2016 Honda Pilot: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Pilots can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2016 Honda Pilot, alongside 1,686 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about engine. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, with no expiry on safety recalls. A recall applies to a production range, so check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2016 Honda Pilot at a glance
What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Honda Pilot. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 758 |
| Electrical System | 579 |
| Power Train | 198 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 167 |
| Structure | 53 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 45 |
Recall campaigns for the 2016 Honda Pilot
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. The remedy is performed free of charge by a franchised dealer, and safety recalls never expire — but a campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 17V219000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and AWD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak. |
| 16V417000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. |
| 15V424000 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to June 5, 2015. Due to an assembly issue, the third row seatbelt may be trapped between the rear seat and the rear sideliner. |
| 15V668000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD vehicles manufactured May 4, 2015, to September 8, 2015 and 2016 Pilot 4WD vehicles manufactured May 7, 2015 to September 4, 2015. |
| 21V932000 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving. |
| 23V751000 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL | 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. |
| 23V858000 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda… |
| 26V365000 | STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 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,… |
How to check one specific Pilot
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
2016 Honda Pilot questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Pilot have?
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls covering the 2016 Honda Pilot as of 2026-08-27. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2016 Honda Pilot problems?
Owners most often report engine, electrical system, power train issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Honda recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no charge by a franchised dealer, and federal safety recalls do not expire. Bring the VIN and ask the dealer to confirm open campaigns before the appointment.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2016 Honda Pilot VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.