In July 2024 I bought a 2016 Honda Pilot, at Carmax, with 63,000 miles, today November 2025 it has 83,000 mile.
It over heats ONLY when I turn on the Air conditioner in slow traffic or a drive through. I've taken it to Carmax 3 times in the last forty days to address the problem, CarMax has even taken the car to a Honda dealer which replaced fuel injector #4.
Carmax even replaced the catalytic converter.
The last visit Carmax replaced the radiator cap. The coolant levels would drop.
Question: Are 2016 Honda Pilots lemons?
What can be a possible problem?
Cooling System, water pump, thermostat?
The fans turn on, no overheating with No A/C.
Please advise, thank you
Bernardo Hernandez
In San Bernardino, CA
If your coolant level is dropping you're either leaking or burning it. A stopped up catalytic converter can cause overheating, but new ones wouldn't.. I'd pressure test the cooling system and add some dye in the radiator,, see if the head gasket's going out.Carmax even replaced the catalytic converter. / The last visit Carmax replaced the radiator cap. The coolant levels would drop.
Check this out and see if it helps. I would take it back and get something else and have it checked by a mechanic before purchase.
https://autotrends.org/car-overheats-when-ac-is-on-symptoms-causes-fix/
I would first make sure your not losing coolant with the car off and cold remove the radiator cap the coolant should be at the very top. If its not you need to have the system bled and pressure checked... Then I would look at the fans the condenser fan is two speed make sure it operates on high when the car seems to be overheating and make sure both fans are on when the AC is on.. If this does not correct the issue I would replace the radiator however its unusual for a Honda radiator to be blocked in 10 years...
