2018 Honda Pilot: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 162 owner complaints for the 2018 Honda Pilot that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765967 (filed 09/21/2026): “The contact owned a 2018 honda pilot. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was knocking very loudly, and the vehicle lost driving power. the contact attempted to contact the manufacturer. the vehicle was not repaired.…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11758136 (filed 08/20/2026): “The vehicle started to make some strange noises coming from the engine area. i brought the vehicle to our mechanic, who stated that the engine needs to be replaced. he described the problem as an issue with the piston that is appearing to be common with the shut off system, causing it in this vehicl…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11756203 (filed 08/11/2026): “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 co…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .