Used Honda Pilot Buyer's Guide (2016–2022)
Check the V6 rod bearing recall and engine probe, fuel injector and idle stop coverage, the 9-speed warmer, and the rear subframe rust recall.
Photo: Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The third generation Pilot ran from 2016 to 2022. It is a three row family SUV with a V6, and buyers like its space and Honda's name. It got a refresh for 2019, so early and late trucks look a little different.
Every Pilot in this span has a 3.5L V6. Depending on trim and year it has a 6-speed or a 9-speed automatic, with front or all wheel drive. The 9-speed trucks also have idle stop, which shuts the engine off at red lights.
The biggest item is engine health. Recall 23V-751 covers rod bearing failures on certain 2016, 2018 and 2019 Pilots, and NHTSA is now looking at similar failures on 2016 to 2020 trucks outside the recall. Honda also extended coverage on fuel injectors, idle stop restarts and the early 9-speed's fluid warmer. A 2026 rear subframe rust recall for trucks from salt belt states has no final fix yet.
- 3.5L V6
Third generation (2016 to 2022), sold as model years 2016–2022.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L V6 with 6-speed | 2016–2020 | 6-speed automatic | On many lower trims. Bulletin 23-073 covers fluid overheating under heavy loads. |
| 3.5L V6 with 9-speed | 2016–2022 | 9-speed automatic | Comes with idle stop. 2016 trucks have the transmission warmer extension. |
- LX Base trim.
- EX and EX-L The most common trims. EX-L adds leather.
- Touring Upper trim with more tech and the 9-speed.
- Elite Top trim with all wheel drive and the most features.
- Black Edition Dark styled top trim from the 2019 refresh on.
- TrailSport Rugged styled trim added for 2022.
- 2022 Fewest NHTSA owner complaints of any year here (160) and five recalls. It is outside the rod bearing recall and the 2016 to 2020 engine investigation. Check the brake master cylinder, subframe and air bag sensor recalls. Newer trucks have had less time to collect complaints.
- 2021 438 complaints, also outside the rod bearing recall and the engine investigation. It has ten recalls in NHTSA's data, so check the brake master cylinder and camera recalls on the VIN.
- 2016 The first year has the most NHTSA owner complaints by far (1,710, with 771 coded to the engine), eight recalls including the rod bearing and two fuel tank recalls, the 9-speed warmer extension and the injector and keyless start extensions.
- 2019 The most recalls of any year here (13), including the rod bearing, timing belt, frame weld and camera recalls, plus 909 complaints and the injector extension.
- 2017 929 complaints, the injector and keyless start extensions, and inside the 2016 to 2020 engine investigation.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
NHTSA recall 23V-751 covers certain 2016, 2018 and 2019 Pilots. A crankshaft manufacturing error can make the connecting rod bearings wear and seize, which can damage the engine, stall it, or start a fire. Dealers inspect and repair, or replace the engine as needed, free. In August 2025 NHTSA opened investigation PE 25-008 into connecting rod bearing failures in 2016 to 2020 Pilots and other Honda V6 models that are outside that recall. NHTSA says the evidence does not point to the same crankshaft defect. We found no new recall from it in the October 2026 recall data. Separately, recall 19V-298 covers certain 2018 and 2019 Pilots whose timing belt teeth may separate and stall the engine.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, listen for knocking at idle and under load, check the oil level and condition, scan for engine codes, and read the records for recall work or an engine replacement.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-751 · NHTSA ODI resume, investigation PE 25-008 (opened August 2025) · NHTSA ODI closing resume, recall query RQ 24-013 · NHTSA recall 19V-298 · NHTSA owner complaints, 2016 Honda Pilot
Honda extended coverage on the fuel injectors of certain 2016 to 2019 Pilots to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. Honda says the injectors may not have been made to spec, and debris can wear or clog them. The engine computer may also misread the sensors as a worn out catalytic converter. Signs are a check engine light with misfire, fuel trim or catalyst codes. Dealers replace the injectors, and on some 2016 and 2017 Pilots also update the software.
WE CHECK We scan for misfire, catalyst and fuel trim codes, listen for a rough idle, and work out how much of the 10 year or 150,000 mile coverage is left. We ask for records of injector replacement.
SOURCE Honda dealer message: 2016 to 2019 Pilot V6 fuel injector warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Honda service bulletin 20-100: 2016 and 2017 Pilot (on NHTSA) · Honda service bulletin 21-010: 2017 to 2019 Pilot (on NHTSA)
On Pilots with the 9-speed and idle stop, the engine may not restart by itself after it shuts off at a stop. Honda extended coverage to 10 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit: for the starter, starter relays and a valve adjustment on 2016 to 2021 models (bulletin 23-009), and for the valve adjustment on 2021 and 2022 models (bulletin 23-010). Honda also extended coverage on the push button start switch of certain 2016 and 2017 Pilots to 9 years or 125,000 miles, for a no start with a Keyless Start System Error message.
WE CHECK We let the engine auto stop and restart several times on the road test, start it with the button more than once, scan for codes, and read the records for starter or valve work.
SOURCE Honda service bulletin 23-009: idle stop restart warranty extension, 2016 to 2021 Pilot (on NHTSA) · Honda service bulletin 23-010: 2021 and 2022 Pilot (on NHTSA) · Honda owner letter: idle stop warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Honda service bulletin 20-117: 2016 and 2017 Pilot keyless start warranty extension (on NHTSA)
On certain 2016 Pilots with the 9-speed, and a small number of 2017s, the transmission fluid warmer can leak inside, so coolant and transmission fluid mix with nothing visible outside. Signs are overheating, poor shifts or a chirp on the 3 to 4 shift. Honda extended coverage on the warmer to 10 years with unlimited miles, but not for salvage or branded titles. Separately, bulletin 23-073 says 2016 to 2020 Pilots with the 6-speed can show a Transmission Temp Too Hot message under long, heavy loads because the fluid breaks down and foams. The fix is a software update and three fluid flushes.
WE CHECK We check the coolant and transmission fluid for contamination where they can be checked, road test for slipping, flares and noise on the 3 to 4 shift, watch for warning messages, and read the records for warmer or fluid work.
SOURCE Honda service bulletin 17-035: 9-speed ATF warmer warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Honda service bulletin 23-073: 2016 to 2020 Pilot transmission temp too hot (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 26V-365 covers certain 2016 to 2022 Pilots sold in certain states, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest, plus Washington DC. The rear subframe may rust at the suspension mounting points, and a rear control arm or other part can fail and cause a loss of control. Dealers will inspect the subframe, add a reinforcement kit, and repair or replace parts as needed, free. The final fix was not ready yet. Honda mailed interim letters on July 27, 2026 and expected the remedy in fall 2026.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for the open recall and where the Pilot was sold or registered, then look at the rear subframe and suspension mounts for heavy rust, flaking or cracks on a lift if one is available.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 26V-365
NHTSA recall 23V-458 covers certain 2021 and 2022 Pilots. The fastener that joins the brake booster to the master cylinder may have been put together wrong, so the master cylinder can separate and the brakes can lose function. Dealers inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as needed, free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall, look at the booster and master cylinder joint, and check pedal feel and stopping on the road test.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 23V-458
NHTSA recall 19V-784 covers certain 2019 and 2020 Pilots whose front frame upper members may not be fully welded to the body, which gives less crash protection. Dealers inspect the welds, and if any are missing, Honda offers to buy the vehicle back or replace it. Recall 21V-932 covers certain 2016 to 2019 Pilots whose hood latch striker may break off, so the hood could open while driving. Dealers repair the striker or replace the hood.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, look at the front frame area and welds under the hood, and check that the hood latches firmly on both catches.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-784 · NHTSA recall 21V-932
NHTSA recalls 16V-417 and 17V-219 cover certain 2016 Pilots whose fuel tanks may leak, which can cause a fire. Dealers replace the tank. Recall 21V-215 covers certain 2019 Pilots, and recall 23V-858 covers certain Pilots in this span, whose fuel pump may fail and stall the engine. Dealers replace the pump for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, look and smell for fuel leaks under the vehicle, and road test for stalling or hesitation.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 16V-417 · NHTSA recall 17V-219 · NHTSA recall 21V-215 · NHTSA recall 23V-858
NHTSA recalls 20V-439 and 20V-440 cover certain 2019 to 2021 Pilots. Software problems can make the gauges drop key information like oil pressure, speed and gear position, or keep the backup camera image from showing. The fix is a software update. Recall 23V-431 covers certain 2019 to 2022 Pilots with a faulty cable connector that can blank the camera image. Dealers replace the harness. Honda also covered audio popping, no sound, and Network Loss messages on 2019 and 2020 Pilots for 5 years or 60,000 miles from purchase, so on most of them that coverage has now ended.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, shift into reverse several times to test the camera, watch the gauges on startup, and listen to the speakers for popping or dropouts.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 20V-439 · NHTSA recall 20V-440 · NHTSA recall 23V-431 · Honda dealer message: MOST bus connector warranty extension (on NHTSA) · NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Honda Pilot
NHTSA recall 18V-221 covers certain 2018 Pilots whose front power seats may have bad rivets, so a seat may not stay fixed to the floor in a crash. Dealers replace the seat slide rails. Recall 24V-064 covers certain 2020 to 2022 Pilots, and recall 26V-332 expands it to certain 2017 to 2022 Pilots. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, so the air bag may not work as it should in a crash. Dealers replace the sensor for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, check that the front seats are solid with no play, and watch the passenger air bag indicator with the seat empty and with an adult in it.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-221 · NHTSA recall 24V-064 · NHTSA recall 26V-332
- Check the VIN for open recalls, especially 23V-751, 26V-365 and 23V-458.
- Listen for engine knocking cold and warm, and check the oil.
- Scan for misfire, catalyst and transmission codes.
- Let idle stop shut off and restart the engine several times.
- Road test for smooth shifts, slipping and noise on the 3 to 4 shift.
- Look at the rear subframe for rust on salt belt trucks.
- Test the backup camera, gauges and audio.
- Check the passenger air bag indicator and seat mounting.
- Proof of recall work: 23V-751 engine inspection on 2016, 2018 and 2019, and 19V-298 timing belt on 2018 and 2019.
- Any engine replacement, knocking noise, or oil consumption visits.
- Fuel injector replacement under Honda's extension on 2016 to 2019 trucks.
- Starter, relay or valve adjustment work for idle stop restart problems.
- Transmission fluid service, and any 9-speed warmer or transmission replacement on 2016 trucks.
- Timing belt and water pump service at Honda's interval, and regular oil changes.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Honda Pilot you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Does the Honda Pilot have engine problems?
Why won't my Pilot restart after idle stop?
Is there a warranty extension for Pilot fuel injectors?
Which Pilots have the 9-speed transmission problem?
What is the Pilot rear subframe recall?
Which used Pilot years are best?
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