2016–2022 3rd generation (YF5/YF6)

2016–2022 Honda Pilot Common Problems and Years to Avoid

5 documented problems with the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 3 carry a recall or TSB number.

Last verifiedAugust 21, 2026

Quick answer

We have 5 documented problems on record for the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot, of which 2 are serious and 3 carry a recall or service bulletin. Every one below lists symptoms, the years most affected, and what the repair typically costs.

2016–2022 Honda Pilot recalls and service bulletins

Recall / TSB	Issue	Severity
Honda TSBs 16-060, 17-025, 17-026, 17-043, 17-044 (torque-converter judder / transmission fluid); TSB 20-029 (2020 Touring/Elite-specific)	9-speed automatic (ZF-sourced) judder, harsh shifts, and hesitation	moderate
NHTSA 26V-367	Rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall	major
NHTSA 23V-858 (2015–2020 production); NHTSA 20V-314, expanded 21V-215 (2020–2022 Pilot/Passport)	Fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns	major

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.

9-speed automatic (ZF-sourced) judder, harsh shifts, and hesitation

moderate

EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims with the 9-speed automatic (built by ZF, not Honda) are the most-reported drivetrain complaint of this generation: a shudder/judder felt between roughly 20–60 mph, harsh or delayed shifts, and occasional hesitation from a stop. Honda issued a string of TSBs addressing torque-converter lock-up clutch judder and deteriorated transmission fluid as root causes, including software (valve body/TCM) reflashes and, on some units, a transmission fluid change as part of the fix. The 6-speed on LX/EX largely avoided this reputation, though a smaller number of judder complaints and TSBs exist for it too.

Most affected: 2016–2020 (most complaints/TSBs); some 2020 Touring/Elite units addressed under a later-specific bulletinTypical cost: Free under warranty (software update ± fluid change); $200–$400 for an independent-shop transmission fluid service if paying out of pocketRecall/TSB: Honda TSBs 16-060, 17-025, 17-026, 17-043, 17-044 (torque-converter judder / transmission fluid); TSB 20-029 (2020 Touring/Elite-specific)

Rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall

major

Honda recalled roughly 880,000 vehicles in June 2026, including 2016–2022 Pilot, along with related Ridgeline, Passport, and Acura MDX models, because the rear subframe can corrode at the points where the rear suspension mounts to it, allowing the rear suspension to fail. Honda estimates only about 1% of affected vehicles actually have the defect, concentrated in road-salt states. Dealers inspect the subframe and either install a reinforcement kit or repair/replace the subframe as needed, free of charge. Run your VIN even if the vehicle looks and drives fine, corrosion isn't always visible from underneath.

Most affected: 2016–2022Typical cost: Free under recallRecall/TSB: NHTSA 26V-367

Fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns

major

Two unrelated fuel-pump defects were recalled on this generation. First, a Denso-supplied low-pressure fuel pump whose impeller can swell and cause stalling or hard starts, recalled under NHTSA 20V-314 and expanded under 21V-215 to cover 2020–2022 Pilot and Passport. Second, a broader in-tank fuel pump defect (module may fail and cause the engine to stall while driving) covered 2015–2020 Pilot production under NHTSA 23V-858, with owner notification letters mailed as late as September 2024, if you own an affected model check your VIN, as many cars in this recall wave remain unrepaired years after the campaign opened. Both remedies are a free fuel pump/module replacement at any Honda dealer.

Most affected: 2016–2020 (23V-858); 2020–2022 (20V-314/21V-215)Typical cost: Free under recallRecall/TSB: NHTSA 23V-858 (2015–2020 production); NHTSA 20V-314, expanded 21V-215 (2020–2022 Pilot/Passport)

A/C compressor and condenser failures ('black death' oil contamination)

moderate

A/C compressor failures are a widely reported and expensive complaint on this generation, owners describe warm air from the vents, sometimes preceded by a failing compressor clutch or relay, and sometimes progressing to a catastrophic compressor failure that contaminates the entire A/C system with metal debris and black sludge ('black death'), requiring a full system flush plus compressor, condenser, and drier replacement. Checking the compressor clutch relay first is a cheap diagnostic step before condemning the compressor.

Most affected: 2016–2022Typical cost: $400–$700 for an isolated condenser; $2,000–$4,700 for a full system replacement after a contaminated compressor failure

Third-row seatbelt assembly / positioning (2016 only, small recall)

minor

Honda voluntarily recalled fewer than 1,700 early-production 2016 Pilots because the third-row seatbelt could become trapped between the seatback and the rear sideliner trim during assembly, potentially interfering with proper seatbelt function in a crash. Dealers inspect and reposition the belt at no cost. No injuries were reported and the affected population is small. Check your VIN if you own an early 2016 model.

Most affected: 2016 (early production only)Typical cost: Free under recall

Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.

Which Honda Pilot model years does this cover?

These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Honda Pilot built from 2016 through 2022 — the 3rd generation (YF5/YF6), 3-row mid-size suv (fwd or i-vtm4 awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.

2016 Pilot 2017 Pilot 2018 Pilot 2019 Pilot 2020 Pilot 2021 Pilot 2022 Pilot

What changed during the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot

2016Full redesign: J35Y6 V6 (280 hp), 6-speed standard on LX/EX, new 9-speed on EX-L/Touring/Elite, Honda Sensing available
2017Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration added
2018Carries over unchanged
2019Mid-cycle refresh: revised styling, idle-stop (auto start-stop) added to 9-speed trims (requires AGM battery), Honda Sensing standard across the lineup
2020Black Edition trim added, with exclusive exterior and interior styling
2022Final year of the 3rd generation; Special Edition trim on 18-in wheels

2016–2022 Honda Pilot problems and recalls: common questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot?: The recurring ones are: 9-speed automatic (zf-sourced) judder, harsh shifts, and hesitation; rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall; fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns; a/c compressor and condenser failures ('black death' oil contamination); third-row seatbelt assembly / positioning (2016 only, small recall). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2016–2022 Honda Pilot years should you avoid?: The years to be most careful with are those affected by rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall (2016–2022) and fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns (2016–2020 (23V-858); 2020–2022 (20V-314/21V-215)). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2016–2022 Honda Pilot?: 3 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: Honda TSBs 16-060, 17-025, 17-026, 17-043, 17-044 (torque-converter judder / transmission fluid); TSB 20-029 (2020 Touring/Elite-specific) (9-speed automatic (zf-sourced) judder, harsh shifts, and hesitation), NHTSA 26V-367 (rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall), NHTSA 23V-858 (2015–2020 production); NHTSA 20V-314, expanded 21V-215 (2020–2022 Pilot/Passport) (fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2016–2022 Honda Pilot repairs typically cost?: Typical figures for the issues above: 9-speed automatic (zf-sourced) judder, harsh shifts, and hesitation, Free under warranty (software update ± fluid change); $200–$400 for an independent-shop transmission fluid service if paying out of pocket; rear subframe corrosion, 2026 recall, Free under recall; fuel pump failures, two separate recall campaigns, Free under recall; a/c compressor and condenser failures ('black death' oil contamination), $400–$700 for an isolated condenser; $2,000–$4,700 for a full system replacement after a contaminated compressor failure.

Sources

Other Honda Pilot generations

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