CarModelProblems.com

2016 Honda Pilot Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1,664Complaints
8Recalls
23Crashes
9Fires
20Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (45% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine748 · 45%RecalledRecall 23V751000
Electrical System568 · 34.1%RecalledRecall 15V668000
Power Train197 · 11.8%No official action
Fuel/propulsion System164 · 9.9%RecalledRecall 17V219000 · Recall 16V417000 · Recall 23V858000
Structure:body48 · 2.9%RecalledRecall 21V932000 · Recall 26V365000
Engine And Engine Cooling40 · 2.4%RecalledRecall 23V751000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE748 · 45%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM568 · 34.1%
Unspecified / other286 · 17.2%
POWER TRAIN197 · 11.8%
STRUCTURE:BODY48 · 2.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING40 · 2.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL38 · 2.3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)37 · 2.2%
SERVICE BRAKES29 · 1.7%

Percentages are the share of the 1,664 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

NHTSA campaign 17V219000 · 2017 · reported 03/30/2017

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V417000 · 2016 · reported 06/09/2016

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:rear/other

NHTSA campaign 15V424000 · 2015 · reported 07/06/2015

If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

NHTSA campaign 15V668000 · 2015 · reported 10/16/2015

If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:hood

NHTSA campaign 21V932000 · 2021 · reported 11/29/2021

A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical

NHTSA campaign 23V751000 · 2023 · reported 11/13/2023

A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2023 · reported 12/18/2023

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 26V365000 · 2026 · reported 06/04/2026

Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ENGINE STOPS WON'T RESTART MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHT FLASHING GIVING APPEARANCE OF COMPUTER FAILURE. SECOND INCIDENT. FIRST INCIDENT DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM AFTER CHECKING BATTERY. SECOND…”NHTSA complaint 10991579 — filed 05/25/2017 · ENGINE
“SURGE WHILE BRAKING DURING PARKING CAUSED VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AHEAD AND HIT VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE EXCEEDING $1600.00. SEE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN…”NHTSA complaint 10966344 — filed 03/16/2017 · ENGINE
“I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN RUNNING ERRANDS. AS I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT, MY DISPLAY PANEL SHOWED EMISSIONS SYSTEM PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 10944437 — filed 01/11/2017 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

132015892016692017114201833120192752020199202136220221912023260202430320251332026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 748 of 1,664 NHTSA complaints (45%), followed by electrical system (568), unspecified/other issues (286), power train (197). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?

1,664 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2016 Honda Pilot have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 17V219000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2016 Honda Pilot's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.