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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,811 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.

2016 Honda Pilot miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2016 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #240

Oct 252023

Pilot

  • miles

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

Auto Start/Stop feature has repeatedly struggled to restart car at stop lights. Disabling this feature manually after starting the car is the only way to disable this feature. Initial failures were due to battery wear, but after replacing the battery we still have intermittent issues where the vehicle will not restart after the auto stop feature has shut off the engine. This is very dangerous in traffic or in an intersection when expecting the vehicle to restart when you remove your foot from the gas and it instead shuts the vehicle off and puts the vehicle in park. It can take multiple tries to successfully restart the car after this shut down event. The dealership has not been able to replicate the issue.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #239

Sep 042023

Pilot

  • miles
I am reporting a problem with the 2016 Honda Pilot audio system. It sounds identical to the reported problems that have lead to a recall for the 2018-2022 models. The system works fine initially, but anywhere from 10 min - 1 hour into driving the system becomes staticky. The static noise starts out low, but quickly gets to the point where nothing else can be heard. This is across all input channels: radio, ipod, XM Satellite, etc.. The system then eventually shuts down and no sound can be heard.

- Ada, MI, USA

problem #238

Oct 142023

Pilot

  • miles
Unable to open my gas cap door either by pushing the gas opener button by driver side door or manually from the latch located in the trunk. I was running low on gas and am unable to refill the gas. Others offered to help by forcing the gas door open but said they would definitely damage the car. Gas attended looked at it and was unable to open gas door to refill gas tank. Without gas, my car is unable to turn on and drive. My kids were in the car with me and we were stranded. My car did not show any signs of warnings for this issue.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #237

Sep 202023

Pilot

  • miles

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

the auto engine idle stop repeatedly malfunctions causing the stopped car to not start up when it is time to go. It takes several seconds to restart the car and, in the middle of an intersection, this is very dangerous. It has happened numerous times. The dealer repeatedly says that there is nothing wrong with it. There are no warning signs when this happens. I am reporting the date of the last incident below

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #236

Aug 302023

Pilot

  • miles
While driving home, about 30 mph, multiple warning lights came on, transmission feels like it is shifting oddly, the steering gets harder to steer the longer you drive and it got harder to break like the brakes were freezing up.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #235

Aug 022023

Pilot

  • miles
the auto idle stop stalls and does not restart when you press the accelerator. I have been caught stalled in the middle of intersections too many times to count. Well over 100. It is extremely dangerous in city traffic. Other drivers behind me are honking horns and it takes a while to restart the car.I have narrowly avoided a serious accident at least 25 times. The dealer has been told about the problem numerous times and is aware of this happening with other people with the same car. They check it out and say that nothing is wrong but then it will stall again on the way home from the dealership. You have no warning when this is about to happen.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #234

Jul 292023

Pilot

  • miles

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

I am having issues with crackling and popping noises in my stereo system. I know that this is a common issue. I understand that there may be a recall.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #233

Jul 142023

Pilot

  • miles
This vehicle has had an excessive amount of problems. The electrical system seems to be failing after much maintenance. Determining if there is an electrical short. The car alarm randomly goes when not triggered. The entertainment panel randomly adjusts volume settings and turns on and off on its own. The sunroof has opened and not closed back due to electrical issue. The gas gauge does not add the available fuel correctly after refueling. Sometimes, the gauge remains at zero or the same number. There is a horrible, annoying squealing sound that is coming from the front lower portion of the vehicle when driving. No one, including the dealership, have been able to identify where this loud squealing sound is coming from. Currently, the AC has failed in 120 degree weather. It has been a horrible experience for our family and we regret purchasing this vehicle!

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #232

Apr 082023

Pilot

  • miles
The rear view camera doesn-??t always work on the display on the dash. When we put it in reverse the screen shows black instead of what is behind our vehicle. This issue is intermittent.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #231

May 212023

Pilot

  • miles
roof molding that runs along the top flat part of the roof from front to back, one on both sides right & left of the car. It is in place to connect and/or cover where the roof & body/ sides come together & were welded. safety issue is that it falls off while the car is moving. Mine flew off on a major highway, while driving, which creates a risk to others on the road driving behind the vehicle. *Honda and my vin search is stating it is not recalled. However, there was a 2018 Honda Service Bulletin stating the front end caps are loose & that this was a known issue. My vehicle falls under the: 2016 Pilot, All Trim models & all vin ranges was included. But Honda is not honoring this because the vin# is not pulling up a recall. The updated notice from Honda is stating some vin#s but mine flew off due to the issues with the clips & the other side that-??s still intact is actually loose in the front & I have to be mindful & remember to keep Che king to press it down & back in place or possibly tape it down. * dealership looked at the vehicle and confirmed that they were simple clipped on and known (2016-2017) to be an issue of them falling off. Advised me to cover until I can repair it, to prevent moisture, rust & possible future internal water damage.

- Great Meadows, NJ, USA

problem #230

Jan 142023

Pilot

  • miles

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

1. My moonroof/sunroof will not close. when trying to close it, it comes close to closing then opens up again. Tried to close multiple times and the same result. Then I tried to hold down the wind deflector as it closes and hope not to pinch my finger. after trying that multiple times, I was able to close my moonroof/sunroof. 2. with a moonroof unable to close, weather could come in and compromise the safety of everyone in the car. Further, holding down the wind deflector while trying to close could injure someone if the timing is not right. 3. Have not taken it to dealer yet. 4. Has not been inspected yet. 5. No warning lamps or messages prior to failure of closing moonroof.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #229

May 192023

Pilot

  • miles
keyless control module, alarm Goes off randomly with headlights coming on, draining the battery.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #228

Apr 012023

Pilot

  • miles
The keyless start systems problem light has been on for about a month and sometimes I have issues starting the vehicle.

- Potomac , MD, USA

problem #227

Apr 052023

Pilot

  • miles
Unless I remember to disable "Auto engine idle stop" my car will die at a light or any place I'm stopped. A bunch of random lights or warnings flash across the dashboard, brake won't push in, and I am unable to put it in neutral for my vehicle to be moved off the road or interstate. I have had cops park behind my completely dead vehicle stating "I just want to make sure the other cars on the road stay off your back so you don't get hit" all while we figure out why we can't even put it in neutral just to move it. We then have to jump-start it to get it moving again with no promises it will either start or stay on once started. Because this has happened multiple times, my vehicle has now been having issues starting at random, once happening the afternoon of 4/16/2023 after it wasn't driven the day before. My battery and alternator have both been checked and are excellent condition.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #226

Mar 242023

Pilot

  • miles
While traveling from northern Illinois to Sarasota, FL, vehicle transmission stopped functioning along I-75 near Tifton, GA. It had been raining the entire trip. No one was injured. We were passing a vehicle in the left lane, and without any warning the transmission just stopped. We couldn-??t accelerate. We coasted to the shoulder. We couldn-??t put the vehicle into park. 2 warning lights/messages came up: emissions system failure and AWD system failure. We turned off the car, waited 10 minutes, then drove to the nearest exit and turned off the car for an additional 45 minutes. The Honda Dealership in Sarasota said it needed a software upgrade. After paying for the upgrade we learned from a previous Honda engineer that it-??s a known problem.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #225

Apr 032023

Pilot

  • miles
My sunroof glass spontaneously exploded. It was not hit by an object nor were temperatures extreme. Had my inside sunroof visor not been closed, the broken glass would-??ve fallen on the vehicle occupants causing injury. I received a minor glass cut will taping the glass so that the vehicle could be driven home. The issue has been reported to insurance but no inspections have yet been made nor were police reports filed. There were no warning signs prior to the glass explosion, just a loud pop as the glass began popping up and cracking. I watched it happen from outside the car. Little pieces popped up onto the roof, then a wave went through the glass, portions fell into the sunroof, and then cracks ran though the entire pane. After researching, I learned this is a known glass defect issue with certain makes and models. I am fortunate that I had just parked; if I had been driving, the glass could-??ve fallen into the car inurying occupants or could-??ve flown off the car and hit other cars or pedestrians.

- Lexington , SC, USA

problem #224

Mar 232023

Pilot

  • miles
Auto idle stop randomly fails to restart engine when attempting to accelerate from stop. After coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not restart. While in heavy traffic on interstates the failure to restart creates panic. Car stalls to neutral. Car must be turned off and restarted and then shifted to drive in order to accelerate. Same at traffic lights, or turn lanes, on hills, a sudden shut down requiring a complete restart. There are several steps required to get the vehicle to restart. This takes several seconds (enough time that traffic lights cycle). This results in following vehicles attempting to pass if a lane is available, angry motorists, and panicked driver. Car has been inspected by dealer but there is no fix for the problem. There are no warning lights or indicators that the system will or is about to fail. The problem apparently does not create any kind of -??code-?? in the system. The only solution is to turn the system off each and every time you start the vehicle. The system cannot be legally disabled and by default it is always on when vehicle is started. This problem began approximately 18 months ago when the vehicle had @ 90k miles. Honda recently announced a software update and a warranty extension regarding the problem. The software update has been completed on the vehicle. However the problem continues. Honda-??s apparent solution is to extend the warranty on the parts involved - the starter, or starter relays, or adjust the valves on the engine. But there is no -??fix-?? for the problem. We are told to simply -??continue to monitor-??.

- Potomac , MD, USA

problem #223

Mar 062023

Pilot

  • miles
I see couple of safety concerns with 2016 Honda Pilot touring. 1) There is no option to disable 'tailgate opening & closing by FOB' in 2016 Honda Pilot touring. Even with an unintentional small press of fob key tailgate button, the tailgate can open & hit anybody (may be the car next in school lane) or anything in the back (may be garage door) 2) There is no option to adjust height of tailgate in 2016 Honda Pilot touring. It can hit top of garage of any house & cause safety issue Honda should take action to recall & rectify those part for human & property safety.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #222

Sep 292021

Pilot

  • miles
Sun visor part number 83230-TG7-A11ZA has failed twice now (6/24/2019 and again 9/29/2021). What happens is that the tension spring internal to the sun visor fails causing the sun visor to flop down impeding the driver's vision directly forward. We had to purchase new replacement sun visors twice. This is likely to happen again, so I'm keeping a close watch for it. This puts the safety of driver, passengers, other vehicles and pedestrians as risk as it happens suddenly. Honda has made no attempt that I am aware of to remedy the problem.

- Vernon, VT, USA

problem #221

Jan 202023

Pilot

  • miles
Front windshield wiper washer jet hood nozzle sprayer fell off and is lost. Called Honda dealer. They checked with Honda corporation and are advised that there are 1,100 of these on back order. Lead time is approximately 4 months! Without this part, windshield cannot be cleaned by the windshield washer should it be urgently needed while traveling down highway. This puts safety at risk.

- Vernon, VT, USA

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