2016 Honda Pilot: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Honda Pilot: 8 recalls, 1711 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
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Recalls
8 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #15V424000 · 2015 · 1,358 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt May be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner.
Why it matters: If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants May not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #15V668000 · 2015 · 35,406 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. 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…
Why it matters: If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver May be at increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #16V417000 · 2016 · 39 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which May separate and allow fuel to leak out.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source May result in a fire.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #17V219000 · 2017 · 136 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda pilot 2wd and awd vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that May leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.
Latches & locks, Body & structure Vehicle recall #21V932000 · 2021 · 724,826 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 passport, 2016-2019 pilot, and 2017-2020 ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker May become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Why it matters: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #23V751000 · 2023 · 248,999 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A damaged engine May run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #23V858000 · 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda accord, civic coupe, civic sedan, civic hatchback, civic type r, cr-v, hr-v, ridgeline, odyssey, Acura ilx, mdx, mdx hybrid, rdx, rlx, tlx, 2019-2022 Honda insight, passport, 2020 Honda cr-v hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda clarity phev, fit, and 2015-2020 Honda accord hybrid, pilot, Acura nsx vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024.
Suspension, Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V365000 · 2026 · 880,514 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear subframe May corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 10 mention a fire, 20 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (771): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (285), noise or vibration (197), warning light on (166).
- Electrical (579): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (177), electrical failure (152), warning light on (83).
- Other / unknown (291): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (71), electrical failure (45).
- Transmission & drivetrain (201): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (111), warning light on (53), stalls / loses power (47).
The 2016 Honda Pilot has 1711 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 24 Pilot model years for complaints (4.4× the average Pilot year). Complaints peaked in 2022 (247 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (109 complaints, 4 recalls), 2017 (930 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Honda Pilot.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Honda Pilot problems?
Owners have filed 1711 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (771), electrical (579), other / unknown (291).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Honda Pilot get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S9)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Honda Pilot repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.