2018 Honda Pilot · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 31owner reports
- 102,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
295 of the 440 complaints on this car are about the engine. 31 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Misfire on other Pilot years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (5 reports) and the injectors (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
All 7 recalls on the 2018 Honda Pilot, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Pilot
Engine failure. Open.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Open.
Engine failure. Closed aug 20, 2025.
No restart after auto start/stop engages. Closed mar 26, 2025.
Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.
Low beam headlights stop illuminating. Closed sep 17, 2012, led to recall 12V-136.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 140,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Honda Pilot that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle stop, the vehicle may not restart automatically due to excessive cylinder pressure and/or low cranking torque.
Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2018-2020 Odysseys, Passports, Pilots & Ridgelines with a customer complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P0441 (EVAP System Purge Flow Malfunction) stored.
Owner Notification Letter - On some 2017-19 Pilot, 2017-19 Ridgeline, and 2018-19 Odyssey models, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may come on if one or more of the following diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are stored: - P0420 (rear bank catalyst system ...
5 more on the 2018 Honda Pilot page.
What owners wrote
“Driving to work on the freeway, all of a sudden acceleration stopped. Pulled over as warning lights came on due to transmission. Additionally, the check engine light appears randomly due to emission and also the âAWDâ light comes on. Within a few days or even weeks it turns off. This has been on and off since we purchased the vehicle from CarMax.”
Filed Sep 22, 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”
Filed Aug 21, 2025
“my car is 2018 with 54k mile .now the car has check engine light on . the code is P0430 . this code relate with fuel pump recall . i went to Honda dealer at Fremont but they said . they need to back order part . but my car now has a problem could not pass smog . please could you help to us how to do . Thank you so much .”
Filed Jul 3, 2024
“At 50,000 miles the car started to make a clanking noise. The car was checked no issued were found. at 60,000 oil change was preformed vehicle was checked no issued were found. At 63,000 the following lights came on at once: check engine, TSA, Hill start problem. Took the car again to get checked and now they have stated the car needs a new engine no lights had previously came on.”
Filed Oct 26, 2022 · 50,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 31 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 100 reports
- Fuel pump failure 33 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 29 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 26 reports