2016 Honda Pilot electrical system problems

Related recalls

• Recall 15V668000Oct 16, 201535,406 vehicles
  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. In the affected vehicles, when one of the safety systems such as tire pressure monitoring, anti-lock braking or electronic stability control malfunctions, there is potential that the instrument panel will not illuminate the corresponding warning light, however the warning lamps will illuminate when the ignition is turned off and then turned back on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic stability control systems", number 135, "Light vehicle brake systems" and number 138, "Tire pressure monitoring systems".

  Risk: If a safety system cannot immediately warn the driver when needed, the driver may be at increased risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. The recall began on December 11, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is JV7.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 17, 2026222,000 miSCElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal dinging sound coming from the vehicle, and the ignition control, stability control, power steering, and hill-start assist warning lights were illuminated. The warning lights initially turned on and off simultaneously but eventually remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and…

   NHTSA complaint #11757426 · source
2. Filed Jul 13, 2026AZElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   Vehicle flashing warning signs for multiple system functions including battery and mechanical, forcing driver to pull over, unable to put vehicle in neutral to tow. Took vehicle to Honda dealership in Phoenix, AZ dealership unable to recreate issue. Stated it was cleared as a certified used Honda. Continued to have reoccurring issues, less than 2 months later vehicle engine completely seized. Honda refused to take responsibility for engine failure despite documented…

   NHTSA complaint #11749902 · source
3. Filed Jul 10, 2026198,387 miILElectrical System

   The contact purchased a 2016 Honda Pilot. The vehicle was a dealer sale on July 7, 2026. At the time of the sale, the odometer reading was 89,991. The contact later purchased an Auto Track and Carfax report, which indicated that in April 2026, the odometer reading was 198,387.

   NHTSA complaint #11749622 · source
4. Filed Jun 30, 2026121,891 miLAElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the battery became drained. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the spool valve was leaking on the alternator, and damaged the alternator and the spool valve. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,891.

   NHTSA complaint #11747476 · source
5. Filed Apr 28, 2026NCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Car has shut off while driving. Check engine light, traction control light, hill assist light, power steering light, and vehicle stability light have all come on causing me to have to pull over on the side of the road.

   NHTSA complaint #11734399 · source
6. Filed Apr 15, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The component that failed in both incidents was the vehicle’s wiring system, specifically wiring insulation that appears to be vulnerable to rodent damage. In the first incident, squirrels chewed through wiring connected to the fuel injector system, which triggered a check engine light and was repaired. In the second incident, squirrels again accessed the engine compartment and chewed through wiring affecting the braking system. This resulted in a sudden and unexpected loss…

   NHTSA complaint #11731338 · source
7. Filed Mar 26, 2026FLFireElectrical SystemEngine

   Vehicle caught fire and completely burned up. It had no problems, had been serviced and recently inspected for emissions and safety in Virginia.

   NHTSA complaint #11727284 · source
8. Filed Mar 2, 2026130,000 miNYDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a blank or blue image while in reverse(R). In addition, there was an abnormal scrambling sound coming from the radio before the radio failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that other electrical features failed to operate as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that an abnormal, burning odor was coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated on…

   NHTSA complaint #11721381 · source
9. Filed Feb 7, 2026HIElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report ongoing engine and emissions system problems with my 2016 Honda Pilot that raise serious safety concerns and may be related to a broader defect currently under investigation. I purchased this vehicle from a dealership in April of 2024 and the issues began shortly afterward at approximately 67,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 74,600 miles and has received regular oil changes and routine…

   NHTSA complaint #11716412 · source
10. Filed Jan 20, 2026TNElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    We started having problems with the catalytic converter clogging so we put Heat in it and then only used 100%gas. Then we went to my daughter’s house and when we went to leave the car wouldn’t start. We could smell burning. We had it towed to our mechanic and he replaced the starter but he had a hard time getting it off because it was almost fused because of the heat. Then 3-4 days later all the check engine lights came on. We had it checked out by Christian Brothers and he…

    NHTSA complaint #11712179 · source
11. Filed Dec 23, 2025FLElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    warning engine light came on. Emission control system light came on too. Honda Pilot 2016 Milage 70,662. Vehicle operating normally. Had car parts store use OBD electronic scanner and it revealed a code P0328: "Knock Sensor voltage High". Code was deleted after scan. I was told by tech at car parts store that the sensor was detecting odd electronic signals and sent info to the cars computer, which intern made the computer to display the warning lights on the dash panel.…

    NHTSA complaint #11706838 · source
12. Filed Dec 20, 2025TXElectrical System

    My keyless start system is going off and on and this is supposedly a well known problem with this year and model and the start stop buttoning going off and car stalling etc. it says to report to you all online.

    NHTSA complaint #11706299 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology