2016 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Engine stalls at idle or a stop
- 90owner reports
- 62,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Feb 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
90 of the 413 reports of stalling on the 2016 Pilot describe stalls at idle.
Part of Engine stalls or loses power while driving (413 reports)
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Stalls at idle on other Pilot years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (24 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 recalls on the engine cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that may leak.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.
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.
All 8 recalls on the 2016 Honda Pilot, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Pilot
Engine failure. Open.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.
Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Closed mar 26, 2025.
Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.
Low beam headlights stop illuminating. Closed sep 17, 2012, led to recall 12V-136.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,600 and 80,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“With Auto Engine Idle Shut Off on, the engine shuts off when idling at a stop, but does not restart when taking foot off the brake. It takes up to a minute to shut everything off and restart the engine. Only happens occasionally, but it's dangerous when it does because the cars behind are try to go.”
Filed Jan 7, 2023
“The vehicle does not restart when at a stop. the auto idle shut off will not work. This has happened multiple time since we purchased the vehicle. It has been to the dealer multiple times with this problem. When it happens, you must put the vehicle in park and restart the engine. This causes a problem for traffic as sometimes it is very hard to restart.”
Filed Dec 6, 2022
“The vehicle stalls at stop signs, traffic lights and in stopped traffic. Sometimes takes multiple trys to restart the vehicle. Been happening regularly for several years. Have had multiple repairs done with no affect.”
Filed Sep 1, 2022
“The auto start/stop feature of the vehicule has stopped working on several occassions. We would be coming off the highway and or off a red light and the car will stall of the auto start/stop function is on. This has happened a few times in a very busy intersection or street.”
Filed Aug 10, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 90 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 350 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