Problems · by component

2016 Honda Pilot engine and engine cooling problems

45 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Pilot cite engine and engine cooling, 3% of all 1,725 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
45
3% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop at an intersection, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was blocking traffic and was pushed to safety. While in a safe location, the battery was diagnosed and was found to be in good working condition. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a seized engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11753807
“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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11748512
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that after attempting to use the Push-To-Start to start the vehicle, an abnormal clicking sound was heard and the engine failed to turn over. Several Unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a seized engine that was possibly related to NHTSA Campaign: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed at the consumer's expense as having a seized engine; however, the vehicle was not repaired due to the VIN not being included in NHTSA Campaign:23V751000(Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,962.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11741576
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an internal engine failure due to connecting rod bearing failure. The failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11730410
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was knocking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with rod bearing failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle was skipping timing, and the timing chain or belt had slipped from correct alignment, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 148,850.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11726362
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when he had parked the vehicle at work, he had heard an abnormal clicking sound from the engine compartment, and the vehicle was idling roughly. The contact stated that as he drove the vehicle back to his residence at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning started flashing on the instrument cluster. The contact drove the vehicle to an auto parts store, and the store employee used a handheld scanner and drew voltage and engine communication codes. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. The dealer did not perform a detailed diagnosis, but when the contact picked the vehicle up, he was still hearing the abnormal clicking sound. The dealer had a mechanic try to evaluate the abnormal noise by listening and thought it sounded like a failing timing belt tensioner. The contact then drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rod bearings had failed and the crankshaft was scored. The mechanic recommended replacing the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11709216

Showing 6 of 45 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 13, 2023NHTSA 23V751000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.