2016 Honda Pilot Transmission Problems

201 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2016 Honda Pilot to NHTSA — 12% of all 1,716 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 48,000 miles. That ranks #2 of 24 Pilot model years for transmission complaints (a typical year has 20). No transmission recall has been issued for this model year.

201complaints
48ktypical miles
0related recalls
5crashes
0fires
1injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    3025%
  • 25k–50k
    3428%
  • 50k–75k
    3126%
  • 75k–100k
    1916%
  • 100k–150k
    54%
  • 150k+
    11%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80-85 MPH uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the warning message "Transmission Overheating" was illuminated. The contact stated that he continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving uphill. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Moss Bros. Honda (27990 Eucalyptus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555) who did not diagnose the vehicle but informed the contact that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission fluid was replaced. The contact also stated that the steering wheel was shaking whenever the brake pedal was depressed. …

33,000 miles · Feb 2018

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started jerking. The contact stated the gears reverse, neutral, and drive lights were changing independently however, the vehicle continued to move forward. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that 2 days later, he experienced the failure again. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle for the third time to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing to change the transmission oil. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure after 6-8 months. …

26,000 miles · May 2018

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the transmission was slipping. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle had been driven for two to three hours. In addition, the contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen flashed on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The transmission fluids were flushed. The contact stated that the transmission fluids had been flushed and refilled four times within the year. The contact referenced an unknown recall repair for the rear-view camera; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …

60,000 miles · Feb 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationed at her employment parking lot, after starting the vehicle with the auto start, she was unable to shift into reverse. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and had to restart the vehicle four times before being able to shift into reverse. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the Drive (D), transmission fault, and sensor failure warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that she continued driving to her residence while experiencing the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

125,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated and started jerking. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally stalled and the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that the check engine, emissions, and stabilitrak warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The catalytic converter and fuel injectors were replaced by an independent mechanic. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

70,000 miles · Mar 2018

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while at a stop light, the vehicle shut off with the "Shift to Park and Restart Vehicle" message displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a software update was performed on the transmission but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that an update on the started software was needed. The update was performed but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 90,000.

90,000 miles · Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the engine heater coil, the fuel injectors, and the camshaft however, the failure recurred. The fuel injectors were replaced a second time however, the vehicle continued to experience the hesitation while attempting to accelerate. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.

40,000 miles · Sep 2020

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while test driving the vehicle after the repair, the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

86,000 miles · Aug 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle idled roughly and an abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnosis was provided. The contact was informed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

180,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. That contact stated while driving 35 MPH, multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to move. The contact stated once the vehicle was stopped the transmission failed to shift. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed. The contact stated that several unknown repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to a local dealer for assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 140,000.

140,000 miles · Feb 2024

Transmission complaints in other Pilot years

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2622414217613131112621205471120112278943525161012223
Transmission complaints per model year, Honda Pilot.

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Honda Pilot?

NHTSA has 201 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Honda Pilot, 12% of the model year's 1,716 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2016 Honda Pilot transmission problems?

No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Honda Pilot, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2016 Honda Pilot transmission problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.