Complaint volume
421 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Honda Pilot Complaints
421 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Honda Pilot, grouped by component category.
421 Total complaints
9 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
8 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 9 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 8 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 104 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 57,848 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Honda Pilot?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Honda Pilot
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Honda Pilot complaints?
9 Crash
2 Fire
8 Injury
0 Fatality
18 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Honda Pilot complaint categories?
ENGINE 62
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 53
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 35
POWER TRAIN 31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19
SEAT BELTS 11
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 10
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9
421 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2022 | ENGINE | the engine fails to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light or road intersection with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | ENGINE | The engine failed to restart on its own from a complete stop at a traffic light on three separate occasions with the Auto Start/Stop function engaged. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | My car shuts off all the time. I called Honda last year to let them know because I was concerned there had been a recall. I took it to the dealership. They did some transmission work. One time it shut off when I was going 60mph on the Highway. It will also shut off when I’m actively breaking and not to a complete stop yet. I’m very concerned for my safety. Again, I reported this to Honda customer service and they told me there was nothing they could do. This has been going on for over two years. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Stopped at a traffic light and car didn’t restart. Battery completely drained and left my wife stuck in a main busy road. Auto start feature is causing this to happen. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was driving on highway in a stop and go traffic with "auto idle" on. The engine was completely shut down when at a complete stop and the vehicle was stalled in the middle of a highway with all kinds dash flashes. I was unable to press the brake and "start" button to restart car or put car in neutral to move the car. Had local Honda dealer's tech on line for about 10 minutes to help restart the car with no success. Contacted insurance company requested a road service. About 55 minutes later the tow truck come and the tow truck drive successfully start the car. Feel unsafe to drive the car and towed the car to local Honda dealer and they could not find any error code in system and failed to repeat the situation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2022 | ENGINE | My vehicle was stopped at a red light in a busy turning lane. When I pressed on the brakes to stop the vehicle the "idle-stop" automatically came on. As my vehicle was idling, I waited for the light to turn green to go. Once I pressed on the gas to go my vehicle went haywire. I couldn't drive forward or put the vehicle in any park mode. Every light started flickering on the dash, MY HAZARDS WOULDN'T COME ON, the car wouldn't start and every time I tried attempting to turn on the car it continued to do the same. I was stalled at a very busy intersection with no hazard lights with two kids, this was frightening. My husband had to restart the vehicle with a battery pack. After getting the car checked, there were no signs of any battery issues or any other problems, the car seemed perfectly fine. Now we have to completely turn off the "idle-stop" before driving or the car will stall, shut off and go haywire. We have to constantly restart the vehicle with a battery pack in order to continue driving. I asked several people and apparently this is a huge issue and problem for many with no help from Honda dealerships to fix it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My car has been put in PARKING on its own and won't allow me to put it back in DRIVE or REVERSE. I can't turn it off when this happens (I pressed the START/STOP PUSH button, and nothing happens) and the steering WHEEL locked up and the brakes too. This has happened to me on two occasions: one time when I stopped in a red light. When the light changed to GREEN and I released the brake to move, the car went into PARKING and locked up itself, NOTE: when I stopped in the red light the car went into AUTO idle engine mode (April 19 2022). My safety was put in risk because it happened in a busy road. On another occasion it happened when I was entered the garage slowly and I pressed the brake to completely stop, the car went into AUTO idle engine mode and then changed its own to PARKING (April 7). The car just like "turned off" although everything seems ON without warning messages. I couldn't start it until a few minutes later. After this event happened the "CRUISE CONTROL" and "LANE KEEPING Assist" features stopped working. I went to a place, and they checked the battery and the battery is not the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Driver Side Window malfunctioned. Honda has attempted to repair 5 times but it continues to malfunction after working for 2-3 days max. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact to have the vehicle shipped by barge to a dealer in Honolulu for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal and noticed that her vehicle was not slowing down. The contact stated that as she was approaching another vehicle, she looked to make sure she was indeed depressing the brake pedal, however it would not allow her to press down and seemed to be accelerating faster than 40 MPH. The contact stated that her vehicle then caused her to crash into the rear of another vehicle, however, the vehicle still seemed to be accelerating, even though it had crashed. The contact stated that she attempted to power the vehicle off, however, the vehicle powered itself back on. The contact stated that she powered it off 3 times before the vehicle would remain off. The contact stated that the airbags did deploy and there were no injuries reported. The contact stated a police report was filed. The contact stated she then had her vehicle towed to a tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 50,000 |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Just saw the article concerning the automatic braking in Honda CR-V's and Accords. Since purchasing my 2018 Pilot, in September 2018, this has occurred multiple times. While driving "Brake" will flash on my dash screen and a momentary braking action, along with a shimmy in the steering wheel will occur. I have never had a complete stop happen. I went to my local Honda dealers in Modesto and Stockton, CA. Spoke to their service personnel and they both had no idea what might cause this to happen. I then called Honda customer service and they hadn't heard of this problem. After it happened a few more times I called them again. I voiced my concerns of it happening and causing me to be involved in an accident. Laura, the rep I spoke to, gave me a case number (09698440) to reference should I call again. She could provide no explanation for this happening. This does not happen on a regular basis. I can go for long periods of time and nothing will happen. Then it can happen multiple times in a week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V932000 (Structure, Latches/Locks/Linkages). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the vehicle was working as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |
| Feb 2022 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | Engine misfires randomly causing car to go into limp mode. Car was unable to go pass 40 mph on while trying to merge highway. It was very dangerous and scary as cars came very close to my bumper. Honda is aware of an injector issue and has extended the warranty, but this should be a safety recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The auto engine idle "feature" automatically shuts the engine off when the car comes to a stop. This "feature" is supposed to improve gas mileage, however, I believe it is very dangerous. This "feature" has caused my vehicle to stall numerous times in stop and go traffic, requiring me to completely stop the vehicle, place it in park, and then restart the vehicle. This sequence has created several scary and dangerous situations where I was completely stopped on a busy freeway. This "feature' WILL cause accidents if it has not already caused them. This feature currently cannot be permanently disabled. It must be disabled manually every time I drive the car. I have also contacted Honda directly to notify them of this defect. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE | The Auto-Idle feature will unexpectedly over-engage while coming to a stop and the entire vehicle will shut off. I am unable to shift, steer, etc. It will also completely shut the engine down when at a complete stop. To be clear, this is not the normal auto-idle. When the full engine disengage happens, the entire vehicle loses power and the dash flashes. The vehicle states, "put into P". Once in "P" for park, the vehicle still will not restart. It is as if the vehicle has to "reset" itself. It has taken upwards of 4 minutes for the vehicle to restart. This has happened on a highway during construction traffic, approaching a stop sign, slowing at a red light on multiple occasions. I have almost been rear-ended as a result on mutiple occasions. I am not even able to put the vehicle in Neutral to move it to a safe spot. Honda informed me that I "just need to disengage this feature each and every time I start the vehicle" . That is not the solution. This feature should be permanently disabled by Honda. Immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the keyless control module unit would shut off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the keyless control module unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,372. | Crash: No Fire: No | 60,372 |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | To Whom It May Concern: I writing in regards to a possible defect with my 2018 Honda Pilot. It is having internal electrical issues stated by the dealership and needs a keyless control module unit replaced. However, my car has been in the dealership since November 15, 2021 due to Honda not being able to get the part needed to repair. American Honda has failed to remedy the defect in my vehicle within a reasonable time period. Can someone please assist me on how I rectify this situation. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | SEATS | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V221000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The adaptive cruise control doesnt pick up a vehicle in my lane but a vehicle to either side of me and brakes hard. Also the automatic emergency braking will pick up vehicles in the opposite lane going past me and brake hard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that there was no windshield washer fluid coming from the nozzle while attempting to clean the windshield. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the windshield washer fluid warning light illuminated. While attempting to replenish the washer fluid reservoir the windshield washer fluid was spilling. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that the windshield washer motor system needed to be replaced; however, the parts to repair the system were on backorder. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Nov 2021 | POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and then lunged forward. The contact sustained whiplash from the vehicle lunging forward abruptly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the independent mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | 43,000 |
| Nov 2021 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Hello, below are answers to suggested questions to help describe what happened. -What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Unknown but a constant "chirping" sound is heard from the car engine area when car engine is on or "running similar to descriptions at link https://www.piloteers.org/threads/2018-honda-pilot-chirping-noise-audio-file.160027/ -How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Unknown. -Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Negative -Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Few weeks or month after purchase in Sept 2018, dealer serviced the car and the sound disappeared but reappeared recently (approximately 3 years later). -Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No symptoms. First appearance mentioned in above answer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | My transmission is having problems. During acceleration the car will jolt forward, also when using the brakes. The dealer did recognize the problem but said it is not covered by warranty and that transmission needed to be flushed.. which was going to cost $500. He said had it been flushed before they may cover it, yet Honda doesn’t recommend a flush before 45000 per my owners manual. Very dangerous.. could cause an accident with Speed going up and down at a moments notice without you doing it | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The Auto Engine Idle feature does not work properly. When the car is at a light, the engine idle is activated and the car is put into a slumber mode, when the brake is depressed. On occasion, when it is time to go, the car then turns off when the gas is depressed. This is extremely dangerous as then you are stuck at an active intersection and need to turn the car back on. I've discovered a wealth of other owners with this issue here. My issue is consistent with their reports. https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/pilot/car-stall-problems.php In my research, the Honda dealers are not doing anything to fix it, and there has been no thoughtful feedback from the company. I will be taking this to our dealer as well, but am not hopeful given that it appears to be a fundamental design / software issue, not repairable in the fields. I literally have found no evidence that it is fixable without maybe a software upgrade. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |