2016 Honda Pilot fuel system problems
189 of the 1,709 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Pilot name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 38 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 189 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 8 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 32 · 2021: 11 · 2022: 19 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 25 · 2026: 24
Half of the 83 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 37,000 and 80,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,709 complaints in all about the 2016 Honda Pilot, 24 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Honda Pilot fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
As you accelerate, the car goes in and out of getting fuel to the engine. The rpm’s drop and increase at least 1,000 rpms each second. Vehicle is in motion. Happens both on city streets, but more so on the open highway, especially if small texas hills are involved. Took car to Honda dealership.
During start up and while driving the transmission light come on, took to dealership for repairs and informed the fuel injectors needed replaced. Found a service bulletin stating that Honda has found fuel injectors were installed incorrectly during manufacturing
Takata recall my Honda Pilot only 83000 miles. Transmission problem and emmission problem both lights came on at the same time. I was driving to work when I felt the car not wanting to accelerate, I immediately turned into a lot and I AM waiting here ever since because the car isn't moving forward
On saturday november, 24, at approximate 9:45 AM I was driving uphill and noticed my engine was making an odd sound. It made it when I accelerated, but stopped as soon as I took my foot off the gas. As I got to the top of the hill, there was no more sound.
The vehicle starts to stutter while driving down the street. In addition, while driving the RPM gauge fluctuates going down the highway while maintaining speed. Brought vehicle in to Honda dealership they diagnosed the problem as fuel injector failed and it wasn't the first time of them hearing about this problem.
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 23V858000 HighDec 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles
- 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.
- 17V219000 HighMar 30, 2017 · 136 vehicles
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
- 16V417000 HighJun 9, 2016 · 39 vehicles
- 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.
38 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0430 P219A P0087 P219B P0456 P2422 P0455 P0300
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Honda Pilot names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Honda Pilot
Source: the same files- engine problems 816 complaints
- electrical problems 581 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 201 complaints
- body and structure problems 54 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 189 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (11% of everything owners filed about it), and 38 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 23V858000, 17V219000, 16V417000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 55,000 miles; half of them between 37,000 and 80,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.