What is the 2016-2019 Honda Pilot ZF 9-Speed Transmission Rough Shifting and Hesitation?

The ZF 9HP transmission produces rough and delayed shifting, loud noises during shifting, sudden harsh accelerations/decelerations, jerking/hesitating at all speeds, and loss of power. Problems stem from improper software calibration and electrical connection defects. Honda issue… Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2018 Honda Pilot Fuel Injector Debris Causing Misfires and Catalyst Codes?

2016-2018 Pilots suffer from debris in direct-injection fuel system causing internal wear or clogging inside injectors. Causes misfire codes (P0300-P0306), catalyst efficiency codes (P219A/B, P0420/P0430), rough idle, and stalling. TSB 20-100 addresses this defect. Honda extended… Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot Expensive Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement Required?

3.5L V6 uses timing belt (not chain) that must be replaced every 105,000 miles or 7 years. Timing belt failure causes catastrophic engine damage (bent valves, damaged pistons) costing $3,000-$6,000. Water pump is driven by timing belt and should be replaced simultaneously since l… Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2020 Honda Pilot Auto Idle Stop Engine Fails to Auto-Restart (No-Restart / Stall at Stop)?

On third-gen Pilots with the J35Y6 V6 and ZF 9-speed automatic, the Auto Idle Stop (engine stop-start) system shuts the engine off at a stop but the engine then fails to automatically restart when the driver releases the brake, leaving the vehicle dead in traffic and sometimes re… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: high.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot Infotainment Touchscreen Goes Black or Becomes Unresponsive?

Center console touchscreen goes completely black or becomes unresponsive. Audio/navigation system may enter infinite loop during shutdown that drains battery. Loose fuse connections in 2016 models and software glitches across all years are common. Class action lawsuit includes 20… Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot Parasitic Battery Drain Causing Dead Battery?

Honda Pilots experience excessive parasitic battery drain (over 80mA) causing dead batteries after 24-48 hours. Common causes include radio/audio staying active when off, Bluetooth module constantly searching, and AC compressor clutch relay sticking on. Normal draw should be 12-3… Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot Premature Engine Mount Failure Causing Vibration?

Honda Pilots experience premature wear and failure of Active Control Engine Mounts (ACM), especially front and rear mounts. 2016+ Pilot uses 28-volt ACM system with sensors and actuators that cancel vibration. Rubber and metal components degrade due to heat, oil, and road conditi… Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot AC Clutch Relay Failure Causing No Cold Air or Battery Drain?

The Omron A/C clutch relay (Honda part 39794-SDA-A03) is defective and gets hot, causing failure. Honda-specific part with reduced coil current known to be problematic. When relay fails, either battery dies overnight (relay stuck closed) or AC stops working (relay stuck open). Lo… Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2023 Honda Pilot Rear Differential Fluid Leaks from Seals and Sensors?

AWD Honda Pilots experience rear differential fluid leaks from temperature/pressure sensors, axle seals, and case deterioration. Loose or damaged fluid pressure sensors drip onto axle seals. Some cases involve holes in differential case with extensive aluminum deterioration. Leak… Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2022 Honda Pilot VTM-4 Rear Differential Clutch Judder and Noise When Turning?

AWD Pilots use Honda's VTM-4 rear differential, whose internal hydraulic clutch packs make a shudder/judder and noise during low-speed tight turns (e.g., parking lots, U-turns) when the VTM-4 differential fluid degrades or becomes contaminated by clutch-friction particles and/or… Repairs typically run $65-$150. Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2018 Honda Pilot A/C Condenser Leak at Receiver/Dryer Cap — No Cold Air?

Third-gen Pilots lose A/C cooling because the parallel-flow condenser leaks refrigerant (R-1234yf) at the lower corner around the receiver/dryer cap, due to poor O-ring compression against the receiver/dryer barrel wall. Honda documents this in Service Bulletin 18-080. Owners rep… Repairs typically run $200-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2020 Honda Pilot Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Oil Leak Causing Misfires?

On the J35 V6, the rubber valve cover gaskets and the integrated spark plug tube seals harden and shrink with age and heat, allowing oil to weep onto the hot exhaust manifolds (burning-oil smell) and, more seriously, to pool down inside the spark plug wells. Oil saturates the ign… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2020 Honda Pilot Front Blend Door (Air Mix) Actuator Failure Causing Clicking Behind Dash and No Temperature Control?

The plastic air-mix (blend door) actuator behind the dash, near the left side of the glove box, strips its internal gears over time. When it fails the vehicle loses the ability to modulate temperature (air is stuck all-hot or all-cold and cannot be blended), and a repetitive clic… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: medium.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot EVAP Canister Purge Valve Stuck Open (P0496/P0455) Causing Hard Start After Refueling?

The EVAP canister purge valve sticks open and allows fuel vapors to flow into the intake when they shouldn't. On 3rd-gen Pilots this commonly sets P0496 (EVAP high/incorrect purge flow), and can accompany P0455/P0441; drivers notice a check engine light, rough idle, and pronounce… Repairs typically run $30-$250. Severity: medium.

What is the 2009-2022 Honda Pilot Power Liftgate Strut and Motor Failure — Tailgate Won't Stay Open or Cycles Closed?

On power-liftgate Pilots the gas-charged support struts weaken and lose nitrogen pressure prematurely, so they no longer help lift or hold the heavy tailgate. This forces the power motor to carry the full load, which leads to the liftgate opening then immediately closing, grindin… Repairs typically run $60-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2003-2018 Honda Pilot Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure Triggering P0420 / P0430?

The Pilot's three-way catalytic converters lose conversion efficiency with age and contamination, setting P0420 (Bank 1) and/or P0430 (Bank 2) and illuminating the check engine light. Symptoms include reduced power/fuel economy, a rotten-egg (sulfur) smell, and a rattle from a br… Repairs typically run $500-$2,300. Severity: medium.

What is the 2014-2022 Honda Pilot White Paint Peeling and Bubbling on Roof and Tailgate?

Honda Pilot models with white paint (Taffeta White, White Diamond Pearl, White Orchid Pearl) suffer from paint defects causing peeling, bubbling, and flaking primarily on roof and tailgate. Defect stems from problems in Honda's "three-stage" white paint application manufacturing… Severity: low.

Honda · Known Issues

2018 Honda Pilot Problems: 22 Issues Every Owner Should Know

2018 model year · 10,072+ owner reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 10,072+ owner reports, the 2018 Honda Pilot has 22 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires, Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start, ZF 9-Speed Transmission Rough Shifting and Hesitation, Fuel Injector Debris Causing Misfires and Catalyst Codes, Expensive Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement Required, Auto Idle Stop Engine Fails to Auto-Restart (No-Restart / Stall at Stop) ($0-$400 repair) and Honda Sensing / Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Phantom Unintended Braking ($0-$600 repair). The most commonly reported issue is VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires with 2,843 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $2,300. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Pilot problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 10,072+ owner reports, the 2018 Honda Pilot has 22 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires, Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start, ZF 9-Speed Transmission Rough Shifting and Hesitation. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Honda Pilot reliable?

The 2018 Honda Pilot has 22 known issues documented across 10,072+ owner reports. 7 issues are rated critical: VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires and Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start and ZF 9-Speed Transmission Rough Shifting and Hesitation and Fuel Injector Debris Causing Misfires and Catalyst Codes and Expensive Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement Required and Auto Idle Stop Engine Fails to Auto-Restart (No-Restart / Stall at Stop) and Honda Sensing / Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Phantom Unintended Braking. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Pilot problems?

Repair costs for known Honda Pilot issues range from $0 to $2,300, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires?

Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) causes excessive oil consumption (1 quart every 1,000-1,500 miles), engine misfires, and fouled spark plugs. The reciprocating effect creates vacuum that pulls oil past piston rings. Leads to premature failure of spark plugs, catalytic converter… Severity: high.

What is the 2017-2020 Honda Pilot Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start?

Honda recalled 2,539,902 vehicles including 2017-2020 Pilot for fuel pump impeller defects. Improperly molded low-density impellers deform over time and interfere with fuel pump body, rendering pump inoperative. Causes difficulty starting, engine stalling while driving, or comple… Severity: high.

All 22 Known Issues

Other Honda Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Pilot problems?

Is the Honda Pilot reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Pilot problems?

What is the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires?

What is the 2017-2020 Honda Pilot Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start?

When Issues Typically Appear

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: VCM System Causes Excessive Oil Consumption and Misfires#

2016-2018 Honda Pilot: Fuel Injector Debris Causing Misfires and Catalyst Codes#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: Expensive Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement Required#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: Premature Engine Mount Failure Causing Vibration#

2009-2020 Honda Pilot: Valve Cover Gasket and Spark Plug Tube Seal Oil Leak Causing Misfires#

2016-2020 Honda Pilot: Auto Idle Stop Engine Fails to Auto-Restart (No-Restart / Stall at Stop)#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: Infotainment Touchscreen Goes Black or Becomes Unresponsive#

2016-2023 Honda Pilot: Parasitic Battery Drain Causing Dead Battery#

2009-2020 Honda Pilot: Door Lock Actuator Failure — Doors Won't Lock/Unlock or Cycle Randomly#

2017-2020 Honda Pilot: Fuel Pump Impeller Failure Causing Stalling and No-Start#

2016-2019 Honda Pilot: ZF 9-Speed Transmission Rough Shifting and Hesitation#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: Honda Sensing / Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) Phantom Unintended Braking#

2016-2023 Honda Pilot: Rear Differential Fluid Leaks from Seals and Sensors#

2009-2022 Honda Pilot: VTM-4 Rear Differential Clutch Judder and Noise When Turning#

2016-2018 Honda Pilot: A/C Condenser Leak at Receiver/Dryer Cap — No Cold Air#

2009-2020 Honda Pilot: Front Blend Door (Air Mix) Actuator Failure Causing Clicking Behind Dash and No Temperature Control#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: EVAP Canister Purge Valve Stuck Open (P0496/P0455) Causing Hard Start After Refueling#

2003-2018 Honda Pilot: Catalytic Converter Efficiency Failure Triggering P0420 / P0430#

2009-2022 Honda Pilot: Power Liftgate Strut and Motor Failure — Tailgate Won't Stay Open or Cycles Closed#

2014-2022 Honda Pilot: White Paint Peeling and Bubbling on Roof and Tailgate#

2016-2022 Honda Pilot: AC Clutch Relay Failure Causing No Cold Air or Battery Drain#

2009-2022 Honda Pilot: Sun Visor Sagging and Drooping From Worn Pivot / Broken Internal Tension Spring#