MYRModel Year Report

2016 Honda Pilot

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Honda Pilot
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,706
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

45% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2006: 267 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2008: 133 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 293 complaints 2012: 171 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 109 complaints 2016: 1,706 complaints 2016 1,706 2017: 929 complaints 2018: 439 complaints 2019: 905 complaints 2020: 491 complaints 2021: 435 complaints 2021 2022: 161 complaints 2023: 144 complaints 2024: 115 complaints 2024 2025: 204 complaints 2026: 23 complaints
2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 267 complaints 2007: 211 complaints 2007 2008: 133 complaints 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2011: 293 complaints 2011 2012: 171 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 116 complaints 2015: 109 complaints 2016: 1,706 complaints 2016 1,706 2017: 929 complaints 2018: 439 complaints 2019: 905 complaints 2019 2020: 491 complaints 2021: 435 complaints 2021 2022: 161 complaints 2023: 144 complaints 2023 2024: 115 complaints 2025: 204 complaints 2025 2026: 23 complaints
2003: 720 complaints 2003 2004: 544 complaints 2004 2005: 679 complaints 2005 2006: 267 complaints 2006 2007: 211 complaints 2007 2008: 133 complaints 2008 2009: 134 complaints 2009 2010: 111 complaints 2010 2011: 293 complaints 2011 2012: 171 complaints 2012 2013: 271 complaints 2013 2014: 116 complaints 2014 2015: 109 complaints 2015 2016: 1,706 complaints 2016 1,706 2017: 929 complaints 2017 2018: 439 complaints 2018 2019: 905 complaints 2019 2020: 491 complaints 2020 2021: 435 complaints 2021 2022: 161 complaints 2022 2023: 144 complaints 2023 2024: 115 complaints 2024 2025: 204 complaints 2025 2026: 23 complaints 2026

2016: 1,706 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003720
2004544
2005679
2006267
2007211
2008133
2009134
2010111
2011293
2012171
2013271
2014116
2015109
20161,706
2017929
2018439
2019905
2020491
2021435
2022161
2023144
2024115
2025204
202623

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

45% · 770 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine blew up and forced the hood open while driving, obstructing view, and then started smoking black smoke. The engine is ruined and all of the oil drained from it. Pieces of pistons were laying on the oil tray.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-24

Hi Sir/Madam, Wish you are going well. I own a 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD .

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-29

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. While driving at 55 MPH, the engine shut off and the entire instrument panel illuminated. The contact noticed smoke emitting from the front driver side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-31

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

34% · 581 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly and software.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH and approaching the red traffic light, she depressed the brake pedal to come to a complete stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-02-08

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Power train

12% · 201 reports
CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 171 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On Saturday November, 24, at approximate 9:45 am I was driving uphill and noticed my engine was making an odd sound. It made it when I accelerated, but stopped as soon as I took my foot off the gas.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-28

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Structure

3% · 54 reports

Most commonly citing body and hood.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and the contact smelled fumes. Also, the vehicle stalled while driving various speeds.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-28

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-08-06Seat belts15V424000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the rear third row seat belt, free of charge. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JS7.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2015-12-11Electrical system15V668000 Honda (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 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 1,706 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2016-07-29Fuel system, gasoline16V417000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-05-15Fuel system, gasoline17V219000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KE8.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2022-01-18Latches/locks/linkages, structure21V932000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.

    Remedy: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2022-06-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-03-26 No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
  8. R
    2024-03-28Engine and engine cooling23V751000 Honda (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 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2024-03-29Fuel system, gasoline23V858000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2024-11-08Recall queryClosed 2025-08-20 Engine failure
  11. I
    2025-03-26Engineering analysisOpen No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
  12. I
    2025-08-20Preliminary evaluationOpen Engine failure
  13. R
    Date not on fileStructure, suspension26V365000 American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,...

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 770 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 581 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 201 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V365000 · Structure, suspension
  • Recall 15V424000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 15V668000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V417000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17V219000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V932000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 23V751000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 23V858000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Honda Pilot reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Honda Pilot is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 45% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.