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.
Bought this car 4 months prior, paid $29,900 for it. Transmission replacement quoted at $7,000 from Honda, but that is for a used transmission with 100,000 miles on it. Why on earth would I want another 100k tranny when that's what I'm replacing? A new tranny is quoted at $10,000 from Honda.
That would bring to cost of this car to $40,000! I am not paying it. Carmax can come and repo their car. I will take the hit to my credit rating on principle. I want to get the info out there so people can see this car is NOT worth $30,000! DO NOT BUY A 2016 HONDA PILOT!!
Bought 4 2016 Hondas, all have been garbage. Pilot with the camshaft then transmission, Accord with the Nav screen, and the Civics, both Nav screens and other electronic issues.
I purchased a 2016 Honda Pilot Touring 26 months ago. I have had it serviced at all intervals, I also purchased the Maintenance Plan. I have around 26650 miles on it. I noticed the car's engine lurching and idling fast.
On Saturday the engine was racing and felt it trying to shift. The transmission light came on and then the emissions light. We had only been about 6 miles and returned home. We waiting about 10 minutes and restarted the car and lights were still on. It is Labor Day weekend 2018, I waited until Monday to call the dealer. I was afraid to drive it and was told to bring it in. I waited over an hour. No one came to tell me anything. I went and asked service if they found out anything and was told they were checking the transmission and thought it would need to be replaced, I was in total shock. They took me home and said it would take another 4 hours to complete the diagnostic tests. I called back in 5 hours and was told the transmission needed replacing and they were breaking down the transmission and would call me when they knew something, probably tomorrow. The person that brought me home said mine was the 3rd one of the same year that they had to replace the transmission on. I'm from North Carolina and just stunned.
Our 2016 Honda Pilot Elite initially had a major transmission issue at 53K miles. The Honda dealership recognized the transmission issue but was unable to come up with a clear diagnosis. The problem appeared to reset itself after leaving the vehicle off and parked for several hours. At 69K, once the powertrain warranty expired (60K miles), the transmission failed again. The Honda dealership service department once again recognized the transmission issue but did not have a clear diagnosis. After adding software updates and adding transmission fluid the problem failed to resolve. The Honda Dealership Service department consulted with Honda Corporate at which time it was determined the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $6200. After over 1 1/2 weeks of deliberating, Honda would not agree to pay for the entire amount holding us responsible for $750. We followed the service recommendations that were displayed on our display panel. We have been out of a vehicle for 2 1/2 weeks by the time our vehicle has been repaired, had to rent a vehicle upon initial transmission failure at 53K miles and have spent hours dealing with customer service at Honda Corporate that was uncharacteristically rude for a reputable company like Honda. Since our transmission problem, we have noted this to be a common complaint among Honda Pilot owners. We have more miles on our 2016 Honda Pilot Elite(69K) than most people with similar aged vehicles....Honda Pilot owners with the 9 speed transmission beware of this problem as it can certainly be a safety hazard when the transmission goes out on the highway. This is our 3rd Honda vehicle and may be our last.
2016 Honda Pilot Elite...transmission went out while on the highway with 53K miles on vehicle. Car would still drive just would not shift. Multiple warning lights went on. Car was dropped off at Honda dealership. Transmission problem was recognized by service department. After car sat in service station, the vehicle reset itself and transmission appeared to work normal again. Problem recurred at 69K miles, the transmission warranty ended at 60K and Honda refused to fully cover the failed transmission which required replacement. Customer service at Honda Corporate was disappointing and not what we've experienced with Honda in the past. Local District Manager not available to speak with customer although local District Manager was responsible for determining how much we were responsible for paying ($750 in our case). Our opinion of Honda has changed based on our recent experiences.
- ekolb,
Bloomington, US
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2016 Honda Pilot Touring with 19,000 miles. Began making an annoying chirping sound as I was driving at around 28-32 mph. Shortly afterwards, car began to shift clumsily, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering.
Took it to the dealership who after a day of diagnosing declared I would need a new transmission and it would be ok as I was getting "a brand new transmission". Turns out its a remanufactured transmission. The transmission manufacturer has recalled the transmission. Honda USA is now responsible to recall the vehicles which they have not done.
Called Honda USA and they were totally unsympathetic and uncaring - simply reiterate the warranty. Called the transmission manufacturer and was hung up on. My Dealer has been excellent to work with throughout - Space Coast Honda, FL. The dealership owner did attend a meeting in LA on 11/17/16 where Honda USA discussed how to address this problem. I am waiting to hear the outcome from that meeting from my dealer.
I am appalled at how I have been treated by Honda USA and ZT and would be happy to initiate or participate in a class action lawsuit against both.
I've had my 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L with Honda Sensing for 2 weeks and just took it on the interstate for my first road trip. I got on the interstate for about 20 minutes before I noticed white smoke coming out the back. I pulled over and noticed transmission fluid dripping. Called Honda Roadside Assistance, the rep was NOT very friendly, and they sent a tow. Dropped the vehicle off last night at a dealer in another city from which I purchased the Pilot. Service called me this morning to tell me the transmission is completely shot and it had to be a manufacturer defect and they've never seen something like this on a new vehicle. He said the transmission fluid even smelled worse than he's ever experienced. Two weeks of owning the car and driving it for a total of 522 miles and the transmission needs to be replaced. The dealer I bought it from said they will replace the transmission but, being this is my first ever purchased NEW vehicle, I'm not happy with that. I missed a doctor appointment that I'd scheduled 3 months ahead of time because he is that difficult to get in to see. So of course, I missed my appointment. I've purchased the 100,000 mile extended warranty and just had an AstroStart 5225 and heated steering wheel installed. This is only the 4th vehicle I've ever owned and my first new vehicle. I purchased this EX-L in Fargo, ND, from Corwin Honda.
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Bought this car 4 months prior, paid $29,900 for it. Transmission replacement quoted at $7,000 from Honda, but that is for a used transmission with 100,000 miles on it. Why on earth would I want another 100k tranny when that's what I'm replacing? A new tranny is quoted at $10,000 from Honda.
That would bring to cost of this car to $40,000! I am not paying it. Carmax can come and repo their car. I will take the hit to my credit rating on principle. I want to get the info out there so people can see this car is NOT worth $30,000! DO NOT BUY A 2016 HONDA PILOT!!
- Paul P., Avon, US