2018 Honda Pilot Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,744miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 Honda Pilot, 2% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,744 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11728116, filed 2026-03, 116,744 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11593946, filed 2024-06, 84,198 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11721976, filed 2026-03, 102,000 miles“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing was worn and caused damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11622234, filed 2024-10, 165,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11693530, filed 2025-10, 180,000 milesRelated recalls
- 23V751000Nov 13, 2023Honda (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…Covers: Honda Pilot 2016, 2018–2019, Acura TLX 2015–2020, MDX 2016–2020 +2 more
- 19V298000Apr 12, 2019Honda (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…Covers: Honda Pilot 2018–2019, Acura MDX 2018–2019, Honda Odyssey 2019 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10245550Nov 10, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
- 10241879Aug 31, 2023Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding…
- 10241864Aug 31, 2023Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force…
- 10234629Apr 12, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop…
- 10232977Mar 10, 2023Product Update - Honda is conducting a product update to your 2019-22 Passport, 2016-22 Pilot, and 2020-23 Ridgeline. Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the…
- 10232975Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart.
- 10232973Mar 10, 2023Warranty Extension - Warranty Extension reimbursement form for engine idle stop repairs made before the warranty extension notice date.
- 10232960Mar 1, 2023Service Bulletin - The engine will not crank on initial startup after precipitation and sub-freezing temperatures. Water can enter the starter motor, and when temperatures drop…
- 10231830Feb 7, 2023Dealer Message- American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2018 Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline with a customer complaint of the vehicle running rough or in low…
- 10231048Jan 25, 2023Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and the idle stop feature engages, the vehicle may not automatically restart. Typically, the customer can…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 13 | 1% |
| 2016 | 45 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 6% |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 10 | 4% |
| 2005 | 43 | 6% |
| 2004 | 28 | 5% |
| 2003 | 37 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2018 Honda Pilot
157 complaintsFuel system
125 complaintsElectrical system
85 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
78 complaintsOther or unknown
74 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
10 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology