Engine knocking or ticking

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (72 reports), the engine (18 reports), the timing chain (12 reports) and the knock sensor (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

All 8 recalls on the 2016 Honda Pilot, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Pilot

What owners paid

24 of the 138 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,700 to $11,000.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 79,000 and 128,000 miles, from the 55 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“My vehicle got the "knock" trouble code for a faulty crankshaft. This is a widely spread, well documented engine default in the 2016 honda pilot. There are many other pilots that have a recall but mine does not. This doesnt make sense to me. I have not been able to drive this vehicle for two years because of this problem. There is nothing else wrong with this vehicle. It honestly looks brand new.”

Filed Jul 30, 2026

“My car has a knocking noise coming from the engine. It happened suddenly when I was driving. I took it to Honda dealer shop to check it out and they told me I need to replace the motor.”

Filed Jun 24, 2026

“The connecting rod is failing. Loud knocking is happening just as outlined in the recall on other 2016 Pilots. Poses a great safety risk as failure will result in total engine destruction.”

Filed Jun 2, 2026

“UPON INSPECTION FOUND KNOCKING NOISE FROM LOW END ROD KNOCK. INTERNAL FAILURE OF ROD CAUSING NOISE FROM SPUN BEARING- Honda told me that the VIN was not included in the previous recall despite being manufactured in the same month and year of the recall causing me to pay out of pocket to replace the short block of the engine at 85,000 miles”

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · 87,701 miles

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car

• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 413 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 165 reports
• Battery dies or the car will not start 159 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 147 reports
• Multiple warning lights come on at once 97 reports
• Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 74 reports
• Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 54 reports
• Engine rattles or ticks 51 reports
• A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 38 reports
• Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 37 reports
• Fuel pump failure 34 reports
• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports