2018 Honda Pilot: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Honda Pilot: 7 recalls, 440 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
.jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V221000 · 2018 · 5,810 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda pilot and ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura mdx vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles May have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #19V298000 · 2019 · 93,946 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Teeth separation from the timing belt May result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: 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
Latches & locks, Body & structure Vehicle recall #21V932000 · 2021 · 724,826 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 passport, 2016-2019 pilot, and 2017-2020 ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker May become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Why it matters: A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #23V751000 · 2023 · 248,999 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A damaged engine May run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #23V858000 · 2023 · 2,490,460 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda accord, civic coupe, civic sedan, civic hatchback, civic type r, cr-v, hr-v, ridgeline, odyssey, Acura ilx, mdx, mdx hybrid, rdx, rlx, tlx, 2019-2022 Honda insight, passport, 2020 Honda cr-v hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda clarity phev, fit, and 2015-2020 Honda accord hybrid, pilot, Acura nsx vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V332000 · 2026 · 98,892 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura tlx, 2019-2024 rdx, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 mdx, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda ridgeline, 2017-2022 pilot, 2019-2021 passport, 2018-2026 odyssey, 2019-2022 insight, 2019-2021 hr-v, 2018-2020 fit, 2020-2022 cr-v hybrid, 2017-2022 cr-v, 2017-2018, 2021 civic type r, 2017-2021 civic hatchback, 2016-2020 civic coupe, 2016-2022 civic, 2017-2022 accord…
Why it matters: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026.
Suspension, Body & structure Vehicle recall #26V365000 · 2026 · 880,514 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear subframe May corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Why it matters: Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (157): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (53), electrical failure (27).
- Electrical (85): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (33), electrical failure (20).
- Transmission & drivetrain (78): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (37), warning light on (23), stalls / loses power (20).
- Other / unknown (74): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (27), electrical failure (9).
The 2018 Honda Pilot has 440 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 24 Pilot model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 389). Complaints peaked in 2024 (119 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 47,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (930 complaints, 4 recalls), 2019 (910 complaints, 13 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S9) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Honda Pilot.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2018 Honda Pilot have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Honda Pilot problems?
Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (157), electrical (85), transmission & drivetrain (78).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Honda Pilot get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S9)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Honda Pilot repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.