# Honda Pilot oil pressure warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 22 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (14) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 22 owner complaints about the oil pressure warning light on the Honda Pilot (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (14). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: No. ## Honda Pilot oil pressure warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the oil pressure light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2016 | 14 | 1725 | 1% | | 2017 | 6 | 938 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 442 | 0% | | 2020 | 1 | 494 | 0% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot oil pressure warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Honda Pilot has 34 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Honda Pilot page](/vehicles/honda-pilot) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Honda Pilot owners report - "We were driving down [XXX] in Columbus, Ohio and the cars started to lose power and felt a explosion or slip, right after all the dash board warning lights came on and oil light stating no oil, as I pulled over you could see tire width of oil 1/2 mile down the interstate and showing where I pulled and engine has..." -- owner of a 2020 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2025 - "As we did so, a Low Oil Pressure light came on for a few seconds and then we heard a loud bang and then very loud, rhythmic, clanking noises in the engine as it was losing power. The first mechanic shop we had it towed to diagnosed engine failure, so we had it towed to a Honda Service shop 30 miles away. They said..." -- owner of a 2018 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 - "knocking noise from engine, oil light, blinking CEL, no acceleration, vehicle stalled. Brought to mechanic, from noise he said it sounds like a rod knocking and advised to contact Honda because on known issues." -- owner of a 2017 Honda Pilot, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the oil pressure warning light means The red oil pressure light means oil pressure has dropped too low to protect the engine. The most common cause is a low oil level, but a failing pressure sensor, a worn oil pump, or a clogged pickup can also do it. Pull over and shut the engine off as soon as it is safe; running without oil pressure can destroy the engine in minutes. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low oil level** (most common) 2. **Failing oil pressure sensor or switch** (common) 3. **Wrong or very old oil** (less common) 4. **Clogged oil pickup or failing oil pump** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Oil pressure warning light](/warning-lights/oil-pressure). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Honda Pilot oil pressure light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Honda Pilot years have the most oil pressure light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Pilot model years have the most complaints mentioning the oil pressure warning light, with 14 for 2016. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Honda Pilot with the oil pressure light on? Stop driving. No. Stop driving as soon as it is safe and shut off the engine. Only drive again if adding oil turns the light off immediately and the engine sounds normal; otherwise have it towed. ### How do I check if my Honda Pilot has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Honda dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Honda Pilot warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-pilot): 10 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-pilot): 27 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/honda-pilot): 32 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/honda-pilot): 357 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/honda-pilot): 46 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-pilot): 108 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/honda-pilot): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/honda-pilot): 24 complaints ## Oil pressure warning light on other models - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-santa-fe): 175 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-sonata): 168 complaints - [Kia K5](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Jeep Compass](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-compass): 100 complaints - [Kia Sportage](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-elantra): 72 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/jeep-cherokee): 64 complaints ## Honda Pilot - [Honda Pilot specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/honda-pilot) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/honda-pilot Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.