VehicleVerdict

2016 Honda Pilot engine problems

The 2016 Honda Pilot has 786 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 34% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

786

Engine complaints

34%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

23V751000EngineNovember 13, 2023 · 248,999 units

Defect

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. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Consequence

A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

SURGE WHILE BRAKING DURING PARKING CAUSED VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AHEAD AND HIT VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE EXCEEDING $1600.00. SEE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 16-008. THIS BULLETIN WAS NOT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION UNTIL AFTER THIS INCIDENT EVEN THO MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED BY MY HONDA…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2017 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?

NHTSA has 786 complaints about the 2016 Honda Pilot engine — 34% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 23V751000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.