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.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,400
Average Mileage:
59,700 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace fuel injectors (18 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. replace fuel filter (1 reports)
2016 Honda Pilot fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

May 242022

Pilot EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have never had to replace fuel injectors in a vehicle I owned. I was never warned of the problem or offered any preventative measures to try to at least keep the fuel injectors in better shape. From what I read online, it appears to be a common problem in the car, and I do not feel that I should pay for the repair. It's not even a wear and tear thing! It's part of the engine and how it functions! I get oil changes regularly, replace and care for my tires, etc. If it is a common problem, I think that my car should have been expected every time I brought it in for an oil change. How can it just suddenly become a problem?

Also, the dealership rep said that the error code is not a part of the associated warranty. I think that's also a bunch of BS. This car has not been in any major wreck and my mileage for this car is much lower than the average.

- Julia H., Houston, TX, US

problem #21

Oct 252019

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Per dealership, my check engine light indicates the fuel injectors need replacing at a cost of over $1700!! INSANE to say the least. My first Honda will be my last if Honda Inc. does not issue very quickly a recall of this problem. There are too many people who purchased this vehicle because of Honda's great reputation and now that reputation is tarnished by a company who doesn't care about customer satisfaction and safety. What is it going to take to get Honda's attention?? Toyota is looking better and better no matter the price tag!! Wake up HONDA, fix these vehicles and suck up the cost!!

- Trish B., Smithfield, VA, US

problem #20

Nov 232019

Pilot EX-L 3.4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,127 miles

Review Honda Service Bulletin 18-025; Car suddenly has numerous warning indicators go off, fails to crank via remote key fob and upon investigation the fuel injectors were deemed corrupted, requiring all fuel injectors to be replaced. Due to this, the fuel pressure pump is ruined. This issue is a known Honda problem that clearly plagues numerous cars. Problem occurs outside of normal bumper to bumper warranty and cost is transferred to customer.

- Gilbert D., Gardendale, AL, US

problem #19

Jan 032020

Pilot EXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,543 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Honda refuses to do the right thing and extend the warranty on fuel injectors. This is obviously a manufacturing issue.

- John S., Katy, TX, US

problem #18

Feb 292020

Pilot EX-L 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,245 miles

Well i was always buying american brands, till i decided to go with a good reliable brand like HONDA , but i guess I made one of the biggest mistakes, how can it be that the fuel injectors are bad just a little over 4 years and 54K miles, i had a GMC and a Pontiac before that were 20 years old and never had any issues with fuel injectors, believe me if i could go back on time i will it got a toyota, but at least when i bought the Pilot (used on dec 2018) i got one of those extended services for 1500 dollars, which covered this problem, so basically I just paid ahead of something that was expected by HONDA, shame on you, i been a Motorcycle rider all my life , currently own a HONDA motorcycle and so far no problems just oil changes , battery and tires on 15 years of ownership , was expecting the same here but i guess HONDA is just another brand, wanted to add something else at least there was a nice service department at HONDA ON GRAND 300 W Grand Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126, and the service person : David T. that made things easier for me, helped me with the extended service (which is from Toyota) and recommended other Maintenance which i did to be on the safe side, well i guess now am stuck with it, still have over 4 years of payments and am praying to GOD to help me deal with this, and good luck to others that might encounter this problem soon, hopefully HONDA will do something about it.

- Jose P., Chicago, IL, US

problem #17

Dec 282019

Pilot Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,333 miles

This issue occurred after my 2016 Pilot warranty ended. This vehicle only had 28K miles when it happened. I ended up paying for the repair to the Honda dealer in an amount of $1889.90. I contacted America Honda Customer and they wouldn't cover any of my cost because they claimed that the repair was done prior to contacting them and after the warranty expired. I believe that this issue should be covered by Honda due to the faulty of the injectors at manufacture. They should extend the warranty on the fuel injectors so many of Pilot will be covered for the repair. I wouldn't purchase another Honda from here on. I'll stick with Toyota.

- Ben T., Chantilly, VA, US

problem #16

Feb 202020

Pilot EXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It is incredible that this is an ongoing known issue for 2016 Honda Pilot and Honda will not repair/fix. This is a low mileage car used for local short distance travel. Warranty would not cover because it is not part of the power train. Dealer is charging 1400. Definitively my last Honda...

- Miriam T., Ocoee, FL, US

problem #15

Mar 302021

Pilot EX-L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 211,000 miles

Had to replace fuel injectors and push button starter and this cost me 1200. In September 2020 I had to replace the AC compressor and all 3 known common issues.

- Omayra S., East Stroudsburg, US

problem #14

Oct 312020

Pilot EX 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,737 miles

We purchased a used 2016 Honda Pilot EX on 02/16/2019 from a Honda dealership. During the last two weeks in October while driving to work we noticed the fuel consumption was significant and was only getting 160 miles per tank of gas, we had to fill the tank up 4 times in two weeks only driving about 24 miles total back and forth from work. While stopped at a local pharmacy on 10/31/2020 the check engine light (CEL) came on and showed that there was a problem with the Pilots "emissions" system and the AWD system.

Scheduled an appointment with the dealership that sold us the Pilot on 11/04/2020 for the CEL (CEL automatically cleared when we restarted the Pilot on 11/01/2020). While at the dealership they were able to bring up the stored CEL codes and told us that it was a known fuel injector problem (TSB# 18-025) and that we should get it replace. However, due to our Pilot being out of the 3y/36000 mile warranty it would cost us $1000. We could not afford it and could not get the issue fixed. This was our only vehicle and Honda does not care what the problem is since it is out of warranty.

- Ji C., Morgantown, WV, US

problem #13

Jan 182016

Pilot ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles

I first reported a check engine light issue with routine oil changes. The codes first produced an emission system problem. I asked repeatedly if this could be a fuel line, pump, filter issue, and I was laughed at. The problem continued for the next 70,000 miles. I continued to report the problem, but was so upset with the customer service at the dealership, I started going to a local auto repair shop. Eventually, the codes turned into a fuel/air mix problem. The fuel injectors had crapped out, and a "bucking" started occurring when I would accelerate (usually noticeable around 1200-1800 RPMs). Had the fuel injectors and spark plugs replaced with Honda OEM replacements kits.

The check engine light didn't come on anymore, but now the bucking continued and was seemingly getting worse. Took it back to the dealership to learn that the transmission needs to be replaced. WTF??? I asked the service rep could the fuel injection problem that started the bucking have contributed to the transmission problem? He said no-way. I asked my auto repair shop, and their transmission expert got on the phone with me immediately and said this absolutely was the problem. He also went on to say how Honda is notorious for covering up faults by classifying problems in many different silos, rather than owning up to related problematic issues that cause further damage to the vehicle.

I used to have a 2004 Pilot, and a 2008 Odyssey. To keep things transparent, I even called Honda corporate, was passed around to several different reps, none of which actually did anything other than placate. I had an extended warranty, I reported the issue multiple times, and they refused to acknowledge ownership of the problem - all because the notes that the service techs were inputting conveniently left out the problems I was reporting on almost every occasion! Lesson learned, always ask for paper copies of every note a dealership enters into their system on your vehicle! I am sorely disappointed in Honda, especially how they have handled this at the local dealership, and I won't be buying another one.

- John D., Perkasie, PA, US

problem #12

Mar 012018

Pilot LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Worst car I've ever owned. Car is shaking and won't accelerate when pressing the gas, especially when going uphill. I already fixed the fuel injectors and it keeps happening. Now they are saying I need to change the Cat Converter for additional $1800. Tired of wasting money on this piece of crap car. I have been dealing with fuel issues for 4 years, I am sick of dealing with this car. I do not trust Honda anymore. Will never buy Honda again.

- Brenda T., Mc Kinney, TX, US

problem #11

Dec 312020

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,598 miles

Everything I've read points to the fuel injection system failing in the 2016 Honda Pilot with little to no recourse for cost of repair being covered by Honda, despite a KNOWN service bulletin issued for this exact issue. Seriously?

I am a healthcare working during the time of COVID-19 as well as a caregiver for a disabled Veteran family member and a mom to 3 young kiddos. We all depend on reliable and safe transportation to get us through our days and I have truly enjoyed this vehicle up until this moment. I am beyond disappointed and hope to find a viable solution in the days ahead.

Had I known this defect existed at the time of purchase, I definitely would have gone with a different model and year so I could keep the family safe and my patients taken care of.

- Tiffany C., Mc Kinney, TX, US

problem #10

Oct 012018

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

In October 2018 I had to get the fuel injectors replaced in my Honda Pilot. There was a service bulletin at the time and it was covered at 56,000 miles. Well the initial bulletin said it was an ongoing issue and that it would be covered until 150,000 miles. So here we are May of 2020 and I need to have the fuel injectors replaced again!! This car is a lemon and Honda just does not care and told me I have to pay to get new injectors even though they said the reason the other ones went bad was because they were installed wrong on their assembly line. Worst car I have ever had. I was always loyal to Toyota.

- Heather B., Trevorton, US

problem #9

Jun 292019

Pilot EX-L 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,848 miles

After researching this problem, this has happened to hundreds, if not thousands of Honda Pilots and other Honda models that use the same fuel system. It is a known defect that is unacceptable. There are reports of this happening multiple times as the mileage increases, approx every 50K! Honda dealer this would not be covered under warranty because it would be considered a wear item. Done with Honda. refer to TSB 18-025 and 19-072.

- Kevin K., Denver, CO, US

problem #8

Apr 132019

Pilot EX-L 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,990 miles

Code p0430 - catalytic converter inefficiency- took to dealer, the said that software needed to be updated. We were told to return if the issue recurs. They said it would be likely that the injectors would need to replaced if the code happened again. 1 month later it did and the injectors needed to be all replace at our cost for $1700.

- Kevin K., Denver, CO, US

problem #7

Jul 072020

Pilot Touring 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

click to see larger images

fuel injector malfunction

I was warned about the fuel injectors after I bought my car by a mechanic friend. He said put premium in it every other fill up, keep on your maintenance, baby it because it's an expensive fix. The light first started coming on only on really hot days but the emissions light would disappear once it cooled off outside. Now it is always on. Took it to the dealership (for the 2nd time, I took it in when it started at about 42000 mi) and sure enough, needs a new fuel pipe and fuel injectors. $1325.00 the same mechanic that warned me advised I call Honda since this is a known issue, the customer service rep, gave zero Fs. Asked for the total cost of repairs and told me I was out of luck. Considering that Honda Service Bulletin 18-025 specifically goes over this issue, I see so many complaints online about this same issue and parts are super back ordered, I don't understand why it isn't a recall. I guess Honda is not the reliable automakers they once were.

- Kristine H., Norwalk, IA, US

problem #6

Mar 152020

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

Every warning light available came on. Took it to dealer who diagnosed bad fuel injectors. I thought that was very strange for mileage. Service rep says he’s not aware of any problems, so I do my google search and find hundreds of identical complaints. Called Honda Corp, first rep is unable to help, unwilling more like. Second one forwards complaint for review and I am awaiting a call back. Seems some vins May have been addressed while others haven’t. EVERYONE with same complaint must call Honda Corp to complain as in her words”we don’t take on line forum complaints seriously unless owners call us. 800-999-1009.

- Eric P., Plantation, US

problem #5

Aug 142019

Pilot EX V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 52,000 miles

My Honda Pilot is 2016 EX model. I had it serviced according to scheduled times. But last week, I got the Emissions System Problem light on. I took it to the Lou Sobh Honda dealer(Cumming, GA). The dealer said the Fuel injector is gone bad and need to be replaced and the price estimate is $1250. It is my wife's car and we need it everyday for our daily purpose, I didn't had time to call Honda Corp immediately and ask for any kind of reimbursement, wait for it to happen then get it repaired. I immediately took a rental car for a day while I was getting the Pilot repaired. I checked online and it looks there are a good number of 2016 Honda Pilots that have this same issue. The fuel injector is the heart of a car/SUV and it should work for the life of the car. I have checked online and saw that most of the issues of 2016 Honda Pilot are with Fuel Injector and the repairs are expensive. I understand that a new model of Honda Pilot 2016(completely redesigned vehicle) may have some issues. But this issue is at the heart of the Pilot as it has got to do with the Fuel Injector and needs to be addressed as a Recall by Honda Motor Corp as even the Honda dealer feels that Fuel Injector issue should not happen so early in a car's life. So, I request you to consider this issue as a recall and reimburse me. I can attach the invoices upon request. Planning to call Honda Motor Corp.

- chandrajpga, Suwanee, GA, US

problem #4

Aug 092019

Pilot EX 3.5L-Liter V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,100 miles

I have owned 7 hondas since 1980 and have never had to do anything to them but general maintenance (oil changes, tires, battery, etc.). However, my 3-year-old 2016 Honda Pilot (with 51,000 miles on it) started hesitating about a month ago.

Yesterday, the engine light warning popped on: Emissions System Problem. After looking for discussions on this topic via the internet, it seems this is a very common problem with the 2016 Pilots due to prematurely worn fuel injectors. I got a few estimates on the cost to replace these injectors and it's outrageous! Anywhere from $1000 to $1400. This is ridiculous! Even if I had purchased an extended warranty, I'm told this would not be covered as it's not considered part of the power train.

I think it is outrageous for Honda to make customers feel this is okay, and should be an expected expense. It's bad enough we've always had to pay close to a $1000 for a timing chain at 100,000 miles. I do NOT believe this problem should be such a huge financial burden on a car this new (just outside of the warranty). I would like to hear from other 2016 Honda Pilot owners to see if they are facing a similar situation.

- Jane C., West Kingston, US

problem #3

Mar 252019

Pilot AWD EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

My 2016 Pilot first presented with the Emissions Control light in October of 2017. The dealer "cleared" the code and said nothing was wrong. The light cam back on this week and now the fuel injectors have to be changed at my cost. Reading on line these problems are related but were first ignored by Honda. They now have a service bulletin issued for it, but it only applies in certain states and under a certain number of miles. Ridiculous. I have logged the issue with Honda USA and they have told me there is nothing they will do. The dealer also rejected covering it under their "goodwill" plan. This was my third Honda, but will definitely be my last. My lesson learned is to never ever buy a car the first year it is made/redesigned. The 2016 Pilot has multiple very expensive issues.

- Wendy S., Cary, NC, US

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