Is the 2016 Honda Pilot a bad year?
1,728 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 825, 27× a quiet Pilot year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 27× the complaints of a quiet Pilot year, spread over 42k–105k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Pilot owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 824 (48%) | 41k–105k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 195 (11%) | 38k–80k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 583 (34%) | 36k–65k miles · mostly behind | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 202 (12%) | 25k–70k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 54 (3%) | 3k–55k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 39 (2%) | 16k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 37 (2%) | 28k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 31 (2%) | 2k–42k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (1%) | 15k–43k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Collision avoidance | 25 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 18 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 15 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 14 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,728 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 55 say the car was towed.
190 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Engine stalling on highway and freeways during stops. Extremely dangerous situation on freeway when we had to stop due to front traffic and car completely stalled and could not restart the car.
Auto idle stop doesn't restart. It stalls often depending on the length of the idle. It has been slowing progressing to unreliable.
Check engine light came on while driving, quickly followed by a flashing oil light. Pull over and turn vehicle off.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot: 8
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. 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.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light… If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.
Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner. If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 240
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Honda Pilot. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart
MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power
The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures
The transmission has intermittent harsh or jerky upshifts with steady acceleration
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Neighbouring years
2015 Pilot: 109 complaints, keep it · 2017 Pilot: 941 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda Pilot year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Pilot years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Odyssey · Honda Passport · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Honda Pilot a bad year?
1,728 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 825, 27× a quiet Pilot year. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 27× the complaints of a quiet Pilot year, spread over 42k–105k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (824), fuel system (195), electrical system (583), transmission and drivetrain (202), body structure (54). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 42k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 26V-365), Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Engine (NHTSA 23V-751), Body structure (NHTSA 21V-932) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.