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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | ENGINE | around 30k miles the keyless system degrades. Car won't start, says key is not present. afraid of getting stranded somewhere. forum shows MANY people having this issue, I believe a recall for this is needed. Problem seems to just get worse and worse over time. happens with both key fobs, replaced batteries no difference. https://www.piloteers.org/threads/keyless-start-system-problem-error.142385/ | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | ENGINE | I have been experiencing issues with the auto engine idle stop feature. The electrical system (radio & blue tooth) cut off and on when the auto engine idle stop tries to start again. There have even been several instances of the car cutting off completely and having to be restarted. This is very unsafe. One of the instances of the car cutting off occurred in traffic as we stopped and then started moving again. There were several people in the car at the time. The dealer has not been able to recreate the issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The driver side sun visor fails to swing down. Dangerous to drive in bright sun Replace commercially and mechanic said this is a common Pilot failure Why is this not a recall? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | The High beams are giving a warning when driving during the day and at night. “High support system problem “. I have taken it to the dealership and they can’t find the issue and I have reported twice and they still can’t figure it out. The high beams come on and off during driving which is a safety issue for both drivers, this issue continues to occur since July 2021 and is reoccurring. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | "SUA, Sudden Unwanted Acceleration". I was in the process of parking on the 6th floor of a parking ramp in Rochester MN, I had selected my parking slot and drove very slowly half way into my parking slot. As i was stationary about 3 meters from the front wall and getting ready to reverse for a bit in order to better align in between the white lines in my slot and before i shifted gears to reverse and while my foot was still on the brake, the vehicle experience a sudden full-speed acceleration crashing the vehicle against the wall with full force, the dashboard showed a message that the airbag malfunctioned and could not deploy. Had not there been a wall but just rails in front of my parking slot, i am afraid the vehicle would have flown from the sixth floor into the ground. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle is still under my name but in possession of GEICO, available for inspection, but because it was a total loss i was not able to bring it to the Honda dealership where i bought it. There were no warning signs that this would happen. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ENGINE | "Idle Stop System" fails to successfully restart the engine and results in a stall. Safety is put at risk as the car becomes immobilized at a traffic intersection, red lights, middle of the highway. Anywhere that you came to a complete stop and were not able to get the vehicle to reengage. I have not yet taken the vehicle to the dealer, this issue has happened multiple times and has also been very well documented by others on the internet https://www.carproblemzoo.com/honda/pilot/car-stall-problems.php https://www.piloteers.org/threads/elite-shuts-off-at-stop-light.157005/ The vehicle has not been inspected at this time No warning lamps or symptoms appear prior. When you lift your foot off the brake pedal the vehicle stalls and you are unable to drive the vehicle | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | While stopped at a stop light/sign the engine stalls, dies, shifts to neutral (push button shift) leaving me disabled in the middle of the road. This issue has also occurred while slowing to take a sharp corner. The engine died at approximately 25 mph while slowing for the corner. I had taken it to the dealership and they claimed they could not reproduce the problem. I took the vehicle home, then later that day I drove it approximately 17 miles to a racetrack that I work at part time. At 12:30 am, I was leaving to head home, and while idling in the parking lot, it had died yet again and took several minutes to restart. Once it did restart, I had no throttle response in park, neutral or in drive. I shut the vehicle off and restarted it with no other issues for the 17 mile trip back home. The dealership suggested that I take picture/video when it happens, which poses another safety concern to do that in the event I am driving when this event occurs. This is a severe safety concern as there is the potential for the engine to die/stall during a hard braking event in which I could lose power brakes. Only the dealership has inspected the vehicle, and the only lights that have been illuminated on the dash was the battery light and the caution light. This issue has been going on for approximately a month and a half. After completing some research, I have noticed there is a large collection of this or very similar complaints. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | SEAT BELTS | SECOND SEATBELT FAILURE. I previously reported second row passenger seatbelt that was found completely detached from anchor, at point where belt was looped and sewn. This was replaced by dealer. The second row middle belt locked in extended position at that time, and I requested dealer check this and repair or replace as needed. This was supposedly also done. The row 2 middle belt is rarely used, using first time since repair was reportedly done, found webbing that is frayed 50%+ through, in portion that is retracted when not being used. I checked all belts when I found this, and found fraying at the 3rd row middle seatbelt (buckle portion webbing), with associated damage to the plastic where the third row seat folds down. It appears the belt webbing has been rubbing on this plastic part of seat back, causing damage. This belt is also rarely used: not at all in last 13 months, and around 5-6 times, every 6-10 weeks in non-pandemic times. The third row is normally kept folded down, with the middle row belt retracted into ceiling when not in use. I am left wondering if the geometry of the belt placement is causing mechanical/friction damage, if there are sharp edges in the 2nd row middle belt storage (overhead), or if there was chemical damage to some belts in the factory. It is odd and concerning to find multiple issues with the belts, and I want all to be replaced, and their housing inspected for possible points causing the damage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | Push start does not work, says wireless key issue. Car does not start up (crank) and it does not turn completely off (it's stuck in start/ignition on, car is not running). Alarm would randomly discharge and have to relock the car, but would go off again. The ignition would flicker on and off constantly draining the battery. Doors would eventually unlock and stay unlock. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Transmission temperature too hot Seems like every 8k miles I have this pop up. Only been serviced at Honda. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | There is a noticeable 'Chirp' Noise when taking curves when i slow for the curve and accelerate out of the curve. Yes, it is available to be inspected. Had this in my 2016 Honda Pilot Touring AWD and we had to replace the entire transmission due to failure with the gears. Unsure if will be a risk other than being stranded somewhere if it fails. No police. No system errors or warnings. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ENGINE | When my vehicle has the auto idle stop feature turned on, there are several times when I have been sitting at a stop light or in a median waiting to pull across or merge into traffic, and this feature engages and when you take your foot off the brake and the engine is supposed to auto restart, the engine stops completely instead and shifts itself into neutral which requires you to have to put vehicle in park and completely restart the whole car. Has been happening several times in the last year. I have taken it in to have the battery checked and it checks fine. The car is not throwing any codes. This can be particularly dangerous when you are in a median trying to pull across a busy Highway as your car just completely dies on you. Also a problem when you are at a red light and it turns green and everyone starts rolling and your car completely dies, this increases your chance of being rear-ended. If I manually turn the auto idle stop feature off when I initially turn the car on, this problem does not happen...... but this is every easy to forget as this is an automatic feature when your car is initially started.. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | ENGINE | The auto engine idle feature engaged at a stop light as usual. When I moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator, the car shut off, shifted into neutral and would not start. This was on a major highway. It took several minutes to start again, while I was stalled in dangerous traffic. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE CAR SHUT OFF WHEN TRYING TO RECOVER FROM IDLE STOP MODE. ALL LIGHTS TURNED OFF. THE CAR BECOMES INVISIBLE WHEN DARK. | Crash: No Fire: No | 21,500 |
| May 2021 | POWER TRAIN | 1. WHEN ACCELERATING GRADUALLY ON THE 2018 HONDA PILOT TOURING AWD FROM COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR JERKS HARD AFTER THE CAR STARTS MOVING - PROBABLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. THE CAR IS IN AUTOMATIC DRIVE MODE. 2.THE 2018 HONDA PILOT TOURING AWD TURNS OFF ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES THE CAR TURNS OFF THE ENGINE. THIS IS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN ON A UPHILL AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, CAUSING PANIC. THE SUDDEN ENGINE STOPS ALSO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN STOPPING TO SHIFT TO REVERSE INTO MY GARAGE- THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CARS ARE COMING AND CAN GET INTO T-BONE COLLISION. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | WHEN ACCELERATING FROM AN IDLE POSITION THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY. VERY SLOW TO BET MOVING AND VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC. THE CAR OFTEN TIMES JERKS WHEN I AM ACCELERATING IN TO A HIGHER GEAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Apr 2021 | SEATS | I WAS MADE AWARE OF AN URGENT SAFETY RECALL THAT THE DRIVER & FRONT PASSENGER SEATS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURERED RIVITS USED TO SECURE THE SLIDE RAIL FRAME TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR. I SCHEDULED AN APPT FOR THE RECALL ON 3/02/19 @ HUNTINGTON HONDA. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD THE PARTS & WOULD DO THE RECALL WHEN I BROUGJT MY CAR FOR THE APPT. THEY DID NOT DO THE WORK & TOLD ME THAT IS HONDA'S PROCEDURE IS THAT THEY NEVER REPAIR RECALLS ON THE 1ST APPT. THEN I MADE AN APPT AT HONDA CITY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR TO BE DONE ON 03/14/20 I MADE SURE THEY HAD THE PARTS BEFORE THE APPT.. AGAIN THE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE AND I WAS TOLD THEY NEVER REPAIR IT THE 1ST TIME THEY SEE IT. I SCHEDULED THE NEXT APPT AT HONDA CITY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR ON 09/05/20 & AGAIN IT WAS NOT DONE. I BELIEVE HONDA WILL CONTINUE WASTING MY TIME & CAUSING ME EXPENSES & LOSS OF SALARY EVERY TIME I MAKE AN APPT FOR THIS RECALL REPAIR. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE ANY INTENTION OF EVER REPAIRING THIS RECALL. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,920 |
