Vehicle Summary
Highlights
Mileage
168,159
Ext. Color
Crystal Black Pearl
Int. Color
Black leather
Engine
gas
Transmission
automatic
Drivetrain
front wheel drive
MPG
19/27 City/Hwy MPGBased on model year EPA mileage ratings for a standardly equipped Pilot. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition and other factors.
22 Combined MPG
Horsepower
280 hp
Max Towing Capacity
3,500 lbs
Seats
8Based on default model values and available option information. Contact dealer to confirm.
VIN
5FNYF5H64GB015314
How to Inspect a Used 2016 Honda Pilot EX
Before You Buy: A Technician-Approved
Checklist
The 2016 Honda Pilot EX is one of the more honest used SUV values in the East Bay right now. Proven V6, eight seats, solid cargo room, and enough technology to feel current without the complexity of newer platforms. The problem isn’t the vehicle. The problem is buying one blind.
Private sellers skip inspections. Listings omit service history. Recall status goes unchecked. Buyers end up inheriting someone else’s deferred maintenance at full asking price. This article fixes that. By the end, you’ll know exactly what the 2016 Honda Pilot EX trim includes, what it should cost by mileage band, which specific issues to watch for, and how to run a technician-approved inspection before you hand over a dollar.
2016 Honda Pilot EX specs and features
The EX is the first trim worth taking seriously. It sits above the base LX and makes a meaningful jump in features without tipping into the EX-L’s premium pricing. Know what’s standard before you evaluate any specific vehicle.
Under the hood, every 2016 Honda Pilot EX runs a 3.5-liter V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. That’s not the 9-speed found in the Touring and Elite trims, which had different transmission behavior and different service bulletins. The EX came in FWD or AWD. FWD returns an EPA-estimated 19 city and 27 highway mpg; AWD drops slightly to 18 city and 26 highway. Eight-passenger seating is standard, with 16.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row and up to 83.9 cubic feet with both rows folded.
Over the base LX, the EX adds a meaningful list of daily-use features: a power moonroof, a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, remote engine start, and Smart Entry. Infotainment jumps to an 8-inch touchscreen with HondaLink, and you get the Honda LaneWatch camera on the passenger-side mirror. Fog lights, LED daytime running lights, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines round out the upgrade. These are the features most buyers actually use every day.
EX vs. EX-L: know the line before you negotiate
Many buyers overpay for an EX listed as something it isn’t, or miss a genuine EX-L deal because they don’t know what separates the two. The trim gap is real, but it may not matter to you.
The EX-L adds leather-trimmed seating, heated front and second-row outboard seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power tailgate, one-touch second-row fold, and a 4-way power passenger seat. You also get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, front and rear parking sensors, and SiriusXM radio. Those are legitimate comfort upgrades for buyers who want them.
But the EX-L commands a $2,000 to $4,000 premium in the used market. For most Bay Area buyers prioritizing function over luxury, that gap rarely pays off. Cloth interiors hold up better than leather at 80,000 miles in a family SUV. The EX has the tech, the space, and the safety features that matter daily. The EX-L adds refinement. Decide what you’re actually paying for before you walk onto any lot.
What a used 2016 Honda Pilot EX should cost in the Bay Area
Pricing is where buyers get burned most. Sellers use book values that don’t account for mileage bands, drivetrain, or condition history. Here’s what the market actually supports right now for a used 2016 Honda Pilot EX for sale in the Bay Area.
- Under 50,000 miles:Asking prices typically run $22,000 to $24,000, with trade-in values around $13,000 to $15,000.
- 50,000 to 100,000 miles:Asking prices land between $16,000 and $20,000, with trade-ins around $10,000 to $12,500.
- Above 100,000 miles:Asking prices sit at $13,000 to $15,000, with trade-ins typically coming in at $7,500 to $9,500.
Kelley Blue Book pegs EX resale value near $12,950, with condition-based trade-in estimates ranging from $7,665 to $9,340. Those figures shift based on three factors: AWD adds roughly $500 to $1,500 over an equivalent FWD unit; a clean title, complete service records, and single-owner history can justify the top of any range; accident history, missing timing belt records, or deferred maintenance on major systems should push you to the bottom of that band, or to a different vehicle entirely. Don’t pay top-of-band prices for a vehicle with incomplete paperwork.
One more data point worth knowing: a comparable 2017 Pilot EX asks roughly $2,000 to $2,500 more in Bay Area listings. The 2016 is the stronger price-oriented choice unless the 2017 unit has substantially fewer miles or a better maintenance record.
Recalls and reliability issues every buyer needs to check
The 2016 Pilot has a solid reputation overall. But this model year carries specific recalls and service bulletins that matter at the point of purchase. Running a VIN check before you commit is not optional.
Open recalls to verify by VIN
Four recalls apply to the 2016 Honda Pilot EX and deserve your attention before making an offer:
- Connecting-rod bearing failure:Premature bearing wear can lead to engine seizure. This is the most serious recall on the list.
- Fuel-pump failure:The defect causes hard starts, stalling, or no-start conditions.
- Hood-latch striker fracture:A direct safety hazard that should be resolved before the vehicle changes hands.
- Rear subframe corrosion:Primarily affects vehicles registered in northern and eastern states, but check any California car with documented out-of-state history.
Honda dealers perform open recall repairs at no charge. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup before you make an offer.
Service bulletins worth knowing
Beyond recalls, four service bulletins deserve attention on any 2016 Honda Pilot EX:
- Transmission shudder (20, 60 mph):The most widely reported complaint. This is a torque converter lockup issue addressed in bulletin 17-014 through a software update and transmission fluid flush, typically costing $290 to $400 at a dealer.
- Fuel injector misfires:Causes rough idle and check-engine codes P219A/B or P0300 through P0306, covered under bulletin 20-100.
- AC condenser refrigerant leak:Produces weak or absent cooling, addressed in bulletin 18-080.
- High-pressure fuel pump chirp and timing belt area noise:Covered under bulletins 16-013 and 16-054.
A seller who’s unaware of any of these issues hasn’t been paying attention.
2016 Honda Pilot EX pre-purchase inspection checklist
This is what a certified technician runs through before clearing a used Pilot for sale. Work through it yourself, or bring someone who will. Most of these issues are visible once you know where to look.
Under-hood inspection
The 3.5-liter V6 uses a timing belt, not a chain. If replacement records are missing and the odometer is near or past 105,000 miles or seven years of age, budget $1,700 to $2,600 for the service in California, you’ll need it soon. Check for oil leaks around the valve covers and lower engine. Look for active engine mount deterioration: excessive vibration or clunks at idle are a sign the mounts are going. On AWD models, inspect the rear differential connector for corrosion and check the rear subframe mounting points carefully. Watch for any AWD warning lights during a cold start before the system warms up.
Test drive and systems check
The test drive tells you what the visual inspection can’t. Start the vehicle cold and drive it until fully warmed. Watch for transmission shudder between 20 and 60 mph under light acceleration, that’s the bulletin 17-014 symptom, and it factors directly into your negotiation if present. Run an OBD-II scan even if no check-engine light is on; pending misfire codes or air-fuel imbalance codes like P219A/B can hide before they trigger the warning light. Confirm the AC blows cold throughout the entire drive. Weak output is the first sign of the known condenser leak. Before you leave, verify that remote start, the LaneWatch camera, the moonroof, and all three climate zones work.
Problems you find during inspection are negotiating points. Problems you miss are your expense after purchase.
Ownership costs and where to find an inspected 2016 Honda Pilot EX locally
Budget both the purchase and the ongoing ownership before you sign anything. A well-maintained 2016 Pilot EX runs about $450 to $825 per year in standard maintenance and common repairs, roughly $75 per month as a practical floor. If the vehicle is past 100,000 miles or approaching major services including tires, brakes, timing belt, or suspension work, budget closer to $100 to $125 per month. Fuel cost is straightforward at roughly 22 combined mpg on regular unleaded. Insurance in the Bay Area for this model typically runs $2,500 to $4,000 annually for full coverage, depending on your driver profile, ZIP code, and coverage limits.
At Dream Auto Used Cars in Alameda, every Pilot that comes through the lot goes through a certified technician inspection before it gets listed. The checklist above is already completed before you ever schedule a test drive. Financing is available across a range of credit situations, you get real payment numbers upfront, not at the end of a drawn-out back-and-forth. East Bay buyers who’d rather not rearrange their schedule around a pickup can take advantage of home delivery. Reach out directly to ask about current 2016 Honda Pilot EX inventory and financing options.
Buy with your eyes open
The 2016 Honda Pilot EX is a capable, well-engineered SUV when the maintenance history is clean and the open recalls are resolved. The risk isn’t the vehicle. It’s buying one without doing the homework first.
Know the trim so you’re not paying for features that aren’t there. Know the price band so you’re not overpaying on mileage. Run the VIN before you commit. Drive it cold and warm. Scan for codes. Check the timing belt history. If those steps uncover problems, use them at the table or walk away. If they don’t, you’ve got a solid three-row SUV at a fair price, and you bought it right.
Frequently asked questions about the 2016 Honda Pilot EX
Is the timing belt due on a 2016 Honda Pilot EX?
The 2016 Pilot EX uses a timing belt with a recommended replacement interval of 105,000 miles or seven years, whichever comes first. Always ask for documented replacement records. If they’re missing and the vehicle is at or near that threshold, factor $1,700 to $2,600 into your offer.
What recall checks should I run on a used 2016 Honda Pilot AWD?
Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall database before any offer. The four active recalls to verify are connecting-rod bearing failure, fuel-pump failure, hood-latch striker fracture, and rear subframe corrosion. Honda dealers complete all open recall repairs at no cost to you.
How does the 2016 Pilot EX price compare to the EX-L?
Expect to pay $2,000 to $4,000 more for a comparable EX-L in the Bay Area used market. The EX-L adds leather seating, heated seats, a power tailgate, and parking sensors, useful upgrades, but not essential for most buyers. If those features matter to you, verify the trim before you pay for it.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.