2016 Honda Pilot: start-stop system problems

Filed Nov 23, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Following all repair/recall/warranty work recommended by Honda, the Auto Stop/Start feature is again failing. This results in the vehicle not restarting after the auto idle engine stop is engaged while in traffic, stop lights, stop signs etc. This is a random occurrence, but results in a significant safety hazard as a stopped vehicle in a lane of travel. This is a recurring issue, no specific date of incident.

Filed Aug 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Engine developed noises while driving and seized up. Prior to engine seizure, auto start/stop was having issues where it would not restart after stopping at a light or stop sign. Rear unibody rusting really badly due to cheap quality metal?

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MD

Auto Start/Stop not working at stop. Vehicle fails to restart when engine has turned off at intersection. On occasion, vehicle fails to start and loses total power. Often, it takes several minutes to regain power. This has occurred in intersections, almost causing accidents. The car was repaired per a TSB, but the issue continues, and has for the last 4 years since purchase.

Filed Mar 31, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MN

Vehicle was fixed for auto start stop under recall. They changed all the parts including capacitors. Within 5000 miles it started happening again. I’ve informed Honda about this from 20k miles. The vehicle now has 165k. I’ve told them on multiple occasions that this is a serious safety issue. They said they have this fixed and they do not. They closed my case even though I asked them to keep it open as they have not proved to me that it is fixed. The only way to fix this is to have Honda program the care to not allow start stop as someone is going to get killed. It’s just a matter of time.

Filed Mar 30, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WV

Pilot has auto start/stop problems. when it stops, if the exact pedal procedure isn't followed the car will lurch forward and stall engine. After that is it difficult to restart. This situation creates a dangerous situation as the vehicle fails to pull out in traffic under power. Very POOR design by Honda and should be permanently disabled for driver/occupant safety

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Our stop/start feature consistently causes the car to stall instead of restarting the engine. This leaves us stranded in or at intersections while waiting for the car to respond to pressing the park and restart buttons. This regularly takes enough time we have narrowly avoided being hit multiple times from suddenly not being able to move. Because it can turn off at any time you are fully stoped we have been caught after having to make a complete stop in the middle of an intersection and then still being stalled when the light changed. Honda has experienced the problem and has only been willing to change the battery. A fully charged and new battery does temporarily reduce the number of occurrences. This has only been inspected by Honda because we have not had an actual accident yet. There are no other warning lights on the car at any point. This is a regular and known issue that they have failed to fix.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

The engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged. Vehicle struggles to restart on various occasions. Honda America has an extended warranty to replace the starter.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Electrical · CA

The keyless control unit module is malfunctioning, causing the car to attempt to turn itself on, and the car alarm to go off constantly. This problem has occurred multiple times and has been inspected by the dealership mechanics. The issue comes with no warning lights, messages, or other indication forms. The dashboard lights up and there is no odometer reading, the MPH is not displaying or any other functions within the dashboard. The mechanic shop received the error "Data on keyless access control unit reach ignition voltage at 25 volts internally". According to the Honda corporate office, there are no recalls regarding this issue. I had the same problem back on [XXX] and Galpin Honda located at 11151 Laurel Canyon, Mission Hills, CA 91340 performed Campaign 20-117-6S100-2016=17 Pilot Ridgeline Start/Stop Switch - Keyless system problem and replaced the engine start/stop switch. I called the Dealership multiple times and was finally able to speak to the Service Manager, Peter Melendez, who was not able to approve for my car to be inspected free of charge. Please note that I have had multiple electrical issues including the sensor system which I had to pay out of pocket. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 10, 2024 · Electrical · FL

The vehicle does not start upon first press of the ENGINE START/STOP button. Also, MID displays the error message KEYLESS START SYSTEM ERROR.

Filed Mar 26, 2024 · Engine · CO

The Honda stop-start system in this vehicle has a flaw. On this day the engine shut down as normal at a light, but failed to start when the foot was removed from the brake. The engine sputtered and shut back off. This should be a problem if a restart could have been attempted but this failure was so severe that the car had to be put in park and shut off completely. Almost like a reboot of the computer. Once the car was shut off and then powered up again the car could be started and move under it's own power. Even thought I was quick to turn on hazard flashers, cars behind me became angry at the inconvenience, honking and swerving to get around me when the light was green. Honda needs to make a way to attempt to restart after an unsuccessful attempt by the auto start system. The engine has run fine since the event so no issues with the engine can be found. It had to be something minor that prevented the successful firing of the engine.

Filed Nov 30, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA

At 7:45AM EST on 11/30/2023 while stopped in heaving Pittsburgh traffic the auto stop start feature engaged. Once engaged everything in the car shut down. I received a notification on my dashboard that said to put the car in park and press start. It took me 3 times pressing the start button for the car to start. I later took it to get the battery checked and it showed the battery was good. This was a hazardous situation given the traffic conditions during rush hour.

Filed Oct 26, 2023 · MO

Auto Start/Stop feature has repeatedly struggled to restart car at stop lights. Disabling this feature manually after starting the car is the only way to disable this feature. Initial failures were due to battery wear, but after replacing the battery we still have intermittent issues where the vehicle will not restart after the auto stop feature has shut off the engine. This is very dangerous in traffic or in an intersection when expecting the vehicle to restart when you remove your foot from the gas and it instead shuts the vehicle off and puts the vehicle in park. It can take multiple tries to successfully restart the car after this shut down event. The dealership has not been able to replicate the issue.