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, Feb 19, 2019
MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN VISORS, WHICH SHOULD BE LATCHED AND OUT OF THE WAY WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING DOWN BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW CAUSING A SERIOUS PROBLEM. (THE PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON A ROUGH OR REPAIRED ROAD.)
Structure, Feb 12, 2019
MY 2013 HONDA PILOT HAS PAINT PEELING OFF. THE PAINT IS MISSING OFF FROM THE ROOF BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. IT STARTED OUT SMALL DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL MORE STARTED FALLING OFF. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE AND NOTICED OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I EMAILED HONDA AND THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM AND SAID I'M OUT OF MY WARRENTY. THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED.
Structure, Jan 31, 2019
PAINT IS PEELING DOWN TO THE METAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT WAS NOTICED. THE CAR IS GARAGED.
Structure, Jan 9, 2019
MY PAINT IS PEELING. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY MOTHERS HONDA PILOT ALSO.
Structure, Jan 7, 2019
PAINT BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF STARTED TO PEEL, AND HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE QUICKLY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. RECENTLY, PAINT HAS NOW STARTED TO PEEL FROM THE HOOD.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2018
REAR DOOR IS NOT OPENING , SWITCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING , YOU HEAR THE UNLOCKING SOUND AND LIGHT TURNS ON BUT DOOR WONT OPEN , THIS IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL DOOR THAT OPENS BY ITSELF , THIS IS A MAIN ISSUE SINCE I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO PUT MY KIDS STROLLERS , ETC . BY DOING SO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE DOOR , I TOOK OFF THE HANDLE AND BROKE ONE OF THE PINS . IS ANYBODY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ?
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2018
I HAVE MAJOT PAINT REMOVAL ON THE ROOF OF MY HONDA PILOT. IT JUST COMES OFF IN SHEETS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID WE DIDN'T WAX THE CAR ENOUGH AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. A CAR THAT IS 5 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINT COMING OFF IN SHEETS. IT IS SO BAD THAT I NOW HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE ROOF GETTING RUST BECAUSE THE PAINT COMES OFF DOWN TO THE METAL.
Structure, Oct 4, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO WE NOTICED PAINT PEELING OFF OF THE HOOD. WE CONTACTED RUSTY WALLIS HONDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIRS ONLY AT 50%, WHICH LEFT ME PAYING ABOUT $450 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS A TOTAL MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I TOLD THEM I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THIS BUT THEY SAID THE DECISION WAS FINAL. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME SORT OF REGIONAL MANAGER THAT MAKES THESE DECISIONS, CALLED THE "DPMS". THE BODY SHOP MANAGER AGREED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IN THE PAST. A FEW WEEKS AFTER WE GOT THE HOOD REPAIRED WE NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. WE CONTACTED RUSTY WALLIS AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THIS REPAIR AT 50% WHICH LEAVES ME PAYING ABOUT $650. I AGAIN TOLD THEM I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THIS. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH THE DPMS. SO I CALLED MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS AT RUSTY WALLIS. I HAVE EVEN SENT RUSTY WALLIS A PERSONAL EMAIL, ONLY TO GET NO CALLS OR EMAILS RETURNED AT ALL FROM ANYONE. SOMEONE FROM AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE FINALLY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE DPMS WOULD NOT MEET WITH ME AND THAT THE DECISION WAS FINAL. I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL COMPLETELY HELPLESS IN ALL THIS. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT A 5 YEAR OLD CAR'S PAINT WOULD BE UNCONTROLLABLY PEELING OFF. THIS COULD JUST KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE ENTIRE CAR GETS REPAINTED. I KNOW THAT HONDA HAS HAD CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ABOUT THEIR PAINT IN THE PAST BUT APPARENTLY IS HASN'T HAPPENED FOR THIS MODEL YET.
Structure, May 30, 2018
PAINT CHIPPING FROM ROOF OF CAR. YOU CAN SEE THE GRAY PRIMER. HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. SAID MY CAR HAS TOO MANY MILES. IT HAS 60,000. IT IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF.
Structure, May 9, 2018
THE ROOF AND PART OF CAR ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF IS OXIDIZING AND IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. I KEEP READING IT'S BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY PAINT USED ON CERTAIN HONDA. I HEARD OF A RECALL FOR OTHER HONDA MODELS AND YEARS AND OF COURSE MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HONDA, I FEEL, NEEDS TO RECALL AND RE-PAINT THESE VEHICLES. I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY PILOT--IT'S PARKED IN GARAGE, GETS WASHED AND WAXED REGULARLY AND AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED AT HOW IT LOOKS AND HONDA'S LACK OF EMPATHY.
Structure, Feb 24, 2018
PAINT ON THE ROOF PEELED OFF FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER.
Structure, Feb 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT LARGE PATCHES OF PAINT WERE PEELING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS CRACKING RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDOW ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Structure, Jan 25, 2018
A LARGE PATCH OF PAINT PEELED OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR OVERNIGHT WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF, AND HAS INCREASED IN SIZE OVER THE LAST WEEK, CONTINUING TO PEEL AS I DRIVE.
Structure, Nov 26, 2017
THE PAINT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER JUST FLAKED OFF. THE AREA IS APPROX. 6"X8" AND THE BARE METAL IS SHOWING.
Structure, Jul 15, 2017
PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING ON THE ROOF. VEHICLE IS GARAGED DAILY OUT OF THE SUN AND WHETHER.
Electrical system, Structure, Feb 16, 2017
THE LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TAILGATE RELEASES AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES (MOVING, PARKING, WHILE UNATTENDED). IT'S INCONSISTENT AND EXTREMELY CHALLENGING ESPECIALLY WITH SMALL CHILDREN WITH THE POTENTIAL OF LOCKING THEM IN THE CAR. PROACTIVELY, I HAVE TO KEEP ONE DOOR OPEN TO MAINTAIN GENERAL SAFETY. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR CAMERA IS UNRELIABLE. IT ALSO WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
Structure, Oct 22, 2016
WATER LEAKING IN FROM A FAULTY GROMMET ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER A-PILLAR. WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE GROMMET AND CAUSING MOLD AND MILDEW TO FORM ON THE FRONT DASH PAD AND ON THE FRONT CARPET AND CARPET PADDING.
Suspension, Structure, Dec 6, 2013
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A RATTLING/SCRAPING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT GOING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH THROUGH THE RIGHT DOOR AND DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE TO THE BACK. IT OCCURS IN ALL TEMPERATURES AND DESPITE THE DEALER REGLUING THE FLOOR AND REMOVING 5 LBS OF AIR FROM THE TIRES, THE NOISE CONTINUES. THE DEALER THINKS THAT IT IS AN ISSUE OF FLOOR PANELS RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WILL ATTEMPT A REPAIR AGAIN THIS WEEK, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE ALOT IS LOOSE. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SCRAPING SOUNDS CONTINUE... *TR
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
Structure, Jul 19, 2013
I NOTICED WATER SITTING IN THE AREA WHERE THE PULL FOR THE GAS TANK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO BRINGING A WET UMBRELLA INTO THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER I GOT MY CAR WASHED AND THE CAR WASH PERSON POINTED OUT WATER IN THE SAME SPOT. A FEW DAYS LATER WE GOT RAIN AND AGAIN WATER IN THE SAME AREA. AT THAT POINT WE WENT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD SEAL. TURNS OUT WHEN THEY WENT TO REPLACE THE SEAL THEY BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. THEY NOW HAVE TO ORDER A NEW WINDSHIELD WHICH MEANS THAT I WILL NOT HAVE MY NEW CAR FOR 9 OF THE 30 DAYS WE HAVE OWNED IT (ASSUMING WE GET IT BACK IN TIME). *TR
Structure, May 7, 2013
WE NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. EITHER THE SEAM OF THE GASKET ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD OR THE INSTALLATION OF THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE SINCE IT WAS LEAKING DURING A RAIN STORM. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Feb 9, 2013
AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OUT OF THE LOT, 17 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, A VIBRATION WAS FELT COMING THROUGH THE SEATS AT 75 MPH. AND MULTIPLE RESONANCE FREQUENCIES CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE CHASSIS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VIBRATION IS CONSTANT BETWEEN 65 MPH TO 78 MPH (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND IT GET WORST DURING LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING. THESE FREQUENCIES OF VIBRATIONS ARE TRANSMITTED TO YOUR LOWER BACK CAUSING STRESS AND BACK PAIN. IN ADDITION THE INTERIOR PARTS OF THE CAR (DASH, PANELS, RADIO, CENTER CONSOLE, DVD, ETC.) ARE BECOMING LOOSE AND IT CAN BE FELT DURING DRIVING CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE PASSENGERS. MULTIPLE REPAIRS ATTEMPTS ARE BEING PERFORMED BY HONDA DEALERS AND THEY DECIDED TO TELL THE COSTUMERS THAT THIS IS PART OF THE CAR DESIGN SINCE THEY RE-DESIGNED THE CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION TO BE STIFFER FOR THE 2013 MODELS. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING REPORTED BY DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS AROUND THE US BUT NOT REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED. WE DO NO'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL A TIRE/WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE AND KILL A FAMILY OR MULTIPLE FAMILIES ON THE HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF AN UNSAFE CONDITION ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AND BRAKE ISSUES (AFTER LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING, 2+HRS) HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITHOUT BEING CORRECTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. *TR