2016 Honda Pilot problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 1,703 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda Pilot, filed between 2015-07-31 and 2026-09-24. The most common problem areas are the engine (769, 45%), electrical system (579, 34%) and power train (200, 12%). Owners reported 23 crashes, 10 fires and 20 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2016 Honda Pilot complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 769 | 45% | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 579 | 34% | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 291 | 17% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 200 | 12% | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 170 | 10% | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Structure | 53 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 45 | 3% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 39 | 2% | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 37 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 2% | 8 | 0 | 13 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 24 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 18 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 17 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 14 | 1% | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 1% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Engine: 769 complaints
- 769 complaints of 1,703 (45%) name the engine.
- 206 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 5 crashes, 8 fires and 1 injury in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Honda Pilot; the recall, campaign 23V751000, says: “Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.”
Electrical system: 579 complaints
- 579 complaints of 1,703 (34%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 206 of them also name the engine; owners reported 3 crashes and 5 fires in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Honda Pilot; the recall, campaign 15V668000, says: “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…”
Power train: 200 complaints
- 200 complaints of 1,703 (12%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 74 of them also name the engine; owners reported 5 crashes and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Honda Pilot covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 170 complaints
- 170 complaints of 1,703 (10%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 60 of them also name the engine; owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2016 Honda Pilot covers this system.
Structure: 53 complaints
- 53 complaints of 1,703 (3%) name the structure — the body and frame structure.
- 6 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 3 crashes and 4 injuries in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2016 Honda Pilot; the latest, campaign 26V365000, says: “The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.”
Engine and engine cooling: 45 complaints
- 45 complaints of 1,703 (3%) name the engine and engine cooling — the engine and its cooling system.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2016 Honda Pilot; the recall, campaign 23V751000, says: “Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 242 |
| 2020 | 200 |
| 2021 | 138 |
| 2022 | 247 |
| 2023 | 124 |
| 2024 | 197 |
| 2025 | 234 |
| 2026 | 135 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names PILOT, model year 2016. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2016 Honda Pilot recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2016 Honda Pilot's most common problem areas are the engine (769 of 1,703 complaints), electrical system (579 of 1,703 complaints) and power train (200 of 1,703 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA has 1,703 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda Pilot, including 23 reported crashes and 10 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Honda Pilot's problems?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot; 4 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.