2018 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 440 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 9 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, frame and membersJun 4, 2026
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Campaign 26V365000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classification, front passengerMay 21, 2026
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Campaign 26V332000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalNov 13, 2023
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Campaign 23V751000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hoodNov 29, 2021
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Campaign 21V932000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, gasoline, belts and associated pulleysApr 12, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Campaign 19V298000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsApr 5, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
Campaign 18V221000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
162 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 12, 2021
I was driving my kids to school when I stopped at the school intersection. I go to press on the accelerator as I normally would and it would not drive, so I pressed on it a little harder as I was turning left since there were cars approaching. My vehicle suddenly jolted, making myself and the kids shift/jump from the force. I then proceeded driving down the road and let go of the accelerator, and my SUV suddenly started to feel like it was slowing itself down instantaneously. It felt like it was trying to make the vehicle's speed go down to 0. I then pressed on the accelerator again to prevent it from happening, but it continued to do so whenever I let go. I had to stop at the school's parking lot and turn off the SUV completely. When I turned it on again and began to drive, it was functioning normally. Since then, it has happened about 3 or 4 times, 1 of which happened on the expressway, which was way scarier. I had to get out of the expressway as it was dangerous. Just yesterday, I had a separate issue with the SUV that may seem related in retrospect. My SUV did not want to turn on. I experienced all of the dashboard lights flickering, and being unable to start it. It was not the battery because at some times, the radio would turn on, the lights, and the windows/locks would function normally. I was unable to get the vehicle to go to neutral, or anything then on. When the lights were not flickering, it presented me with the smart entry system light problem. Soon after, all the lights on my dashboard turned on and stated there were air bag problem, brake problem, abs problem, and etc... My vehicle is currently being looked at.
Engine, Sep 24, 2021
around 30k miles the keyless system degrades. Car won't start, says key is not present. afraid of getting stranded somewhere. forum shows MANY people having this issue, I believe a recall for this is needed. Problem seems to just get worse and worse over time. happens with both key fobs, replaced batteries no difference. https://www.piloteers.org/threads/keyless-start-system-problem-error.142385/
Engine, Aug 30, 2021
I have been experiencing issues with the auto engine idle stop feature. The electrical system (radio & blue tooth) cut off and on when the auto engine idle stop tries to start again. There have even been several instances of the car cutting off completely and having to be restarted. This is very unsafe. One of the instances of the car cutting off occurred in traffic as we stopped and then started moving again. There were several people in the car at the time. The dealer has not been able to recreate the issue.
Engine, Jul 27, 2021
"Idle Stop System" fails to successfully restart the engine and results in a stall. Safety is put at risk as the car becomes immobilized at a traffic intersection, red lights, middle of the highway. Anywhere that you came to a complete stop and were not able to get the vehicle to reengage. I have not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer, this issue has happened multiple times and has also been very well documented by others on the internet https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/pilot/car-stall-problems.php https://www.piloteers.org/threads/elite-shuts-off-at-stop-light.157005/ The vehicle has not been inspected at this time No warning lamps or symptoms appear prior. When you lift your foot off the brake pedal the vehicle stalls and you are unable to drive the vehicle
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 1, 2021
Push start does not work, says wireless key issue. Car does not start up (crank) and it does not turn completely off (it's stuck in start/ignition on, car is not running). Alarm would randomly discharge and have to relock the car, but would go off again. The ignition would flicker on and off constantly draining the battery. Doors would eventually unlock and stay unlock.
Power train, Engine, May 26, 2021
There is a noticeable 'Chirp' Noise when taking curves when i slow for the curve and accelerate out of the curve. Yes, it is available to be inspected. Had this in my 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD and we had to replace the entire transmission due to failure with the gears. Unsure if will be a risk other than being stranded somewhere if it fails. No police. No system errors or warnings.
