2016 Honda Pilot Brakes Problems

The component that failed in both incidents was the vehicle’s wiring system, specifically wiring insulation that appears to be vulnerable to rodent damage. In the first incident, squirrels chewed through wiring connected to the fuel injector system, which triggered a check engine light and was repaired. In the second incident, squirrels again accessed the engine compartment and chewed through wiring affecting the braking system. This resulted in a sudden and unexpected loss of braking function. Yes, the damaged components should be available for inspection through the repair shop or service records, although I would need to confirm the exact location of the retained parts. Safety was significantly put at risk. During the second incident, the vehicle was occupied by multiple passengers, including minors. While approaching a red light, the driver attempted to brake and found that the brakes were not functioning properly. The driver had to shift the vehicle into park and use the emergency brake to stop, narrowly avoiding a serious collision. This created a high-risk, potentially life-threatening situation. The first incident was addressed by a mechanic after the check engine light appeared, confirming damage to the fuel injector-related wiring. The second incident was formally confirmed by a mechanic that the brake line was leaking from damage from, what they highly suspected and have seen in the past, a rodent . In the first incident, a check engine light appeared, prompting immediate attention. In the second incident, there were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms before the brake failure occurred.

NHTSA ID

11731338

Incident

May 11, 2025

I was pulling into a parking space. Hit the brake. Instead of stopping, the car accelerated, jumping a curb and barreling across into another business drive. It hit a sign and a stone garbage can, which caused the car to recognize a collision and automatically go into park which caused it to stop. If it hadn’t been for the stone garbage can, it would have gone through the store window where people were sitting. Luckily at that moment there wasnt a car parked in the space or something coming down the road. Because I didn’t understand what was happening , so I looked at my foot to see if I had pushed down on the gas instead of the brake. My foot was firmly on the brake. I talked to the local Honda dealership. They had never seen that issue before. They said they could do the diagnostic which I would have to pay for, but couldn’t promise it would show what happened. I also called Honda customer service. They started a claim, but also would do nothing unless diagnostics showed the problem and also said it may not. I was very fortunate that i didn’t kill or seriously harm someone. I am now scared to drive the vehicle. If I had not looked at my foot to see where it was placed, I would say possibly driver error; but I know it wasn’t. My foot was on the brake

NHTSA ID

11682060

Incident

Aug 19, 2025

When I was paring my phone to Bluetooth I noticed my car started to pop up alerts in accessory mode (low power state engine off) that my Honda was hiding critical safety alerts with the Brake System and Charging System Problem and a Anti-Lock Brake System Problem when fully powering the car most of theses alerts are fully hidden from driver view the only thing I was able to see consistently was the U3006 control module input power fault with my scan tool this is very concerning that a driver would have to do all of this work to find essential hidden driver major safety alerts

NHTSA ID

11645769

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The brakes have been repaired and replaced repeatedly. The vehicle locked down yesterday 2/25/25 when the driver was headed to school to pick up the children. The car came to a complete halt and was a danger to others with a "transmission engine" warning light on the dash. This vehicle has numerous repairs in addition to being too dangerous to drive down a two lane road due to the severity of the following issues: •Abrupt jerking or 'juddering' while accelerating, which can cause sudden unintended movement. •Noticeable hesitation when pressing the gas pedal, impacting the vehicle's response time. •Unusual clunking noises or hard downshifting, indicating potential internal damage.

NHTSA ID

11645078

Incident

Feb 2, 2018

While driving and starting to brake the whole dashboard lights up stating there is brake failure. And low brake fluid.

NHTSA ID

11636736

Incident

Jan 18, 2025

1) First and most annoying is the start button displays code on the screen "keyless start system problem ". Its done it for about two three now. There is no recall for my VIN. 2) Back wheels brakes make very loud kicking noise when car put in reverse and moves in reverse. It started 4 years ago. I took it to dealership and they said breaks are fine and they don't know why its kicking. In cold weather break sensor displays warning "apply break before putting in park" while breaks are applied. So it can't sense that breaks are applied. 3)blue ray DVD player quit working years ago. 4) Transmission is jerking when switches to third gear. This car has 56000 miles. 5) Roof molding in the front came off while driving. The clips somehow broke and it flew away. This car has been parked in the garage during the day and driven carefully with all needed oil changes and one owner. It should not have this problems. 6) the tires fell apart when car was 4 years old with about 25000 miles on it. The dealership said they don't know why and its was not normal. The top of the tires pilled off in chanks.

NHTSA ID

11575124

Incident

Mar 1, 2024

At times, when you start the car, on the screen where the radio and Honda link and Bluetooth are a message ( like an email) with a red exclamation point appears. I check the HONDA LINK app and it says that it has to do with the brake system. I drive the car and it stays on or disappears. It will come back and the go away. It happens around every few months since July.

NHTSA ID

11553269

Incident

Jul 29, 2023

There is pulsating vibrations when applying brakes. This vehicle is rarely driven and has only logged 25,642 miles since I first bought it in 2016. I believe the rotors are warped. Must be a defect as this vehicle is rarely used.

NHTSA ID

11466663

Incident

May 30, 2022

The Pilot defaults to the automatic engine shutoff when the brake is pressed. Several times, my car would shut off at the stop, but not restart when I took my foot off the pedal. When I'd go to restart the car, pressing the Start Engine button would just turn on accessories - it would never engage the gas/ignition. I'd have to give it a few minutes. I took it to my dealership who replaced the push button ignition. I had googled the issue and saw others had the same issue and warning message about the brake mitigation system, I saw that it was likely related to the brake booster/vacuum hose. I brought it back to the dealer the following month as the shut off had happened again and explained again about finding the brake booster as the issue. They replaced the part and the stall out hasn't happened again. It was never a consistent issue. I don't know what caused it to shut off, as it happened in cold or warm weather. Having to press the brake really hard is not a natural step in driving, so I'm thinking there's something wonky with the system. Even when I remote start my car, I have to press the brake pedal extremely firmly to have it remain started when I go to drive. Otherwise, the car will just switch to the accessory mode. This is a risk because the car defaults to the auto engine shut off when in traffic. If a car is unable to restart when the brake pedal is released, accidents can happen

NHTSA ID

11465870

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

There have been multiple times where the automatic emergency braking system engaged almost causing an accident with no car ahead of me. The latest incident caused a whiplash related injury to my daughter's neck. The tractor trailer behind me also locked up the brakes and luckily did so in time to avoid colliding with my car.

NHTSA ID

11454113

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80-85 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the warning message "Transmission Overheating" was illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Moss Bros. Honda (27990 Eucalyptus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555) who did not diagnose the vehicle but informed the contact that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission fluid was replaced. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was shaking whenever the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front rotors needed to be replaced. The contact stated that he was unable to replace the front rotors himself as there were abnormally small compared to the replacement parts. The contact also stated that the front rotors were abnormally smaller than the rear rotors of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and a case was opened. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID

11454083

Incident

Feb 25, 2018

Mileage

33,000 mi

Steering wheel shaking violently when braking especially at highway (down hill) speed.

NHTSA ID

11429952

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

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 ID

11385404

Incident

Dec 5, 2020

Mileage

99,000 mi

SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER MODULE HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE DUE TO SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING AROUND A CORNER ON A CITY BLOCK SO TURNING LEFT AT 15 MILES PER HOUR THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED A FAILURE AND ERROR MESSAGE AND ACCELERATED FORCING HIM OFF THE ROAD. DEALER HAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

11372442

Incident

Oct 21, 2020

Mileage

48,900 mi

PURCHASED A 2016 PILOT EX-L CERTIFIED USED WITH 8K. WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD GO PRETTY FAR DOWN BEFORE ENGAGING. IF I LET UP ON THE PEDAL AND PRESS AGAIN, THEY IMMEDIATELY GRAB LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES, BRAKES BLED AND FLUSHED, STILL THE SAME. I WAS INFORMED THAT HONDA SAYS THE DISTANCE OF BRAKE PEDAL PRESSING DOWN IS 2" IS NORMAL. I ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE SCREEN GOING OUT, AND THE DRIVER SIDE VENT WOULDN'T STAY UP, AND THE A/C WASN'T COOLING PROPERTY. ALSO THE SYSTEM WONT CONNECT TO MY PHONE RANDOMLY. I NOW HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING/COASTING AT ANY SPEED. HAVE TAKEN IT IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BUMPER AND HOOD NOISE. AFTER PAYING FOR THAT, I STILL HAVE THE NOISE. THE RPMS JUMPS FROM UNDER 2 TO JUST ABOVE TWO, THEN DOWN AGAIN. WHEN THE RPMS DO THIS THE NOISE HAPPENS AND ALSO THE ECONO MODE TURNS OFF TO WHITE, THEN GREEN AGAIN. NOW IT FEELS LIKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IFF IT IS TRYING TO GO INTO GEAR, SLIPPING. NOW WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO PASS, IT SEEMS TO SLIP. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! COME ON HONDA PLEASE FIX THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11364653

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

IT ENGINE IS IDLE ALL THE TIME WHEN THE AC IS ON

NHTSA ID

11233411

Incident

Apr 18, 2019

Mileage

67,851 mi

WHILE IDOL AT RED LIGHT, THE AUTOMATIC IDOL KICKED IN FOR POWER SAVE YET JERKED AND ALL RED LIGHT INDICATORS TURNED ON, INCLUDING PARKING BREAKS, AND CAR SEIZED UP. NO POWER, NO ABILITY PUT CAR IN PARK OR DRIVE. ON/OFF SWITCH NO REACTION TO TURN CAR ON OR OFF. NO BRAKE FUNCTION. I SAT IN AN UNRESPONSIVE VEHICLE AT VERY BUSY INTERCETION. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS STOPPED AND ONLY LAID ON THEIR HORN FOR 2 RED LIGHT CYCLES RATHER THAN HITTING ME. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS YET OTHER DRIVER DID NOT RESPOND. I REPETITIVELY KEPT PUSHING POWER BUTTON IN EFFORT FOR CAR TO RESPOND AND RESTART, EVENTUALLY DID AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. HAVE APPT WITH DEALERSHIP IN AM.

NHTSA ID

11230891

Incident

Jul 10, 2019

Mileage

12,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET WHEN SEVERAL ALERTS WENT OFF ON MY DASHBOARD: ROAD DEPARTURE MITIGATION SYSTEM PROBLEM, TRAILER STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, HILL START ASSIST PROBLEM, VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST PROBLEM, EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM, POWER STEERING SYSTEM PROBLEM. I COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THESE ALERTS. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND THE LIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF. 10 DAYS LATER THEY ALL CAME ON AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WENT TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHTS HAD TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT IN ANYWAY, AND THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO HONDA CORPORATION AND WAS TOLD BY ONE AGENT THAT THIS WASN'T THE FIRST TIME THE ISSUE HAD COME UP IN A NEWER MODEL PILOT. AGAIN 2 DAYS AGO, ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOW ALSO THE BRAKE ASSIST ALERT IS ALSO ON. I WILL TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED ALL THE FALSE ALARMS MAY BE HIDING AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I ALSO FEEL THAT HONDA GLOBAL IS NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY AS I AM ACTIVE DUTY STATIONED OVERSEAS AND HAVE TO RELY ON LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIPS THAT DO NOT HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE WITH THE HONDA PILOT. THE DATES OF THE LIGHTS WERE 17 SEPT, 27 SEPT, AND 6 OCT 2018.

NHTSA ID

11139016

Incident

Sep 17, 2018

Mileage

29,395 mi

I AM HEARING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT RO HONDA AND THEY SAID IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT AND THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX AND THWY KNOW ABOUT IT. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION.

NHTSA ID

11052131

Incident

Oct 13, 2017

Mileage

2,000 mi

I HAD PULLED OUT OF A PARKING PLACE AND WAS WAITING IN THE TRAFFIC LANE TO EXIT THE AREA. THERE WERE TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US. THE CARS WERE STOPPED. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 20-25 FEET BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IN MY CAR TO LET IT IDLE FORWARD. AS I APPROACHED THE YUKON I REAPPLIED THE BRAKE. THE CAR ACCELERATED TO WHAT SOUNDED LIKE FULL RPM'S AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR SLAMMED INTO THE YUKON WITH SUCH AN IMPACT THAT BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HIT ME IN THE FACE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT REACH MY WIFE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED SEVERE CHEST PAIN AND RAPID HEART BEAT. BYSTANDERS CALLED 911 AND TWO PARK RANGERS ARRIVED IN APPROX. 15-20 MINUTES. THE RANGERS FINISHED TAKING PICTURES AND ASKED ME TO PULL IN TO A PARKING SPOT OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANE OF THE PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE CAR AND PROCEEDED SLOWLY AND TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOT. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO PARK, THE SAME PHENOMENON OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD OVER A CURB AND WALKWAY AND STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP ON A RETAINING WALL. I DESPERATELY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE EMS WAS THERE SHORTLY AFTER THIS OCCURRENCE. A RANGER ASKED ME HOW FAST I WAS MOVING AND I STATED I HAD NO IDEA. I ASKED HIM TO ASK THE RANGER WHO WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME AND HE SAID 5 MPH. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AFTER THEY TRANSPORTED THE PEDESTRIAN ON THE BACKBOARD.THE AMBULANCE WAS READY TO TAKE MY WIFE TO THE HOSPITAL SO I APPROACHED THE PARK RANGER AND TOLD HIM THAT I NEEDED TO RIDE IN THE AMBULANCE WITH MY WIFE.

NHTSA ID

11032866

Incident

Sep 24, 2017

Mileage

15,000 mi

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND PUSHING THE BRAKE LIGHTLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AS IF IT WAS REALLY TAKING OFF. IT JUMPED A CURB ON THE WAY TO THE WALL, STRUCK THE BUILDING AND THEN ENGINE WENT BACK TO NORMAL RUNNING.

NHTSA ID

10970351

Incident

Mar 30, 2017

Mileage

6,400 mi

VEHICLE IS 16 MONTHS OLD WITH ONLY 5,200 MILES ON IT. BRAKING ACTION CURRENTLY SEEMS UNAFFECTED, HOWEVER, THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAD GREEN ALGAE ON THE STRAINER, HEAVY BLACK SEDIMENT ON THE FLOOR OF RESERVOIR, AND THE FLUID WAS BROWN. THE RESERVOIR WAS NEVER OPENED UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO WHEN I NOTICED THE FLUID WAS BROWN WHILE LOOKING THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR AS I WAS CHECKING THE FLUID LEVEL AND DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. THE CAP WAS PROPERLY SEALED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SLIGHT SUCTION AS I BEGAN TO LIFT THE CAP AFTER TWISTING AND THE SEAL WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. THE HONDA DEALER STATED THAT HONDA WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY A FLUID FLUSH BECAUSE THEY ASSUME IT WAS FROM SOMETHING I DID AND FURTHER ASSUMED IT WOULD NOT BE FROM CONTAMINATED FLUID THEY PUT IN AT THE FACTORY. AS A RESULT I JUST FLUSHED THE SYSTEM MYSELF WITH DOT 3/4 SYNTHETIC FLUID. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT HONDA MAY HAVE USED CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID AT THE FACTORY THAT COULD HAVE AFFECTED OTHER CARS OR, IF NOT, SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING OF IT FROM HONDA.

NHTSA ID

10965968

Incident

Mar 12, 2017

I HAVE THE HONDA AWD 2016 TOURING MODEL WITH Z TRANSMISSION. SINCE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE SLOPE BETWEEN 25 -30 MILES PER HOUR, THE BRAKE WILL NOT STOP THE SPEEDING, AND ACTUALLY WILL REDUCE THE SPEED AND IT APPEARS TRANSMISSION WILL FORCE THE SPEED GOES UP AGAINST THE BRAKE. DURING THE DRIVE, AT THIS RANGE, WHEN ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL MAKE A SQUEAKY SOUND BY THE TIRE LEVEL, ALMOST FEEL THE TIRE IS TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH THE SPEED OF TRANSMISSION AND WON'T TURN AS FAST AS IT COULD AND HENCE THE SQUEAKY SOUND, THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT 24 K MILES AND VERY CHALLENGING IN DRIVING THIS CAR. NEED THIS TO BE REPLACED AS THE Z TRANSMISSION RECALL IS STARTING BY OTHER MANUFACTURES.. THE WORST IS THE SPEED OF THE CAR AT DRIVE DOWN SLOPE AND COULD KILL ANYONE DUE TO IT ACTUALLY AUTOMATICALLY START SPEEDING EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10944197

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

24,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AT ABOUT 30 MILES AND HOUR TOWARDS A RED LIGHT. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN WITH THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND SKIDDED RIGHT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I ALSO TRIED STEERING THE CAR TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER RIGHT AND KEPT SKIDDING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT UNTIL IT SLIGHTLY HIT THE MEDIAN AND STOPPED. LUCKILY, NO ONCOMING CARS WERE COMING OR MY CAR WOULD HAVE WENT RIGHT INTO THEM. THE TIRES CLAIM TO BE "ALL WEATHER TIRES" WHICH ARE BRIDGESTONE DUELER TIRES, 245/60R18. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IN THE RAIN, I HAVE FELT THE CAR SKID WHEN TAPPING ON THE BRAKES WHILE TURNING, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF YESTERDAY WHEN I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I ALSO READ ON LINE OF ANOTHER PERSON REPORTING SKIDDING WHILE TURNING IN THE RAIN IN A HONDA PILOT. SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH THIS CAR IN THE RAIN THAT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO NOT STOP THE CAR AND INSTEAD SKID AS IF IT IS ON ICE WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE STEERING AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10939724

Incident

Jan 3, 2017

Mileage

17,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HONDA PILOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED LUBRICANT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,858.

NHTSA ID

10934832

Incident

Sep 22, 2016

Mileage

3,858 mi