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#BS-2018-HONPIL-40CD2018 Honda PilotProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 656 owners and 7 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 656 complaints, 15 crashes, 2 fires, and 7 recalls.
Top reported problems
wont turn over start dash icons flash
4 complaints • Severity 7/10
driver side seat belt is too short
2 complaints • Severity 7/10
shift flair transmission slipping
2 complaints • Severity 10/10
transmission jerks from 1st to 2nd
2 complaints • Severity 4/10
transmission jerks when accelerating slowly
2 complaints • Severity 5/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
163 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 50K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (60 reports) • Median: 50K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (163 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2018 Honda Pilot: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2018 Honda Pilot, with 163 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 50,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 50K-mile mark.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 19% of all reports filed for the 2018 Honda Pilot, with 125 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2018 Honda Pilot, with 82 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2018 Honda Pilot, with 75 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2018 Honda Pilot. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (7 recalls)
SEATS
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."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
+ 2 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2018 Honda Pilot NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)
2 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR
Engine failure
ENGINE
Engine failure
ENGINE
The worst model year for the Honda Pilot is the 2003 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2018 Honda Pilot vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
656
Class avg
443
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles from 2018.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 656 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 7 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Honda Pilot Model Years
View all Honda Pilot years →2018 Honda Pilot: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2018 Honda Pilot Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 656 owner reports. Know before you buy.