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: structure
47 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jun 21, 2026
The factory clear coat and paint on the roof of this 2013 Honda Pilot are delaminating and peeling away from the metal. The failure began about 1.5 years ago and continues to spread; in places it has now progressed through the paint to bare metal that is corroding and rusting. The vertical body panels remain glossy and intact while the entire horizontal roof has failed - a top-down failure pattern consistent with a defective factory finish rather than wear or environmental exposure. This matches a well-documented paint-adhesion defect in Honda vehicles of this generation: Honda issued warranty-extension service bulletin 19-057 for 2013-16 Pilots in White Diamond Pearl after identical roof peeling, a companion bulletin covers other white finishes, and an active class-action lawsuit alleges the same peeling and delaminating paint defect across 2013-and-later Honda and Acura vehicles. As the paint separates, detached clear-coat material can lift off the moving vehicle, and the exposed roof metal is now corroding. The affected roof/body panel is available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps applied; the defect is visible. The vehicle was not in a crash, and there was no fire and no injury. I am reporting this so it is documented as a manufacturing defect affecting colors beyond those the manufacturer has chosen to cover.
Structure, Apr 25, 2025
Significant paint chipping
Structure, Feb 16, 2025
Paint has peeled completely off of areas of the body--including the roof above the windshield and others. This peeling has occurred without any physical damage to the body itself
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2024
I purchased the vehicle and in May 2023 I noticed a small bubble on the paint on the roof of the car near the windshield on the left, above the driver's side. I went to the closest Honda Dealer and the gentleman at the shop dismissed me saying the car's warranty was expired. A few months later, the bubble popped and a part of the paint peeled off. I called the dealer Arlington Honda and was told by a manager Jeremy Hardman to take my car to one of 2 Autobody shops he provided me with for inspection. I went to Schaumburg Autobody who inspected the vehicle and found more affected areas behind the sunroof. They determined it to be defective sealer that is not adhearing to the metal. I sent an email to Jeremy Hardman and called that Honda dealer I was told Jeremy no longer works at that dealer and transferred me elsewhere. I was told to contact Honda Corporate. Meanwhile, the paint has now peeled further, the metal is now completely exposed which will lead to rust formation causing further damage. Also making my car look old and poorly maintained. Since its near the windshield, moisture from snow, rain etc will cause damage where water will start to make its way into the vehicle causing further damage there as well. I have attached pictures to show the metal exposure from the peeling and pictures where you can see the sealant coming off. I would like instructions on how to proceed from here to initiate a recall asap due to poor paint/sealer quality and/or improper application. Instructions for a temporary solution to avoid further damage. I also found an article. Please see [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Structure, Jun 30, 2024
paint peeling above windshield
Structure, May 17, 2023
Paint bubbling up all over vehicle.Roof,hood,rear tail gate,doors and paint peeling off. Had same problem between windshield and roof and American Honda repaired it.Now entire car is bubbling and paint peeling off.
Steering, Structure, Jan 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the fog lights and exterior lights became inoperable. The contact noticed there was rust underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also needed to add additional power steering fluid three times per week. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear box, power steering lines, water lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering reservoir, power steering cooling lines, power steering line rem pump, and power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Structure, Jun 15, 2021
Paint peeling on my 2013 Honda Pilot - passenger side roof between moon roof and front windshield. Paint color is the white pearl. Seeing many reports of paint issues with this type of vehicle and paint color.
Structure, Dec 23, 2020
PAINT TURNED DULL AND CHALKY AFTER LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND NOW BEGINNING TO PEEL AT 7 YEARS
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2020
I PURCHASED MY THIRD HONDA, A 2013 HONDA PILOT IN 2017 FROM MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP. IN 2019, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM AMERICAN HONDA STATING THAT WE COULD HAVE THE COST OF REPAINTING OUR RECALLED VEHICLES COVERED IF WE HAD DAMAGE. AT THAT TIME, I DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON MY PILOT. WELL, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, A HUGE AMOUNT OF PAINT ON MY ROOF WAS MISSING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AS IT STATED ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL PERIOD AND MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NEVERTHELESS, I WAS TOLD A CLAIM WAS OPENED ON MY BEHALF AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. I WAS THEN SENT TO AN AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE. AFTER HAVING TO CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, I WAS TOLD BY THE BODY SHOP THAT HONDA WOULD ONLY COVER 60% OF THE $1700 COST (WHICH WAS ONLY FOR THE ROOF TO BE REPAINTED) AND THAT EVENTUALLY THE REST OF THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO START TO PEEL. I FEEL CHEATED AND THIS IS TRULY A LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE PART OF AMERICAN HONDA AND PROCTOR HONDA. HOW DO YOU SELL VEHICLES KNOWING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PAINT COMING OFF AND THEN NOT BE WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE??
Structure, Dec 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT A PLASTIC PART USED TO SECURE THE VISOR IN THE UP POSITION HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER HONDA OF PASADENA LOCATED AT 1965 E FOOTHILL BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91107 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Structure, Sep 5, 2020
THE PAINT AROUND THE MOONROOF OF MY 2013 HONDA PILOT WAS PEELING. IT'S WHITE DIAMOND PEARL.
Structure, May 28, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY, WHEN HER HUSBAND NOTICED THE PAINT PEALING FROM THE ROOF AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER AUTOMATION HONDA VALENCIA LOCATED AT 23551 MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY, VALENCIA, CA 91355, (661) 200-9110, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEEDING TO REPAINT THE DAMAGE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *BF*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 22, 2020
THE PAINT ON TOP OF PILOT JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND BEFORE THE SUNROOF IS PEELING. I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I WASHED THE PILOT AND SAW THE PAINT HAS BUBBLES AND HAD CHIPPED ALREADY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT AND NOTICED THERE IS NOW A BIG PART OF THE PAINT THE PEELED AWAY. *TR
Structure, May 5, 2020
PAINT CHIPPING, COMING RIGHT OFF ON THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *TR
Structure, Mar 10, 2020
ON 2018, THE PAINT ON THE ROOF BEGAN TO PEEL IN CHUNKS BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHOLE BODY PAINT BEGAN TO FADE REGARDLESS OF HOW OFTEN IT WAS WASHED AND WAXED. THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WERE ONLY WILLING TO PAINT THE ROOF AND SIDE BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A VEHICLE RECALL MATTER. THE ROOF HAS BEEN FIXED BUT NOW THE CAR LOOKS AWKWARD AS ONE PORTION IS VERY SHINY WHILE THE REST LOOKS HORRIBLY FADED. THE REST OF THE PAINT HAS ONLY BECOME WORSE AS THE TIME PROGRESSED. WHY ISN'T ANYONE AT HONDA CORPORATE NOT FIXING THIS? IT IS A KNOWN QUALITY DEFECT AND NO FIX IS BEING DONE. I ASKED A BODY SHOP FOR A QUOTE TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO PAINT THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. $8000.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE!!!
Structure, Jan 28, 2020
2013 HONDA PILOT WITH ONLY 31K MILES AND PAINT IS PEELING OFF. HONDA ISSUES A TSB BULLETIN AND ARE COVERING ROOFS AND TAILGATES THAT ARE PEELING. SO THEY HAVE ADMITTED THERE IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT THE PROBLEM IS ITS THE SAME PAINT/PRIMER USED ALL OVER THE CAR. MINE IS PEELING AT TO OF BACK DOOR AND AROUND FRONT AND BACK WINDOW. I KNOW IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. BODY SHOP SAID THEY'VE SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF WHITE HONDAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND SAID THERE IS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PRIMER CAUSING PAINT ADHERENCE ISSUES. THEY ARE 1500 PEOPLE ON A FACEBOOK PAGE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ALSO. HOW CAN HONDA CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH TREATING CUSTOMERS THIS WAY. THIS IS MY 4TH HONDA BUT ITS LOOKING LIKE MY LAST UNLESS HONDA STEPS UP AND DOES THE RIGHT THING!!!
Structure, Sep 12, 2019
EXTERIOR PAINT: TAFFETA WHITE VEHICLE PAINT FADING AFTER 4-5 YEARS FROM ROOF TOP, SIDES, BACK TRUNK AREA, AND HOOD.
Structure, Jul 5, 2019
PAINT IS PEELING
Structure, Jun 22, 2019
COMPLAINTS INVOLVING PAINT PEEL FROM HONDA PILOT RECALL. VEHICLE PAINT IS PEELING AT ROOF LINE COMMON TO WHERE WINDSHIELD INSTALL AND SUNROOF INSTALL. QUALITY OF PAINT IS NOT ISSUE. MANUFACTURING PROCESS IS THE ISSUE. MOST LIKELY A RESULT OF POOR WORKMANSHIP DUE TO PREPARATION OF METAL PRIOR TO APPLICATION OF PAINT EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATION. WILL REQUEST FULL REPAINT OF VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP AT MANUFACTURE EXPENSE. VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN 70-75 DEGREE ENVIRONMENT AND IS DRIVEN TYPICAL MILES FOR AGE OF VEHICLE. NO KNOWN EXTERNAL ISSUE SUCH AS CHEMICAL SPILL HAIL OR OTHER DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED ON AREA OF CONCERN OR ANY OTHER AREA. ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE. BOUGHT NEW FROM EXCELLENT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS DONE 100% OF ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS INCLUDING TIRE REPLACEMENT, TUNE UPS, ETC.
Structure, May 9, 2019
THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF MY PILOT. IT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. WORRIED ABOUT POTENTIAL RUST AND COMPROMISE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR. HONDA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THOUGH IT IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM.
Structure, May 6, 2019
LARGE SECTION OF WHITE DIAMOND PEARL PAINT PEELED AWAY FROM THE ROOF OF VEHICLE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. FURTHER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A WIDESPREAD DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY AND HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR IS AN ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS THE HONDA LINE WITH WHITE VEHICLES FROM THEIR ALABAMA PLANT. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN 2 OTHER WHITE PILOTS WITH SAME PEELING IN MY AREA ALONE ALONG WITH MANY PHOTOS FROM OTHER OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
Structure, Apr 29, 2019
PAINT PEELING IN MULTIPLE AREAS ON VEHICLE. STARTED ON INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER ALONG HOOD LINE AND ROOF BETWEEN TOP OF WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF. PAINT PEELING IS SHOWING UP IN NEW PLACES AND PROGRESSIVELY PEELING DAILY.
Structure, Apr 29, 2019
PAINT PEELED OFF ON ROOF BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND MOON ROOF WHILE DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY 10' BY 12' IS THE SIZE OF THE PEEL. THE AREA OF THE PEEL HAS NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS NOR WERE THEIR ANY SCRATCHES OR DENT OR DINGS.
Structure, Apr 27, 2019
THE PAINT ON MY WHITE 2013 HONDA PILOT BEGAN TO FAIL IN 2017. THE PAINT HAS FAILED AND WAS LITERALLY PEELING OFF IN SHEETS BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF. IT'S VERY CLEAR THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WHITE HONDA VEHICLES EXPERIENCING PAINT FAILURE.