2018 Honda Pilot: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine · CA

During acceleration between 1000-2000 rpm when I back out of the driveway or slowly start to accelerate on the street I hear a knocking sound only at that specific rpm. When cruising and I release the gas I feel a heavy sluggish and quick decrease of speed instead of it smoothly decelerating and slowly cruising. I took it to Carmax where I bought it at 79,900 miles and they heard the distant knocking as well. Sent it to Honda to inspect for a second opinion they also heard the noise but want to tear the engine apart or lower the oil pan and inspect the connecting rods and bearings but they want me to pay out of pocket.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Engine · IL

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 vehicle. He classified as.’Engine has internal knock from wrist pin/rod bearing’. I’m looking at recalls and there are 2018s that appeared to have some sort of rod or piston issue that is under recall. Our particular VIN does not show a recall. This does appear to be a relatively common problem occurring with our model year though.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Engine · OR

We were driving from [XXX], to [XXX], on XXX. That morning we'd taken the Honda Pilot in to Xpresso Lube and got an oil change and all fluids checked out. Eight hours into the drive we heard a little clanking and started to pull off the freeway. As we did so, a Low Oil Pressure light came on for a few seconds and then we heard a loud bang and then very loud, rhythmic, clanking noises in the engine as it was losing power. The first mechanic shop we had it towed to diagnosed engine failure, so we had it towed to a Honda Service shop 30 miles away. They said it was a rod bearing and the entire engine needed replacing. Our mileage at the time it entered the Honda shop was 72, 275K. We have done regular, consistent oil changes and maintenance on this car that we bought new in 2019 (a 2018 model). We at first wondered if the wrong oil was put in or if it was a faulty oil filter, but Honda said there was plenty of oil in the engine. We did get a sample of the oil that came out. The filter will be sent in to the manufacturer for quality assessment. Our safety was at risk to some degree, but we were able to pull off the road. The Honda dealership is holding the engine for me and could be inspected.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Engine · IN

Vehicle was being driven on the interstate going 70-77 mph. First noticed faint knocking sound and loss of ability to accelerate followed by check engine light and multiple system failure notifications. Pulled over on the highway between exits and turned vehicle off to call for assistance. Turned vehicle back on after 10-15 minutes to test, all warnings remained and acceleration was limited but possible. Drove vehicle on side of i70 until reaching an exit and parking for help to arrive. Two children and myself the driver were in the car. Vehicle was inspected and codes ran, but ultimately towed to our local Honda dealership. This event took place on July 18, 2026 causing us to miss a family wedding. The vehicle has been sitting at Penske Honda since then waiting for diagnostic tests to be run, scheduled for August 6.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Engine · 116,744 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 40 MPH and failed to properly accelerate. The check engine warning light was illuminated and there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the residence and a mechanic, and the dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that there was a rod knock coming from connecting rod bearing wear which was referenced in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,744.

Filed Mar 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Engine failure due to connecting rod bearing manufacturing defect (the federal safety agency PE25008). Component: engine; available for inspection upon request (replaced; documentation available). WARNING SYMPTOMS: At 94,000 miles during routine maintenance while under warranty, I reported engine knocking to the dealer. The advisor dismissed it as "normal valve noise" and did not document the complaint. Knocking progressively worsened over thousands of miles. FAILURE: At 100,750 miles the engine required immediate replacement. Dealer diagnosed rod bearing failure; bearing was worn and failing. Engine was replaced before catastrophic seizure. I had just returned from a family trip — seizure at highway speed would have caused loss of power, power steering, and braking assistance, creating serious crash risk. CONFIRMED: Dealer diagnosed and performed engine replacement. Honda provided partial goodwill coverage but refused to disclose the percentage or provide written documentation. When I formally requested full coverage for this defect under federal investigation, Honda stated the case was closed and refused to put the decision in writing. Honda recall 23V‑751 addresses this defect but excluded this vehicle despite identical failure. Vehicle was maintained per Honda Maintenance Minder at dealerships.

Filed Oct 17, 2025 · VA

Reporting recall for crankshaft connecting rod bearing and the fuel pump. Notified Jan. and Feb. 2024. Have called many times. "Never had the parts". "Not on the list to be called". "Recall not on list to be called". "No suitable appointment time available. Will call when they have one." Left messages. Have never gotten called! Frustrated. Almost 2 years. What do I do?? Seriously, do I need a lawyer or what. Lately the car seems to hesitate. Kind of a rocking sensation while driving. Is that from the fuel pump that should have been replaced more than a year ago?? Recall issued 11/9/2023

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Engine · 180,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when the vehicle was cold-started, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The knocking sound was constant. The contact stated that the vehicle nearly stalled recently, and the check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was no longer able to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the connecting rods needed to be replaced, and the engine was inspected for internal damage. The contact stated that the independent mechanic checked the oil and observed that the oil was black and the oil level was low. The contact recently had an oil change prior to taking the vehicle to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V751000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2025 · Engine · NY

On October 3, 2025, our 2018 Honda Pilot was being driven a short distance locally when all ability for acceleration was lost. Fortunately the driver was able to navigate off the road safely. The auto shop that checked the engine determined that it had seized up. The oil was properly maintained and the auto shop believed it had to do with a connecting rod bearing issue. The vehicle odometer is only 101,375 and had been in great working condition. This was a sudden occurrence with the only symptom being a slight rattling that started about 3 weeks prior. We don't have a need to drive this vehicle much (once or twice a week for very short distances), so I scheduled an appointment for the rattling sound to be looked at by my auto shop, but the engine seized a few days before the appointment date.

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Engine · CA

My timing belt tensioner is making a ticking noise and while taking it to a mechanic he says it should be taken to the dealership and be replaced as well as the timing belt. I believe my vehicle should be included in the recall opened in 2019 for the timing belt inspection safety recall.

Filed May 21, 2025 · Engine · 80,873 miles · MN

• Several months ago my 2018 Honda Pilot with 80K miles started to have an engine "flutter" at 2500 to 3000 RPM • Serviced the vehicle several times and dealership couldn't find the issue • A few weeks ago the engine light started flashing and the engine started knocking • Had the car towed to a Holman Honda in Denver, who said the the motor is shot and needs to be replaced at $23,000 • The issue was rod bearing knock, which is usually associated with maintenance issue or improper oil • Honda has a recall on certain VINs but not on our VIN, plus all Acura MDX vehicles between 2016 and 2020 have the same engine and are recalled. • This could have been a sever safety risk because the engine could have seized during use or blown the engine • This appears to be a known Honda issue, but Honda is being selective on the recalls for the VINs