2016 Honda Pilot: check engine light

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · CA

Engine warning light came on, then all warning lights came on, then the engine just stopped. Honda dealer confirmed it was due to a failed crankshaft and might be covered under a current recall, 23V‑751. We spent over $10,000 in diagnostics, purchasing a rebuilt engine and installing the rebuilt engine. The issue was confirmed by a Honda Dealer. No issues with the Pilot prior to this happening. There are many complaints for the same issues from other 2016 Honda Pilot owners with the same failures. Honda knows this was an issue with parts used but has only covered part of 2016 Honda Pilots instead of all of them.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Fuel system · UT

My vehicle's fuel injectors failed, triggering a check engine light with code P0430. This matches a known manufacturing defect described in Honda's Technical Service Bulletin 20-100, which states injectors on affected vehicles may not have been manufactured to proper specifications, causing internal wear or clogging. The problem was confirmed and repaired by an authorized Honda dealership. The manufacturer extended the warranty for this defect to 10 years from original purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first, due to the scope of the issue. My vehicle fell outside that window by approximately 15,000 miles despite showing the identical, factory-acknowledged defect. I paid out of pocket for a repair the manufacturer's own documentation attributes to a manufacturing defect, not normal wear. I am filing this complaint because owners with vehicles exhibiting this same documented defect are being denied coverage based on an arbitrary mileage/date cutoff, even though the defect originates in manufacturing and symptoms (a triggered check engine light) may not appear until after that cutoff has passed. This means the extension does not protect all owners of vehicles containing the defective part, only those whose symptoms surface within an arbitrary window. There was no impact to vehicle control or immediate safety when symptoms appeared, but the underlying condition stems from a part Honda has already documented as defective.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Transmission · NC

The 6-speed automatic transmission on my 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L (103,200 miles) has experienced a severe mechanical failure casing dangerously hard, violent gear shifts during both acceleration and deceleration. Critically, no dashboard warning lights or malfunction indicator lamps illuminated while this dangerous driving condition persisted, leaving me with no advance warning of a safety hazard. A subsequent diagnostic scan at an Authorized Honda dealership revealed hidden diagnostic trouble code P0776 (pressure control solenoid "B" performance or stuck off) and a failing torque converted. The severe, unpredictable jerking and hesitation during shifting creates an immediate traffic hazard during acceleration in traffic. Approximately 45 days prior, an out-of-town Honda dealership performed a prescribed triple fluid flush when the issue first arose. Then, 5 days later, my local Honda dealership performed the prescribed software update for shifting issues, which failed to remedy the underlying defect again. The dealership has now quoted $11,000 + for a full replacement of the transmission and torque converted. American Honda corporate has opened Case Number: 16606142 to track this defect.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Fuel system · 100,901 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an OBDII scan retrieved DTC: P0087 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure - Too Low) and U0401-68 (Engine Control Module). The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and it was confirmed that the low and high-pressure fuel pumps needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the VIN was not included the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed of Technical Service Bulletin: 24-010, which might cover the repair of the vehicle. The contact was later informed that the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The failure mileage was 100,901.

Filed Aug 31, 2026 · Engine · TX

I was driving home from a road trip with my family of four, and I noticed that when I accelerated, the engine made a knocking noise. Prior to this, I had driven the car about 300 miles that day with no issues. While I was driving, my wife asked if we could record the noise so we could take it to a mechanic to diagnose the issue. While filming, I revved the engine a few times, and the noise would get really loud. After filming, I drove about 10 more miles, and the engine completely shut off. The check engine and oil lights both came on, and when I pressed the gas pedal, the car made a polite dinging noise. When the incident occurred, we were in the middle lane driving about 70 miles per hour. Knowing that I needed to get off the highway before I ran out of momentum, I carefully changed lanes and coasted off to the nearest exit. Thankfully, we were able to safely get off the highway and into a parking lot. Had we not, we would have been stuck in the middle of 70mph traffic potentially causing a high-speed collision. I was able to get the engine restarted, but it made a horrible squealing noise while running and a knocking noise when I revved the engine. The car also displayed an emissions check error, along with the oil and check engine lights still on. I had the car towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed it as catastrophic engine failure due to spun bearings. I did some research and found a recall for the defect, 23V‑751, but my car isn't covered in the initial campaign. I understand the federal safety agency is continuing an investigation into this defect as more cars, like mine, are reporting the same problem. As a result, I took it to the Honda dealer to get a Goodwill Repair, and they diagnosed the car with the same issue. Honda is not going to cover the repair, so I am left with a broken car because of their manufacturing defect.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · MN

I am a [XXX] female driver in northern [XXX], and I am driving a 2016 Honda Pilot that is suffering from severe, documented engine failure symptoms that Honda refuses to address. The vehicle is producing a distinct squeaking and chirping sound from the engine bay, and a recent inspection of my engine oil revealed magnetic metal flakes. This indicates that critical internal engine components — likely the connecting rod bearings or camshaft—are rapidly tearing themselves apart and grinding down into the oil stream. The Check Engine Light continuously comes and goes. When taken to the dealership, instead of diagnosing this severe mechanical hazard, the dealership completely neglected the issue, stated they did not know why it was happening, and simply cleared the light, sending me back out on the road in a ticking time bomb. Although my specific VIN is currently excluded from Honda's active rod bearing recall, my vehicle is exhibiting the exact textbook symptoms of the manufacturing defect currently under the federal safety agency investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Engine · CA

I was driving down Car highway 395, at highway speed, when my vehicle suffered a sudden and catastrophic engine failure with no warning. The engine began to shutter and knock and I lost power. The check engine light then came on. I was able to quickly pull over and the vehicle shuttered to a stop and would not start. I and my family were stranded on the side of the highway in a remote area for hours late at night. CHP a contacted, non emergency, and was able to contact a tow truck. No officer was available to assist due to a wildfire in the area. After being towed, a mechanic was able to start it briefly and stated it seemed like a rod or bearing problem. I've now had a second mechanic say the same thing.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine · TX

While driving a knocking noise was heard which was worse during acceleration. An orange flashing engine light was displayed a mile away from home. Inspection completed by certified master technician was completed showing engine damage from rod beating and crank shaft. Vehicle was out purchased from Honda dealership and all services and oil changes were completed at same dealership. Vehicle is now inoperable. the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 23V751000

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine · 77,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light flashed continuously. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the noise emanated from the middle of the engine. The dealer advised that there might be a loose wrist pin where the piston meets the connecting rod, or a systemic oil delivery problem, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Engine · MA · crash

While driving at night, the 2016 Pilot, it started making a loud rattling noise then just died in the middle of the road and failed to start. There were no service or check engine lights on at the time of failure or at any point prior to the failure. We were stranded in the middle of the road at risk of getting hit by other cars. The electronic transmission would not go into neutral and we had no way of even pushing the car to the safety of shoulder. We had to tow the vehicle. The tow driver also had a very difficult time of getting the car into neutral, necessary to tow it. Having the vehicle towed to a local mechanic, they reported it being very difficult to start and when it did, it had a sever engine skip with a loud rattling noise which is indicative of a connecting rod/bearing failure. The car has 140000 miles at time of failure. We had ALL required maintenance performed as they were scheduled. Approximately 95% was performed by Honda dealers. In fact we had a Honda dealer perform an oil change and inspection a week before the engine failure. We have had some local shops perform several required oil changes and the timing belt / plug service. We have all receipts. We contacted Honda dealership who quoted $18,225 for an engine replacement. We contacted Honda Customer Support who refused to offer any assistance, goodwill or other forms of reimbursement.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was abnormally jolting and sputtering. The contact stated that the engine warning light was activating and deactivating. The contact stated that failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted, and a transmission flush was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Engine · 105,800 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, there was a loud bang coming from the engine compartment, followed by a clunking sound. The contact stated that the engine started running rough and the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The Check Engine warning light illuminated after the failure, with unknown messages displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was coasted into a nearby parking lot and manually pushed into a parking space. The vehicle was towed from the parking lot to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with complete engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to a Honda dealer for further inspection. The dealer disassembled the engine and informed the contact that the engine had thrown a connecting rod. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was informed that the manufacturer would do a follow-up with the dealer; however, no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 105,800.