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: service brakes
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Oct 22, 2015
BRAKES HAVE BAD VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING AT SPEEDS AROUND 60 MPH.
Service brakes, Jul 27, 2015
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS (OVER 60 MPH) AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGINS TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. MOST LIKELY, THE ROTORS ARE WARPED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THE ROTORS WERE STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT COVERED, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS ME. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE BRAKES ARE COMPROMISED.
Service brakes, Feb 18, 2015
BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT, GOES DOWN SEVERAL INCHES BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGE. TOOK CAR TO RIGHT HONDA IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ. THEY SAID ALL HONDA PILOTS DO THAT. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD BE FIXED. WEBSITE CHAT ROOMS HAVE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT ON THIS VERY TOPIC. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 9, 2015
PURCHASED A NEW 2013 HONDA PILOT - WITHIN 7-8 MONTHS BRAKES WERE VIBRATING AND CATCHING. TOOK TO HONDA DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATED YES THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAD BEEN OCCURRING ON THEIR VEHICLES. WITHIN ANOTHER 8-9 MONTHS SAME THING HAPPENS. DEALER STATED THAT ROTORS BECOME WARPED. THEY REPAIRED BUT I HAD TO PRESSURE THEM TO REPAIR WITH NO CHARGE. PILOT IS NOW JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD - HAS 34,450 MILES AND IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REP HE STATED "YES VEHICLE WEIGHTS TOO MUCH - IS TOO HEAVY". IF HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WHY ARE THEY NOT FIXING IT / HAVING BETTER DESIGN, ETC? I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA. *TR
Service brakes, Jan 23, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE STEERING SHIMMIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Oct 25, 2014
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS A SEVERE PULSATION. THIS ALSO OCCURED UPON BREAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO FINDLAY HONDA IN LAS VEGAS, NV. THIS OCCURED ON 25 JULY 2014. THE MILAGE WAS 31025. ON OCTOBER 16, 2014 I RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME LOCATION AND HAD THE IDENTICAL WORK COMPLETED. A RESURFACIMG OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR BREAK DISCS . MILAGE 35128. FOUR THOUSAND MILES LATER AND THE SAME CONDITIION HAPPENS AGAIN! MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THESE DEFECTIVE DISCS CAN BE RESURFACED BEFORE I NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. THIS WILL RESULT IN A HUGE EXPENCE, I'M SURE. I EXPECT A MUCH BETTER PRODUCT THAN WHAT I CURRENTLY OWN'. MY SON IS CURRENTLY DRIVING MY 2004 PILOT AND HAVE HAD ALMOST NO PROBLEM WITH THAT VEHICLE WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 136K.MILES. MY REMEMDY SHOULD BE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS WITHOUT CHARGE, BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE GETTING BETTER. I EXPECT THE SAME PROBLEM TO OCCUR AT 40K WHICH, OF COURSE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 3, 2014
THE BRAKES STARTED TO VIBRATE WHEN APPLIED. THIS HAPPENED WITH ONLY 16000 MILES. IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING TO MY WIFE. NOW THE CAR HAS 35000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE BAD AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 28, 2014, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO PARK GEAR SELECTOR, EXITED AUTO TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM GARAGE. NOTICED THE CAR ROLLING , ATTEMPTED TO GET IN THE CAR, AS HER TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE REAR (AGES 6 &9).CAR ROLLED OVER HER LEG, RESULTING IN MAJOR COMPOUND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE SURGERY, METAL ROD AND SCREWS IN HER LEG. CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS CROSSING STREET INTO DITCH. POLICE REPORT INDICATES ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WITH GEAR IN REVERSE . HONDA CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 10/21/2014 *JS
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD METAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE LOUD METAL NOISE WAS HEARD EACH TIME THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT A BRAKE FAILURE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE THAT THE CONTACT WAS REFERENCING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 30, 2013
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEED DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND CONTINUED TO DEPRESS FURTHER TO A POINT WHERE THE LOCATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HIGHER THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS POSITION INTERFERES WITH THE PROPER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE BY ALLOWING A CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE HIGHER ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THUS THE DRIVER PUSHING BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME AND FORWARD MOTION WAS NOT STOPPED UNTIL I RELEASED AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE, PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO WHERE MY FOOT WAS LOCATED. VERY UNSAFE ! I HAVE A SIZE 10 W MANS SHOE. I CAN'T IMAGINE SOMEONE WITH A LARGER FOOT SIZE BEING SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE HONDA DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST THE NATURE OF THE VEHICLE AND I NEED TO BASICALLY RETRAIN MY BRAIN AS TO THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS. I'VE DRIVEN FOR OVER 55 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE. AND TO BE TOLD THAT AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AS BEING ACCEPTABLE AND SAFE BY THE MANUFACTURER, IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. *TR
Service brakes, Dec 3, 2013
I HAVE A 2013 PILOT AND I'M FINDING MY BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I HAVE 5,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND I'M BEING TOLD THIS IS NORMAL BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY THINKING IS HAVING A BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR IS NOT NORMAL FOR ANY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE DEALER IS NOT ADDRESSING THE CONCERN AND PUSHING AWAY FROM THE REAL SOLUTION. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Service brakes, Nov 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THAT THE BRAKES WOULD SHUTTER AND THAT THERE WAS A VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RE-FINISHED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO THEN REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Oct 11, 2013
UPON APPLYING THE BRAKE IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION, I NOTICED THE SPONGY FEEL TO THE BRAKES. WHAT CONCERNS ME MORE, IS THAT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE EVENT, THE BRAKE PEDAL SETTLES DOWN TO BELOW THE HEIGHT OF THE ACCELERATOR AND IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T SQUARE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YOU WIND UP HITTING THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE.. I NEED TO TALK WITH SOMEONE. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A DEFECT IN DESIGN. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 15, 2013
BRAKE PEDAL WAS SPONGY AND SEEMED TO GO DOWN TOO FAR. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED AND MAINTAINING A CONSTANT PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL IT WOULD SLOWLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED SAME. APPROXIMATELY 4 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH A LOUD ROARING SOUND WAS NOTICED AND THEN A VERY NOTICEABLE VIBRATION BEGAN. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TIRES AND NOTICED A SMELL THAT WAS ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING BURNING. THE HONDA DEALER WAS CLOSE BY SO I DROVE IT TO THE DEALER AND LEFT IT THERE AGAIN. AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE, THEY DECIDED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY CALIPER SLIDE PINS NOT RELEASING. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ADJUSTED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT AND FREE PLAY. IT IS NOW 1 WEEK SINCE THAT WORK WAS PERFORMED AND ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE APPLIED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
Service brakes, May 31, 2013
PURCHASED NEW 2013 HONDA PILOT APPROXIMATELY 5/15/13. NOTICED OVER NEXT WEEK THAT BRAKE PEDAL HAS EXCESSIVE TRAVEL- REQUIRES PEDAL TO BE PUSHED MUCH FARTHER DOWN THAN SHOULD BE EXPECTED BEFORE THE BRAKES BEGIN TO ENGAGE, RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING TIME/LENGTH. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP ON 5/28/13. DEALERSHIP RETURNED ON 5/30/13 STATING THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. CALLED ANOTHER DEALERSHIP- SERVICE PERSON STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN COMPLAINT FOR RECENT HONDA PILOTS, CAUSED BY BRAKE BOOSTER, AND IS NEITHER ADJUSTABLE NOR FIXABLE. VEHICLE ODOMETER CURRENTLY 600 MILES. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AT NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL PARTIALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN TRAVELING OVER A FLAT SURFACE OR WHEN THE CYLINDER WAS IN THIRD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE FOR THE VIBRATION OR THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER LOOSENED THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION BOLTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,400.