Service bulletin A16120B

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10099022
Published by NHTSA	2017-05-15
Manufacturer's number	A16120B
Manufacturer's date	2016-12-08
NHTSA component	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NHTSA's summary

"SERVICENEWS ARTICLE - IN A 9-SPEED A/T, THE ATF LEVEL IS CRITICAL. IF IT’S TOO HIGH, THE TRANSMISSION COULD SHIFT HARD. IF IT’S TOO LOW, THE TRANSMISSION COULD SLIP. THIS TRANSMISSION ALSO DOESN’T USE A DIPSTICK. TO CHECK THE ATF LEVEL, YOU NEED TO RUN A SPECIAL PROCEDURE. ALTHOUGH IT’S COVERED IN THE SERVICE INFORMATION, WE’RE INCLUDING IT IN THIS ARTICLE ALONG WITH SOME TIPS TO HELP ENSURE YOU’RE DOING THE JOB RIGHT."

The document

No address for NHTSA's copy can be built for this communication. Ask the dealer for it by the manufacturer's number.

Components

Transmission and driveline, Automatic transmission

Vehicles listed
HONDA PILOT	2016, 2017

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
A23-073	2023-09-13. Service bulletin. Service Bulletin - The vehicle's transmission temperature can become too hot due to automatic transmission fluid deterioration causing high foaming and low viscosity. During extended high load driving, the automatic transmission fluid will foam and cooler flow rate is reduced.
A23-078	2023-09-06. Service bulletin. Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.
ATS-151101 V2	2021-05-14. Service bulletin. Replacement TCMs don’t come with trim data. After installation, you need to run a teach-in (hydraulic pressure characteristic calibration) procedure with the HDS. The problem is that A/T DTC P287C (transmission adaptive values not learned) is set, which prevents teach-in. This happens because the TCM is programmed to look for trim data any time the ignition is cycled. If the TCM doesn’t see that trim data, it sets A/T DTC P287C. If any DTCs are set, the TCM won’t initiate teach-in and, as a result, can’t learn the trim data. It’s a classic catch-22 situation.
A21-010	2021-02-18. Service bulletin. "Service Bulletin - The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter. Additionally, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector machining process can cause internal wear or clogging inside one or more injectors. One or more of the following DTCs may be stored: - P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) - P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) - P0300-P0306 (misfire) - P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) - P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank]) American Honda is extending the warranty on these repairs to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first."
A20-100	2021-02-18. Service bulletin. "Service Bulletin - The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter. Additionally, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector machining process can cause internal wear or clogging inside one or more injectors. One or more of the following DTCs may be stored: - P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) - P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) - P0300-P0306 (misfire) - P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) - P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank]) American Honda is extending the warranty on these repairs to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first."
A20-100	2020-12-02. Service bulletin. "Service Bulletin - The PCM software may misinterpret sensor inputs as a deteriorated catalytic converter. Additionally, debris from the high pressure pump or the fuel injector machining process can cause internal wear or clogging inside one or more injectors. One or more of the following DTCs may be stored: -P0420 (rear bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 1]) -P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]) -P0300-P0306 (misfire) -P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) -P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank]) American Honda is extending the warranty on these repairs to 10 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first."
A19-072	2020-12-02. Service bulletin. "Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on with DTC P0430 (front bank catalyst system efficiency below threshold [bank 2]). Additionally, one or more of the following DTCs may also be stored: -P030X (misfire) -P219A (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 1, rear bank]) -P219B (air-fuel ratio variation of cylinder [bank 2, front bank])"
CL(KG4)-11192018	2018-12-04. Service bulletin. "Customer letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. Your Pilot previously had the transmission replaced because of a leaking 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer. As the issue was under investigation when the transmission was replaced, your vehicle needs further action before it is completely repaired."
CL(KG1)-11192018	2018-12-04. Service bulletin. "Customer letter - Our records indicate that a PRODUCT UPDATE has not been completed on this vehicle; refer to the address card for the affected VIN. The 9-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF) warmer may have been improperly manufactured and may allow the engine coolant and ATF to intermix. If the fluids mix, the engine and transmission may be permanently damaged and require replacement."
AVE02142018901	2018-02-26. Service bulletin. Dealer message - Every Service Bulletin requires you to take an HDS snap shot and use the job aid or Tech2Tech to confirm the judder/shudder is coming from the torque converter.