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Your vehicleHome›Honda›Pilot› 2016
Honda · Large SUV

2016 Honda Pilot

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
F
Safety Signal
55 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 5 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.
Recalls1 critical 8
Complaints23 crash · 10 fire · 20 injured reported 1,719
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Honda Pilot is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pilot 2WD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 1719 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Honda Pilot — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Honda Pilot · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Pilot 2WDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl202723$2,900
Pilot 2WDGasFWD3.5L 6-cyl192722$3,050
Pilot 4WDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl192622$3,050
Pilot 4WDGasAWD3.5L 6-cyl182521$3,200

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36414, 36415, 36425, 36426.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
Pilot 2WD, Pilot 4WD5–6 / 10Bin 5 / LEV-II ULEVAll 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders6
Displacement3.5 L
Engine configurationV-Shaped

Engine Output

Horsepower280 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seating capacity8 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds6

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: EX, EX SENSING, EXL, EXL SENSING). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length194.9 in
Width (body, without mirrors)79.9 in
Height69.7 in
Wheelbase111.0 in
Track, front66.1 in
Track, rear66.1 in
Curb weight4,103–4,255 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43 to 58/42

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV AWD, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2016 Pilot
Head to head vs the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Other years The 2026 Pilot Recalls Honda recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Honda Pilot is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (8)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Structure

AOU, AOT
965,561 vehicles
Problem American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure. Risk 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. 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 remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) in
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFInterim owner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V365000 reported Jun 4, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KGC, KGD
2,490,460 vehicles 79% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 reported Dec 18, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

XG1, GG0
248,999 vehicles 78% reported repaired built May 10, 2016 – Jun 3, 2016
Problem 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. Risk A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. 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 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 Apr
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V751000 reported Nov 13, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
!critical

Structure

PBV
724,826 vehicles 93% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash. 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V932000 reported Nov 29, 2021 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KE8
136 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jan 5, 2016 – Jan 8, 2016
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KE8.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 17V219000 reported Mar 30, 2017 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KA9, KB0
39 vehicles 100% reported repaired built Jun 1, 2015 – Oct 15, 2015
Problem 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. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 16V417000 reported Jun 9, 2016 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
●moderate

Electrical System

JV7
35,406 vehicles 92% reported repaired built May 4, 2015 – Sep 8, 2015
Problem 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 will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electr Risk If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF
NHTSA campaign 15V668000 reported Oct 16, 2015 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

JS7
1,358 vehicles 99% reported repaired built May 4, 2015 – Jun 5, 2015
Problem 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. Risk If the third row seatbelt is trapped, the occupants may not be restrained properly, increasing the risk of injury. 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JS7.
NHTSA campaign 15V424000 reported Jul 6, 2015 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Engine failure open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.  The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013).  It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathered in conjunction with RQ24013 does not suggest this failure is caused by the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751.  Based on analysis of data from RQ24013,

Opened Aug 20, 2025 · action PE25008 · the investigation’s page →

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages open

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020

Opened Mar 26, 2025 · action EA25004 · the investigation’s page →

Engine — Engine failure closed

On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature connecting rod bearing wear and engine seizure. While the out-of-scope failures involved in these complaints appear to have a very similar failure mechanism as the recalled engines, a thorough analysis of

Opened Nov 8, 2024 · closed Aug 20, 2025 · action RQ24013 · the investigation’s page →

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine — No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages closed

On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, Honda released service bulletins 23-008 and 23-009. These service bulletins address the failure to restart issue in the 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles, as well as the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020

Opened Jun 3, 2022 · closed Mar 26, 2025 · action PE22005 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Pilot

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Honda publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Honda’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 Honda Pilot, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2016 Honda Pilot

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

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Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1719complaints filed

23 involved a crash · 10 a fire · 20 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 9 · 2016: 61 · 2017: 45 · 2018: 71 · 2019: 242 · 2020: 200 · 2021: 138 · 2022: 247 · 2023: 124 · 2024: 197 · 2025: 234 · 2026: 151

Most-cited components

Engine → 822
Electrical System → 583
Unspecified 292
Power Train → 201
Fuel/Propulsion System → 193
Structure → 55

In depth: engine problems → · electrical problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems → · fuel system problems → · body and structure problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

I moved car out of driveway so friend could leave garage. When I went to put car back in driveway, the car would not stop and hit the car in other side of garage. When I put the car in reverse to move away from car/garage the car would not stop in reverse.
Service Brakes at 600 miles Apr 4, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10853234
I have 2016 Honda Pilot elite and I noticed that the navigation system gets lost especially when I start the vehicle a start moving. On most occasions it takes about 8 to 10 minutes for it to find itself. I had a 2011 Honda Pilot and from day one it never got lost.
Electrical System at 2,800 miles Mar 29, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10852190
I have a 2016 Honda Pilot elite and I noticed on my last road trip that the hood on the vehicle moves violently when I pass on coming vehicles especially large trucks. I also noticed that this happens during high wind situations as well. I made a service appointment for this week to address this with Honda.
Structure at 2,800 miles Mar 29, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10852186
Coming to a stop at an intersection it has surged 4 times taking me out into the intersection every time, with foot off gas an on break I can not stop it. I recently have been using the emergency break to stop it. It does not happen all the time. I took it to dealer 2x. American Honda is looking into it and always ask it wrecked it.
Electronic Stability Control at 1,300 miles Feb 29, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10839083
When securing the driver's side seatbelt, it seemed to be too tight and did not allow room to reach the dash. Took it back to the dealership and they lubricated it and said it was working fine. It still continued to feel too tight - especially when compared to the passenger side.
Seat Belts at 2,000 miles Feb 18, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10836865
Vehicle surges forward when 9-speed automatic transmission shifts during coasting or light braking. Surging routinely occurs at moderate speeds ( 35-45mph ) when coasting downhill on a secondary highway. Surging has also occurred at parking lot speeds, and has necessitated emergency braking to avoid collision.
Power Train at 19,000 miles Feb 1, 2016 NHTSA owner report · ODI 10823367

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Honda itself: 153 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 226 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Pilot model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 50k

miles, typically

Half the 719 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 33,000 and 78,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 66
10k–20k 32
20k–30k 55
30k–40k 102
40k–50k 89
50k–60k 86
60k–70k 70
70k–80k 49
80k–90k 40
90k–100k 32
100k–150k 75
150k + 23

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Electrical System29650,0001.11×
Engine23572,0001.16×
Unspecified12043,670—
Power Train11848,0000.92×
Fuel/Propulsion System8456,1271.19×
Electronic Stability Control3537,0000.92×
Structure2826,0000.58×
Vehicle Speed Control2632,5001.08×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2016-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: structure (0.58×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆18%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Driver-assist crash reports (1)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
1report filed

1 severity unknown

Jul 2021 to Jul 2021 · 0 with an air bag deployment · 1 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Other 1

Filed by: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Jul 2021Level 2OtherunknownMI—62-1213

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

A tow company contacted Honda on behalf of the customer to request a rental car reimbursement. The tow company mentioned that the customer was impacted on its driver's side by a side by side vehicle. 2/[redacted]/22 Update - Changed the 'AUTOMATION SYSTEM ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT' field from 'ADAS' to 'Unknown, See Narrative'
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-1213 Jul 2021 NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Honda warranty extension (66) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 365
Most recentmanufacturer date 2025-07-07
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 365 service bulletins

Most often about: Electrical System, Engine, Equipment, Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System.

  • A23-009 Service bulletin
    2025-07-07 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque. Typically, the customer can immediately restart the vehicle by selecting Park and pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button.
  • A24-048 Service bulletin
    2024-11-22 · Structure — Body
  • Service Bulletin - The AWD warning light is on potentially due to water intrusion into the rear differential pump motor connector area that corrodes the terminals.
  • A16-013 Service bulletin
    2024-09-04 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Drivers may experience a chirping sound coming from the engine area with the engine warmed up due to the high pressure fuel pump is making a chirp.
  • A24-085 Service bulletin
    2024-07-20 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering.
  • A24-085 Service bulletin
    2024-06-19 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - The MIL flashes and vehicle will not accelerate, low power. After cycling the ignition, the symptom does not return with no stored DTCs. This issue is more common in regions with cold weather (specifically near or below freezing temperatures). Usually after a long drive (around 2 hours) and accelerating while cornering. Moisture accumulation in the intake manifold during long dr
  • A18-080 Service bulletin
    2024-06-19 · Visibility/Wiper
  • Service Bulletin - The A/C does not blow cold air, and the lower corner of the condenser around the receiver/dryer cap is stained due to a poor O-ring compression against the receiver/dryer barrel wall.
  • ATI&04082024905 Service bulletin
    2024-04-08 · Visibility
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2023 Passports, 2016-2022 Pilots, & 2017-2023 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the front passenger’s power window inop from either the driver’s window switch, front passenger's window switch, or both. Customer may also report that the other window switches are still operable. To better understand the cau
  • ATI&03212024904 Service bulletin
    2024-03-21 · Visibility
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2023 Passports, 2016-2022 Pilots, & 2017-2023 Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the front passenger’s power window inop from either the driver’s window switch, front passenger's window switch, or both. Customer may also report that the other window switches are still operable. To better understand the cau

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0430
P0430 on Honda →		The catalytic converter on bank 2 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Engine · Catalytic converter →10 bulletins · 8 owner reports
P219A
P219A on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine7 bulletins · 4 owner reports
P0087
P0087 on Honda →		Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →9 owner reports
P0369
P0369 on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine5 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P219B
P219B on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine5 bulletins · 3 owner reports
B121EManufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment6 bulletins
P0420
P0420 on Honda →		The catalytic converter on bank 1 is not cleaning up the exhaust as well as it should.Engine · Catalytic converter →2 bulletins · 4 owner reports
U0180Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment6 bulletins
B12C5
B12C5 on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine2 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P0456
P0456 on Honda →		A very small leak in the evaporative emissions system.Fuel/Propulsion System · Gas cap →4 bulletins · 1 owner report
P2422
P2422 on Honda →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →5 bulletins
P0303
P0303 on Honda →		Cylinder 3 is misfiring.Engine · Ignition coils →4 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Honda Pilot failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%).

New York inspections 3.6%

failed emissions

8,288 initial inspections of 8,098 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2016 PilotEvery 2016 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check3.6%4.2%8,270
Failed the safety inspection1.6%2.2%8,288
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.27%0.27%8,288
Miles driven a year11,25810,028odometer at inspection
Average odometer115,739103,109odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Compare the 2016 Pilot with

Any vehicle, your weights →
Head-to-headVerdict
2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class · Large SUV · grade DGL-Class +3

Pilot by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 A 1 27 22 mpg2025 C 4 216 22 mpg2024 D 6 116 22 mpg2023 D 5 146 22 mpg2022 D 5 168 23 mpg2021 F 10 447 23 mpg2020 F 11 492 23 mpg2019 F 13 919 23 mpg2018 F 7 440 23 mpg2017 D 4 936 23 mpg2016 this page F 8 1,719 23 mpg

Common questions about the 2016 Pilot

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 Honda Pilot have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Honda Pilot, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 21V932000, covering Structure. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 Honda Pilot?

NHTSA gave the 2016 Honda Pilot 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (55/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Honda Pilot?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2016 Honda Pilot, the best EPA combined figure is 23 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 Honda Pilot?

Transport Canada measured it at 194.9 in long, 79.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 69.7 in tall, on a 111.0 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,103–4,255 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 Honda Pilot?

Owners have filed 1719 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Pilot, most often about engine, electrical system, unspecified. Of those, 23 involved a crash, 10 a fire, 20 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2016 Honda Pilot?

The EPA smog rating for the 2016 Honda Pilot runs 5 to 6 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — Bin 5, LEV-II ULEV — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 Honda Pilot?

The manufacturer has filed 365 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 Honda Pilot, most often covering electrical system, engine, equipment. The most recent is dated 2025-07-07. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 Honda Pilot do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 Honda Pilot failed the emissions check on 3.6% of first inspections — close to the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.6% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

Is the 2016 Honda Pilot better than the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class edges it, 77 to 74, on safety. The Honda Pilot is ahead on fuel & range and performance. Raise the fuel & range weight from 3 to 4 and it flips. We publish a full side-by-side of the 2016 Honda Pilot against the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class — specifications by family, equipment feature by feature, safety record and ownership costs. You can re-weight what matters to you and the verdict recalculates.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls8NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints1719NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins365NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations4NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationOpen and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports1NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Head to head 2016 Honda Pilot vs 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Scored on price, fuel, safety, space, performance and warranty — the weights are yours.Other years The 2026 Pilot The Pilot model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 1 recall.Recalls Every Honda recall on file All campaigns filed against Honda vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this Pilot by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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