CarComplaints.com Notes: It's worrying when the top category for 2016 Honda Pilot problems are transmission problems. Owners report jerking when accelerating. Also as the first model year of the redesigned 3rd generation Pilot, it's not a good sign.
Honda released a TSB on October 29 2016 that's possibly related. The TSB deals with a "a judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch ... while driving between 20 and 60 mph" due to deteriorated transmission fluid resulting from "specific driving conditions". In the TSB, Honda states they are developing a software fix to try to keep the transmission fluid temperature within spec.
We are keeping a close eye on this defect trend because if certain driving conditions can affect transmission shifting in the first year of ownership, we'd hate to think what 10+ years will do.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,682 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The engine auto/stop feature had failed 3 times in rush hour traffic. The feature turns off the engine when stopped in traffic and does not turn back on and disengages the car.
Recurring problem with idle stop feature causing car engine to shut off completely (even when disabled), resulting in an error message and requiring the car to be turned off and on. This is a safety issue while driving, especially if in an intersection while turning. Https://https://www.piloteers.org/threads/elite-shuts-off-at-stop-light.157005/page-13
Car engine turned off in drive thru and took 1 minute to restart car. Kept pressing start button and car finally started. This is 2nd or 3rd time happening.
Vehicle stationary. Auto engine idle engaged. Car losses power. Been happening for several year. Dealer says nothing wrong. Now on two occasions, car has stalled when brake released to re-engage engine. Car going into shop. Car is stationary and basically stalls. Sometimes power loss disables collision mitigation systems
Auto shut off when stopping at a red light will not restart engine. Had orange red light on dash saying you must put in park and press break to and press start again. Also radio went off for a few seconds also. It also has been hesitant to accelerate after auto shut off starts engine several times just in the last few weeks
- Owego, NY, USA
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I am the second owner of this vehicle. I purchased it certified used from goudy Honda 626.576.1114 on 11/13/2019. The battery was replaced at time of vehicle's purchase. I have driven the car less than 2000 miles since I purchased it. I have experienced the stalling issue multiple times each being progressively more acute than the previous. I first reported this to long beach Honda at my service apt on 10/15/2020. At that time the issue was a hesitation when the auto idle would engage at a red light, it would start after a second or two of delay. To cope, we have gotten into the habit of using the auto-off button below the gear selector. However, the last two time I have filled up fuel and got in to drive off I have forgotten to 'push the button.' Today I forgot to push the button and almost got hit by another car, when my car stalled and refused to start back up. I noticed in the emergency flashers were activated and the car gear selector went to neutral. The danger was I was on a down hill slop and rolled into traffic as I missed my window to pull out had my car started up properly. The dash displayed the push brake and push start message. That did nothing. I had to put the car in park using the park button and then open my drivers side door. After I closed the door the car behaved normal and started without issue. I consider myself lucky, that the driver heading at my door was aware enough to mitigate a much worse turn of events. I will again report this to long beach Honda when they open on Monday. Searching the web I found a number of other model owners have experienced similar. I would like to see a resolution provided by the manufacture of this vehicle. I will be installing a dash cam to try and capture this when it happens again. Once that is complete, I will have a complete documentation of the case to forward to counsel. Lemon law.
Vehicle does not re-start and appears to have an electrical outage (all lights come on and the radio shuts off) after "idle off" feature is activated (meaning my foot on the brake) at red light or stop sign. I have to put the vehicle in park and takes 2-3 tries to re-start by pushing the start button. So very dangerous when I'm at a busy intersection, and especially with kids in the car and I can not move. This issue happens almost all of the time. I had to turn off this feature for safety reasons or risk being in an accident. Two years ago I had a Honda dealership look at it and they said they didn't find an issue. I chose the most recent date of occurrence (yesterday) for this form but it has been happening for 4 years. I currently have 45,000 miles on my vehicle.
A notice has started popping up on my Honda Pilot saying keyless start system problem. But my car still starts. The error message went away for a few days then came back.
Car would not start after going into auto idle stop.car went into neutral by itself.had to put in park and it took several attempts before car would start.
When I stop with the idle stop in on the Honda Pilot, when release the brakes the Pilot discharge battery and never turn on. The battery was discharged when is inspected. Never wake up. I need to charge battery and then the battery is function with no problem with the idle stop disable. This past only with the idle stop is in on only. For five consecutive times pass me in traffic area and is a problem because not turn on brakes lights and signals lights. Is a very problem and attempt to security. Hopefully helps. Thanks always past when release the brakes pads after idle stop. Never turn on again.
Keyless start system problem. This error appears on display panel multiple times. I did change new car battery and key fob batteries, but this error still on display. I finally brought it in dealership for repair. Warranty for this got extended for 9 years as per Honda.
In December 8 2020 started alarm started going off randomly took it in to rusty wallace Honda dallas tx, they kept 3 days said couldn't find cause but it did go off 2 times. They said did reset and sent it home.on march24 this year got error for keyless entry, Honda said on recall changed start button, on marci 29 car alarm started going off again, so brought it back to Honda now they say it's keyless access/tim's control unit and program unit and keys & memorize tim's sensors 832.dollars.need to mention car only has 45K.the vehicle was parked each time
Honda 2016 touring shut off when stopping at traffic light or intersection, it does not auto restart from idling-stop mode. It took couple of tries to press the break and push the start button for the car to start. I also noticed the radio turned off and the car put itself to park. It started couple months back, and getting more frequent.
The push start button does not work, it is giving me an error 'keyless start system problem'. I changed the key fob's battery to a brand new battery and it is not the key fob with issues, it is the button itself. I have to keep pressing the break and the start button to get the car to start working. This has been happening for 3 months and it keeps getting worse, I have to press the start button like a toy.
It happened to myself w/ my child in my car & then my spouse driving my car alone. However the same problem is known to Honda but until someone is killed, they are refusing to acknowledge, the camshaft shutting off all controls while driving on a highway is completely dangerous. As an experienced driver, I was able to avoid a collusion on a major highway surrounded by tractor trailers going 65mph. Although the Honda dealer has replaced the camshaft twice on my 2016 Honda Pilot with less than 46,000, I am fearful this will happen again. We are left with a balance to pay off, the safety of our family while driving this unsafe vehicle and just cut out losses. However, this will not solve the problem for those who cannot afford to purchase another vehicle. I had a 2006 Honda Pilot with very little problems for 10 years, 95K miles on it. It was why I purchased another Honda Pilot. However, I spent a lot more money. This 2016 Pilot was $30K with the $10K trade in. We maintain all our vehicles as well as garage keep them to protect them from the harsh pa winter elements. As a driver for over 32 years and zero accidents, I do not want to be the cause of a serious accident because Honda is neglecting to acknowledge this new german made engine as well as the transmission is a significant problem. There have been other problems like this one that began one yr after purchase I brought to immediate attention of the dealer. I am sure they report these findings to the manufacture as well. The remote key stopped working, several interior outlets for charging has stopped working, a dome light doesn't work, the garage door opener can't be programmed anymore and other features are no longer working. It is a dangerous car to drive with the risk of starting on fire as well as stopping abruptly like it did for me in 2018 and 2021 for my husband. Vinart lv Honda emmaus,
Two main problems: 1) vehicle won't start and displays "keyless start system error". Honda issued a recall related to this issue and local dealership replaced engine start/stop switch assembly. Problem and error message returned again 3 days later. On return trip to the dealership, they tried to blame it on a weak (5 month old) battery. (I tested battery at 3 different auto parts stores after trip to dealership; battery tests as good as new). Countless complaints regarding this issue on internet message boards, owners' message boards and Honda service bulletin (20-117) has been issued. Changing the start/stop switch doesn't appear to solve the problem in all vehicles. 2) problem with engine not auto re-starting after going into an auto idle stop. Has happened multiple times with my vehicle, including twice while attempting to navigate through an intersection during start and stop traffic. Highly unsafe situation. I'm not aware of any recalls on this issue, but numerous Honda technical research & support group 'dealership only' messages have been issued regarding this problem. Testing at the local dealership couldn't locate any problems. I turn off the auto idle stop feature immediately when using the vehicle to keep from getting stuck in traffic again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Katy, TX, USA