate however the car was in park. I attempted to shift the car into drive and it would not do so. I had to turn the car off and then back on in order to place the car into drive and proceed through the intersection.”
NHTSA complaint #11269264, filed 2019-10, 71,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11020578Jul 7, 2025Service 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…
- 11007647Sep 4, 2024Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
- 11005272Jul 20, 2024Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common…
- 11002716Jun 19, 2024Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more…
- 10171546Feb 13, 2020Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 Pilot Tourings or Elites with a customer complaint of a no auto re-start condition after going…
- 10168308Nov 21, 2019Service Bulletin - There is a chirping coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
- 10143359Jul 20, 2018Service bulletin - There is a chirping coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up. The high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
- 10143333Jul 12, 2018Servicenews article - Until recently, Tech Line had only two categories for auto idle stop system issues. That made it hard for our engineering staff to understand what was…
- 10143160Jul 12, 2018Servicenews article - Until recently, Tech Line had only two categories for auto idle stop system issues. That made it hard for our engineering staff to understand what was…
- 10136439May 2, 2018Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co.(AHM) is investigating certain 2016 Pilots with a customer complaint of a no-start condition that requires the 12V battery to be…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 | 36 | 21% |
| 2021 | 112 | 25% |
| 2020 | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 | 240 | 26% |
| 2018 | 157 | 36% |
| 2017 | 476 | 51% |
| 2016 | 778 | 45% |
| 2015 | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 | 31 | 27% |
| 2013 | 79 | 29% |
| 2012 | 35 | 20% |
| 2011 | 31 | 11% |
| 2010 | 28 | 25% |
| 2009 | 35 | 26% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 48 | 7% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2016 Honda Pilot
581 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