2016 Honda Pilot complaints

My engine has failed at ~104K miles after regular and consistent maintenance. The failure (rod bearing) matches Recall 23V751 but my VIN was excluded.

Torque shutter, transmission oil burning quickly

Honda Pilot 2016 and 83K miles and original owner. The car was traveling at I-95 going to Vermont when the engine light come on the dashboard showing low pressure oil. The car was stopped in a safe place and called AAA and towed to nearest mechanic in Massachusetts. The mechanic diagnosed and said the engine is shut and needed to be replaced. I called American Honda and was being told to tow it to a Honda Service dealership nearby and we did. Confirmed by them that the engine was shut and they found a metal inside the engine which is caused by the rod bearing. The American Honda did nothing at all to address it. So frustrating. The car is still sitting on the Honda Service lot in Massachusetts. The cost to replace the engine with a used one is $7500.00

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when he had parked the vehicle at work, he had heard an abnormal clicking sound from the engine compartment, and the vehicle was idling roughly. The contact stated that as he drove the vehicle back to his residence at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning started flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store, and the store employee used a handheld scanner and drew voltage and engine communication codes. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer did not perform a detailed diagnosis, but when the contact picked the vehicle up, he was still hearing the abnormal clicking sound. The dealer had a mechanic try to evaluate the abnormal noise by listening and thought it sounded like a failing timing belt tensioner. The contact then drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rod bearings had failed and the crankshaft was scored. The mechanic recommended replacing the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to a dealer to run a diagnostic check to see if the contact qualified for a "goodwill assistance program. The contact stated that the manufacturer advised that the program was not guaranteed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was an abnormal engine knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were recurring oil leaks and a misfire coming from the engine. The engine warning light was flashing. Additionally, the ESC, hill start assist, VSA, EPS, and steering low warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the codes. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

. We have owned our 2016 Pilot since 2023. We have never had a problem with it and have had the recommended maintenance performed on schedule. The incident of our engine failing, out of the blue, occurred when my husband drove from MN to Indiana and then he made it back to MN and the engine died literally at the exit to our hometown. Our Honda Pilot ran perfect when my husband drove from MN to IN with no problems at all. He made it all the way back to MN and when he took the exit to our town, a bunch of lights went off on the dashboard. There were several lights and I don't know exactly which ones unfortunately. He was able to get it into our driveway and it was unable to be started once he turned it off. We had to get it towed to the dealer (Tom Kadlec) . After diagnostic testing, we were told we needed a new engine. It cost us $8000 for a rebuilt engine. The mechanic knows all the details of the problem, but rod bearings were included in the description of our problem. I realize our vehicle has higher mileage, but this is so unlike a Honda vehicle to just quit and then to have such a drastic and expensive result....a new engine needed. Of course, completely unexpected and disappointing,out of the blue, I just am shocked and would like to know if it had something to do with the recall. I appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction while being driven at highway speeds in the carpool lane under normal conditions. The engine began knocking and misfiring, followed by a significant loss of power. There were no warning lights, oil pressure alerts, or messages prior to the failure. The loss of power and engine knocking made it difficult to safely cross multiple highway lanes from the carpool lane to reach an exit, creating a serious safety hazard in active traffic. The driver exited the freeway as soon as safely possible, parked the vehicle, turned the engine off, and had it towed to prevent further damage or risk. The vehicle was towed home and then towed the following day to an authorized Honda dealership for inspection. The dealership confirmed the failure was caused by internal engine damage due to a connecting rod bearing failure, resulting in a misfire on cylinder 4. This diagnosis was confirmed by the dealership, and the vehicle remains available for inspection. The vehicle has been regularly maintained, including routine oil and filter changes. There was no indication of oil starvation, overheating, or neglect prior to the failure. The engine failure occurred suddenly and without warning. There is an existing recall and an active federal investigation related to connecting rod bearing failures in certain 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles. While this vehicle’s VIN has not been officially included, the failure mode, symptoms, and dealer-confirmed diagnosis in

FAILING ROD BEARING

This car was purchased new from Gustman Honda in Appleton WI. It was well maintained and never driven off road. On [XXX], my [XXX] old daughter was driving it to school. She was on [XXX] when the engine had a severe failure and several rods punctured the engine block. There were no warnings, no engine lights, etc. prior to this complete engine failure. Luckily she was going to school for an early morning class and there were few cars on the highway. She was able to get the car somewhat off the road and call called me for help. I had it towed to Jiggers Auto in Chilton WI where they determined the complete engine failure INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Warning engine light came on. Emission control system light came on too. Honda Pilot 2016 Milage 70,662. Vehicle operating normally. Had car parts store use OBD electronic scanner and it revealed a code P0328: "Knock Sensor voltage High". Code was deleted after scan. I was told by tech at car parts store that the sensor was detecting odd electronic signals and sent info to the cars computer, which intern made the computer to display the warning lights on the dash panel. Warning lights were then off, and then a day later, the engine warning lights came on again. There are no physical or audible signs that any mechanical errors are happening, The car/engine is operating as normal. next day; made appt with Honda dealership to check system with their equipment and the warning lights did not come on , prior to the trip to the dealership. Dealership scan (Dec 23, 2025) confirms a faulty Knock Sensor w/code P0328. My internet search of this code reading, reveals possible engine damage, improper fuel distribution and possible engine failure when driving. This issue has been reported before, many times, per my internet search...why no recall? Dealership wants $1,234 to replace Knock sensor bank 1& 2. My original request to the dealership was to check my vehicle to see if it had any performance problems as noted in Honda Service Bulletin 20-100 Nov 24, 2020 problems, but their search revealed the P0328 code . I was charged $100 just for this diagnostic system search.

The car has 83K miles and the Honda Service said the engine needs to be replaced due to internal engine problem.

My keyless start system is going off and on and this is supposedly a well known problem with this year and model and the start stop buttoning going off and car stalling etc. it says to report to you all online.

Rod bearing knocking noise.

When driving on highway, heard loud engine cranking sound, followed by sudden jolts of the car. Stopped the car in the road median and then noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. Passengers got out of the car and noticed fire under the engine; called 911 immediately, then police and fire engine arrived to extinguish fire. Towed the car to Local Honda Service center. Diagnosis from the service center mentions: "A CONNECTING ROD BROKE AND EXITED THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK/OIL PAN AREA ON BACK OF ENGINE. .... and ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEED TO BE REPLACED along with other fire damaged and water damaged parts/sections...." This looks to be related 2016 Honda Pilot Connecting Rod recall ( NHTSA recall# 23V-751 ). Car maintenance has always been done on-time at the Honda Service center (records available for inspection). There were no warning lights before the incidence. Insurance company has inspected the car for claim purpose.

Was at a complete stop and my car turned off and all my dash lights came on. ON THE FREEWAY

We had road issues recently and the care stalled on Thanksgiving. We ended up having it towed to 2 mechanics, the final mechanic determined that this issue is a recall for other Hondas. Ours is not listed. I called the recall hotline and they will not fix the car under the recall because they did not add our VIN number to the recall. They informed us we could pay for the repair and keep our receipt for reimbursement if/when the VIN number is added. I was not happy with this outcome as if it's a problem with other vehicles why are we not being added. The recall is "a manufacturing defect in the connecting rod bearing that could cause the engine to seize and fail, leading to stalling while driving."

Engine seized up and died. Towed to shop and needs to be replaced. There has been a recall on this model year due to an issue with rods in the engine, but I am being told my particular car does not qualify. Researching showed me that if any kind of claim was denied, to file a complaint with NHTSA.gov.

My check engine light come on and started flashing on 11/24/25 and came along with a knocking sound. Got it to the shop, and they confirmed that the vehicle has a rod bearing knocking in the engine. I see that this has been a frequent known issue with this specific car and believe my car should be apart of this recall

While driving home the car started making loud noises and lost power. I pulled over as quickly as possible and had the vehicle towed to a Honda dealer where they they reported: "New engine assembly (long block with heads) due to internal engine failure. Found metal shavings in engine oil when strained through filter and magnet ran across bottom of pan. includes engine replacement, gaskets and fluids" When researching my repair options I found that there were known issues with the 2016 Honda Pilot, but my vehicle was on included in the initial vin list.

Yes available for inspection. Was driving on highway when my engine lost power. Almost crashed and almost got rear ended on the highway. Mechanic said something about piston rod bearings? Very loud knocking noise when car is started now . Not able to use. Only 100k miles. Fully maintained. Has to be part of recall soon? Recall is for piston rod bearings. Same issue my pilot has.

Vehicle has approximately 145K miles and regularly maintained at the dealership. With no prior warnings, the low fuel pressure light came on, started jerking, and making noises, and was unable to start. The vehicle was towed to the nearest mechanic where they said the engine has failed. The car was driven up to that point with no warning signs.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Engine failed in a matter of seconds on the Interstate to where the vehicle was inoperable making a loud knocking sound and every system light on the dashboard turned on. We were able to take it to a local Oil Shop that was within a few miles and had them check on the car. The mechanic stated the oil looked brand new even though we just had it changed 2 months ago and he couldn't service the inside of the vehicles engine. We had to have it towed over 100 miles to Chicago. To a Honda Dealership that stated the engine looked like it was starved of Oil. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle violent started shaking while myself, my wife, and our three kids were in the vehicle. All Systems had failed by the time we got it to a dealership 5 miles away. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes the Honda Dealership stated we need a new engine costing us well over $15,000. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No we have only had a mechanic at a Honda Dealer confirm what was said initially that the engine seems to be malfunctioning. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There was zero issues until all systems lights came on within a matter of 5 minut

All engine rod bearings had to be replaced due to engine knocking. Vehicle had 61,379 miles when repair was performed 10/02/25. Repair was performed by the manufacturer's dealership.

Incident happened on November/22/2025 was driving on a major highway with 2 other persons in the vehicle the check engine light began to flash and all the power form the engine was lost immediately pulled over. Called the Honda dealer when they opened took it to them to look at engine was knocking was told at the dealer there was metal in the oil and the knock is coming from the bottom of the engine. The engine is in non repairable shape and needs an engine replacement

Following all repair/recall/warranty work recommended by Honda, the Auto Stop/Start feature is again failing. This results in the vehicle not restarting after the auto idle engine stop is engaged while in traffic, stop lights, stop signs etc. This is a random occurrence, but results in a significant safety hazard as a stopped vehicle in a lane of travel. This is a recurring issue, no specific date of incident.

Driving the car the engine bearing went out and wrecked the engine. I had to replace the engine.

When the vehicle idle is on and I break at a red light or stop sign it has NOT started back up. This has happened a few times. Today at a red light it cut it did it and I needed a jump start to get it back working.

Car engine developed a knock in the lower end We took it to the dealerships service department and they accessed it to have connecting rod bearing failure It is not safe drive with this issue as major engine failure is very possible We have owned this car for 8 years and done all recommended maintenance and repairs

Engine light came on when driving and started running bad. Engine now making a knocking noise. Connecting rod knocking sound. Had to tow the vehicle home on a trailer.

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and waited for towing assistance. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

The fuel pump issue came up . I was in the middle of the intersection , and the car seized and broke down . The fuel pump light came on .

Honda is aware of thousands of 9 speed transmission failures. but worst of all they tell you that you failed to change trans fluid as scheduled, but there is no schedule printed in their owner's manual, nor in their vehicle service maintenance manual. the service manual only speaks to the quality of fluid required, and that it not be mixed with other brands of trans fluids. it then goes on to say "HAVE A DEALER CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL AND REPLACE IF NEEDED." I have owned cars with sealed trans that required no maintenance, which is not the case with the Honda's 9speed trans. The Honda 9 speed is a sealed unit. I am currently face with an estimated bill of $10,600 to replace my failed trans. There is a reaccuring problem with the 9 speed, that Honda should pay for. I am requesting an investigation, and a reimburstment of my total cost. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN - The hydraulics of the power tailgate in the 2016 Honda Pilot are defective. After opening, it randomly starts 1 long continuous beep while the power tailgate closes - and it will not stop. I have had multiple items crushed. I have known other owners of the 2016 Honda Pilot where the hatch closed on them and trapped them in it. This is a huge safety issue! I am afraid when my teenage son opens the power tailgate that it will happen and trap him! It has happened since the purchase of the vehicle, which was brand new off the Honda dealer lot, in 2016. Honda dealer blew me off multiple times. They cannot "recreate" the issue - but it is random, however it does seem to happen more often once the air temperature is below 40 degrees.

The V6 3.5L engine in the 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L sounds horrible when shifting. It sounds like it is sticking, and in a way lurches. It is especially noticeable around 40mph, but you can audibly hear it shift at all gears. I am concerned that this vehicle should have been part of the previous 2023 recall, or should be looked at for the current 2025 investigation of the connecting rod bearing failures. I am almost afraid to drive the vehicle. The engine sounds awful.

The engine started to knock. Upon taking it to an independent inspection it was determined to be the rod bearings and crankshaft. We find it to be consistent with the sympthoms described in the investigation RE25008 opened in August 20, 2025.

My wife was driving our pilot on the highway. It suddenly started to get a flashing check engine light and the car immediately and abruptly slowed down, and was not able to accelerator or keep speed with traffic around her. Then the car would lurch when trying to hold it stopped at a stop light or sign when idling. We took it straight to a mechanic and they ran a scan on the Pilot and said that the flashing check engine light was due to a severe engine warning and when they investigated they found that I had rod knocking in the engine and the engine would need to be replaced due to faulty rod bearings.

Engine locked up and honda says that my vin is not part of the recall

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, my friend was driving my 2016 Honda Pilot on Interstate 10 in New Orleans when all the dashboard warning lights came on and the engine started clicking/ticking. He was on a bridge and had to pull to the side of the bridge during rush hour traffic. He said it was very unsafe and was afraid to stay with the car due to the high volume of traffic. The car was towed to the nearest Honda dealership. The dealership ran diagnostics on it and told me that it needs a new engine. The dealership checked to see if the vehicle was part of the connecting rod recall and confirmed the vehicle is not. Prior to this event, the car was running great. My brothers, who are retired mechanics, towed the car back home. They said a connecting rod is knocking and the car does not need to be driven until the issue has been fixed. I am sure if I continue driving the vehicle that the engine would eventually seize. The car is available for inspection.

We have owned our 2016 Pilot since 2023. We have never had a problem with it and have had the recommended maintenance performed on schedule. The incident of our engine failing, out of the blue, occurred when my husband drove from MN to Indiana and then he made it back to MN and the engine died literally at the exit to our hometown. Our Honda Pilot ran perfect when my husband drove from MN to IN with no problems at all. He made it all the way back to MN and when he took the exit to our town, a bunch of lights went off on the dashboard. There were several lights and I don't know exactly which ones unfortunately. He was able to get it into our driveway and it was unable to be started once he turned it off. We had to get it towed to the dealer (Tom Kadlec) . After diagnostic testing, wewere told we needed a new engine. I realize our vehicle has higher mileage, but this is so unlike a Honda vehicle to just quit and then to have such a drastic repair of a new engine. Of course, completely unexpected and disappointing,out of the blue, just am shocked and would like to know if it had something to do with the recall. I appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The start/stop function caused the engine to shut off. At times we have to shake the battery to get the engine to go back on. We have replaced the battery and that didnt fix the issue. The dealership said they couldn't recreate the problem. The issue hasn't been inspected by anyone but the dealership and there were no warning messages or lights.

Started hearing rattling sound on acceleration yesterday. Today heard it again. Engine light came on and a lot of other safety lights came on and noted less power with hitting accelerator. Took it to dealer. They are investigating but say it is the connecting rod bearing failure that so many Hondas have. My car currently is not in the recall list by Honda. It is a 2016 Pilot, 105,000 miles

My 2016 Honda Pilot with 81,000 miles has very definite pinging in the engine that increases with RPM increase. It has had an engine ping for over a year but was told that the noise is "just something Honda's are doing". Since pinging has gotten louder, I had an independent mechanic try to find the problem. He checked the cam shaft, rocker arm and push rods for wear and all were normal. He then stopped the ignition to one cylinder at a time. When number 5 was isolated the pinging stopped. His conclusion is that it is likely the connecting rod bearing on cylinder 5 and I should take the car to my Honda dealer. Took the car to dealer and their preliminary diagnosis was: "Found a noise coming from bottom end of engine." Since my VIN is not covered by the earlier engine recall the repair costs are mine. It will cost $875 to get an indepth evaluation and then pay the additional costs for parts or engine replacement. I contacted the Honda Service Center and was told the VIN is not covered but they "might" beable to help on the repair costs. So: Is it safe to drive? Do I keep the pilot and hope that my VIN will be included in a future recall? Will Honda help in the repair? Unsure what I will do, but the quality of 2016 Honda engine is definitely in question and hope that Honda will acknowledge their engine problem and expand the recall.

I took my car in for a safety recall and was not provided a loaner vehicle. Both the dealer and Honda have refused to provide me a rental and now I will be picking my vehicle up and driving it while it’s unsafe with children in the car.

Honda issued Service Bulletin 20-117 regarding a Warranty Extension for the 2016–2017 Pilot and 2017 Ridgeline addressing a Keyless Start System Error with DTC B12C5. Following an NHTSA investigation, Honda extended warranty coverage to 9 years or 125,000 miles under this bulletin. My 2016 Honda Pilot currently has 107,000 miles and is only six months past the nine-year time limit. Earlier this year, the Keyless Start System warning indicator began appearing intermittently—illuminating for a few seconds before disappearing for days or weeks. Recently, the warning began to stay on continuously. Per Honda’s initial guidance, I replaced the key fob battery and even swapped fobs with my wife, but the issue persisted. On October 16th, I brought the vehicle to Honda of Chantilly, where technicians diagnosed a faulty start/stop button requiring replacement. I then opened case #15920037 with Honda, but they declined to cover or reimburse the repair, despite it being a known defect covered under the extended warranty for others. I respectfully request that the NHTSA assist in having Honda honor the warranty extension for this documented issue, given the close proximity to the coverage limit and the long-standing nature of the defect.

