How common are engine problems on the 2018 Honda Pilot?

NHTSA lists 183 engine complaints out of 440 total complaints for the 2018 Pilot, which is 42% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Is there an engine recall for the 2018 Honda Pilot?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall 23V751000 covering a connecting rod manufacturing error affecting engines, and recall 19V298000 covering a timing belt that may separate its teeth.

At what mileage do 2018 Pilot engine problems typically show up?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 58,000 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2018 Pilot.

Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints?

NHTSA records 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries connected to engine complaints on the 2018 Honda Pilot.

2018 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

Engine complaints account for 183 of 440 total complaints (42%) filed against the 2018 Honda Pilot, with a median failure mileage of 58,000 miles. Two related recalls cover engine connecting rod/manufacturing defects and a timing belt issue.

Engine complaints: 183; 42% of 440
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 58,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while slowly parking or maneuvering at low speed, sometimes ending in a crash into a wall, tree, or trailer.
Some report the engine or idle-stop system failing to restart after coming to a stop at a traffic light, with warning lights on the dashboard and the car unable to move until restarted.
Several describe the auto start-stop feature shutting the engine off completely at a stop and requiring multiple presses of the start button to get moving again.
One owner reported a transmission overheat warning appearing on the highway during hot weather at highway speeds, recurring over several years.
Another owner reported the transmission unexpectedly shifting into neutral on its own while stopped in traffic, requiring a restart, happening repeatedly.

When 2018 Honda Pilot engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 28, 2018, latest Sep 21, 2026.

183 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (26).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Honda Pilot

NHTSA 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Engine248,999 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Risk: 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 mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
NHTSA 19V298000Apr 12, 2019Engine93,946 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
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.
Risk: 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 may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.

Engine complaints by Pilot model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201030 (27%)
201152 (18%)
201256 (33%)
201391 (34%)
201434 (29%)
201525 (23%)
2016838 (49%)
2017501 (54%)
2018183 (42%)
2019266 (29%)
2020119 (24%)
2021114 (26%)
202236 (23%)
202317 (12%)
202415 (13%)
202544 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2018 Honda Pilot?: NHTSA lists 183 engine complaints out of 440 total complaints for the 2018 Pilot, which is 42% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2018 Honda Pilot?: Yes. NHTSA lists recall 23V751000 covering a connecting rod manufacturing error affecting engines, and recall 19V298000 covering a timing belt that may separate its teeth.
At what mileage do 2018 Pilot engine problems typically show up?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 58,000 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2018 Pilot.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to engine complaints?: NHTSA records 5 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries connected to engine complaints on the 2018 Honda Pilot.