2016 Honda Pilot: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Electrical · MO

My battery was being drained until dead by a faulty keyless control module. I paid to have the battery replaced after my son and I got stranded 1.5 hours from home. All the lights on the dash went off and nearly every error code displayed as well. Currently at Honda dealership getting the module replaced at a mere $840 after I paid $370 for battery installation when my car "broke down". Now to see I am not the only Honda customer with this issue in this model of vehicle. The car started displaying all the error codes about a week before it began just completely draining the battery that was on 6/23. Battery replaced that day and by Saturday 6/28 was unable to start my car due to battery being completely dead. Had to jump my car and take to dealership on sunday 6/29. So was late to work and have been without my vehicle for over a week while they were trouble shooting the issue.

Filed Jul 8, 2024 · Engine · TX

July 2022, my wife was in a parking space. She placed the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the parking space. She braked to stop, placed the vehicle in drive and pressed the accelerator. Immediately the car shut off in the middle of the parking lot and the engine light came on. Some strangers helped her push the car out of the way of traffic. She thought the battery died so called USAA and they sent out roadside assistance who tried to jumpstart the battery but it didn't work. The car was towed to the closest Honda dealership and after 30 minutes told us the engine seized. When we asked how that happened, they said they didn't know. Then they tried to buy the car from us , gave us a preprinted buyback flyer and tried to hard sell us into buying a new car. We left and towed it to the Honda dealership where we originally purchased it. They tried to do a full diagnostic, but could not even get into the major components of the engine because it was all seized up, and told us that it would require a new engine. When I asked how this happened, the service manager said neither he nor the mechanic could tell us why or how. They told us to buy a rebuilt engine so we did and paid $8736.80. July 2024, and a friend told me about recall 23V‑751. I immediately visited our Honda dealership who told us to open a refund claim with American Honda. American Honda (case#14788790) initially told us our vehicle didn't qualify because its production date was 6/17/2016. We emailed docs/pictures proving the production date of our car is May 16, 2016 and the date of purchase was 6/17/16. Then Honda said the claim was denied because they didn't have proof of oil changes but carfax rpt shows consistent maintenance. Now Honda is saying our VIN doesn't qualify because they use the In Service Date for recall VIN qualification and again claims ours is 6/17/16 (the purchase date) and that there is no record of a transmission flush?!? Honda keeps changing the bar on this recall.

Filed May 18, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · MD

Defective Keyless Access Unit Car will completely lose power Honda dealer confirmed defective keyless access unit Various problems experienced : a) Car is completely disabled b) Main Battery drained c) Flashing External Lights d) Flashing Dashboard cluster lights and indicators e) Anti Theft security Alarm Horn will sound f) Defective Hood Latch g) Windshield Wipers operational compromised

Filed Feb 12, 2024 · Engine · WI

The engine shut down while driving down the highway with no warning. We thought it was just a dead battery but found out from the dealer that the connecting rod in the engine shattered without explanation. The check engine light NEVER came on and there were no other sensory warnings that there was an engine issue. The car has only 81,000 miles and has a solid, documented service record with the dealer so this engine failure was a total surprise. The engine shut down while driving down the highway with no warning. We thought it was just a dead battery but found out from the dealer that the connecting rod in the engine shattered without explanation. The check engine light NEVER came on and there were no other sensory warnings that there was an engine issue. The car has only 81,000 miles and has a solid, documented service record with the dealer so this engine failure was a total surprise. It put the driver, my [XXX] daughter, in danger as the car shut down on a highway at night without warning. She safely pulled the car over to the side of the highway within a construction zone and waited alone in the dark for me to pick her up while cars were passing at highway speeds. This breakdown could have resulted in an engine fire again without warning. The Honda dealer inspected the engine and took photos of the broken connecting rod. I have sent a customer service request to American Honda with the pictures, maintenance records and diagnosis of the issue given by the dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Electrical · CA

Problem started after fuel injectors were replaced under Recall. Since December 2022/January 2023 alarm Goes off randomly with headlights coming on, honking draining the battery. Many visits to local dealership nothing worked. In March 2023 they order Starter for replacement in this vehicle. I have to open the hood wide open with hook in place every night to avoid honking. The part arrived June 01st, 2023 with charge of CAD $1007.63. All reserved parts were used up as so many Honda Pilots needed this part.

Filed May 19, 2023 · Electrical · NV

keyless control module, alarm Goes off randomly with headlights coming on, draining the battery.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · NJ

When car is locked alarm sporadically goes off on its own also when the headlights are set to auto and the car is turned off the headlights will come on sporadically and drain the battery. Having electrical components come on on their own is obviously a safety concern. The dashboard lights and warning icons will also flicker. There have been numerous complaints of this kind on the Honda Pilot forum Piloteers.Org

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Electrical · TX

Keyless remote control unit does not shut off therefore draining the battery, therefore car doesn’t start. I have been through two new batteries within 60 days.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine · NJ

In 3 occasions my Pilot was stopped waiting for the light to change and all of the sudden the engine died and refuse to turn itself ON as usual. The first time it happens in Miami, Fl. The second time in our hometown of Teaneck, NJ and the third time it happens in New York City (Manhattan) The first time the car re-started after 5 minutes trying (more than 5 times). The second time the car died and 5 took about 5 times to restart again. The third time, we had to use our battery jump starter because the battery died. After the car turned on, all the systems were fine, including the battery.

Filed May 29, 2022 · Electrical · NJ

Dash Lights flash, alarm sounds and Battery drains randomly.

Filed May 26, 2022 · Electrical · FL

Random triggered alarming caused during flickering and clicking of dashboard lights leading to battery drainage. Many reports of this same instance occurring with this particular model. It appears to be a faulty keyless control module that now many Americans have had no choice but to pay $800 to replace in the absence of what obviously should be a recall at this point.

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Engine · WI

Occasionally, when the vehicle is stopped at a stop sign, or stoplight, the idle stop will engage and shut off the engine. When releasing brake pedal, engine will not restart. Vehicle must be placed in park, brake pedal depressed very hard and then attempt to restart. Vehicle will restart after one or more tries. When the vehicle will not re-start, the symptoms are that or a dead battery. Warning lights, engine will not crank. But, then it restarts just fine. The issue does not happen if Idle stop feature is disabled. Dealership has not been able to repeat problem, has tested primary electrical components and cannot fix it. Dealership has looked at the problem 3 times. This is becoming a safety issue, and it is easily found in online forums with other owners of the same years, make, model having the same issue. I believe this to be an issue with the control logic in the Idle stop loop.