The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact diagnosed a misfire in cylinder #3 and replaced all the spark plugs and coils; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the…
2016 Honda Pilot engine problems
moderate 479 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
479
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
5fires
When does it fail?
Of the 479 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 20 model years of Honda Pilot we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 479.
Owners have filed 479 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Honda service determined there is a failure of the number 5 cylinder connecting rod bearing. This could pose a safety issue if it had continued to be driven. We have also seen through news and online forums that this is a known, systemic issue.
My vehicle stalled and had a horrible noise while stalling. Dealership took it back to their shop as we thought if was due to yhe work they just finished and after inspecting they determined a rod bearing had spun. The safety issue is we stalled out on the highway in the middle of traffic, almost got into several wrecks with my child in the vehicle. Only light that came on while stalling was the…
No prior indications of a pending issue. Stopped at an intersection for a Red Light, Auto Start/Stop feature turned the engine off as designed. When took foot off of the brake pedal and depressed gas pedal to start moving for the green light, which should have re-engaged the Auto Start feature and started the engine, multiple dash warning and caution lights turned on and the car itself never…
The vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction while being driven at highway speeds in the carpool lane under normal conditions. The engine began knocking and misfiring, followed by a significant loss of power. There were no warning lights, oil pressure alerts, or messages prior to the failure. The loss of power and engine knocking made it difficult to safely cross multiple highway lanes…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2016 Honda Pilot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 479 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 110 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 61,700 and 128,000 miles, with the median around 94,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 61,700; a quarter make it past 128,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.