Engine, May 24, 2021
When my vehicle has the auto idle stop feature turned on, there are several times when I have been sitting at a stop light or in a median waiting to pull across or merge into traffic, and this feature engages and when you take your foot off the brake and the engine is supposed to auto restart, the engine stops completely instead and shifts itself into neutral which requires you to have to put vehicle in park and completely restart the whole car. Has been happening several times in the last year. I have taken it in to have the battery checked and it checks fine. The car is not throwing any codes. This can be particularly dangerous when you are in a median trying to pull across a busy Highway as your car just completely dies on you. Also a problem when you are at a red light and it turns green and everyone starts rolling and your car completely dies, this increases your chance of being rear-ended. If I manually turn the auto idle stop feature off when I initially turn the car on, this problem does not happen...... but this is every easy to forget as this is an automatic feature when your car is initially started..
Engine, May 20, 2021
The auto engine idle feature engaged at a stop light as usual. When I moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator, the car shut off, shifted into neutral and would not start. This was on a major highway. It took several minutes to start again, while I was stalled in dangerous traffic.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2020
AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING I EXITED AND STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. I BELIEVE MY CAR WENT INTO THE ENGINE STOP MODE WHERE IT TURNS OFF THE ENGINE TO SAVE GAS. IT DID NOT RESTART AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR TOLD ME TO PUT IT INTO PARK, SO I DID. I TOUCHED THE CAR START BUTTON AND IT WOULD NOT START IT KEPT REPORTING AN ERROR ON THE SCREEN. I PANIC'D BECAUSE MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR AND THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WITH CARS COMING FROM BEHIND VERY QUICKLY I KEPT PRESSING THE BUTTON GET THE CAR TO START BUT IT WOULD NOT. IT KEPT REPORTING ERRORS. FINALLY,AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THE HONDA LOGO SHOWED ON THE SCREEN INDICATING THE CAR WAS EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING AND THE CAR STARTED AFTER THAT. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY CAR. RELATED: I'VE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THAT THE CAR ENGAGES THE ENGINE STOP FEATURE FAR TOO QUICKLY, LITERALLY WITHIN A SECOND OF COMING TO A STOP, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU MAY JUST BE STOPPING QUICKLY AT A STOP SIGN OR EXIT WHERE YOU'RE REQUIRED TO STOP. THE CAR CUTS OUT AND IT TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO GET ACCELERATION. AFTER REPORTING THIS TO HONDA DIRECTLY THEY DECLINED TO CHANGE THE FEATURE TO BE FULLY DISABABLE AND I'VE SINCE GOTTEN INTO A COUPLE OF SITUATIONS WHERE I NEED TO GO, BUT MY CAR WAS IN THE STOPPED MODE B/C I COME TO FULL STOPS AT STOP SIGNS, APPARENTLY UNLIKE HONDA'S TESTERS. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY ENABLE ON ELITE MODELS OF THE PILOT AND IS FAULTY, IT IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS A FULL REVIEW. AS SOMEONE WHO WAS ALSO IMPACTED BY THE SATURN IGNITION SWITCH INCIDENT THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 24, 2020
CAR STARTS TO STALL WHEN ACCELERATING AND WHEN I LET GO OF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. *TR
Engine, Mar 10, 2020
THE VEHICLE WOULD "STALL OUT" AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN WHEN I WAS IN "AUTO IDLE-STOP" AND PRESSED ON THE GAS. I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE AUTO IDLE-STOP WAS HESITATING WHEN IT WOULD START UP. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE RADIO WOULD "CUT OUT". AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST STALL OUT AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUSH PARK, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN PUSH START. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 28, 2018
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT IN "DRIVE" WITH THE AUTO-IDLE FEATURE IN USE. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START WHEN FOOT TAKEN OFF BRAKE. RADIO CUT OUT BRIEFLY AS WELL. DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH MANY ERROR MESSAGES - ONE OF THEM WAS "COLLISION MITIGATION PROBLEM" OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED START BUTTON NUMEROUS TIMES. ONLY GOT CLICKING SOUNDS, WITH OCCASIONAL ENGINE TURNOVER NOISE, BUT IT WOULDN'T START. TURNED OFF A/C AND RADIO. CAR FINALLY STARTED AFTER SEVERAL MORE MINUTES OF PUSHING START BUTTON WHILE IN PARK WITH FOOT ON BRAKE.