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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-HONDA-PILOT NHTSA data synced 8 hours ago
2018 · Honda

Honda Pilot problems

423 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2018 Pilot?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
78 reports · fails ~118,650 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
71 reports · fails ~47,628 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
68 reports · fails ~52,068 mi · avg $850
moderate
fuel system
62 reports · fails ~82,118 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
body
13 reports · fails ~23,175 mi · avg $1,500
severe
cruise control
13 reports · fails ~17,282 mi · avg $600
severe
seatbelts
11 reports · avg $500
moderate
visibility
8 reports · fails ~19,623 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2018 Pilot's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2018 Pilot?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Pilot · airbags Crash
My fianc was driving to my doctor to follow up surgery, two blocks from 2 blocks from the house we approached to traffic light was on red and she was applying the brakes when we were just about at light suddenly the car accelerated girlfriend had her foot on the brake but the…
2018 Pilot · visibility
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…
2018 Pilot · fuel system
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
2018 Pilot · engine
The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the engine warning light Illuminated. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine while parking the vehicle at work. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was…
12/27/2024 · at 170,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11632749.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 423 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2018 Honda Pilot? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 18V221000 April 5, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

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.

Fix: 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.

Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA

PE Engine · opened August 2025

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE25008 on NHTSA →

EA Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine · opened March 2025

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA25004 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2018 Honda Pilot reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Honda Pilot is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2018 Honda Pilot?

The 2018 Honda Pilot is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2018 Honda Pilot?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 78 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 118,650 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 118,650 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Pilot has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Honda Pilot?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 423 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 8 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Honda/Pilot. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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