2016 Honda Pilot
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 720 |
| 2004 | 544 |
| 2005 | 679 |
| 2006 | 266 |
| 2007 | 211 |
| 2008 | 132 |
| 2009 | 134 |
| 2010 | 111 |
| 2011 | 291 |
| 2012 | 170 |
| 2013 | 270 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2015 | 107 |
| 2016 | 1660 |
| 2017 | 899 |
| 2018 | 425 |
| 2019 | 859 |
| 2020 | 465 |
| 2021 | 400 |
| 2022 | 129 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2025 | 156 |
| 2026 | 8 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
45% of complaints: engine — 745 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Hi Sir/Madam, Wish you are going well. I own a 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD .
NHTSA ODI report, 20240129
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, 20150731
34% of complaints: electrical system — 567 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20240208
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, 20150731
12% of complaints: power train — 197 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 164 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20181128
3% of complaints: structure — 48 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20190528
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 15V424000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V668000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V417000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V219000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V932000 — check if this car was fixed
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
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.
Campaign 23V751000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V858000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engine failure
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.
Campaign 26V365000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Honda Pilot — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (745 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (567 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (197 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V365000 (structure, suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V424000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V668000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V417000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V219000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V932000 (latches/locks/linkages, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V751000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V858000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.