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: power train
54 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Mar 12, 2014
WHILE DRIVING IN FLORIDA AND LOUISIANA, I NOTICED A LOW-FREQUENCY BUZZING SOUND AND VIBRATION WHICH COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORPAN. I BELIEVE IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT (VCM) FEATURE. IT COULD BE FELT WHEN THE VCM TRANSITIONED FROM 6 TO 4 CYLINDER MODE, WITH THE RPM OF 1700-1900 AND SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 25, 45 AND 60 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WITH VERY LIGHT ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, JUST MAINTAINING SPEED, AND DISAPPEAR WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSURE WAS INCREASED, CAUSING IT TO DOWNSHIFT AND/OR THE VCM TO TRANSITION BACK TO 6 CYLINDER MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS LESS EVIDENT HERE IN COLORADO SPRINGS (6000 FT ELEVATION), WHICH I CANNOT EXPLAIN. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2008 PILOT NOR A 2008 ODYSSEY, BOTH OF WHICH HAD A SIMILAR VCM FEATURE. MY LOCAL HONDA TECH COULD "NOT DUPLICATE" MY CONCERN AND SAID IT WAS "OPERATING NORMALLY". THE TRANSMISSION ALSO "HUNTS" BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. *TR
Power train, Feb 24, 2014
WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE EMITTED AUDIBLE NOISE FROM WITHIN CABIN AND OUTSIDE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CLUSTER OF FAST METALLIC CLAPPING/SNAPPING NOISES. THE NOISE WAS ACCOMPANIED AND FOLLOWED BY AN OBSERVED SHAKE AND HESITATION TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, THE MOTION TO TRANSITION INTO A ZERO GAS COASTING SPEED, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LURCH TO VEHICLES DEFAULT DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST NOTICEABLE INCIDENT OF THIS BEHAVIOR WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE NOVEMBER 2013 TIME FRAME, WHILE IN A DRIVE-THRU AT A RESTAURANT, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND AFTER ORDERING, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE PERFORMING THIS TRANSMISSION SHIFT. THE VEHICLE IS WITH THE DEALER FOR A REPEAT SERVICE CALL TO OBSERVE THIS PATTERN OF SHIFT CHANGE BEHAVIOR. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A FEW MORE INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT THESE TWO ARE THE MOST NOTICEABLE THAT CAN BE RECOLLECTED AT THIS TIME. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2014
VEHICLE SHUTTERS TERRIBLE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS/RPM. HAVE TO ADJUST ACCELERATION TO GET IT TO STOP. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NOT NORMAL OPERATION FOR A NEW VEHICLE. IT'S CRIMINAL THAT HONDA CLAIMS ITS NORMAL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 28, 2014
EVER SINCE I PULLED OFF THE NEW CAR LOT,,,,, VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AT 1500 TO 2000 RPM. IT IS SLIGHT BUT VIBRATES THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. ANNOYING IS THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION. GOES AWAY WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO ECO BEING IN OPERATION. I SEE SAME COMPLAINT IN OTHER POSTS. I BELIEVE IT IS A ROOKIE DESIGN FLAW IN POWER TRAIN. A $40,000 VEHICLE SHOULD BE WITHOUT THIS DEFECT. I ALSO OWN A 2010 PILOT THAT OPERATES WITHOUT ANY VIBRATION AT ANY SPEED OR LOAD UPON ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN. THIS IS MY SECOND "HONDA" COMPANY VEHICLE. I WISH I HAD THE 1ST ONE BACK. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY FRUSTRATION WITH MY 2013 HONDA PILOT. HONDA..... CAN YOU OWN UP TO THIS FLAW AND FIX? *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 16, 2014
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, AS I START THE TURN THE ENGINE HESITATES AND THERE IS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE NO POWER AND COASTS 4 OR 5 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING NORMALLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCASIONALLY OCCURRED STARTING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AND MAKING RIGHT TURNS. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 10, 2014
THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. YOU MUST SLOW DOWN OR SPEED UP TO GET IT TO STOP VIBRATING. WE BOUGHT THIS HONDA PILOT BECAUSE WE DRIVE ON A LOT OF SLICK ROADS. I FEEL THIS MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY. ALONG WITH BEING UNSAFE, IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND WITH IT BEING A NEW VEHICLE, WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ACCEPT THIS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A NORMAL OPERATION OF VCM. AMERICAN HONDA TELLS ME THE SAME THING. I DON'T AGREE. *TR
Power train, Jan 8, 2014
VEHICLE HAS ROLLBACK ON INCLINES AND TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LOCKUP TO HOLD POSITION WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OFF OF BRAKE (ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT ). TOLD BY HONDA SERVICE MANAGER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THAT THIS IS NORMAL WITH HONDA'S... HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS BEFORE. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION? *TR
Power train, Jan 4, 2014
SUV SHUDDERS NOTICEABLY BETWEEN 45 TO 74 MPH WHEN VCM ENGAGES FROM ECO MODE TO 6 CYLINDER. DEALER INFORM ME IT IS A NORMAL FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 3, 2014
VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATES/SHUDDERS AS ENGINE RUN IN ECO MODE AND AS VCM KICKS IN/OUT OR IS IN USE. I SEE HUNDREDS OF SAME COMPLAINT ON HONDA MESSAGE BOARDS AND ALL HAVE GOTTEN THE SAME RESPONSE FROM HONDA. THEY INDICATE IT IS NORMAL OPERATION AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. ANYONE THAT'S DRIVEN A VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN A FEW HOURS CAN TELL YOU IT'S NOT NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE TO VIBRATE LIKE THAT. IN MY DRIVING, I FIND IT TO BE NOT ONLY ANNOYING, BUT VERY DISTRACTING AS I'M CONSTANTLY TRYING TO CHANGE SPEEDS/RPM, ETC. TO MAKE THE VIBRATIONS GO AWAY. THIS CONSTANT DISTRACTION IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I IMPLORE YOU TO GET HONDA TO OWN THE SITUATION AND FIND A FIX. *TR
Power train, Jan 3, 2014
MY 2013 HONDA PILOT SHAKES AND RUMBLES WHEN I HIT 20 MPH! WHEN THE ECO LIGHT FLIPS ON, MY CARS STARTS SHAKING. IT'S SO ANNOYING. I HAVE BEEN SAVING AND SAVING MY MONEY FOR MY DREAM CAR, AND NOW I HATE MY HONDA. I HAVE DRIVEN CR-V, AND ACCORD, AND LOVED THEM. THIS CAR IS A HORRIBLE RIDE! I JUST WANT TO DRIVE IN PEACE. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 2, 2014
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2013 HONDA PILOT IN SEPTEMBER 2013. FROM THE FIRST DAY OF DRIVING IT, I NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVE TRAIN/ENGINE/TRANSMISSION WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SWITCHING INTO "ECO" MODE. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, GAS PEDAL, AND FLOOR BOARD. IT BECOMES WORSE WHEN CRUISING AT A LOW RPM, OR WHEN CLIMBING A HILL (NO MATTER HOW STEEP THE HILL IS) WHEN THE ECO MODE IS ENGAGED. THE VIBRATION ONLY STOPS WHEN THE CAR IS REQUIRED TO INCREASE THE RPM, EITHER FROM MANUALLY DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, OR THE COMPUTER DECIDING IT NEEDS MORE POWER. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT EXPERIENCE THIS VIBRATION UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP AND THE ECO MODE ENGAGES. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, THE ECO MODE DOES NOT KICK IN, AND THERE IS NO VIBRATION. I NOW HAVE 5600 MILES ON THE PILOT, AND THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO WITHOUT TAKING IT FOR A TEST DRIVE ADVISED THAT "THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ECO MODE ON BOTH THE PILOT'S AND ODYSSEY'S". THEY WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX IT, AS HONDA HAS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS "NORMAL OPERATION". IN ADDITION TO FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH HONDA CUSTOMER CARE. NO RESOLUTION TO DATE. HAD THE SALESMAN TOLD ME ABOUT THIS "NORMAL OPERATING VIBRATION ISSUE", I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Power train, Dec 29, 2013
I PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING MODEL ON MAY 3, 2013. OVER TIME, AND NOW WHENEVER I DRIVE BETWEEN 35-45 MPH THE CAR SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES. IT OCCURS IN VCM MODE AND IS NOW PRESENT WHETHER IN VCM MODE OR ACCELERATING. THERE IS NO VIBRATION THRU THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL IT THRU THE CAR SEAT, BACK, AND CENTER STORAGE LID. PASSENGERS HAVE REMARKED "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR CAR?" AT 30 MPH THE CAR DRIVES VERY SMOOTH. BY 35 MPH IT'S LIKE DRIVING A DIFFERENT CAR. THE VIBRATION IS GETTING MORE PRONOUNCED AS MILES ACCRUE. *TR
Power train, Dec 18, 2013
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE IS A VERY ANNOYING SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING AND GROWLING AT 45 MPH 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. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 17, 2013
2013 HONDA PILOT 4WD WAS PURCHASED 6/30/2013 FROM DCH TEMECULA. ON 7/1/2013, VTM LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYED LIT IN ALL GEARS, ALL SPEEDS, INCLUDING PARK AND DRIVE, WHICH IS OUT OF MANUFACTURE SPEC'S. DCH HONDA OF TEMECULA CONFIRMED ISSUE ON 7/2/13. RELAY REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AND PERFORMED. CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION: 2 DAYS. ON 11/26/2013, AT 5,974 MILES, CAR WAS BROUGHT IN WITH VTM LIGHT STAYING ON AGAIN. PART UNAVAILABLE. TOOK CAR HOME WED 11/27/2013 PER ADVISOR "CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE." PHONE GM; OFFERED A SERVICE CAR ON FRIDAY 11/29/2013 WHILE DEALERSHIP REPLACED VTM CONTROL MODULE. CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION: 2 DAYS. ON 12/16/13, 6,573 MILES, VTM LIGHT STAYING LIT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHILE CAR IS IN ANY GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS WHILE STATIONARY -- LIGHT STILL ON. VTM LIGHT WILL NOT ENGAGE ON MANUAL SWITCH. AT THIS TIME, UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW LONG CAR WILL BE OUT OF POSSESSION UNTIL IT IS BROUGHT IN. IN ADDITION TO VTM LIGHT ISSUE, REAR HATCH GLASS SWITCH WOULD NOT OPEN GLASS, AS PER OWNER'S MANUAL. NOTED DURING PURCHASE; SALES PERSON SAID ABLE TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROUGHT IN ON 7/2/2013. PART WAS UNAVAILABLE UNTIL 7/8/13. DEALERSHIP ABLE TO SWITCH PART OUT FROM CAR ON LOT ON 7/5/13. CAR OUT OF POSSESSION: 1 DAY. TO DATE, CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS WITHIN 5 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE AMERICAN HONDA TO ISSUE A SAFETY BULLETIN ON THIS CAR, POSSIBLY ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL. POSSIBLE ACCIDENT LIKELY TO OCCUR IF WE DEPEND ON ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND IT DOES NOT ENGAGE. CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 4WD AS MAIN PRIORITY. *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2013
VIBRATION AT 1500 RPM. STOPS WHEN RPM GO ABOVE 2000 OR LESS THAN 1400. *TR
Power train, Nov 24, 2013
WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE (JANUARY 18, 2013) WITH OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT EX 4WD. THE PROBLEM IS A NOTICEABLE VIBRATION WHEN THE ENGINE DROPS DOWN FROM HIGH ECO MODE (4 CYLINDERS) TO LOW ECO MODE (3 CYLINDERS - IF I UNDERSTAND THE ECO CYLINDER REDUCTION SYSTEM CORRECTLY). IT IS SMOOTH IN HIGH ECO MODE BUT AS SOON AS IT DROPS DOWN, THE VEHICLE VIBRATES/RUMBLES SIGNIFICANTLY. IT IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE IT FOR THAT REASON. I DO NOT HAVE AN INDEPENDENT AUDIBLE VIBRATION ALTHOUGH WHEN IN LOW ECO MODE IT MAKES A SOUND AS WELL AS A VIBRATION WITH THE VIBRATION BEING THE MOST PRONOUNCED. IT IS ODD THAT ONE PART OF THE ECO MODE IS SMOOTH AND THE OTHER PART IS ROUGH. I CAN PREDICT WHEN THE ROUGHNESS WILL OCCUR WHEN TRAVELING ON A RELATIVELY FLAT ROAD WITH GRADUAL INCLINES AND DECLINES. WHEN THE ROAD DECLINES, THE LOW ECO MODE ENGAGES AND THE VIBRATION INITIATES AND CONTINUES UNTIL THE ROAD BEGINS TO INCLINE AT WHICH TIME THE ECO MODE TRANSFERS FROM ITS LOW MODE TO ITS HIGH MODE AND THE VIBRATION STOPS IMMEDIATELY. THE VIBRATION IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH AND IS COMPARABLE TO RIDING ON SMOOTH ASPHALT AND THEN THE SURFACE CHANGING ABRUPTLY TO A ROUGH OIL AND CHIP ROAD SURFACE. WE HAD A 2009 HONDA PILOT LX 4WD WITH THE SAME ECO SYSTEM AND THERE WAS NO VIBRATION IN LOW ECO MODE. HAS ANYONE HAD A SUCCESSFUL FIX/REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE? IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO ME AND THIS CANNOT BE NORMAL BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. IF NOTHING CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM, IS THERE A METHOD TO SHUT OFF THE LOW ECO SYSTEM FROM ACTIVATING BUT STILL HAVE THE HIGH ECO SYSTEM OPERABLE. I WOULD RATHER HAVE A SMOOTH RIDE AND SACRIFICE SOME GAS MILEAGE THAN BE TORMENTED BY THIS VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION IS SO OBVIOUS THAT IT CANNOT BE IGNORED ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE DRIVING IT. IT VIBRATES IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL. THANK YOU. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Nov 18, 2013
LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING HONDA'S 2013 PILOT RECALL (NHTSA RECALL 13V-382/CAMPAIGN#JB5/SERVICE BULLETIN #13-075); HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. OR UNIVERSITY MOTORS; REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM NHTSA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE LONG BLOCK AND SHORT BLOCK REPLACED. HE STATED HE TALKED TO THREE DIFFERENT AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS, AND IT WAS IN THEIR OPINION THAT REPLACING ONLY THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT A TRUSTWORTHY FIX. THE SHORT BLOCK REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER NON-FACTORY CONDITIONS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, THAT WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES AND ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN HIS CALLS. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GETTING THE PROPER GAS MILEAGE AS ADVERTISED. THE VEHICLE WAS RATED BETWEEN 16 AND 17 MPG, AND HE WAS GETTING 13 MPG. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WHILE IN DRIVE, THERE WAS A VIBRATION/SHUDDER COMING THROUGH THE VEHICLE, WHEN MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 15, 2013
I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT, LESS THAN 1 MONTH SINCE PURCHASE. AT SPEEDS FROM 20 MPH TO 70 MPH MY ENGINE AND CAR WILL, VIBRATE, SHUDDER. THERE IS ALSO A LOW FREQUENCY NOISE THAT SEEMS TO VIBRATE IN MY EAR WHICH IS ALSO QUITE A DISTRACTION. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST WHEN I AM ON A FLAT OR SLIGHT INCLINE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS TO EITHER SPEED UP OR LET OFF THE GAS. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE IT IS A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FEEL THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID THAT AMERICAN HONDA STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD BE NORMAL. A ROUGH FEELING, VIBRATING CABIN AND SHUDDERING ENGINE IS NOT A NORMAL OPERATING CAR. IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING WILL BREAK OR COME LOOSE, WHICH MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS AS MY CHILDREN COMMUTE WITH ME EVERY DAY. *TR
Power train, Engine, Nov 7, 2013
VIBRATION, HUMMING NOISE WHILE IN ECO MODE. AT SLOWER SPEEDS WHILE FEATHER GAS, ECO CAN SOMETIMES SEEMS TO GET CONFUSED ABRUPTLY TURN OFF CAUSING A JOLT LIKE FEELING. AT TIMES, ECO SEEMS CONFUSED WHETHER TO FIRE ON 2, 4, OR 6 CYLINDERS AND CAN BECOME IN ALMOST WHAT I CALL AN ARRHYTHMIA TYPE FEELING, WITH THE VIBRATION JUMPING AROUND UNTIL IT FINDS WHAT IT WANTS TO DO. NOTICED THE ISSUE SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT. AS EXPECTED, DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND ANY ISSUE. VIBRATION CAN BE SO BAD THAT I SOMETIMES THINK IT IS THE ROAD, BUT IT IS NOT. WOULD DUMP CAR BUT WOULD LOOSE MONEY. VERY UNFORTUNATE AND WILL NOT BE BUYING A HONDA AGAIN. IF YOU ARE LOOKING INTO ONE, PLEASE BE SURE TO TEST DRIVE AT ALL SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY CRUISING AT SLOW AND FASTER SPEEDS. CRUISING AND FEATHERING THE GAS IS WHEN YOU NOTICE IT MOST. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 24, 2013
MY 2013 HONDA PILOT JERKS AND SURGES WHEN ECO LIGHT ENGAGES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE, WITH A THIRD TRIP SCHEDULED AND AM TOLD, "WE CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM." BUT, IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME WHEN I AM DRIVING, AND APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ONLINE. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE AND HONDA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS PROVIDE ADEQUATE REPAIR. THIS IMPACTS THE VALUE AND MARKETABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD GET RID OF IT TODAY IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE SUCH A NEGATIVE MONETARY IMPACT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Oct 22, 2013
RUNS VERY ROUGH IN ECO MODE. NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. CAR HAS DONE IT SINCE BRAND NEW. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jul 8, 2013
I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HONDA PILOT EX-L ON JUNE 15. I NOTICED ON MY FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE THAT THE CAR HESITATES WHEN DRIVING IN ECO MODE. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AS IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE ISN'T GETTING ENOUGH GAS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD OTHERS HAD COMPLAINED TOO, BUT THIS WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I FEEL LIKE I'M JERKING DOWN THE ROAD. I TRADED A HONDA ODYSSEY, WHICH ALSO HAD ECO DRIVE, AND I NEVER HAD THESE ISSUES WITH THE VAN. I HATE TO DRIVE THIS CAR! *TR
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
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
Suspension, Power train, Mar 14, 2013
2013 HONDA PILOT BRAND NEW AS I WAS DRIVING HOME NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT END. MORE PRONOUNCED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOTIFIED DEALER AND BROUGHT IN TOO CHECK OUT. DEALER STARTED THE DIAGNOSTICS PROCESS BY SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WE WENT FOR A RIDE. HONDA TECH ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, BANGS, SHUTTERING AND LOW PITCHED HUMMING NOISES. TECH AND DEALER DOCUMENT MY CONCERNS AND SAY " WE ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS UP WITH HONDA. " THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. CONTACTED HONDA AFTER A WEEK OF CALLING DAILY. WHICH HONDA'S RESPONSE IS "YES WE STARTING TO GET A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR TOO REACT. THIS IS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. ". THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE, I CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMETHING TRAGIC TO HAPPEN BEFORE HONDA REACTS. *TR