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2018 Honda Pilot · Radiator replacement
2018 Honda Pilot radiator replacement cost
Estimated cost for your car
$520 to $1,150
Charlotte, NC area
Updated Aug 2026
Radiator (part)
$150 to $600
Labor (2 to 4 hrs)
$250 to $600
Coolant + bleed
$25 to $60
What actually goes wrong on this exact vehicle
Federal safety data for the 2018 Honda Pilot, so you know what to check before you pay for a radiator.
7
open + past recalls
436
owner complaints filed
Engine
the #1 reported issue
Cooling-system recall · NHTSA 23V751000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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. A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury.
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.
Real owner report, verbatim from NHTSA:
“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 NHTSA 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.”
Worth knowing: overheating is often the thermostat, water pump, or a hose, not the radiator itself. Confirm the source before you approve a radiator job.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), recalls and complaints for the 2018 Honda Pilot. Refreshed periodically.
Real local prices, unlocking soon
We publish what drivers actually paid once five verified Pilot cooling jobs have closed in your metro. Until then, the estimate above is your best guide.
Post your job and set the local priceNot sure it’s the radiator?
Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat or water pump. Describe what it’s doing and we’ll narrow it down.
How your cooling system works
The radiator is one piece of a loop. Knowing where it sits and what it works with is how you tell a real diagnosis from an upsell.
Found a puddle? What the color tells you
Bright green
Classic coolant leak. Find the source before it overheats.
Orange / pink
What most modern vehicles use (OAT). Same urgency as green.
Rusty brown
Old, corroded coolant. Overdue for a flush.
Milky / oily
Coolant mixing with oil. Can mean a head gasket. Serious.
What goes into a radiator replacement
The bill splits into three pieces: the radiator itself, the labor to swap it, and one to two gallons of fresh coolant with a fill-and-bleed to clear air pockets. On most vehicles the radiator sits behind the bumper cover, grille, condenser, and fans, so a tech spends two to four hours getting it out and back in. That access time, not the part price, is usually why two quotes for the same job look so different.
Estimate note: the per-engine figures are a close approximation from the make and job, refined as real local quotes come in. Treat them as a ballpark, not a guaranteed quote. The only exact number is one from a shop that has seen your car.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 2018 Honda Pilot radiator replacement cost?
A 2018 Honda Pilot radiator replacement typically runs $520 to $1,150 at an independent shop, parts and labor included. The spread comes mostly from engine and access: the part is $150 to $600, labor is two to four hours, and fresh coolant with a bleed adds $25 to $60.Why does the price change with the engine?
The 2018 Honda Pilot came with more than one engine, and the larger one usually means more coolant, tighter access, and a pricier radiator, so the job costs a little more. Sites that show one national number ignore this. Pick your engine on the estimate above for a closer figure.Is it always the radiator when my Honda overheats?
No. Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat, water pump, a hose, or a coolant leak rather than the radiator itself. Confirm the source with a real diagnosis before you approve a radiator job, so you are not paying to replace a part that was fine.Are there recalls on the 2018 Honda Pilot?
Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2018 Honda Pilot. Recall repairs are done free of charge at a franchised dealer for that brand, so it is worth checking your VIN before paying a shop for related work.
Related: Radiator cost calculator · Radiator replacement guide · What to do when your car overheats · Check recalls for your vehicle
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