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2018 Honda Pilot

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Honda Pilot
Pictured: 2025 Honda Pilot. Photo: SIGSauerP365XL, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
Length
194.9 in
Curb weight
4,103–4,255 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
7 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Honda Pilot is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 195 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,255 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 8% worse than the 2018 small SUV average of 24.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2018

  • Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Pilot →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD194.9 in79.9 in69.7 in111 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,255 lb57/43
4dr SUV FWD194.9 in79.9 in69.7 in111 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,103 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pilot FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S9)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23-8%$2,900388
Pilot FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-12%$3,050405
Pilot AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S9)All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22-5%$3,050408
Pilot AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-9%$3,200421
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.9 MPG2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Honda Pilot SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★16.4%
2018 Honda Pilot SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★17.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Honda Pilot SUV AWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Honda Pilot SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Honda Pilot SUV AWD
Side crash test — 2018 Honda Pilot SUV AWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Honda Pilot (this car)23 MPG★★★★★7
2018 Toyota 4Runner18 MPG★★★★★5
2018 Ford Explorer22 MPG★★★★★7
2018 Toyota Highlander29 MPG★★★★★4
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee25 MPG★★★★★10
2018 GMC Yukon19 MPG★★★★★5
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe19 MPG★★★★★3

Recalls (7)

Structure › Frame And Members · Jun 4, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V365000 · 965,561 vehicles

Problem
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. The rear subframe may corrode at the suspension mounting points, which can result in rear suspension component failure.
Risk
Failure of rear suspension components, such as the rear control arm, can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in the fall of 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are AOU and AOT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning June 10, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Risk
Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Nov 13, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V751000 · 248,999 vehicles

Problem
Honda (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 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
Risk
A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner notification letters as of March 18, 2024. 2015-2016 Acura owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-December 2024, 2018 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed the end of March/early April 2024, 2019 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-May 2024, 2020 Acura TLX owner letters are expected to be mailed mid-June 2024, and 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed January 27, 2025. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XG1 and GG0.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · Nov 29, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V932000 · 724,826 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Passport, 2016-2019 Pilot, and 2017-2020 Ridgeline vehicles. The hood latch striker may become damaged and separate from the hood, which can result in the hood opening while driving.
Risk
A hood that opens while driving can obstruct the driver's view and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will either repair the hood latch striker, or replace the hood if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is PBV.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts And Associated Pulleys · Apr 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V298000 · 93,946 vehicles

Problem
Honda (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 and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
Risk
Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is L4M. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is Z4L.
Seats · Apr 5, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V221000 · 5,810 vehicles

Problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles. The front driver and passenger powered seats in the Honda vehicles and the driver powered seats in the Acura vehicles may have been assembled with improperly manufactured rivets. In the event of a crash, the rivets can break causing the seats not to be secured to the floor. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seating Systems," and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the seat does not remain secured to the floor, the seat occupant has an increased risk of injury.
Fix
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is D0S, and T0T.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Honda Pilot is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

440Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
11Injuries reported
50,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine157
Electrical System82
Power Train75
Unknown Or Other74
Fuel/Propulsion System63
Fuel System, Gasoline62
Vehicle Speed Control23
Structure › Body13
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/09: 1024/10: 1224/11: 1324/12: 1425/01: 1025/02: 525/03: 425/04: 425/05: 525/06: 825/07: 725/08: 525/09: 525/10: 825/11: 225/12: 526/01: 126/03: 726/04: 426/05: 226/06: 426/07: 426/08: 826/09: 324/0924/1225/0325/0625/0925/1226/0426/07max 14

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Honda Pilot buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 157 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 82 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 75 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Honda Pilot. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Pilot years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Pilot22200 inNot rated127
2025 Pilot22200 in★★★★★4216
2024 Pilot22200 in★★★★★6116
2023 Pilot22200 in★★★★★5146
2022 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★5169
2021 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★10450
2020 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★11492
2019 Pilot23196.5 in★★★★★13920
2017 Pilot23194.9 inNot rated4936
2016 Pilot23194.9 inNot rated81,720
2015 Pilot20191.3 inNot rated4108
2014 Pilot20190.9 inNot rated3105

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →