2016 Honda Pilot Owner Complaints

I am writing to formally express my concern regarding a serious issue with my 2016 Honda Pilot. In July 2025, I began noticing a knocking sound when starting the engine, along with difficulty accelerating. I promptly scheduled an appointment with the service department at Findlay Honda of Spokane, where I purchased the vehicle and where it has exclusively been serviced since purchase. I have always taken very good care of my car and followed recommended maintenance. On Thursday, July 17th, the dealership inspected my Pilot and informed me that the engine had failed and would cost approximately $10,000–$12,000 to repair. I was told the vehicle was unsafe to drive and strongly advised against taking it home. This left me with no choice but topurchase another vehicle immediately, as I am a single parent of two children and rely solely on my car for transportation. Unfortunately, I was not in the market for a new car and the unexpected expense has placed a significant financial burden on my family. To make matters worse, my Pilot was given a very poor trade-in value due to the engine failure. Since this occurred, I have learned that engine problems are not uncommon in the 2016 Honda Pilot. I am frustrated that I was not offered any assistance in having the vehicle repaired, especially given my loyalty to Honda and consistent maintenance history. I believe I am owed compensation, either for the denied repair or for the financial hardship of being forced into an unplanned vehicle purchase with little value received for my trade-in. I am asking that Honda review my case and provide assistance to address this situation. I trusted Honda to provide a reliable vehicle for my family, and I feel deeply disappointed by this experience.

NHTSA ID

11755371

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle had been driven for two to three hours. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The transmission fluids were flushed. The contact stated that the transmission fluids had been flushed and refilled four times within the year. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair for the rear-view camera; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11755322

Incident

Feb 12, 2025

Mileage

60,000 mi

Dear NHTSA, My 2016 Honda Pilot has been diagnosed with engine failure by Hoehn Honda, despite consistent and careful maintenance. The failure occurred suddenly, without warning or prior symptoms, and well before the expected lifespan of the vehicle, yet outside the warranty window. After reviewing owner forums, various automotive publications, and the NHTSA website, I found numerous similar complaints involving the same year and model. A recall has already been issued under NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000, which corresponds to Honda Manufacturer Recall XG1 and Honda Recall GG0. Although my vehicle is not currently included in this recall, the nature of the failure is consistent with those that are. I also found there is an ongoing NHTSA investigation to expand this to an additional 1.4 million vehicles in which my 2016 Honda Pilot is listed. I have contacted Honda North America and was given a case number 15927935. This initial contact informed since my VIN is not part of the recall than I am on my own. I have requested this matter to be escalated. Given the circumstances, I believe my vehicle should be considered under NHTSA Campaign Number 23V751000 and included in Honda Recalls XG1 and GG0. Furthermore, I respectfully request that my case be reviewed as part of NHTSA Action Number RQ24013, which is investigating why the scope of Campaign 23V751000 was limited to 249,000 vehicles despite widespread reports of identical failures in vehicles outside the recall. I can provide the dealer documents confirming this finding along with photos they provided as well as the cost for replacement. I have since had the motor replaced at the cost of $7156.09 and have the invoice. I'm hoping there will be grounds for Honda to reimburse me for this cost. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID

11755059

Incident

Oct 14, 2025

Pilot broke down and when diagnosed, the rod bearing broke causing the engine to seize

NHTSA ID

11754581

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

My vehicle got the "knock" trouble code for a faulty crankshaft. This is a widely spread, well documented engine default in the 2016 honda pilot. There are many other pilots that have a recall but mine does not. This doesnt make sense to me. I have not been able to drive this vehicle for two years because of this problem. There is nothing else wrong with this vehicle. It honestly looks brand new.

NHTSA ID

11753829

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop at an intersection, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was blocking traffic and was pushed to safety. While in a safe location, the battery was diagnosed and was found to be in good working condition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a seized engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

NHTSA ID

11753807

Incident

Jul 5, 2026

Mileage

131,000 mi

Speedometer quit working. Then comes on intermittently and then quits again.

NHTSA ID

11752740

Incident

Jun 21, 2026

I am filing a safety and defect complaint regarding my 2016 Honda Pilot (3.5L V6 Engine). In Dec 2025, the "EMISSION SYSTEM PROBLEM" warning light ocationally illuminated on the dashboard. On 5/26/26.while driving, the vehicle suddenly began to shake violently and experienced a severe loss of acceleration—when I stepped on the gas pedal, the vehicle hesitated and would not speed up (loss of motive power). In June I let a certified Honda dealership scanned the vehicle and pulled diagnostic trouble codes P0430, P219A, and P219B, confirming that the fuel injectors have failed. This is a well-documented manufacturing defect explicitly detailed in Honda’s Technical Service Bulletin TSB 20-100. The defect causes uneven fuel delivery and cylinder misfires, which poses a severe driving hazard, including sudden engine stalling, loss of motive power while driving, and acceleration hesitation in traffic. Although American Honda previously extended the warranty for this specific injector defect to 10 years or 150,000 miles, my vehicle was DENIED coverage by American Honda corporate customer relations solely because it has just passed the 10-year mark (the vehicle was purchased on November 30, 2015), despite having only 140,000 miles (well under the mileage limit).This is a critical safety and environmental hazard inherent to Honda's manufacturing design. An expiration of time does not make a known manufacturing flaw any less dangerous on public roads. I request NHTSA to investigate this persistent issue and upgrade the current warranty extension to a mandatory safety recall so that affected consumers are not left driving hazardous vehicles or forced to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for an acknowledged factory defect.

NHTSA ID

11752278

Incident

May 26, 2026

I was driving down Car highway 395, at highway speed, when my vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic engine failure with no warning. The engine began to shutter and knock and I lost power. The check engine light then came on. I was able to quickly pull over and the vehicle shuttered to a stop and would not start. I and my family were stranded on the side of the highway in a remote area for hours late at night. CHP a contacted, non emergency, and was able to contact a tow truck. No officer was available to assist due to a wildfire in the area. After being towed, a mechanic was able to start it briefly and stated it seemed like a rod or bearing problem. I've now had a second mechanic say the same thing.

NHTSA ID

11752168

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

My engine has developed a severe internal engine/rod knock due to connecting rod bearing failure. My vehicle which is a 2016 Honda Pilot was built at the Lincoln Alabama plant but my VIN was excluded from recall 23V751 based on production dates. However my engine is failing from the same exact crankshaft and bearing defect.

NHTSA ID

11751974

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Monocular Windshield Camera premature part failure. 36160-TG8-A72-M1. Premature failure of the part causes all included safety systems to be disabled, and also negatively impacts standard cruise control. The part was sent for repair and the lens was thermally degraded as well as processor board non functional. There was no thermal paste installed on the processor. When the camera fails, an improper transmission failure warning light also appears on the dashboard, which prevents smog testing from being completed despite the camera system not impacting emissions at all.

NHTSA ID

11751859

Incident

Jun 7, 2026

My daughter was driving my 2016 Honda Pilot EX when loud rattling noise came from engine compartment. The vehicle lost power and display warning lights came on. She pulled over and shut off the vehicle since the rattling noise was very loud. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop and the technician from the shop confirmed engine malfunction and found large metal bits in the oil. I had the vehicle towed to Honda of Stevens Creek, San Jose, California. Technician also confirmed metal chunks in my vehicle oil. Brian the service advisor from the dealer told me that my VIN number is not part of the recall. I informed him of Honda's recall number XG1 and GGO, but he said he has to follow the VIN number and cannot include my vehicle's engine as a recall issue. Even though the recall article mentioned 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot in NHTSA recall no. 23V858000.

NHTSA ID

11751320

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

COMPLAINT REGARDING FRANCHISE DEALER RECALL NON-COMPLIANCE & MISREPRESENTATION (#26V-365). My vehicle is currently held at an authorized facility, [XXX], General Manager Honda (Downtown [XXX]), under an active manufacturer dispute (Honda Corporate Case #XXX). On Friday, XXX Service Manager [XXX] verbally stated on a voice line that the mandatory structural safety repairs for Rear Subframe Recall 26V-365 were 'fully completed' on my vehicle, and used this claim to demand immediate asset removal under threat of a $150 daily storage fee. Less than two hours later, at 4:30 PM, an agent named [XXX] from the exact same service department called to schedule the identical 'free safety recall service.' This represents a severe, documented misrepresentation of federal safety recall compliance records by a certified franchise dealer to pressure a consumer during an active dispute. The vehicle has never had a signed work order authorized by the primary owner for this recall. I request a formal manufacturer audit of this facility's recall tracking logs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11751254

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Hondal recall S/B 26-031 subframe This vehicle is 10 years old and was purchased / driven entirely in the northeast / NY - where the vehicle is most susceptible to underlying rust and corrosion issues and potential failure of suspension components. Vehicle was delivered to authorized Honda dealer / service center for scheduled inspection and required repairs on July 17. However, Honda service could not complete and remedy this safety recall on my vehicle due to unavailability of parts. Specifically, the subrame requires repair/reinforcement, but the bolts are seized and removing them will cause damage to the control arm bushing. Dealer advised they are unable to obtain control arm parts from Honda due to back order. I was advised my vehicle is not the only one they have where unavailbility of repair parts is resulting in inability to complete the safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11751082

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

I own a 2016 Honda Pilot with 75k miles on it. The engine has started knocking and i have taken it to an official Honda dealership and i have been told there is a problem with the rod bearing in the engine. I know there have been a mass recall on Honda Pilots due to this very issue but apparently mine is not included in the recall even though the issue is the exact same as the ones stated in the recalls. Very frustrating especially when the car has been Honda maintained and is well under 100k miles

NHTSA ID

11750593

Incident

May 13, 2026

Vehicle flashing warning signs for multiple system functions including battery and mechanical, forcing driver to pull over, unable to put vehicle in neutral to tow. Took vehicle to Honda dealership in Phoenix, AZ dealership unable to recreate issue. Stated it was cleared as a certified used Honda. Continued to have reoccurring issues, less than 2 months later vehicle engine completely seized. Honda refused to take responsibility for engine failure despite documented recurring issues with this make and model.