| Apr 2021 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | THE SUV JOLTS AND DECREASES SPEED . IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO TAKE OFF AGAIN. THE JOLTING CAN BE STRONG AND IT HAS DECREASED ON THE FREEWAY. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR A FAMILY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER I JUST NEEDED A NEW BATTERY I DID CHANGE IT AND IT STILL DOES IT THEN I WAS TOLD THEY FOUND NOTHING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 52,000 |
| Mar 2021 | STRUCTURE | WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2018 I NOTICED THAT THE HOOD VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE AND AGAIN AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE. BOTH TIMES I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE LIGHTER METALS USED IN THE HOOD TO SAVE WEIGHT, THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL. ON MARCH 5, 2021, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH, I NOTICED A LOUD "SLAPPING" NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ALUMINUM AROUND THE HOOD SIDE LATCH (METAL HOOK) MECHANISM HAD TORN ABOUT 75% OF THE WAY AROUND THE ATTACHMENT POINTS (THREE BOLTS). IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HOOD SHUT, AND FROM SEPARATING, IT HAD TO BE TAPED TO THE VEHICLE BODY. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND ALL WHO INSPECTED IT AGREED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. HONDA CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES AGREED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 61,000 |
| Mar 2021 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AS A SAFETY FEATURE IN THE VEHICLE, DEBRIS MAY CAUSE THE FEATURE TO ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT THEY BOUGHT A SPECIAL VACUUM TO CONSISTENTLY AND CONSTANTLY REMOVE DEBRIS FROM THE AREA HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,700. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,700 |
| Jan 2021 | SERVICE BRAKES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY TO GO ON THE MAIN ROAD, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL THE VEHICLE WENT UP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A POLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES BUT STATED THAT THE NEXT DAY HE EXPERIENCED DIZZINESS AND BACK PAINED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL GET BACK TO HIM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT YET CONTACT HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed | 35,000 |
| Dec 2020 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE | 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 CAR KEPT GOING WE STRIKE A CAR AND HIT A PARKED CAR BAD ACCIDENT, 3 PEOPLE GOT HURT.EVERY TIME I WATCH THE VIDEO I AM MORE CONVINCED THAT SOMETHING WHEN WRONG WITH CAR SYSTEMS THIS HAPPENS ON KENNEDY BOULEVARD AND AUDOBON ST ON 12/11/2020 AROUND 11:05 AM SUNNY CLEAR DAY. I HAVE A VIDEO.*DT | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 3 Towed Medical attention | 35 |
| Dec 2020 | SEAT BELTS | I FOUND THE SEATBELT END THAT SHOULD ATTACH THE BELT TO THE ANCHOR ON MY PASSENGER SIDE SECOND ROW DETACHED TODAY. THE BELT WEBBING IS FRAYED THROUGH BOTH THE WEBBING AND ALSO THE SEWN PORTION THAT MAKES THE LOOP ATTACHING THE BELT TO THE FLOOR/ANCHOR. THE ANCHOR IS BELOW A PANEL, SO I CAN'T SEE IF THERE WAS A SHARP EDGE THERE THAT RUBBED/CUT THE AREA, OR IT JUST UNRAVELED THROUGH AN AREA THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY SEWN. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, AND MY DAUGHTER REACHED FOR THE BELT TO BUCKLE (SHE USES BOOSTER), NOTICING THE DETACHMENT BEFORE WE DROVE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2020 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT MY CHURCH WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS I NEARED THE END OF THE SPACE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. IT WENT OVER THE CONCRETE BARRIER AT THE END OF THE SPACE AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A TREE AND WAS KNOCKED TO A PERPENDICULAR POSITION TO THE AXLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ONLY THING THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD ABOUT 5-6 FEET AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS SLOWLY MOVING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 40,000 |
| Sep 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES OF FREEWAY DRIVING I EXITED AND STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. I BELIEVE MY CAR WENT INTO THE ENGINE STOP MODE WHERE IT TURNS OFF THE ENGINE TO SAVE GAS. IT DID NOT RESTART AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR TOLD ME TO PUT IT INTO PARK, SO I DID. I TOUCHED THE CAR START BUTTON AND IT WOULD NOT START IT KEPT REPORTING AN ERROR ON THE SCREEN. I PANIC'D BECAUSE MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR AND THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WITH CARS COMING FROM BEHIND VERY QUICKLY I KEPT PRESSING THE BUTTON GET THE CAR TO START BUT IT WOULD NOT. IT KEPT REPORTING ERRORS. FINALLY,AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES, THE HONDA LOGO SHOWED ON THE SCREEN INDICATING THE CAR WAS EFFECTIVELY REBOOTING AND THE CAR STARTED AFTER THAT. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY CAR. RELATED: I'VE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THAT THE CAR ENGAGES THE ENGINE STOP FEATURE FAR TOO QUICKLY, LITERALLY WITHIN A SECOND OF COMING TO A STOP, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU MAY JUST BE STOPPING QUICKLY AT A STOP SIGN OR EXIT WHERE YOU'RE REQUIRED TO STOP. THE CAR CUTS OUT AND IT TAKES 3-5 SECONDS TO GET ACCELERATION. AFTER REPORTING THIS TO HONDA DIRECTLY THEY DECLINED TO CHANGE THE FEATURE TO BE FULLY DISABABLE AND I'VE SINCE GOTTEN INTO A COUPLE OF SITUATIONS WHERE I NEED TO GO, BUT MY CAR WAS IN THE STOPPED MODE B/C I COME TO FULL STOPS AT STOP SIGNS, APPARENTLY UNLIKE HONDA'S TESTERS. THIS FEATURE IS ONLY ENABLE ON ELITE MODELS OF THE PILOT AND IS FAULTY, IT IS DANGEROUS AND NEEDS A FULL REVIEW. AS SOMEONE WHO WAS ALSO IMPACTED BY THE SATURN IGNITION SWITCH INCIDENT THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,750 |