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2016 Honda Pilot: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2016 Honda Pilot has 1,716 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, more than any other Pilot model year listed[1][2]. It also has 8 recalls, and the newest one still has no final remedy[2][3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 1,716 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 23 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 20 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.
The complaints are grouped by the part of the car they name. Here are the largest groups.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine[6] | 817 | 71,500 |
| Electrical system[7] | 580 | 49,000 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 292 | 42,000 |
| Power train[9] | 201 | 47,500 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[10] | 172 | 51,000 |
Smaller groups include structure with 54 complaints[11], speed control with 39[12] and electronic stability control with 37[13].
Engine. Engine complaints include 5 crashes and 9 fires[6]. In the sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 describe the car losing power or stalling while driving, often with warnings on the display[6]. Two describe the car lurching or surging forward without warning[6].
Electrical system. This group has 3 crashes and 5 fires[7]. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe sudden shutdowns or stalls with many warning lights[7]. Three describe radio reception or navigation trouble, and three describe a drained battery or a car that would not start[7].
Power train. This group has 5 crashes and 1 injury[9]. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 4 describe the car surging forward while slowing, coasting or downshifting[9]. Three describe noises or jolts when shifting, and three describe sudden slowing or loss of power on the road[9].
Fuel and propulsion. This group has 8 injuries[10]. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 3 describe unexpected acceleration, 3 describe sudden slowing or shutdown while driving, and 2 describe a fuel leak or fuel smell[10].
A sample this small cannot tell us how common any one of these is. It only shows what owners describe.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[2]. Each one is below, newest first. Each remedy is described as free of charge.
- Remedy pending
Rear subframe (26V365). Dated 2026-06-04[3]. The rear subframe may corrode where the suspension attaches, which can cause rear suspension parts to fail and a loss of handling and control[3]. It covers only vehicles sold in certain states listed in the recall[3]. Remedy not yet available. Honda mailed interim letters to owners and anticipates the final remedy in the fall of 2026[3]. The planned repair is an inspection, a reinforcement kit and subframe repair or replacement if needed[3]. - Fuel pump (23V858). Dated 2023-12-18[14]. The fuel pump inside the tank may fail, which can stall the engine while driving and raise the risk of a crash[14]. Dealers replace the fuel pump module[14]. The recall covers 2,490,460 vehicles across many Honda and Acura models[14].
- Connecting rod bearing (23V751). Dated 2023-11-13[15]. A manufacturing error may cause an engine bearing to wear and seize, which can damage the engine, stall it while driving, and raise the risk of fire, crash or injury[15]. Dealers inspect and repair the engine or replace it if needed[15]. The recall names 2016 and 2018 to 2019 Pilots[15].
- Hood latch (21V932). Dated 2021-11-29[16]. The hood latch striker may be damaged and separate, so the hood could open while driving and block the driver's view[16]. Dealers repair the striker or replace the hood if needed[16].
- Fuel tank leak (17V219). Dated 2017-03-30[17]. Some tanks may leak, and a leak near an ignition source raises the risk of fire[17]. It covers 136 vehicles[17]. Dealers replace the fuel tank[17].
- Fuel tank welds (16V417). Dated 2016-06-09[18]. Some tanks were made with weak welds that may separate and leak fuel, which can lead to fire[18]. It covers 39 vehicles across several models[18]. Dealers replace the tank[18].
- Instrument panel warning lights (15V668). Dated 2015-10-16[19]. In some Pilots built in 2015, the panel may fail to show a warning light when tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock brakes or stability control has a fault[19]. Without the warning, the driver is at higher risk of a crash[19]. Dealers update the instrument cluster software[19]. The recall covers 35,406 vehicles[19].
- Third row seat belt (15V424). Dated 2015-07-06[20]. The third row seat belt may be trapped behind the rear sideliner, so the occupant may not be restrained properly[20]. It covers 1,358 vehicles[20]. Dealers inspect and repair the belt[20].
Before you buy or keep one, ask a Honda dealer to check the vehicle's VIN against these recalls, since several cover only some vehicles[3][17][18][19][20].
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions for this model year, and the numbers differ by drive type and transmission.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, Automatic (S9), front-wheel drive[4] | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 |
| 2WD, Automatic 6-spd, front-wheel drive[21] | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 |
| 4WD, Automatic (S9), all-wheel drive[22] | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 |
| 4WD, Automatic 6-spd, all-wheel drive[23] | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 |
All four use a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and regular gas[4][21][22][23]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 for side crashes and 4 for rollover[5]. Its rollover risk is 16.4%[5].
The front-wheel-drive version also gets 5 stars overall, with the same frontal, side and rollover stars[24]. Its rollover risk is 17.5%[24].
Size and weight
These are Transport Canada specifications, so they can differ slightly from US models[25][26].
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 720 | 13 |
| 2004 | 544 | 12 |
| 2005 | 679 | 13 |
| 2006 | 268 | 8 |
| 2007 | 211 | 7 |
| 2008 | 133 | 7 |
| 2009 | 134 | 9 |
| 2010 | 111 | 10 |
| 2011 | 293 | 11 |
| 2012 | 171 | 9 |
| 2013 | 271 | 6 |
| 2014 | 116 | 3 |
| 2015 | 109 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1,716 | 8 |
| 2017 | 935 | 4 |
| 2018 | 440 | 7 |
| 2019 | 918 | 13 |
| 2020 | 492 | 11 |
| 2021 | 446 | 10 |
| 2022 | 166 | 5 |
| 2023 | 146 | 5 |
| 2024 | 116 | 6 |
| 2025 | 214 | 4 |
| 2026 | 26 | 1 |
NHTSA's year-by-year list covers Pilot model years 2003 to 2026[2]. The 2016 model year has the most complaints at 1,716[2]. The next highest are 2017 with 935 and 2019 with 918[2].
Recalls tell a different story. The 2016 model year has 8, but 2003, 2005 and 2019 each have 13, and 2004 has 12[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
Should you buy a used 2016 Pilot?
The 2016 Pilot has strong crash ratings, with 5 stars overall[5][24]. It also has the highest complaint count of any Pilot year on file, 1,716[2]. The engine and electrical groups lead, and owners in our samples describe stalls, shutdowns and unexpected surging[6][7][9].
If you are looking at one, check every recall against the VIN. The rear subframe recall has no final remedy yet, so ask whether the vehicle is covered and what the seller knows[3]. The engine bearing and fuel pump recalls involve stalling risks, so confirm the work was done[14][15]. Ask for service records and have an independent mechanic look the car over.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot?
- Engine is the largest complaint group at 817 of 1,716 complaints, followed by electrical system at 580[1][6][7]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling, shutdowns and unexpected surging[6][7][9].
- How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[2]. The newest, a rear subframe corrosion recall (26V365), has no final remedy yet[3].
- What gas mileage does the 2016 Honda Pilot get?
- EPA combined ratings range from 21 to 23 MPG depending on the version[4][21][22][23]. The best is 20 city and 27 highway[4].
- Is the 2016 Honda Pilot safe?
- NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall in both all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive versions[5][24]. Rollover is rated 4 stars[5][24].
- Is the 2016 the worst Honda Pilot year?
- It has the most complaints of any Pilot year listed, 1,716, ahead of 935 for 2017 and 918 for 2019[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat that as a signal and not a ranking of quality.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,716 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Honda Pilot (23 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Pilot model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V365, filed June 4, 2026: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Pilot 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 817 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 9 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 580 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 292 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 201 complaints name the power train component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 172 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 54 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V751, filed November 13, 2023: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V932, filed November 29, 2021: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hood › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 17V219, filed March 30, 2017: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V417, filed June 9, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V668, filed October 16, 2015: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V424, filed July 6, 2015: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Pilot 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Pilot 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Pilot 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PILOT 4DR SUV AWD: length 195 in, width 80 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,255 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PILOT 4DR SUV FWD: length 195 in, width 80 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,103 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov