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: engine
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 25, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CHECK VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CHECK EMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE, BEFORE EVEN OPENING THE HOOD. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 08/06/13*LJ UPDATED 08/5/2013 *JS
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 22, 2013
WHEN THE ECO TURNS ON START TO VIBRATE THE WHOLE CAR. THE CAR VIBRATES AND RATTLE NOISE COMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VERY DISTURBING OFR A NEW CAR BUT THEY SAY IS HOW THE ECO WORKS, CONCERNED CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO VIBRATION. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2013
2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN ECO DRIVE ENGAGES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, AS IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2013
THIS REPORT IS FOR A NEW, 2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING MODEL WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAS CONTINUED SINCE. AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP, AND WHEN THE ECO LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THERE IS A SHUDDER OR A LOW FREQUENCY, RUMBLING VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET, BUT HAS SINCE BEEN OBSERVED AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. THE VIBRATION STARTS WHEN BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AFTER REACHING A CONSTANT SPEED AND CONTINUES UNTIL THE ENGINE LOADS DOWN DUE TO A HILL OR FURTHER ACCELERATION. THIS ALSO COINCIDES WITH THE ECO LIGHT TURNING OFF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO A SHIFT POINT, BECAUSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VIBRATION STOPS AND THE ENGINE RPMS STAY CONSTANT. THE LEVEL OF VIBRATION IS NOT AS INTENSE AS THAT OF RIDING OVER RUMBLE-STRIPS, BUT THE FREQUENCY IS SIMILAR. THE LEVEL OF VIBRATION APPEARS WORSE AT HIGHER ENGINE RPMS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 21, 2013
THE PROBLEM IS A NOTICEABLE RUMBLE APPEARING TO COME FROM THE REAREND BUT AFFECTING EVERY PART OF THE VEHICLE. IT CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, DASH, ETC. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT OCCURRED AT ONLY 62 AND 40 MPH BUT THE MORE WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT CAN BE FELT AT ANY SPEED. WE HAD LEASED A TOURING PILOT BUT BROUGHT IT BACK AFTER 1400 MILES AND TRADED IT FOR A EX-L PILOT HOPING THE RUMBLE WOULD BE LESS. AT FIRST IT DIDN'T OCCUR AS MUCH, BUT THE MORE MILES IT HAS THE WORSE IT GETS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT VERY FORTHCOMING WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NO SOLUTION OR ANY HOPE FOR A SOLUTION. THE COMMENT WAS THAT SOMEONE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A VIBRATION BUT ON THEIR TEST DRIVE THEY DIDN'T NOTICE IT. ANY PASSENGERS WE HAVE IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THE RUMBLE AND ASK WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ON A NEW CAR THIS IS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST. IF THERE WERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THIS LEASE WITHOUT GETTING UPSIDE DOWN ON LEASING ANOTHER VEHICLE I WOULD DO IT IN A MINUTE. THIS OUR FOURTH PILOT AND WE HAVE HAD FEW PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THEY ARE VERY STABLE ON ICE AND GET THROUGH THE SNOW VERY WELL. UP UNTIL 2013 THE PILOT SEEMED TO HAVE A VERY GOOD RIDE ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE HAVE TAKEN MANY LONG TRIPS WITH OUR PILOTS. NOW ANY TRIP WE TAKE WE OUR PREOCCUPIED WITH THIS RUMBLE AND ARE CONSTANTLY ASKING EACH OTHER "CAN YOU FEEL THAT". I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IF A FIX CAN'T BE FOUND FOR THIS IT WILL BE THE LAST PILOT WE LEASE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SAFETY RELATED INCIDENTS TO THIS PROBLEM BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE THERE CAN BE A RUMBLE LIKE THIS AND NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM IN THE REAREND, POSSIBLY EVEN LOCKING UP. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 14, 2013
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE IS A VERY ANNOYING SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING AND GROWLING AT 45 MPH TO 68 MPH. JUST WHEN YOUR READY TO HAVE A SMOOTH RIDE ON THE HIGHWAY IT BEGINS TO SHUDDER IN ECO...ON A STRAIGHTAWAY WHILE FREE WHEELING AND WHILE I AM ON CRUISE CONTROL ... IF YOU ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE, IT WILL CEASE FOR A SECOND AND BEGIN AGAIN.. I HAVE EVEN STAYED AT 68 MPH TO SEE HOW LONG IT WOULD LAST ON A STRAIGHT AWAY WHILE IT WAS SHUDDERING....AND IT CONTINUED ...UNTIL I DECELERATED.. I ALSO GET THESE SMALL BUCKS AND SURGES , . OR A FEELING OF PULLING ME ALONG BUT FEELING LIKE I AM GOING TO FALL OUT OF MY SEAT AT THE SAME TIME..IN ECO. UNTIL THE SHUDDERING STOPS AND THEN IT FEELS SMOOTH AGAIN, FOR A MINUTE....AND THEN THE SHUDDERING BEGINS AGAIN.... MY TIRES ARE BALANCED AND I HAVE HAD AN ENGINE MOUNT NEUTRALIZING... THE HONDA PILOT HAS VCM... IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO YOUR EARS THE VIBRATING...ON TOP OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND ON YOUR WAY HOME FROM A DAY AT WORK....LOOKING FORWARD TO RELAXING LISTENING TO THE RADIO TO EASE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU GET HOME TO YOUR FAMILY LIFE...WOW...NOT RELAXING AT ALL !!! SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE.... *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 23, 2013
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2013 HONDA PILOT EX-L) ON 11/26/12 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO FEEL AN ANNOYING VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ECO MODE. THIS VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSOLE. SEATS AND THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON LEVEL STRETCHES OF ROADWAY WHEN APPLYING LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE FUEL PEDAL. THE VIBRATION OR "FLUTTER" DIMINISHES WHEN MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE FUEL PEDAL. WHEN TAKEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING HONDA CUSTOMER CARE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE CHECKED INTO AND HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER..... *TR
Engine, Feb 22, 2013
2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING 4WD PURCHASED ON 2/2. BRAND NEW, ONLY 5 MILES. AFTER 3 DAYS OF OWNING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. SHE PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A MIN OR 2 OF WAITING AND IT RAN NORMAL. SHE THEN CONTINUED HER DRIVE TO WORK WITHOUT ISSUE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, I DETERMINED THAT AFTER A COLD START, IF YOU WENT UP TO AROUND 2800-3000 RPM, THEN ENGINE WOULD RUN VERY ROUGH AND CHECK ENGINE WOULD FLASH UNTIL YOU SHUT THE CAR DOWN. SINCE I COULD REPLICATE THE ISSUE, I CALLED FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT, THE CHECK EMISSIONS SYSTEM LIGHT ALSO TRIGGERED. ON MONDAY 2/18, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND GOT A LOANER ACCORD. ON MONDAY, THE CALL FROM THE DEALER WAS, NOTHING IS WRONG. I ASKED IF THEY DID IT AFTER A COLD START SINCE MY WIFE SAID THAT WHEN DROPPING THE CAR OFF. UH, NO, SO THEY KEPT THE CAR. TUESDAY MORNING THEY SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OIL PUMP IN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING OUT TOO MUCH OIL PRESSURE WHICH WAS TRIGGERING SOME SENSORS IN THE VCM SYSTEM. THIS WAS CAUSING IT TO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THEY SAID THEY WOULD ORDER A REPLACEMENT OIL PUMP AND I'D BE ON MY WAY. LATER ON WEDNESDAY, THEY CALLED BACK TO SAY THEY WERE ON BACKORDER AND I'D HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS. ON THURSDAY, THEY CALLED BACK TO SAY THEY WON'T HAVE A REPLACEMENT OIL PUMP UNTIL APRIL. THE HONDA FACTORY REP SAID TO ORDER A NEW SHORTBLOCK AS A REPLACEMENT AS IT HAS AN INSTALLED OIL PUMP. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 10, 2013
WHILE SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE INTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL TO VERY HIGH RATE. CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THE ENGINE RPM WAS NOT NOTED, BUT DRIVER QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION. THERE WAS NO MAT ON PEDAL, AND DRIVER DOES NOT OPERATE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WITH TWO FEET. ENGINE RE-STARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR