In order to complete the safety recall on the rear subframe, the control arms, which are seized to the frame, need to be removed. Honda will cover the cost of these parts but not the labor associated with replacing them. The labor was quoted as $900. I’m unable to see the specific components covered under the recall, but reading the general description, I don’t understand how I’m responsible for any cost to complete the recall. I’ve spoken with the dealer and filed a complaint with Honda Care and have been repeatedly denied.
2016 Honda Pilot: ball joint or control arm failure
6 of the 1,730 complaints about the 2016 Honda Pilot describe ball joint or control arm failure.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- recalls
- 1
Ball joint or control arm failure by model year
- 20251
- 20221
- 20212
- 20202
- 20192
- 20181
- 20173
- 20166
- 20154
- 20141
- 20131
- 20126
- 20111
- 20103
- 20094
- 20061
- 20053
- 20043
- 20033
What owners say
I have an unresolved rear sub frame recall. The dealer looked at the problem. Said to fix it that control arms need to be replaced. Along with any other parts to fix recall. They submitted to Honda for goodwill claim to cover control arms. Honda approved it, and dealer told by Honda don’t know when parts be in. That was about six weeks ago. Still no updates from Honda to dealer on fixing it or parts being in.
Clunking that happens at low speeds, sounds like control arm, but this is not the rear. It’s the front.
Hondal recall S/B 26-031 subframe This vehicle is 10 years old and was purchased / driven entirely in the northeast / NY - where the vehicle is most susceptible to underlying rust and corrosion issues and potential failure of suspension components. Vehicle was delivered to authorized Honda dealer / service center for scheduled inspection and required repairs on July 17. However, Honda service could not complete and remedy this safety recall on my vehicle due to unavailability of parts. Specifically, the subrame requires repair/reinforcement, but the bolts are seized and removing them will cause damage to the control arm bushing. Dealer advised they are unable to obtain control arm parts from Honda due to back order. I was advised my vehicle is not the only one they have where unavailbility of repair parts is resulting in inability to complete the safety recall.
Engine tie rod bearing is worn on cylinder 3, engine is knocking. 119kmi.
"takata recall" the passenger's side airbag of our 2016 honda pilot spontaneously deployed as my daughter was driving approximately 45 MPH straight along route 195 in mansfield, ct on may 11, 2019. At the time of the deployment she had passed over a storm drain that sticks out into the narrow road. The drain causes a slight depression in the roadway, which the wheels rolled over. There was no impact. There was no accident. She managed to keep her wits about her so she didn't get hit on the busy, narrow road. The outside of the car is pristine. The interior is a mess. The side curtain airbag is down, blocking visibility, and the side airbag deployed from the front passenger's seat. The deployment took out the headliner and tore the passenger's seat apart. Our car has been sitting at a honda dealership and now at a body repair facility for two weeks. Honda tells us it's not their fault. They claim we have a bent control arm on the passengers side front of the car. However, we have felt no pulling, shaking, tremors, bumping or other effects our mechanic assures us would happen with a bent control arm. We were told by the honda dealer that repairs could cost $5,000 to $10,000 but have no official estimate. We have turned the case over to our insurance company.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Please send front bearing components to ahm prior to any repairs for a customer complaint of noise.
- Dealer message - requesting return of replaced parts resulting from a front bearing noise complaint.
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Dealer message - american honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 pilots with a customer complaint of...
- Background American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 Pilots with a customer complaint of front...
- Engineering request for investigation - american honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 pilots with a...
- Dealer message - american honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 pilots with a customer complaint of...
- Dealer message - american honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2016 pilots with a customer complaint of a...
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning June 10, 2026.
Recall number 26V365000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Honda Pilot ball joint
Is ball joint or control arm failure a common problem on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
6 of 1,730 owner complaints about the 2016 Honda Pilot (0%) mention ball joint or control arm failure. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
There is 1 recall and 14 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Honda Pilot
Stalling 245Knocking 244Engine failure 231Check engine light 144Start-stop 99Won't start 92Jerking 85Warning lights 74Loss of power 70Key fob 57Hesitation 46Misfire 39Fuel pump 38Collision warning 28Harsh shifting 24Grinding brakes 22Shudder 22Won't shift 22Transmission failure 22Adaptive cruise 18Overheating 18Fire or smoke 16Battery drain 15Headlights 15Lane assist 14Fuel smell 13Slipping 13Screen failure 12Sunroof shattered 12Sudden acceleration 8ABS 7Backup camera 6Door locks 6Airbag light 5No deployment 5Power steering loss 5
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