The Pilot year to avoid
The first year of the redesign has by far the most complaints of any Pilot: engines that knock and fail from bearing damage, and a push-button start and idle-stop system that misbehaves. Unless the engine recall is done and the price reflects it, choose a 2015 or 2022.
Updated November 2026 · based on 1,727 owner complaints and 8 recalls
1,430 3.4x the Pilot average
8 free to fix at a dealer
Every Pilot year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2016 Pilot
Top problems and what they cost
Engine knocking and failure
Connecting rod bearings can wear out, causing knocking, warning lights and engine failure. Recall 23V751 covers inspection and repair or engine replacement.
Fix: Free under recall. Outside the recall, an engine costs $6,000 to $9,000.
Engine
Keyless start and idle-stop faults
The car may not restart after idle-stop, or shows a keyless start system problem message and dies.
Fix: Battery and software update $150 to $400; starter $500 to $900.
Electrical
Dash full of warning lights
Owners report AWD, stability and steering warnings appearing at once, often tied to a weak battery.
Fix: Battery $180 to $280; diagnosis $100 to $200.
Electrical
Recalls
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury.
If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Show all 8 recalls
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2016 Honda Pilot
- Confirm the engine recall (23V751) is done at nhtsa.gov/recalls, plus all 8 others.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2016 Pilot has 8 recalls on record, listed below.
- Listen at cold start and under acceleration for knocking or ticking.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 84 complaints about fuel injector failure on the 2016 Pilot, one of the worst years for it.
- Use idle-stop at a few lights and make sure the engine restarts every time.Lights fail on some of these cars because of failing LED boards, connectors or water in the housing. Brake and tail lights matter most, so use a helper to check them.
- Check the age of the 12-volt battery.Many electrical glitches on these cars trace back to a weak 12-volt battery or a failing alternator. A battery older than about four years is worth replacing.Owners filed 17 complaints about infotainment screen freezing or rebooting on the 2016 Pilot, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2016 Honda Pilot reliable?
The Pilot year to avoid. The first year of the redesign has by far the most complaints of any Pilot: engines that knock and fail from bearing damage, and a push-button start and idle-stop system that misbehaves. Unless the engine recall is done and the price reflects it, choose a 2015 or 2022.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
8 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Honda dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2016 Honda Pilot problems?
Engine knocking and failure; Keyless start and idle-stop faults; Dash full of warning lights.
Crash rating shown for the 2016 Honda Pilot SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.