2018 Honda Pilot Engine Problems

When I press down on the gas, the car is delayed in responding. This has gotten increasingly worse, at times resulting in near collisions with on-coming traffic. I've reported this to my local dealership (Priority Honda in Chesapeake, Virginia) but they continue to tell me there are no diagnostic codes that allude to there being an issue and will not review it further. When I took a technician for a test drive and was able to replicate it, the technician said that it was normal that the gas was not immediately responsive. The unresponsiveness happens when I'm trying to get initial momentum (starting at a full stop), when I'm changing from reversing to moving forward, and when I'm already in motion and trying to advance speed.

NHTSA ID

11756203

Incident

Aug 11, 2026

Vehicle was being driven on the interstate going 70-77 mph. First noticed faint knocking sound and loss of ability to accelerate followed by check engine light and multiple system failure notifications. Pulled over on the highway between exits and turned vehicle off to call for assistance. Turned vehicle back on after 10-15 minutes to test, all warnings remained and acceleration was limited but possible. Drove vehicle on side of i70 until reaching an exit and parking for help to arrive. Two children and myself the driver were in the car. Vehicle was inspected and codes ran, but ultimately towed to our local Honda dealership. This event took place on July 18, 2026 causing us to miss a family wedding. The vehicle has been sitting at Penske Honda since then waiting for diagnostic tests to be run, scheduled for August 6.

NHTSA ID

11754624

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

We were driving from [XXX], to [XXX], on XXX. That morning we'd taken the Honda Pilot in to Xpresso Lube and got an oil change and all fluids checked out. Eight hours into the drive we heard a little clanking and started to pull off the freeway. As we did so, a Low Oil Pressure light came on for a few seconds and then we heard a loud bang and then very loud, rhythmic, clanking noises in the engine as it was losing power. The first mechanic shop we had it towed to diagnosed engine failure, so we had it towed to a Honda Service shop 30 miles away. They said it was a rod bearing and the entire engine needed replacing. Our mileage at the time it entered the Honda shop was 72, 275K. We have done regular, consistent oil changes and maintenance on this car that we bought new in 2019 (a 2018 model). We at first wondered if the wrong oil was put in or if it was a faulty oil filter, but Honda said there was plenty of oil in the engine. We did get a sample of the oil that came out. The filter will be sent in to the manufacturer for quality assessment. Our safety was at risk to some degree, but we were able to pull off the road. The Honda dealership is holding the engine for me and could be inspected.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11754555

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

If the auto engine shut off is activated the engine shuts off randomly and it does not restart the engine. The battery needs to be unplugged to reset the electrical system. This happens daily.

NHTSA ID

11754464

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

2018 Honda Pilot – Engine Failed to Restart During Auto Idle Stop I own a 2018 Honda Pilot that has experienced an intermittent Auto Idle Stop restart failure. Approximately 18 months ago, my Honda dealer performed the Honda service bulletin repair related to the Auto Idle Stop restart issue, including replacement of the starter. More recently, I began experiencing intermittent hard starts after driving the vehicle and allowing it to sit for approximately 10–15 minutes. The battery is new and has tested good multiple times, and no diagnostic trouble codes or check engine light were present. Based on the starting symptoms, the EVAP purge solenoid was replaced. Immediately after that repair, the Auto Idle Stop system began functioning normally again. However, two days later, while stopped at a traffic light, the Auto Idle Stop system shut the engine off as designed. When the vehicle attempted to automatically restart, the engine failed to restart and the vehicle remained disabled in the traffic lane. I had to shift the vehicle into Park and manually restart the engine using the Start button. The engine then started immediately and operated normally. Since that event, the vehicle has continued to exhibit intermittent hot-start hesitation after short drives, although it runs normally once started. This is a significant safety concern because a failure of the Auto Idle Stop system to restart the engine can leave the vehicle disabled in an active traffic lane or intersection, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or other crash. I am submitting this complaint because the vehicle experienced an Auto Idle Stop restart failure despite having previously received Honda’s repair for this issue, and I believe the condition warrants further investigation.

NHTSA ID

11752912

Incident

Jul 26, 2026

Honda pilot would not restart after auto ideal engine stop. This issue caused all the warnings lights to come on with blinking engine light! Honda dealer was not able to resolve the issue and ended up paying $1500 even though it was a part of their service bulletin 23-009.

NHTSA ID

11747433

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Engine failure , has been confirmed by a shop. It is available for inspection upon request. No previous problems or warning lights. Stalled and put myself and my children at risk of serious injury.

NHTSA ID

11746603

Incident

Jun 16, 2026

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 failure mileage was approximately 167,320.

NHTSA ID

11731608

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

Mileage

167,320 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11728116

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

Mileage

116,744 mi

Engine failure due to connecting rod bearing manufacturing defect (NHTSA PE25008). Component: engine; available for inspection upon request (replaced; documentation available). WARNING SYMPTOMS: At 94,000 miles during routine maintenance while under warranty, I reported engine knocking to the dealer. The advisor dismissed it as "normal valve noise" and did not document the complaint. Knocking progressively worsened over thousands of miles. FAILURE: At 100,750 miles the engine required immediate replacement. Dealer diagnosed rod bearing failure; bearing was worn and failing. Engine was replaced before catastrophic seizure. I had just returned from a family trip — seizure at highway speed would have caused loss of power, power steering, and braking assistance, creating serious crash risk. CONFIRMED: Dealer diagnosed and performed engine replacement. Honda provided partial goodwill coverage but refused to disclose the percentage or provide written documentation. When I formally requested full coverage for this defect under federal investigation, Honda stated the case was closed and refused to put the decision in writing. Honda recall 23V-751 addresses this defect but excluded this vehicle despite identical failure. Vehicle was maintained per Honda Maintenance Minder at dealerships.

NHTSA ID

11724446

Incident

Jun 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate, and the RPM became elevated. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where a partial diagnosis was performed, and it was determined that there was a catastrophic failure in cylinder #3. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, a case was opened, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11721976

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

Mileage

102,000 mi

This 2018 Honda Pilot has been taken to mechanic after a number of check engine and other dash lights came on while trying to accelerate to merge with freeway traffic. Mechanic pulled a P0369 code and I paid for replacement of the cam shaft sensor. Problems continued shortly after work and mechanic conducted further inspections and determined the sensor had been worn by a walking camshaft. There are hundreds of these same complaints posted on the web by angry customers dating back over 5 years yet no recall. The car will unexpectedly lose power at any time and shudder and will not accelerate with difficulty steering when all the engine lights start flashing. With luck, you can pull over to side of road. Repair is over $3500 after spending a lot of money already replacing the camshaft sensor which didn't fix the problem.

NHTSA ID

11711582

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

While driving, the vehicle just stopped. Tried to navigate to get to side of the road, but ended up stuck in the middle of the lane, in the middle of the road. My pilot also has some sort of lock, so I could not put it in neutral to be pushed out of oncoming traffic. Tried to jump start but the battery was fine. Road side assistance took 3 hours to come and tow us. Once at a dealership, diagnostics was run, starter was checked. But turns out the engine had ceased. The vehicle had randomly not started back up when the eco shut the car off when the brakes were pushed down, but this was extreme! Very dangerous! I regularly change my oil, only use synthetic oil and have my car serviced, fluids topped off. I have been on the wait list for the fuel recall, but Honda on Gilbert, in Gilbert, AZ does not answer calls, call back, or offer rentals for recalls. But this situation was scary and unacceptable. There is other recalls for the 2018 Honda Pilot for engines ceasing up. This is poor workmanship for Honda. Yes, this has been confirmed. My vehicle is currently had Honda Superstition Springs in Mesa, AZ, because I did not trust to go back to Honda Gilbert to timely correct the issues or communicate. Yes, You can inspect the vehicle. Engine ceasing while driving put my self and others at risk. No warnings.

NHTSA ID

11694581

Incident

Sep 20, 2025

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 researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11693530

Incident

Oct 3, 2025

Mileage

180,000 mi

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. Driving normally - no warning - vehicle shut down - dash warning lights went on after shut down. Fortunately, vehicle was through the intersection and on a side street - or this would have been a fatal accident. Towed to Honda Dealership - told engine needs to be replaced. Vehicle just out of warranty @ 106,000 miles. Have all paperwork on maintenance of vehicle - oil changes every 5,000 miles, etc. No indication prior to failure - not in accident - so no inspection by insurance/police.

NHTSA ID

11692161

Incident

Oct 2, 2025

On October 3, 2025, our 2018 Honda Pilot was being driven a short distance locally when all ability for acceleration was lost. Fortunately the driver was able to navigate off the road safely. The auto shop that checked the engine determined that it had seized up. The oil was properly maintained and the auto shop believed it had to do with a connecting rod bearing issue. The vehicle odometer is only 101,375 and had been in great working condition. This was a sudden occurrence with the only symptom being a slight rattling that started about 3 weeks prior. We don't have a need to drive this vehicle much (once or twice a week for very short distances), so I scheduled an appointment for the rattling sound to be looked at by my auto shop, but the engine seized a few days before the appointment date.

NHTSA ID

11691771

Incident

Oct 3, 2025

I came to a stop at a red light on a busy street. Vehicle turned off due to autorignite feature. When light turned green it no longer would turn the engine on in order to go. All my lights turned on, I couldn't put the car in drive. I couldn't put in neutral, reverse or any feature. It wouldn't allow me to do anything but put the hazards on. It had happened to me 3 times since the same exact way. Only way to get it to go in drive is by turning the vehicle off completely, if it let's you. Then once it is off, starting it and going about your day. Codes do not register as I have taken to dealership before and they say it would note it but it doesn't and have refused to repair under the warranty. It also has an acceleration and deceleration issue that has been documented on my visits that has yet to be fixed as well and is a known problem but because it is is not the correct year and model it won't get fixed. I have had someone take video since then to show what happens on the other occasions as my proof since Honda Corporation themselves wouldn't doing anything either.

NHTSA ID

11685616

Incident

Sep 6, 2025

Although I had the Honda taken in for the prior auto stop/start engine recall. The software fix has not solved the issue. While in traffic, even with the auto stop/start feature OFF, the engine will randomly turn off and it becomes a safety hazard as I’m blocking traffic scrambling to turn my engine back on, sometimes it is challenging to get the engine back on, and in the meantime cars are driving all around trying to get around me. This is ridiculous that Honda is doing the bare minimum to address what is clearly a huge liability for me as a driver and others in traffic.

NHTSA ID

11682317

Incident

Aug 9, 2025

Camshaft sensor failed. Car is not even 7 years old. I was told this issue is known in the Honda ridgelines. They say the camshaft has to much movement and damaging the sensor. Code P0369

NHTSA ID

11682032

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

when honda service perfomed the recall repair on 12/12/2024. We notice that there is something wrong with the vehicle and we immediately report to Honda service and return the vehicle the following day for further diagnosis but the Honda service failed to resolved the issue until now. We spend out of pocket payment for their recommended repair @ parts replacement . With hopefull promises to resolved the issue but this resulted to more repairs and no guarantee in resolving the issue. And this delay of resolving the issue causing much more concern on our safety onto what will happened as this issue was not resolved

NHTSA ID

11680378

Incident

Dec 12, 2024

Auto idle system is faulty. I repeatedly experience a failure when this system is not turned off. It causes my engine to shut off when I step on the gas - or (mostly) it causes my car to almost shut off (the dashboard shuts off and flashes back on when I step on gas at a stop sign or other stops, also when I’m driving and accelerate there is a lag of nothing like the car almost turns off followed by a big jerk or jolt when it turns back on again. I’ve asked Honda dealer in town about this and they said it’s just the transmission and could get it replaced but now I see (via a class action suit I read about) that this is a big problem and it’s not just my personal issue with the car. I’m concerned someone will get hurt if these problems are not recalled and fixed by Honda.

NHTSA ID

11677539

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

On [XXX] we left Charleston, SC for Pittsburgh, PA. In Columbia, SC a maintenance light came on "Transmission System Problem". Soon after, another light read "Transmission Hot." I stopped at the next Exit where Precision Tune- 7000 Garner Ferry Rd, Columbia, SC was located. The shop determined the transmission overheated. I paid $1,105 to have the transmission fluid flushed (3x) and the Honda computer reset. The vehicle had 43K miles. The SUV ran fine for 1800 miles. About 100 miles on our return trip to Charleston at 10:00pm on [XXX] a light read "Transmission System Problem." On July 01, Precision Tune Columbia told me to take the SUV to Precision Tune Summerville. On July 03 I dropped off the vehicle. I spent $517.45 on a rental vehicle. On July 17 my SUV was returned. Precision kept my vehicle without servicing it until the 30 day warranty ran out. I contacted Honda Corporate and informed them there were multiple online forums of other 2018 Honda Pilot 6cyl owners reporting similar transmission issues noting the torque converter. A few months later the "Transmission System Problem" light came on again. Since July, 2024 I have only driven the SUV 5K miles and not out of Charleston. In June, 2025 I received a product recall advisory that the torque converter was a known issue with the model. On July 8, 2025 I dropped the SUV at Stokes Honda. I received a call that the transmission fluid is bad. Precision sent over the Carfax report. It has been a year and my vehicle with 50,750 miles is inoperable and no one will take responsibility. I have only purchased Hondas for 22 years. We have a small trip scheduled July 11-17 and I have had to rent another vehicle, costing another $500. I would like my SUV repaired by Honda under warranty extension as the issue is a known problem with this year, make, and model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11672287

Incident

Jun 19, 2024

The car unexpectedly sent out emissions failure systems warning Effecting the ability to accelerate without a pause in a forward movement. I had my mechanic diagnose the warning lights which indicate a connector rod issue. This diagnosis aligns with all of the symptoms. My mechanic warned me the engine could stop at any time. We will have the repair done this month. Honda put out a recall and stop production for this issue in March of 2024 but my car does not show up in the recall when I inquired to Honda about the issues I was experiencing. They basically said there is nothing for me to do.

NHTSA ID

11670115

Incident

Jun 21, 2025

My timing belt tensioner is making a ticking noise and while taking it to a mechanic he says it should be taken to the dealership and be replaced as well as the timing belt. I believe my vehicle should be included in the recall opened in 2019 for the timing belt inspection safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11668217

Incident

Jun 20, 2025

About once a week now, the pilot fails to restart after the idle stop engages. I have a brand new battery installed and still have the same issue. Honda has applied all the remedies but I still have the same issue. I panic every time it does start because often times I’m in the middle of the 50mph road with hazards on. I’ve always been able to start it after putting the car in park, shutting al the way down and then restarting.

NHTSA ID

11667843

Incident

Jun 18, 2025