10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,376 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Honda Pilot:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #165

Oct 182021

Pilot

  • miles
My 2016 Honda Pilot Touring randomly completely shuts off at traffic lights rather than restart in the automatic shut off. It displays "Shift to Park" on the dash. This has been occurring for the past 2 1/2 years and has been reported to both Honda and the dealerships with no resolution. Despite my numerous reports to both Honda and dealership, only two times have they documented as requested. The past 8 months it has been occurring more frequently and has become increasingly difficult to restart. The past two times, I have been in a location with high speed limits so traffic approaching from the rear was coming at high speeds. The first of these recent incidents, it took 6 attempts to restart the vehicle and the second time I lost count. These situations were terrifying to the point I am no longer wanting to keep this vehicle. I can't help but consider if I have children in the back and am rear ended. The dealer has repeatedly told me there are no codes, so they can't identify the source of the issue. Interestingly, I purchased this vehicle when it was 18 months old and the switch for the auto shutoff was missing. The dealership replaced it, but now I am wondering if the previous owner was experiencing this same problem and had it removed.

- Point Pleasant, NJ, USA

problem #164

Sep 012021

Pilot

  • miles
The vehicle has a keyless remote start problem that won-??t go away. The keys have new batteries. Taking it to the dealer but when researching the issue there are several people experiencing this same problem with no way to fix the issue. This should be a recall If Pilots are getting this error message.

- Sahuarita , AZ, USA

problem #163

Oct 242021

Pilot

  • miles
When stopped at a red light the idle-stop initiates and engine shuts down. Upon release of the brake peddle the engine does not start leaving you stranded at a green light or even worse in the middle of the intersection waiting to make a left turn. I have to turn off the car completely and then try to restart it. It never happens when I disable the idle stop. I have read this same problem with many other people on various forums. This must be addressed ASAP before someone gets hurt or killed. This happens at least twice a week.

- Porter Ranch, CA, USA

problem #162

Oct 092021

Pilot

  • miles
I have a 2016 Honda Pilot Elite and have been experiencing some issues with the Auto Engine Idle Shut Off for the past few years. Whenever the car is stopped either at a light or in a traffic on road, highway exit ramps, the auto engine idle feature shuts of the car upon pressing the breaks fully. However once the break is released the car get stalled by automatically switching the car to Neutral with message on the screen asking to put the car in Park mode. A number of warning messages show up on the center console as well. Things like, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Brake System warnings start displaying. Once car is put in the park mode, it says press break and start button to start the car but car will NOT start for about 30 seconds to 1 minutes. This stalling creates extremely dangerous situation when you are on busy road with a risk of getting hit from behind. I have taken several videos of this incidence happening and shown it to dealership who has taken a stand as they can't fix the issue as they are unable to replicate. I have taken car multiple times to dealership for this issue and also reported the issue to Honda as well however I have been told that they cannot replicate the issue and thus unable to fix it. Unless the car is used like a daily driver I am afraid they will never be able to reproduce the issue and this creates a big safety hazard for me and my family. Stalling car in middle of road has left us in panic situation multiple times and it also possesses inherent risk to others driving on the road especially during night time. After googling about this issue I have noticed many other people having the same issue. Honda needs to make recall on these cars and MUST get this rectified immediately. Please note my car still has extended warranty and Honda has not been able to identify and fix the issue. I request you to look into this and many others who possibly have reported same issue.

- Darien, CT, USA

problem #161

Oct 162021

Pilot

  • miles
The first issue is when the car is stopped and the auto engine idle is on, when I lift the brake to press the accelerator, the car shuts off the engine completely, puts itself in Neutral or Park, and requires me to put the car in Park (if not there already) and restart (press brake and ignition button). So when I-??m at a red light that turns green, when I attempt to go by lifting the brake my engine quits. It occurs when I take my foot off the brake after having been at a stop with the auto-engine idle on. Engine shuts off, the car puts itself in either Neutral or Park, and I have to restart after 30 seconds to a minute (including a prayer to not be rear-ended in the meantime). Sometimes, I can get the engine to start up again within 30 seconds. Sometimes, it's been more than a minute. A number of warning messages show up on the center console as well. Things like, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Brake System warnings start displaying. I-??ve had the dealer look at the car and they can-??t find anything wrong with it. This has been happening for months and the dealer ended up putting a new fuel injector on to see if that would fix it but it hasn-??t. I am very concerned for myself, my kids and my family who ride in this car. I-??ve been in some scary situations at red lights where I couldn-??t go. I pray this doesn-??t happen on railroad tracks!!!

- Warrior, AL, USA

problem #160

Oct 122021

Pilot

  • miles
Having issues with the auto idle function. Car is stalling out when car Is stopped for more than two to three seconds. Doesn't matter if the auto idle function is engaged or turned off. This has become very dangerous as I have been almost hit twice. The car losses power, no steering or anything else. Car has to be shut off and on numerous times to restart. I am seeing post that I am not the only one with this issue. Seems to be an ongoing problem with Honda pilot of multiple years and models. No one seems to have a fix for this. I no longer am driving this vehicle as it is not safe.

- Grove City, OH, USA

problem #159

Sep 142021

Pilot

  • miles
When starting the vehicle, the vehicle doesn't immediately start when pressing the start button. When the vehicle starts, a message appears on the dash saying keyless start system problem. No information has been received from Honda about this problem, but a Honda recall service bulletin related to 2016-2017 Honda Pilots was found online. The recall bulletin is dated December 9, 2020. The vehicle has not been inspected at this time. The indicator message first appeared on the dash five days ago and it appeared again today.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #158

Aug 052021

Pilot

  • miles
In the past 4 months, each time my Honda Pilot is stopped at a light or in slow traffic, the idle stop will engage and shut off the engine. In order for the engine to turn back on, we have to put our foot on the brake, place car in park, and push the start button to get it to start again. Each time we have taken it to the dealer or a car repair shop, they test the battery and it is fine. While we have not had an accident yet, we have come close due to cars behind us not knowing our vehicle is having an issue. The most recent time occurred in a toll booth line leaving NYC with a line of traffic behind us. Another issue we have experienced is with our fuel injector. Our Pilot was manufactured when there were known failures with fuel injectors. The fuel injector malfunctioned while driving with our three kids down a hill. The car lost power and we had to coast down a hill. Thankfully, an exit was nearby and we were able to come to a stop. Vehicle was serviced at a local dealer. Although there were know issues with fuel injectors, we still had to pay for the replacement and the vehicle's manufacturers warranty was still valid.

- Imperial, PA, USA

problem #157

Jul 222021

Pilot

  • miles
The Keyless Start Power Assistance Error Light keeps displaying after my auto lock feature failed. There is a forum of other 2016 Pilots of many owners experiencing the same thing. Today I found myself unable to start my car with every message failure displaying. When help arrived they found a bad battery (unsure if related or not). After only a few hours the same error message appears again.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #156

Jun 132021

Pilot

  • miles
The vehicle is starting itself in accessory mode. It is completely off, no one around, no one touching the key fobs, and it will just try to start itself. Because no one is inside of the car pressing the brake, it just defaults to accessory mode. The vehicle is just turning itself on by itself. When the vehicle is locked, this triggers the alarm.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #155

May 042021

Pilot

  • 41,302 miles
My car was "stall out" at a stop light or stop sign when I was in "auto idle-stop" and pressed on the gas. I first noticed that the auto idle-stop was hesitating when it would start up. I also noticed that the radio would "cut out". after that, the vehicle would just stall out and I would have to push park, put my foot on the brake and then push start. This is very inconvenient when you are at a stop light or getting ready to make a turn and the vehicle just "dies". took it into the dealership and they said it was a software adjustment. The auto idle-stop worked for a couple of days, then started hesitating and now it intermittently stalls when the gas is pressed.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #154