I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding a safety issue with my 2016 Honda Pilot. While driving and attempting to turn into my local Walmart, my vehicle suddenly came to a complete stop without any warning. A vehicle traveling behind me had to swerve abruptly to avoid a collision, which could have resulted in a serious accident. After having my vehicle inspected by a local certified mechanic, I was informed that the engine had failed and that the estimated cost of repair would be approximately $9,000. Upon reviewing existing recall information for the 2016 Honda Pilot, I discovered that my vehicle is not currently included in the active recall related to engine failure. However, I have found numerous consumer reports describing the same issue with the 2016 Honda Pilot that were also not covered under the existing recall. I understand that as of August 2025, the NHTSA and Honda were reportedly reviewing the possibility of expanding the recall to include additional affected vehicles. Given the safety risks involved and the clear pattern of similar failures, I am respectfully requesting that my vehicle be considered for inclusion in the recall and that the engine repair costs be covered accordingly. Please let me know if additional documentation, such as repair estimates or VIN information, is needed to support this claim. Thank you for your attention to this serious safety matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

The white paint on my 2016 Honda Pilot (White Diamond Pearl, NH-603P) is peeling and flaking off on the roof and tailgate, exposing the primer. The vehicle has never been repainted or damaged. Honda confirmed my VIN isn’t covered, but this is the same factory paint defect affecting other Pilots and Hondas with the same color. The issue keeps spreading and reduces resale value while exposing metal to corrosion. This is a clear manufacturing defect, not wear or neglect. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate and push Honda to expand coverage for all affected VINs.

Broken connecting rod leading to total engine failure on a beltway single lane overpass during rush hour on December 11, 2023. I paid to replace the engine (and matching transmission) with recovered (junk yard) parts from a 2017 (as advertised). The failed engine has been retained in storage since the event and is available for inspection. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for diagnosis where the findings of failed connecting rod. Dealer indicated that the failure was NOT part of the November 2023 recall. Shortly before the catastrophic engine failure the vehicle went into limp mode. The dealer advised attempting to get it to the dealership which was only a few miles further. The vehicle did not make it. The failure occurred on a very dangerous fly-over single lane overpass ramp on I-95 to I-695 WB in Baltimore, Maryland. When the vehicle was purchased, a (7) year / 150,000 mile extended, bumper to bumper warranty was also acquired. This warranty expired (19) days prior to the failure. My concern is that my only option, at the time, was to replace the failed engine with an available 2017 engine from the same vehicle model and trim level. This engine may very well have the same potential issue.

Our 2016 Pilot errored while driving on the highway at 75mph and went to half power. This happened multiple times; resulting in a dangerous situation. After getting it towed to a Honda dealer, it was discovered that there was a defect of the engine crankshaft. This part needed to be replaced at our cost.

Hi, I have a Hoda Piot 2016 EX AWD V6, with odometer around 90000 miles. Last weekend my son who's 17 with his friends tok the car to go camping on the coast. The car has no problem at all, and I have folllowed the all Honda recommended maintenance. In fact it just have the break job and inspection done by the dealer a month ago. Well, my son parked the car in Fred Meyer and couldn't start the car. I took it to the dealer and notice that there's a recall 23V-751 and the dealer said that my car is not part of the recall based on the vin number. The dealer quote me to replace the engine with a used engine for $11,000 plus, they do not know what caused the engine to seize, and they can tear apart into the engine to know exacty what caused the issue for $616. How can I check if this is related to th erecall without paying $616 just to tear aprt the seized engine, and I also complain because I thought the car is the safest car my son can drive to his first camping trip.

Heard a knocking sound, had it towed, diagnosed by local mechanic ans then diagnosed by Honda mechanic as engine rod bearing failures. Consistent with recall. However Honda says this vehicle VIN is not scoped within the recall, and therefor requires an engine replacement. Both mechanics, and Honda Sales Mgr, service Mgr, and sales rep, along with other mechanical knowledgeable persons, all were shocked by the issue, and suggested the vehicle should go for 100,000 more l without this type of problem. Furthermore, all were shocked that the recall / Honda would not cover it, due to it being the same issue listed on the recall. Additionally, the dealership claimed the "lifetime powertrain warranty " was void and this would not be covered there either.