2018 Honda Pilot Safety Report
2018 HONDA PILOT Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Honda Pilot
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Honda Pilot. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (413) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Honda Pilot with 105 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Honda Pilot before buying across this generation. |
Honda Pilot Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Honda Pilot years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Honda Pilot | 810 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Honda Pilot | 850 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Honda Pilot | 444 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Honda Pilot | 1608 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Honda Pilot | 369 | 8 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Honda Pilot | 105 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Honda Pilot Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Honda Pilot, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
62 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Honda onlyFuel System, Gasoline
52 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Honda onlyUnknown Or Other
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Honda onlyPower Train
30 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Honda onlyElectrical System,Engine
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Honda onlyFuel/Propulsion System
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Honda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Honda Pilot
Reliability Score
The 2018 Honda Pilot receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Honda Pilot
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Honda Pilot
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Honda Pilot:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Hard parts internal/mechanical defects and connecting rod bearing manufacturing defects have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Fuel pump failures have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Torque converter failures and power transfer problems have been frequently reported. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seatbelts A snapped seatbelt has been reported. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Honda Pilot:
Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, including hard parts internal/mechanical defects and connecting rod bearing manufacturing defects.
Transmission issues, including torque converter failures and power transfer problems, have been frequently reported.
Fuel system problems, particularly with the fuel pump, have been noted.
A snapped seatbelt has been reported.
Recall Details for the 2018 Honda Pilot
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Honda Pilot by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Remedy: 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 ...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: 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...
Summary: 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 St...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Honda Pilot
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
HONDA PILOT 2018 87K MILES DIAGNOSED WITH DTC P0741 TORQUE CONVERTER Vehicle has experienced severe and recurring drivability issues on more than one occasion during normal driving conditions. While attempting to change lanes, the vehicle exhibited delayed acceleration and loss of power. When accelerating from a stop sign, the vehicle bucked and lagged, followed by sudden and unintended forward pr...
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be repl...
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle’s high-pressure fuel pump failed approximately one year after the low-pressure fuel pump was replaced under a manufacturer recall. The low-pressure pump had been identified as defective and replaced accordingly. Because the low-pressure pump is responsible for supplying fuel to the high-p...
Engine failure due to connecting rod bearing manufacturing defect (NHTSA PE25008). Component: engine; available for inspection upon request (replaced; documentation available). WARNING SYMPTOMS: At 94,000 miles during routine maintenance while under warranty, I reported engine knocking to the dealer. The advisor dismissed it as "normal valve noise" and did not document the complaint. Knocking pro...
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate, and the RPM became elevated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a partial diagnosis was performed, and it was determined that there was a catastrophic failure in cylinder #3. The dealer i...
This 2018 Honda Pilot has been taken to mechanic after a number of check engine and other dash lights came on while trying to accelerate to merge with freeway traffic. Mechanic pulled a P0369 code and I paid for replacement of the cam shaft sensor. Problems continued shortly after work and mechanic conducted further inspections and determined the sensor had been worn by a walking camshaft. Ther...
Driver side mirror has been vibrating since my purchase of the vehicle. Today the mirror glass has separated from the mirror housing while driving causing me to lose the ability to use this mirror. There is an open recall for the 2020-2021 production years of this vehicle for this same issue which should be extended to the include the 2016-2019 range as well.
I have taken this vehicle into the Honda dealership on five separate occasions to report a power transfer problem. I first visited the Honda dealership to report this problem on 9/2024. It hasn't been until my most recent visit on 12/18/25, that a customer service representative told me that my vehicle needed a new torque converter. It is available for inspection upon request. The first occas...
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-65 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the message "Transmission Systems Failure" was displayed on the instrument panel. In addition, the transmission downshifted unexpectedly, and a short while later shifted to normal drive and operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed ...
Whining noise during acceleration in any gear, gets louder as acceleration advances
The front passenger seatbelt snapped into 2 pieces toward the floor. It is physically impossible for that portion of the seatbelt to get caught in the door that would weaken it. The only people who are in the vehicle since we bought it new from Honda are my wife and I who are both in our 70's. The car is not abused and kids are never in it. This piece of metal should not have snapped and broke...
Issue with Power Train caused car to go into limp/survival mode. Dealer found issue with power train sensor Code, error PO 369 CMP Sensor Interruption CMP Sensor Damaged. Mileage on care was 73,048. Had to replace power train at approx $ 3,646.00.
This car has had numerous transmission issues and a documented torque converter failure. Honda extended the warranty for 2018 pilots with these failures but did not include our vin number even though it’s the sane problem. They are refusing to fix it. This is a widespread issue and they are refusing to help us even though there are known manufacturing problems. The dealer hid this problem from u...
Camera unit failure causing failure of safety systems and resultant safety issues.
While driving, the vehicle just stopped. Tried to navigate to get to side of the road, but ended up stuck in the middle of the lane, in the middle of the road. My pilot also has some sort of lock, so I could not put it in neutral to be pushed out of oncoming traffic. Tried to jump start but the battery was fine. Road side assistance took 3 hours to come and tow us. Once at a dealership, diagnostic...
All warning lights triggered on by faulty rear view camera sensor making one unable to discern if there is a true issue with one of the systems
Reporting recall for crankshaft connecting rod bearing and the fuel pump. Notified Jan. and Feb. 2024. Have called many times. "Never had the parts". "Not on the list to be called". "Recall not on list to be called". "No suitable appointment time available. Will call when they have one." Left messages. Have never gotten called! Frustrated. Almost 2 years. What do I do?? Seriously, do I need a l...
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when the vehicle was cold-started, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The knocking sound was constant. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled recently, and the check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was no longer able to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact had taken the veh...
While accelerating to merge onto the highway at 40-50 mph, the ~50K mile engine lost power and began to abruptly decelerate. All warning lights came on. The car was taken to the dealership where we were informed that the camshaft broke. Fortunately we were not struck or involved in an accident because of this but it was very dangerous and we were very lucky. There were not any warning indicators ...
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. Driving normally - no warning - vehicle shut down - dash warning lights went on after shut down. Fortunately, vehicle was through the intersection and on a side street - or this would have been a fatal accident. Towed to Honda Dealership - told engine needs to be replaced. Vehicle just out of warranty @ 106,000 miles. Have all paperwork on maintenance of vehicle - oil ch...
Showing 20 of 413 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Honda Pilot
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2024-11-08 · Closed 2025-08-20
On November 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ24013 to assess the scope of Honda recall 23V-751 after receiving complaints that alleged connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles that were not within the scope of recall 23V-751. In November 2023, Honda recalled 248,999 various Model Year (MY)2016–2020 Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine. Honda recalled these vehicles due to a crankshaft manufacturing defect that caused premature conne...
Component: Engine
Opened 2025-08-20
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the 3.5L V6 engine used in the following vehicles: Model Years (MY) 2018-2020 Acura TLX, MY2016-2020 Acura MDX, MY2016-2020 Honda Pilot, MY2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and MY2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline. The subject engine failures were analyzed as part of a Recall Query (RQ24013). It was determined that these engine failures are outside the scope of Honda Recall 23V-751. Further, evidence gathere...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2022-06-03 · Closed 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
Opened 2025-03-26
On June 3, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE22005 after the agency received VOQs and several field reports concerning the Auto Idle Stop (AIS) feature on 2016-2019MY Honda Pilot vehicles. The complaints allege that the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the AIS function engaged. The subject vehicles are equipped with a 3.5L engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On January 6, 2023, ...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Honda Pilot
Has the 2018 HONDA PILOT been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 HONDA PILOT has 5 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 HONDA PILOT have?
The 2018 HONDA PILOT has 413 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 11 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
The 2018 HONDA PILOT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 HONDA PILOT involve engine (62 complaints), fuel system, gasoline (52 complaints), unknown or other (33 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system,engine, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 HONDA PILOT have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 HONDA PILOT in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 HONDA PILOT have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 HONDA PILOT in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HONDA PILOT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
11 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HONDA PILOT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 HONDA PILOT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 HONDA PILOT is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 413 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 HONDA PILOT are: 1. ENGINE (62 complaints), 2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (52 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (33 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (30 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (23 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 62 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 HONDA PILOT?
Be cautious of engine and transmission issues, as well as fuel system and seatbelt failures. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase. The 2018 HONDA PILOT has 413 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
The 2018 HONDA PILOT receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 413 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Fuel System.
What are the known issues with the 2018 HONDA PILOT?
Known issues with the 2018 HONDA PILOT include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Transmission, Seatbelts. These are based on patterns found across 413 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Honda Pilot?
Engine and transmission issues, including hard parts internal/mechanical defects, connecting rod bearing manufacturing defects, torque converter failures, and power transfer problems.
Has the Honda Pilot had any seatbelt failures?
Yes, a snapped seatbelt has been reported.
Are there any known fuel system issues with the 2018 Honda Pilot?
Fuel pump failures have been reported.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine and transmission issues, as well as fuel system and seatbelt failures. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Honda Pilot
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Honda Pilot. The data includes 413 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 11 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Honda Pilot an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16