2016 Honda Pilot: common problems and reliability

The 2016 Honda Pilot has 1658 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. Owners most often flag rust and corrosion (particularly in northeast climates on older generations): affects rear unibody, subframe mounting bolts, transmission fluid lines, and catalytic converters. frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2016 model year

1,658
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
23
Crash reports
9
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2016 a good year for the Pilot?

Across the 7 Pilot model years we track, complaint volume runs from 128 (2022) to 1,658 (2016). With 1,658 complaints, the 2016 Pilot sits abovethe model's median of 266.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
744
electrical system
576
power train
197
fuel/propulsion system
163
structure
53

Recalls affecting the 2016 Pilot

fuel system, gasoline:storage

Campaign 17V219000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.

fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

Campaign 16V417000

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 affe

seat belts:rear/other

Campaign 15V424000

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

electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Campaign 15V668000

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

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and driving experience. The Pilot is consistently praised as a durable, high-mileage family vehicle capable of reaching 250,000+ miles with proper maintenance.

  • Rust and corrosion (particularly in Northeast climates on older generations): affects rear unibody, subframe mounting bolts, transmission fluid lines, and catalytic converters. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission problems (varies by generation): 2002-2003 models have "junk" transmissions; 2005-2008 models can experience torque converter shudder; 2023+ models with the 10-speed automatic exhibit jerkiness, gear hunting, and poor low-speed programming. Frequency: recurrent (specific to certain generations).

Owner insights cover all generations of the Pilot. See the full Pilot owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Pilot listings typically run $16,294–$42,712 across 2006 to 2026 model years.

Other Pilot model years

Compare every Pilot year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Pilot against its rivals