Owners have reported 9 crashes, 2 fires and 11 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Honda Pilot. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints72
ENGINE
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2018 Honda Pilot's engine, primarily involving the Auto Start/Stop feature, which frequently fails to restart the engine at intersections, causing the vehicle to stall. Complaints frequently mention engine seizures, often attributed to connecting rod bearing issues, with some reports indicating engine failure without warning at mileages ranging from 80,000 to over 165,000 miles. A few owners describe incidents of complete engine shutdown while driving, sometimes accompanied by warning lights, and one complaint involves a fire following a transmission overheating warning. These issues present safety risks, including the potential for accidents due to sudden loss of power or control, particularly in traffic or at high speeds. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially given the vehicle's history of recalls related to engine components.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints68
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the vehicle's Auto Start/Stop system, which often fails to restart the engine after stopping, particularly at traffic lights or stop signs. This malfunction can lead to the vehicle shutting down and requiring manual restarts, causing delays and potential safety hazards in traffic. Other common complaints involve the infotainment system, with the rearview camera and screen intermittently failing to function, impacting visibility and parking safety. These issues are typically reported around 60,000 to 94,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash due to the vehicle rolling backward unexpectedly, highlighting a potential safety risk. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring electrical system problems and their implications for safety and reliability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints66
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving the torque converter and transmission. Common symptoms include transmission hesitation, jerking during acceleration, and unexpected loss of power, often accompanied by warning lights such as "Transmission System Problem" and "Check Engine." These issues are typically reported at varying mileages, with some occurring as early as 35,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with some owners experiencing sudden loss of acceleration or engine shutdown in traffic, posing potential risks during highway driving or turning maneuvers. Despite a service bulletin acknowledging a torque converter defect, some owners report difficulty obtaining repairs under warranty, particularly if their vehicle's VIN is not included in Honda's warranty extension.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints61
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report issues with the fuel system in the 2018 Honda Pilot primarily involving delayed recall repairs, with many noting the unavailability of necessary parts for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000. Complaints frequently mention engine hesitation, stalling, and difficulty starting the vehicle, often accompanied by a decrease in fuel efficiency. These symptoms are typically reported at mileages ranging from approximately 40,000 to 72,100 miles. Safety implications include instances where vehicles decelerate abruptly, potentially leading to near-crash situations. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring fuel system issues and the potential for delayed recall resolutions.
Owner complaints47
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the vehicle's start/stop feature, which can cause the engine to stall when restarting from an idle, posing a potential safety risk at intersections. Complaints also highlight problems with the fuel pump, leading to hesitation, stalling, and a rocking sensation while driving, often linked to delayed recall repairs. Transmission issues, including overheating and torque converter problems, are mentioned, with some reports indicating these arise around 40,000 to 50,000 miles. Additionally, one report involves a fire incident without prior warning signs. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly in scenarios requiring immediate acceleration or during long trips.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the vehicle speed control, particularly involving delayed acceleration and sudden unintended acceleration (SUA). Typical symptoms include a 3-5 second delay in acceleration from a stop, sometimes followed by a sudden surge, and instances where the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while braking, leading to crashes in three cases. These issues often occur shortly after purchase and persist over time, with some reports indicating the problems are more prevalent in stop-and-go traffic. Safety implications are significant, as these malfunctions have resulted in crashes, one of which involved an injury. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these reported issues and their potential impact on driving safety.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints13
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with the hood vibrating or shaking, particularly at highway speeds, with some noting that the hood appears to rise or nearly blow open when passing other vehicles. This problem is often linked to a recall for the hood latch, and some owners express concerns about safety, especially when driving with family. Additionally, multiple owners describe incidents of the sunroof unexpectedly shattering while driving, often at speeds around 60-65 mph, with no apparent external cause. Complaints also mention poor paint finish on the tailgate and issues with door seals allowing excessive wind noise. Safety implications include one reported crash with an injury due to sudden acceleration when parking. These issues typically manifest at various mileage points, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others around 30,000 miles.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
SEAT BELTS
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with seat belts, particularly noting that the driver's side seat belt is shorter than the passenger's side, which restricts movement and impedes the ability to check blind spots. This issue is described as causing discomfort and potential safety hazards, especially in situations requiring quick or broad movements. Additionally, some owners have experienced seat belt failures such as snapping or fraying, with one report of a seat belt detaching from its anchor. These issues are mentioned at various timelines, including shortly after purchase, and pose potential safety risks due to restricted driver mobility and compromised seat belt integrity.
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot frequently report issues with airbag deployment during accidents, with all three complaints involving crashes and a total of six injuries. Typical symptoms include airbag warning lights appearing on the dashboard after collisions, and in some cases, airbags failing to deploy entirely. These incidents often occur at relatively low speeds, such as 10 to 30 mph, and are associated with vehicle malfunctions like unintended acceleration and sensor failures. The reported mileage at which these issues occur is around 26,000 miles. Buyers considering a used 2018 Honda Pilot should be aware of these potential safety implications, particularly regarding airbag reliability in crash scenarios.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 6 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Honda Pilot report issues related to unintended acceleration while using the service brakes. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle accelerating independently when the brake pedal is depressed, with one incident involving cruise control and another occurring during reversing maneuvers. These issues have led to a loss of control, with one report detailing a crash into a pole, resulting in one injury. The problems are reported around the 35,000-mile mark. Potential buyers should be aware of these safety implications, including the risk of crashes and difficulties in stopping the vehicle.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