NHTSA ID

11749902

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

While driving a knocking noise was heard which was worse during acceleration. An orange flashing engine light was displayed a mile away from home. Inspection completed by certified master technician was completed showing engine damage from rod beating and crank shaft. Vehicle was out purchased from Honda dealership and all services and oil changes were completed at same dealership. Vehicle is now inoperable. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V751000

NHTSA ID

11749792

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

The contact purchased a 2016 Honda Pilot. The vehicle was a dealer sale on July 7, 2026. At the time of the sale, the odometer reading was 89,991. The contact later purchased an Auto Track and Carfax report, which indicated that in April 2026, the odometer reading was 198,387.

NHTSA ID

11749622

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

Mileage

198,387 mi

2016 Honda Pilot EXL. At 100,100 miles, an engine rod bearing went bad. Honda told me my VIN was not covered and it would be $8000 to replace the engine with a used engine. I sold them my car

NHTSA ID

11749243

Incident

Nov 27, 2025

My 2016 Honda Pilot Touring repeatedly stalls and shuts off while driving, including at lower speeds in traffic. When it happens, the engine and all electrical power shut off; the vehicle then has to be jump-started, and it will sometimes only restart after sitting for an hour or more. This is a serious safety hazard because the vehicle can lose power unexpectedly while in motion, creating a risk of a crash and of being stranded in a travel lane. The failed component is the fuel delivery system (fuel pump / fuel system pressure). The condition has been diagnosed repeatedly with trouble code P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure — Too Low). It was first documented on July 18, 2025 at 144,303 miles by an independent service center, which diagnosed a failing fuel pump. On March 13, 2026 a Honda dealer again retrieved code P0087 and diagnosed a failing fuel pump. In April 2026, a second Honda dealer could not reproduce the code, replaced the fuel injectors instead, and the stalling returned within about 670 miles. In May 2026 that same dealer documented the problem as a "reoccurring issue" and now recommends replacing the in-tank fuel pump. The warning symptom prior to failure was the check-engine/malfunction-indicator lamp, which set code P0087; the stalling followed. The problem has been confirmed and reproduced by both an independent service center and a Honda dealer, and the vehicle is still owned and available for inspection upon request. No crash, fire, or injury has occurred. This stalling/loss-of-power failure mode is the same one described in NHTSA recall 23V-858, in which the in-tank fuel pump can fail and cause the engine to stall while driving. This vehicle is exhibiting exactly that failure mode but is not currently included in that recall population. I am reporting it so the agency is aware, and I request that this vehicle be considered for inclusion in recall 23V-858.

NHTSA ID

11748988

Incident

Jul 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light flashed continuously. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the noise emanated from the middle of the engine. The dealer advised that there might be a loose wrist pin where the piston meets the connecting rod, or a systemic oil delivery problem, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11748512

Incident

Jul 2, 2026

Mileage

77,000 mi

Even though the vehicle has been regularly serviced and exceptionally maintained, the rod bearing failed and now the whole engine has to be replaced. Unfortunately my vin is not covered as part of the recall for this exact same issue. I reached out to Honda and they are not willing to cover any of the $14k quoted to replace the engine.

NHTSA ID

11748111

Incident

Apr 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the spool valve was leaking on the alternator, and damaged the alternator and the spool valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,891.

NHTSA ID

11747476

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Mileage

121,891 mi

Complete engine failure while driving on an interstate highway, no previous issue or warning. The car made some knocking noises and then became completely inoperable. Was able to steer it to the side of highway, in traffic, just enough to get off the main roadway. The experience was terrifying and put us and others around us at risk or a highway speed crash due to loss of all power to the vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by a Honda dealership, and has been reported to Honda, with an open case pending. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the event of it happening. The vehicle is up to date on all maintenance and I am the second owner, and know the first owner.

NHTSA ID

11747454

Incident

May 17, 2026

While driving at night, the 2016 Pilot, it started making a loud rattling noise then just died in the middle of the road and failed to start. There were no service or check engine lights on at the time of failure or at any point prior to the failure. We were stranded in the middle of the road at risk of getting hit by other cars. The electronic transmission would not go into neutral and we had no way of even pushing the car to the safety of shoulder. We had to tow the vehicle. The tow driver also had a very difficult time of getting the car into neutral, necessary to tow it. Having the vehicle towed to a local mechanic, they reported it being very difficult to start and when it did, it had a sever engine skip with a loud rattling noise which is indicative of a connecting rod/bearing failure. The car has 140000 miles at time of failure. We had ALL required maintenance performed as they were scheduled. Approximately 95% was performed by Honda dealers. In fact we had a Honda dealer perform an oil change and inspection a week before the engine failure. We have had some local shops perform several required oil changes and the timing belt / plug service. We have all receipts. We contacted Honda dealership who quoted $18,225 for an engine replacement. We contacted Honda Customer Support who refused to offer any assistance, goodwill or other forms of reimbursement.

NHTSA ID

11747297

Incident

Jun 24, 2026