2016 Honda Pilot Problems And What To Look Out For If You’re Buying Used

The Honda Pilot is known for being a great family car with plenty of interior space. Most model years have the Honda dependability you can expect, but 2016 Honda Pilot problems are a bigger deal than most. This model year of the Pilot has faced some serious recalls and a huge number of complaints from owners over the last decade. In this article, we review problems with 2016 Honda Pilot trims, the various recalls, and how it compares to other model years and generations.

This article explores the common problems as reported by owners and local authorities, and recalls as issued by the NHTSA. Information is correct at the time of writing, though your mileage before possibly encountering them may vary.

2016 Honda Pilot Overview

A Promising Family Car

This Pilot started the model’s third generation, which helps explain why it had so many problems. It’s perfectly normal for the first model year of any car from most brands to be more problematic as the automaker works out problems that appear with new powertrains, platforms, and features. The problems of the 2016 Honda Pilot Elite no different from 2016 Honda Pilot Touring problems, since every trim was powered by the same problematic engine. You could buy the 2016 Pilot in any of five trims – these include the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. At the time, you could buy a base model for $30,345 prior to destination, options, and other fees.

2016 Honda Pilot Common Problems

We Shudder To Think About These

For the most part, the Pilot has been a good, reliable car. 2016 Honda Pilot issues, specifically, are far more common than average. Listed below are some of the most complained-about problems as reported by owners to the NHTSA and Car Complaints.

Knocking From The Engine Bay

At the time of writing, there are 1,471 complaints to the NHTSA for the Pilot’s 2016 model year (about double the runner-up), and 603 of those happen to be about the engine itself. The most common engine complaints include hearing knocking from the engine bay. The sound is known to occur from one place in particular: the connecting rod bearings. Many owners who heard that knocking did so when their engines shut off, the car lost power suddenly, and warning lights appeared on the dash.

Owners report that the mechanics and/or dealerships informed them of needing a total engine replacement after the connecting rod bearings failed from excessive wear. This issue can happen without warning, and it will cost many thousands of dollars to repair or replace the engine.

Electrical/Fuel And Propulsion Issues

The next most common subject reported to the NHTSA has to do with various electrical issues, but there are a few in particular that stand out. Many owners report having slow, unsteady acceleration, and engine stalling randomly – after deeper research and data collection, this appears to be related to faulty fuel injectors and/or low fuel pressure. Possibly related is another commonly reported problem with the car’s auto start/stop feature malfunctioning. The car lurches or stalls upon acceleration.

“My vehicles engine will stop running sometimes while the car is at a complete stop and sometimes while it’s in motion. Sometimes the vehicle restarts immediately and sometimes it struggles to restart. The problem happens sporadically sometimes going weeks between occurrences.”

– 2016 Honda Pilot owner, 17 November 2024, mileage unknown

While it’s not the most common, some owners report 2016 Honda Pilot transmission issues, as well. The issues we just touched on are prevalent, but only account for about two-thirds of the current complaints to the NHTSA – the other third is spread out among topics like structure issues, speed control, and more.

Honda Pilot 2016 Recalls

To Be Fixed On Honda’s Dime

There are a total of seven recalls affecting the 2016 Honda Pilot, but not all of them significantly affect the car’s reliability. Not mentioned in the highlights below are recalls pertaining to the rear seatbelts being trapped (affecting 1,358 units), improper software causing slower response time from warning systems (affecting 35,406 units), and two low-volume recalls pertaining to the fuel tank. The first explains how there might be a fuel leak (affecting just 136 units), and the second includes information about improperly welded tanks (39 units affected).

Fuel Pump May Fail

The biggest recall that affects the 2016 Pilot has to do with the fuel pump failing, which helps explain why owners report their cars stalling or hesitating while driving. According to the NHTSA, 2,490,460 units across Honda’s entire model lineup and some Acura models had problematic fuel pumps. Fortunately, the fix is as simple as Honda replacing each affected unit’s fuel pump – no other part of the fuel system is affected. If Honda didn’t replace the fuel pumps under the recall, it usually costs between $1,000 and $1,300 to replace them at an independent mechanic’s shop.

Engine Damage From Connecting Rod Bearing Wear

The fuel pump recall might have been the largest that the Pilot was included in, but the most expensive and damaging problems started with the 3.5-liter V6’s connecting rod bearings. Most 2016 Honda Pilot engine problems can be fixed by attending to this recall. According to the NHTSA, a manufacturing error caused the connecting rod bearing in the engine to wear and seize, damaging the engine. If the engine seizes before the owner repairs this problem, it will need to be replaced entirely. Some owners report spending as much as $7,000 on a new engine.

Hood May Open While Driving

While it’s not as expensive as an entire engine replacement, having your car’s hood open while driving is a dangerous problem that Honda solved through a recall. Issued November 29, 2021, there was a recall affecting 724,826 units, including the 2016 to 2019 Pilot. The NHTSA explains how the hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. This is dangerous for obvious reasons, but luckily, it isn’t the most common occurrence.

How Does The 2016 Pilot Compare To Other Model Years?

Hint: 2016 Is The Most Problematic

Other model years aren’t too bad. In fact, most Honda pilots are pretty reliable cars in the long run. Since the 2016 model year was the beginning of the third generation, we wanted to highlight the 2015 model year (the last year of the second-gen). The 2015 model only has 98 complaints to the NHTSA and four recalls. The most common complaints include some engine problems, but there aren’t enough to consider them normal or worthy of much concern overall. Of the recalls, three are related to the Takata airbag saga, and one is the same fuel pump recall we mentioned earlier.

Summary: The Worst Honda Pilot Year

It’s a shame to call any Honda model unreliable, but the truth is that the 2016 Honda Pilot is not a reliable car. It has far more reported problems than any other model year, a handful of serious recalls, and costs owners more in repairs than any car should. Connecting rod bearings are a crucial component of the Pilot’s internal combustion engine, and it’s an unacceptable part for a manufacturer to defect while producing. The good news is that there are other model years to choose from. Do yourself a favor and avoid the 2016 Pilot.

FAQs

Is 2016 a bad year for Honda Pilots?

Yes, the 2016 model year has the most serious complaints of any other Pilot, and some severe recalls that, if not taken care of, could result in engine replacements.

What is the common problem of Honda pilots?

One of the most common problems 2016 Honda Pilot owners face is their car’s auto start/stop feature failing, stuttering, or otherwise malfunctioning.

Which years of Honda Pilot are the best?

According to a host of complaint and recall data, the best Pilot years are either the current generation (2023–today) or some models from the second generation, including 2014 and 2015.

What is the recall on the 2016 Honda Pilot engine?

Affecting 248,999 units is a recall that pertains to the 2016 Honda Pilot’s connecting rod bearings. They wear out quickly and can require an entire engine replacement if they fail.

Sources: Honda, NHTSA, Car Complaints