Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Pilot.
The 2018 Honda Pilot is an SUV featuring an Automatic (S9) transmission and an engine requiring 5.7 qt of 0W-20 API oil. This model delivers an EPA-rated fuel economy of 19/26/22 mpg. Within the model's 2003-2025 reliability history, this year recorded 426 owner complaints and seven recalls, with the engine as the top complaint area. These figures place the 2018 model well below the 1,665 complaints recorded during the 2016 peak.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S9) |
| Overall length | 194.9 in |
| Overall width | 79.9 in |
| Overall height | 69.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 4255 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.1 / 66.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Pilot of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2016 | EX 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
| 2016 | Elite 3.5L V6 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
| 2020 | Black Edition 3.5L V6 | 6.20 sec | 14.80 sec | 280 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.7 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF 3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.8 qt |
| Engine Coolant | Use Honda Type 2 Antifreeze |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 7.5 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 68.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs; |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 24 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Honda |
| Spark Plug Gap | .039 - .043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.49-1.60 lbs |
| Oil Type | Delphi RL85HM |
| Oil Capacity | 4.00-5.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 620 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 60.0 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 67.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 52; Rear: 25 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 65 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .354 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| Maximum Drum Diameter | Parking Brake Drum: 8.307 |
| 1 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90.0 | |
| 1 | 48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 | 48 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 11MM Bolts | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 11MM Bolts | 47 degrees |
| 3 | 36.0 | |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2018 Honda Pilot sits in a clear dip within the federal record: 426 complaints, 7 recalls, 4 investigations, and 140 TSBs, down from 899 complaints, 4 recalls, and 181 TSBs in 2017 and well below 2019’s 862 complaints, 13 recalls, and 223 TSBs. Across the generation, the data show a calm mid-2010s period, a sharp 2016 spike of 1,665 complaints and 365 TSBs, a descending 2017–2018 trough, and then renewed complaint and recall activity in 2019–2020; 2018 is therefore the quietest point in the post-spike window. Its leading complaint categories are Engine (63), Fuel System/Gasoline (53), Unknown or Other (35), and Power Train (32), plus 9 crash-related and 2 fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Compared with adjacent years, 2018 carries fewer complaints and TSBs than both 2017 and 2019 and fewer recalls than 2019, even though recalls edge above 2017’s count and investigations remain at four. **Takeaway:** The 2018 Pilot appears to be one of the more favorable used-model years in this federal record, but buyers should verify all recalls are completed and review service history rather than treat the lower complaint volume as zero risk.
All 426 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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 (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… Remedy: 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…
Showing 5 of 140 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A23-009 | 2025-07-07 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, after coming to a stop and engaging idle… |
| A23-078 | 2025-05-21 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper… |
| A23-078 | 2025-05-21 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper… |
| A23-078 | 2025-04-18 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper… |
| AEBM04182025901 | 2025-04-18 | Engine | Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.7 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.