May 142021

Pilot

  • 70,000 miles
Auto restart has turned my vehicle off at a stoplight and then not restarted the engine and put the drivetrain into neutral. This has happened multiple times now. Also the car shifts into gears that either slow my car up when I'm trying to accelerate and speeding my vehicle up when braking.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #153

May 062021

Pilot

  • 78,000 miles
The vehicle is equipped with an auto shut off and restart feature. There are many instances when the vehicle shuts off at a stoplight or in a parking lot and then does not restart automatically as it should. The vehicle must be powered off and on multiple times before the vehicle will restart. There seems to be a faulty sensor or some thing. The Honda dealership has provided no explanation except it's a battery issue which it is not connected as we have replaced the battery. I am concerned that when I am in traffic at a stoplight if I have forgotten to press the button to disengage the auto restart then I'll be stranded while trying to restart the car. It has become more frequent the last 18 months.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #152

Apr 092021

Pilot

  • 18,700 miles
2016 Honda Pilot alarm goes off randomly/sporadically while parked/locked.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #151

Mar 292021

Pilot

  • miles
A notice has started popping up on my Honda Pilot saying keyless start system problem. But my car still starts. The error message went away for a few days then came back.

- Big Rock, TN, USA

problem #150

Apr 082021

Pilot

  • 43,670 miles
Car would not start after going into auto idle stop.car went into neutral by itself.had to put in park and it took several attempts before car would start.

- Seaside, CA, USA

problem #149

Mar 212021

Pilot

  • miles
My 2016 Honda Pilot catch fire while I was driving 3/21/21 I bought this car 11/19 from huntington Honda

- Deer Park, NY, USA

problem #148

Mar 302021

Pilot

  • miles
When I'm pushing the start button to turn the engine, an error occurred in the dashboard 'keyless start system problem' my mileage is 37991. The dealer didn't find any issue, they run vehicle diagnostic and I change my battery of my key. Is this a safety issue? or a computer program that needs updating..please help me. Thanks how to fix.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #147

Jan 252021

Pilot

  • 52,000 miles
The push start button does not work, it is giving me an error 'keyless start system problem'. I changed the key fob's battery to a brand new battery and it is not the key fob with issues, it is the button itself. I have to keep pressing the break and the start button to get the car to start working. This has been happening for 3 months and it keeps getting worse, I have to press the start button like a toy.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #146

Feb 152021

Pilot

  • 72,000 miles
We have an ongoing issue with our auto-idle feature malfunctioning that began at about 20,000 miles. I have written a complaint here before, as have many other 2016 Pilot owners, however nothing appears to have been done to date. This is a significant safety feature when the auto-idle is engaged, foot is taken off the brake and the car completely shuts off, often times not starting back up without a jump start. The car completely shuts off, warning lights flash all over the dash and no matter what you try the car will not start back up.this has happened to my wife with our 2 daughters numerous times. Fortunately, there hasn't been an accident, but my greatest fear is one time there will be. Naturally this always seems to happen at busy intersections. We have taken the vehicle into Honda dealership where we purchased the vehicle too many times to count. They have replaced the battery, replaced the start/stop switch, cleaned out multiple error codes. Nothing has provided a permanent fix. We just had to have our transmission replaced at 70,000 miles! the problem reared it's head again today. This time my wife had to press the brake, the gas pedal (both with all her might) and press the start/stop button at the same time. Something isn't right. I'm convinced we have a lemon, however the dealer seems to think we don't have a case for that. Honda has to step in and take accountability. There are far too many 2016 Pilot owners having this same issue for Honda not to realize the valid safety concern we all have. Take a look at piloteers.org and you will find a ridiculously long list of frustrated 2016 Pilot owners all struggling with the same problem. I am urging you to take action to correct this problem. We purchased this vehicle for the safety features, however "safe" isn't something I feel knowing my wife and daughters are in this vehicle multiple times per day.

- Chico, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »