2013 Honda Pilot
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 271 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 23 Pilot model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 12 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Campaign 19V502000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 16, 2019
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Campaign 19V378000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleSep 27, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Campaign 18V661000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJan 9, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
Campaign 18V042000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineAug 27, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear.
A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).
Campaign 13V382000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsJan 18, 2013
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Campaign 13V016000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
18 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, May 26, 2026, crash
Had a car accident and hit a sand barrel at about 40 miles an hour without the airbags didn’t deploy. The grill and bumper were damaged with impact.
Air bags, Jan 26, 2026
The car was inspected by the authorized dealer, but it is still on the list.
Air bags, Aug 23, 2025
• The side airbags on the passenger side, extending from the front passenger seat to the back, deployed without cause. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • The airbags deployed while driving, forcing us to pull over immediately in an unsafe location on a very busy road with two young kids. My son was sitting on tue passenger side in the middle section near the window and was at risk of being severely injured by the airbag deployment. All passengers were put at risk due to the airbags and because stopping on a busy road created an additional safety hazard. • No, the problem hasn’t been reproduced or confirmed yet. • Yes, two police officers and a tow truck operator inspected the vehicle at the scene. Both confirmed that there was no crash, collision, and no visible damage to the car, and were unsure why the airbags deployed. They said it was “really weird” and unexplained. • No, there were no warning lights, error messages, or other symptoms before the airbag deployment.
Air bags, Jun 19, 2024
I made an 8:40 am appointment to fix the 2018 airbag recall (18V-042) and after arriving at the service center was told it would take two days to fix because they were unexpectedly busy, and, they would be unable to give me a loaner vehicle or facilitate it's dropoff when complete. This does not work for us and leaves us exposed to unacceptable safety risk.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 40-50 MPH, there was an accident ahead where a trailer crashed into a deer causing the deer to impact the front driver's side of the vehicle. The front passenger-side air bag was the only air bag that was deployed. The front driver-side air bag failed to deploy. After the front passenger air bag deployed the vehicle heated up rapidly and failed to shut off. There were two children seated in the rear of the vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Air bags, Jul 28, 2022
Passenger Airbag fails to turn itself off when under 15 LBS is positioned on the seat.
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2020
CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE COMES ON SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER I TIGHTEN THE FUEL CAP. SOMETIMES THE MESSAGE STOPS ON ITS OWN. DON'T KNOW WHY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES AND GOES OFF ON ITS OWN. DON'T KNOW WHY. I NOTICED THESE ALERTS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR SITTING AT AN IDLE. CITY DRIVING WITH VERY LITTLE HIGHWAY DRIVING. I CHECKED HONDA WEBSITE TODAY FOR A LIST OF RECALLS ON MY VIN, BUT THE WEBSITE SAID THAT THERE WERE NOT OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WONDER ABOUT THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Other or unspecified, May 14, 2020
I THOUGHT FINALLY I COULD START ENJOYING THE LUXURY IN A CAR BUT HONDA COMPANY PAINTED MY FACE SHAME BY MAKING ME FEEL DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR PRODUCT. MY CAR STEERING IS SO HARD FOR ME A WOMAN, THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL NOT BLOW TO THE RIGHT DIRECTION EVEN WHEN I SET THE MODE, THE BELT IS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROOF PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LESS THAN A YEAR I BOUGHT IT, THIS IS 2013 VEHICLE , THIS REALLY BROKE MY HEART AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I HAVE A LOT ON MY PLATE ALREADY, NOW ADD ALL THESE. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME, I'M LOOSING IT , PLEASE HELP ME😭😭😭😭 *TR
Air bags, Jan 23, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD THE CONTACT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A REST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Air bags, Sep 16, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V661000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED KUNI HONDA ON ARAPAHOE (LOCATED AT 10750 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO 80112, 720-636-7000) WHO STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT NEED THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Jul 5, 2019
TAKATA RECALL WENT TO HONDA CITY OF BETHPAGE BECAUSE I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REGARDING AN AIRBAG RECALL. WAITED HOURS JUST TO LET ME KNOW AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED AND WILL NOT FIX IT. I DIDN'T KNOW WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. DIDN'T EVEN BOTHERING ASKING ME I WANTED IT TO BE FIX OR NOT. SO I'M ASSUMING HONDA DOES NOT FIX AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 12, 2018
THE SRS MODUAL IS DEFECTIVE SO I HAVE NON WORKING AIR BAGS AND THE LEFT SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE. HONDA SAYS THE WILL FIX THE SEAT BELT BOT NOT THE SRS MODUAL.
Air bags, Dec 9, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. TRADED IN TO BRIARWOOD FORD ANN ARBOR MI. UNKNOWN DAMAGE
Air bags, Dec 8, 2017, crash
RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. DO I JUST TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED? WILL THERE BE ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE REIMBURSED FOR IN THE FORM OF A RENTAL CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED? WE ALSO LEASE A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. VIN: [XXX]. WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FOR THIS CAR AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" INFLATORS / AIRBAGS: AS PER NOTICE IN MAIL FROM TK HOLDINGS, INC., ET AL., WE CONTACTED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON TX 'VANDERGRIFF HONDA & MADE APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH SERVICE ADVISOR/REP. HOWEVER WHEN HE LISTED OUR VIN HE STATED ([XXX]) THAT ONLY 2 RECALLS WERE ISSUED ON OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT BUT NOT PERTAINING TO OUR VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.. SO WOULD U PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SUBJECT AS WE ARE SENIORS IN OUR AGE 70+ YEARS & VERY NERVOUS IN DRIVING OUR HONDA IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. YOUR WEBSITE LISTED UNDER 'SAFERCARS.GOV' STATES 'RIVETS DEFECTS' IN OUR MODEL 2013 PILOT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS/INFLATORS FOR OUR MODEL YEAR 2013 HONDA PILOT FWD. YOUR FURTHER PROPER REVIEW IN FINDING OUT WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH OR ANSWER W/BE APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY, & OUR BEST REGARDS. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Air bags, Jan 7, 2016
2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. *JB
Air bags, Jul 8, 2014
ON 06/28/2014 THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. MY 12 YR OLD SON (114 LBS.) WAS THE PASSENGER AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.WE HAVE DOCUMENTED/PHOTOGRAPHED THE AIRBAG LIGHT INITIATING A SENSOR AS BEING OFF WHILE THE SEAT HAS AN OCCUPANT AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS CONSTITUTES A SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS OF 2013 HONDA PILOT VEHICLES AND ANY OTHER HONDA PRODUCT THAT USES THIS SAME SENSOR.FINDLAY HONDA, 7494 W AZURE DR, LAS VEGAS, NV 89130 , 702-982-4200. FINDLAY SERVICE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON 06/30/2014, THEY ADVISED THAT THEY HAD RESET THE "CIRCUITS" TO THE AIRBAGS AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO DRIVE. OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT MANUAL INDICATES THIS SENSOR WILL TURN OFF AIRBAGS IF PASSENGER IS LESS THAN 65 LBS. MY SON IS 114 LBS. WHEN THE AIRBAG DISARMED. WE PICKED IT UP LATE ON 06/30/2014 AND DISCOVERED THE SAME ISSUE AND LEFT IT AT THE DEALER SERVICE AGAIN FOR REVIEW TODAY, 07/01/2014.I BROUGHT MY SON IN WITH ME TO FINDLAY DEALERSHIP SERVICE THIS MORNING TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE IN FRONT OF FINDLAY DEALER TWO AUTO TECHS AND SERVICE EMPLOYEE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WITH MY SON IN THE SEAT AGAIN.I WAS JUST ADVISED BY FINDLAY HONDA SERVICE REP, DOUG GRANT ON JULY 2, 2014 THAT HIS TECHS CHECKED WITH HONDA CORPORATE WHO STATED " ANYONE UNDER 150 LBS., SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY DISABLE THE SENSOR WHICH WILL DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING DURING A CRASH.PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS THIS IS A HUGE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE. WE DO NOT WANT TO ACCCEPT THIS VEHICLE BACK TO USE AS THIS IS A UNKNOWN AND UNDOCUMENTED DISCREPANCY WITH HONDA AND ITS SERVICE AND PARTS SECTION. *JS