2018 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
  1
• Engine › Crank/camshaft position sensor
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  29%
• 25k–50k
  29%
• 50k–75k
  417%
• 75k–100k
  417%
• 100k–150k
  522%
• 150k+
  626%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was driving on the highway, and the sensor stating the transmission is too hot popped up on the dashboard. This is an issue I have brought to Honda's attention on a few other occasions over the past three years, as this light has shown up before, but only when the outside temperatures had exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was driving at speeds of 55mph or more. I'd been told that since there was no active re-call, there was nothing they could do each time I reached out to Honda. Shortly after the light showed on the dashboard, I lost the ability to accelerate. I was pushing the gas pedal down, the RPM's were increasing, but my speed was decreasing. At that point, I decided it was best to exit at the upcoming Oasis, and before I could start to merge right, I heard a loud "pop" noise from presumably from the engine. Flames began to shoot out from under the hood on the driver-side. …

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when the vehicle was cold-started, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The knocking sound was constant. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled recently, and the check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was no longer able to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the connecting rods needed to be replaced, and the engine was inspected for internal damage. The contact stated that the independent mechanic checked the oil and observed that the oil was black and the oil level was low. The contact recently had an oil change prior to taking the vehicle to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the instrument panel illuminated with several unknown warning lights, and the check engine warning light. The vehicle sputtered, misfired, and slowly decelerated. The contact noticed that once the vehicle was idling, the sputtering ceased; however, once the tachometer was over 2,000 RPM or more the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the failure experienced was not related to the recall. The dealer diagnosed that the Cam Position Sensor sensor experienced intermittent signaling failure. The dealer diagnosed that the camshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle started shuddering. The vehicle was pulled over safely to the side of the road. The AWD, Hill Descent Assist, power steering, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact checked the manual and continued to drive. While driving days later, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact continued driving approximately 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The failure was associated with the fuel pressure pump. The lower fuel pressure pump was previously replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle would engage the engine STOP/START fuel-saving feature while stopped. The contact stated that whenever she depressed the accelerator pedal the message "Place Vehicle in Park" displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact attempted to start the vehicle using the Push to Start button. The vehicle was restarted but failed to respond after shifting into drive. The vehicle was restarted several times before resuming normal operation. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Several months ago my 2018 Honda Pilot with 80K miles started to have an engine "flutter" at 2500 to 3000 RPM Serviced the vehicle several times and dealership couldn't find the issue A few weeks ago the engine light started flashing and the engine started knocking Had the car towed to a Holman Honda in Denver, who said the the motor is shot and needs to be replaced at $23,000 The issue was rod bearing knock, which is usually associated with maintenance issue or improper oil Honda has a recall on certain VINs but not on our VIN, plus all Acura MDX vehicles between 2016 and 2020 have the same engine and are recalled. This could have been a sever safety risk because the engine could have seized during use or blown the engine This appears to be a known Honda issue, but Honda is being selective on the recalls for the VINs

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his partner was driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with a defective starter; however, the failure persisted after the starter was replaced. Upon further investigation, the contact was informed that the engine had failed due to a damaged connecting rod bearing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was offered a payment plan to help with the cost of a new engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which was linked to the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 40 MPH and failed to properly accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated and there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the residence and a mechanic, and the dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that there was a rod knock coming from connecting rod bearing wear which was referenced in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,744.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 50 MPH, there was an abnormal metal-on-metal sound in the lower engine. The driver pulled over safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who discovered metal shavings in the oil pan. The contact called the local dealer, who recommended an engine replacement because there was metal in the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and confirmed there were no associated recalls on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer was unable to confirm when the part would be available. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Pilot years