112 complaints reported

2016 Honda Pilot ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
112
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2025

Following all repair/recall/warranty work recommended by Honda, the Auto Stop/Start feature is again failing. This results in the vehicle not restarting after the auto idle engine stop is engaged while in traffic, stop lights, stop signs etc. This is a random occurrence, but results in a significant safety hazard as a stopped vehicle in a lane of travel. This is a recurring issue, no specific date of incident.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2025
Sep 2025

Auto Start/Stop not working at stop. Vehicle fails to restart when engine has turned off at intersection. On occasion, vehicle fails to start and loses total power. Often, it takes several minutes to regain power. This has occurred in intersections, almost causing accidents. The car was repaired per a TSB, but the issue continues, and has for the last 4 years since purchase.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2025
Aug 2025

The engine shuts off while driving and the car shifts the transmission to Park or Neutral.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Aug 2025
Jul 2025

In my 2016 Honda pilot a lot of buttons are popping up on the screen with no information about how to fix it. My car is having trouble accelerating and is hesitating when needing to accelerate. I was unable to speed up while driving to get to 45 mph Because it would not speed up. All the buttons that are coming up on my car or not correct it’s showing trailer issues and I’ve never once trailed anything with my car. It seems like it’s having extra trouble when the air condition is on as well. I’m unable to figure out what is wrong with my car because all the buttons are not coming up correct when they plug it in for a diagnostic. I have had the alternator replaced and that did not change anything.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2025
May 2025

Check engine light on emissions system problem and transmission system problem, there is loss power of engine light, after 2 gear transmission feel like it jerks I don't have save to drive my car, i would like to request a recall to be inspected and repair by warranty of Honda because my car is defective by manufacturer Code are: P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) P0300-P0306 (misfire) P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank])

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: May 2025
Apr 2025

December 2017 I was driving my 2016 Honda pilot back from Florida and the car immediately reduce speed to about 25 to 35 mph. I had my OBD2 in the car so I reset the code and the car start driving fine and every time I will leave the gas station it will do the same thing dealership took the car said it was a throttle position sensor fixed it and the car broke down two days after getting it. I was told it was corrected for sure this time. However I'm saying a recall on Honda engines 2016 but my engine is not included. In 2024 I took the vehicle in for service and they said there was a recall for the ignition switch however since they fixed the ignition switch I have issues at times starting the car. I've also had to pay to get the electronic steering fixed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2018
Mar 2025

The car has trouble starting. It has been occurring for years. (1) It cycles like it has a bad battery. (2) It cycles like the starter is not getting power or is bad. (3) Sometimes this causes the engine starting cycle to completely fail and restart is not immediately possible. (4) The auto stop/restart feature cannot be used because it requires frequent stopping and starting of engine which is not possible. I’ve had many Honda dealers and Honda mechanics looking at the issue and none have been able to determine the problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Mar 2025
Mar 2025

Auto idle restart and transmission is unexpectedly put in Park upon restart. On occasion then car goes into limp mode and powers off.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Mar 2025
Mar 2025

I have to drive with my idle off because when I drive with it on, there were 4 instances where my car idled & it idled so much that the whole car just turned completely off when I was waiting at an intersection or at a red light or getting off an exit & there were numerous cars behind me waiting. I would have to keep pressing different buttons or drive to park then try to turn the car back on & it would take awhile to turn back on. So to avoid this, I would just drive with my idle off. I did bring it up the the service department at the dealership but they said they didn’t see anything wrong, because it doesn’t happen all the time or maybe because they were just driving around one block, I don’t know. But it happened with me and when my husband drove my car. It’s very dangerous. I finance my car with the dealership and it happened ever since I bought the car. But I bought it as is, so they said they can’t do anything about it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Mar 2025
Mar 2025

Engine needs to be replaced vehicle only has 123,000 miles. Diagnostic states sounds like rod bearing has come apart in cylinder 2 Honda Recall #23V-751 involves certain 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot vehicles. This recall is due to a manufacturing error that may cause the connecting rod bearing in the engine to wear and seize, potentially damaging the engine. But yet Honda states my vehicle is not eligible for said recall.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Feb 2025
Feb 2025

The engine shuts off while driving and attempting to accelerate, happens frequently.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2025
Dec 2024

We have had consistent, non-stop, unknown and unresolved engine issues from the day we purchased this vehicle. The dealership has not been able to identify or resolve these issues, which include the Rocker Arm, Cam Shaft and Cam Shaft sensors, numerous electrical, fuse and sensor failures and more. The symptoms appear to be the same as those cited with the connecting rod bearing issues but for some reason our vehicle has not fallen under the recalls.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2022
Nov 2024

In 2021, while driving on a highway all vehicle warning lights came on. Engine ran at high rpm and low speed. Honda said is was a software update. Charged for update. This seemed to resolve issues. Car is regularly maintained and transmission fluid changed 2/1/2024. In 2024, the vehicle warning lights (in multiple & varying groups) began coming on and off at various intervals. The car stalled while at a red light on at least two occasions. When I was not near home I would stop at AutoZone for computer readings; misfiring of cylinder 2, random multiple misfire detected, system too rich bank 2. Car was at Honda for 2nd software update and lights were off at pickup. Lights started again. The mechanic found the vehicle was sending upwards of 100 codes. Repairs were made (and paid for) at local shop 2 separate times. Car is now at Honda diagnosed with engine failure due to bent rod. Honda will not offer goodwill on vehicle. However, the car has a "soft" recall for fuel injectors which seems to be the likely culprit. KBB in early '24 was $16k. Honda wants $18 k for repair and nearly $1k for diagnostic fee.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Oct 2024
Aug 2024

Car started displaying "Keyless start system problem". I changed both batteries in the key fobs, but it continued. After about 2 weeks of this, the car would not start. Just clicking and flickering of lights and gauges. Would not jump off or anything, so I had to tow it home. After researching it and checking the brake light switch to make sure it was still operational, and after purchasing and installing a new start/stop button, I decided to get a new battery. I took the old battery in and they said it was good, but I still got another one and installed it. The car started up and has been working for about 4 weeks, but now the same message is popping up again. I am worried that my wife will drive it somewhere and get stranded. I have seen that there are recalls on this on some of the Honda sites, but can't find it anywhere else. This needs to be addressed as it seems like a lot of people are reporting the same issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2024
Aug 2024

- The idle engine function does not work. I turn it off in general because if it is on, when I stop the car dies and the dashboard and electric functions, malfunction. They turn on and off and I cannot automatically start the car; it takes several times for the car to restart. - Today, I went to a pharmacy and when I tried to restart my car to leave, it would not begin. The dashboard went on and off and it took 1 minute for it to restart properly. - My teenage son is now a driver but I will not let him drive the car because it will stall. We drive to school everyday 45-60 minutes there and back; we are in the car a lot. - When I went to the dealer 1 year ago, they were going to charge me $200 for a diagnostic and then $2000 to fix the problem. I told them if I turn the function off, I have no problem. They suggested I do this. They offered no other solution. - Now, however even when the function if off, the engine is now stalling. - A few years ago, it stalled at a light on an incredibly hot day so I attributed it to the heat.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Aug 2024
Jun 2024

1.Engine connecting rod bearing failed causing engine to seize. 2.Push button start will not work most of time so cannot start car or shut it off at times Safety: Engine locked up while driving down a 2 lane road with no shoulder. Causing an issues with cars traveling in both directions till i could get vehicle towed. Starting/ shutting off issue is on going. Connecting rod bearing failure was confirmed by dealer, but Honda says my Vin is not part of the recall and will do nothing about it. Had to pay for repairs 7K+ out of my own pocket. I got engine replaced and 6 months later start/ stop button issue is happening and they had a recall for this also that they say my Vin is not included. When engine bearing seized happened suddenly. All lights on dash come on and engine stopped. When tried to restart engine would not turn. They start button issue has a message saying electronic start problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jun 2023
May 2024

happening more if we left it on, as default, all the time. We have reported it to our dealer, they "cannot replicate" it and claim "that's unusual" despite knowing there is a massive recall for this exact issue. They claim it needs a tune up, and we fear that your 1% of cars effected estimate is off and not including many more cars being effected by this. This Auto Idle option needs an override that could save lives. Please re-open the investigation, press Honda for information they may not be sharing from their dealerships regarding the extent of this (they're probably not documenting each time someone complains about this, since they can't "replicate it.") Help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2024
Jan 2024

Severe risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. At 5:00 am in the morning the alarm on my car went off by itself and there was no way I could turn it off or even start the car. I finally disconnected the battery to stop the car and later reconnected the battery assuming the issue was gone. When I went back to check on the car later, found that the car had started by itself and the garage was full of fumes. I installed a carbon monoxide sensor in all rooms and parked the car outside. The car now randomly tries to start itself(and all warning lights go on and dash indicates an error with all systems) and when it does start(by itself) there is no way to shut it off except for disconnecting the battery. The car is now at the dealership but a quick google search reveals that this is a frequent issue with 2016/2017 Honda Pilots and a part - 38320-TG7-A420 (remote control unit) needs to be replaced and that this part is under serious backorder nationally (indicating a serious problem). Requesting NHTSA to investigate this issue and part.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2024
Dec 2023

My 2016 Honda Pilot Touring keeps stalling at traffic lights and randomly on the road. We just took it to the dealer last week and received the "we can't replicate the stalling, please bring it back when it happens again." They checked the battery and found it healthy. A couple times, the car has refused to restart until several minutes after the stall and sometimes it has taken several presses of the "Start" button before it finally engages the starter. The car completely shuts down when this occurs. Nothing works.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Dec 2023
Nov 2023

I have been receiving a keyless start issue warnning and my battery has malfunctioned as a result of being unable to start the vehicle in a emergency situation is not safe

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2023
Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the PUSH-to-START button was inoperable intermittently. There was no option to start the vehicle with a key. The key less start error message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer, who stated there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty extension coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to the START/STOP switch assembly located under TSB: 20-117. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jan 2023
Sep 2023

Engine Auto Start failure at stop-light. Total vehicle shut-down instead of just the Engine Auto-stop/start. Happens several times annually - first noticed probably in 2021. Then can't restart car until I manually "Turn-off" vehicle. It's crazy - at a stop light and the car then car wants to fail when I release from the brake - when the light turns green. Have cars behind me honking. It's a major vehicle safety issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Sep 2023
Aug 2023

Smart Control unit that controls keyless entry, Alarm and ignition will set off the alarm and start this electrical condition that will connect the power and then disconnect the power to the auto. The problem will suddenly go away and then come back again. Its unpredictable and varies in severity. 60% of the time the car wont start when this electrical event is occurring. See this video: https: [XXX] This should be a recall by honda. Acura is having same problem as well: https: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Apr 2023
Jun 2023

The engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Nov 2023
Jun 2023

Beginning in the summer of 2020, intermittently when the auto idle was engaged the engine will not restart but will stall out and requires multiple efforts to restart the engine. It does not happen every time auto idle engages. It seems to happen more in the summer months. It has happened while at traffic lights, stop signs and while idling in heavy traffic. The safety of myself and my family is at risk due to having to put the car in park and go through several rounds of attempting to restart the engine. Just before the engine turns off, there is a flash of a warning light for the collision mitigation system. I took it to my local repair shop. They thought it might be the ignition switch and replaced it. That did not help. My local repair shop based upon their knowledge from other pilot owners said it was an ongoing problem and suggested I take it to the local dealership. The local dealership told me there was nothing wrong and acted like I was crazy. The issue has happened when my husband and brand new teen driver have driven the car. Now upon entering the car we turn the auto idle off to ensure our safety.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2016 HONDA PILOT, Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Incident: Jul 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Honda Pilot has 112 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.