NHTSA Complaint #11471379 — 2016 HONDA PILOT

The engine's auto idle stop-start system malfunctions intermittently and unexpectedly when stopped at traffic lights, intersections and other roadway stops. The engines shuts down after a normal idling stop, but instead of restarting when the brake is released and the accelerator is pressed to proceed the car remains shutdown and will not restart automatically to proceed out of the intersection or stopped position. There is NO warning of the impending failure to restart - when the brake is released and the vehicle should restart > Annunciator panel then illuminates to an engine off status, the engine remains off/stalled > the car must be put into 'Park', the Brake depressed and a manual restart attempted, all while disoriented and sitting stationary with traffic moving around the vehicle. This is extremely dangerous and completely non anticipatable. The vehicles engine will not restart without multiple cycles/attempts, often with as many as 6 tries or more - taking many minutes while other traffic attempts to maneuver around the vehicle. This has been present with the vehicle since 16,280 miles, now 53,000 miles(6yrs). Multiple Honda Pilot owners have reported this dangerous issue, Honda is aware, the safety concerns of Pilot owners are apparently being ignored by Honda without an effective investigation/engineered solution. I've taken the vehicle to Honda dealership multiple times and told there is no standard/effective 'fix' which has been communicated by Honda to their service centers for this issue - and any attempts to remedy it by replacing the battery, ignition switch or starter has been reported at best as temporary - Dealer service centers refuse to guarantee any remedy attempts or provide any warranty on repair attempts - that any attempt to fix the issue is at the owners expense and risk. This needs to be investigated as a very significant safety issue leaving vehicles full of occupants disoriented/stalled in busy intersections/roadways.