NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 1,730 owner complaints for the 2016 Honda Pilot. It has 2 open investigations that name this model year.
Recalled components: fuel system, body structure, electrical system, engine and cooling, and 1 more. Most-described problem: stalling or shutting off (337 complaints, 19%). Most-reported area: engine (784 complaints, 45%; median mileage when it happened: 61,700).
More complaints than most Pilot years
The 2016 drew 186 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 122 for a typical Pilot year: 1.5 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
No Pilot year stands out enough to avoid. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
8 safety recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KE8.
136 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
39 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles.
Risk: 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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
965,561 vehicles.
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin.
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Components: Body structure: frame and members; Suspension: rear. Honda campaign AOU, AOT.
Risk: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Fix: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
724,826 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles.
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Components: Latches, locks and linkages: hood, latch; Body structure: body, hood. Honda campaign PBV.
Risk: If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic stability control systems", number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 138, "Tire pressure monitoring systems".
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.
Fails federal standard 126 (electronic stability control) · 35,406 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015.
Risk: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
248,999 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles.
Risk: If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the rear third row seat belt, free of charge. The recall began on August 6, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JS7.
1,358 vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015.
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Honda campaign JS7.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 4 investigations that name the 2016 Honda Pilot; 2 are still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
Engine failure
Preliminary evaluation PE25008Open since Aug 20, 2025
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Component: Engine.
No restart after auto start/stop engages
Engineering analysis EA25004Open since Mar 26, 2025
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Component: Engine and cooling (engine, crank/camshaft position sensor, engine control module (ecu/ECM), software, hard parts internal/mechanical).
Engine failure
Recall query RQ24013Closed Aug 20, 2025 (opened Nov 8, 2024)
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Component: Engine.
No restart after auto start/stop engages
Preliminary evaluation PE22005Closed Mar 26, 2025 (opened Jun 3, 2022)
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda… NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: PILOT. Component: Engine and cooling (engine, crank/camshaft position sensor, engine control module (ecu/ECM), software, hard parts internal/mechanical).
A preliminary evaluation is NHTSA's first step, to gather information and decide whether to look further. An engineering analysis is a deeper review, usually opened after a preliminary evaluation. A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
Owners have filed 1,730 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Pilot. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Stalling or shutting off337 · 19%
Median 58,100 miles at failure, from 132 reports with mileage
Auto start-stop problems258 · 15%
Median 47,500 miles at failure, from 75 reports with mileage
Engine failure or replacement236 · 14%
Median 112,500 miles at failure, from 46 reports with mileage
Key fob or push-button start problems233 · 13%
Median 50,600 miles at failure, from 153 reports with mileage
Won't start197 · 11%
Median 50,000 miles at failure, from 71 reports with mileage
Check engine light119 · 7%
Median 85,500 miles at failure, from 48 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode116 · 7%
Median 80,000 miles at failure, from 42 reports with mileage
Several warning lights at once89 · 5%
Median 73,500 miles at failure, from 52 reports with mileage
Median 61,700 miles at failure, from 195 reports with mileage
Electrical system583 · 34%
Most named: starter assembly (3) · Median 49,000 miles at failure, from 301 reports with mileage
Powertrain202 · 12%
Median 47,500 miles at failure, from 120 reports with mileage
Fuel and propulsion system176 · 10%
Median 51,000 miles at failure, from 67 reports with mileage
Body structure54 · 3%
Most named: body (48) · Median 15,000 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Engine and cooling46 · 3%
Median 115,000 miles at failure, from 43 reports with mileage
Speed control39 · 2%
Median 31,000 miles at failure, from 27 reports with mileage
Unknown or other292 · 17%
Median 42,000 miles at failure, from 122 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Honda Pilot recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2016 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2020 Pilot drew the most (206) and the 2016 drew 186.
Owner complaints
2016: 1,730 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Honda Pilot
Model year
Complaints
2010
111
2011
293
2012
173
2013
273
2014
116
2015
109
2016
1,730
2017
943
2018
443
2019
929
2020
497
2021
459
2022
175
2023
151
2024
119
2025
217
2026
31
Safety recalls
2016: 8 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Honda Pilot
Model year
Recalls
2010
10
2011
11
2012
9
2013
6
2014
3
2015
4
2016
8
2017
4
2018
7
2019
13
2020
11
2021
10
2022
5
2023
6
2024
7
2025
5
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 1,730 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Honda Pilot, the problems described most are stalling or shutting off (337), auto start-stop problems (258), and engine failure or replacement (236). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2016 Honda Pilot safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2016 Honda Pilot earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2016 Honda Pilot?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 open investigations that name the 2016 Honda Pilot: engine failure (PE25008, opened Aug 20, 2025) and no restart after auto start/stop engages (EA25004, opened Mar 26, 2025). It has closed 2 others. An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my Pilot has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Honda dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: PILOT.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.