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: suspension
13 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Mar 12, 2023
Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.
Suspension, Nov 2, 2020
HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE, CA GAVE US CASE # BUT UNHELPFUL.2013 PILOT'S PART OF FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM BUSHING WARRANTY EXTENSION: 7YRS100K MILES.THIS SUMMER LOCAL DEALER SERVICE DEPTS DIDN'T ALWAYS ANSWER THEIR PHONES & COULDN'T ALWAYS BOOK DUE TO COVID/ISSUES.IN JUNE THE HONDACARE WEBSITE + OTHER MEDIA INCLUDING HONDA'S TWITTER WERE DOWN FOR DAYS.AS LOYAL HONDA OWNERS WE WERE PATIENT AS WE'VE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE THE SUSPENSION CHECKED DUE TO ROUGH HANDLING/POOR PERFORMANCE/NOISE.DEALER NOTED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE INDEED CRACKED AS HONDA KNOWS BUT SAID THAT WHILE OUR PILOT'S UNDER 100K MILEAGE OF WARRANTY EXTENSION, HE USED EXCUSE OF OUR PURCHASE DATE JUST A FEW WEEKS PAST 7YRS DESPITE BEING WELL UNDER 100K. HONDA WOULD ONLY OFFER FRACTION OF REPAIR COST W DEALERS DEMANDING $500-600+ TO FIX SAFETY DEFECT FITTING NHSTA CRITERIA; SHOULD BE RECALLED.UNDUE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT PUSHING TO HAVE VEHICLE SEEN SOONER OR KNOWING EXACT PURCHASE DATE.HONDA AWARE OF ISSUE BUT DOESN'T PUBLICIZE OR UPDATE OWNERS FURTHER COMPROMISING SAFETY.DEALER MINIMIZED OUR CONCERNS ON UPLOADED RECEIPT. HONDA SAID 'REQUEST TO MEET DEALER'S DISTRICT MANAGER' BUT DEALER CLAIMS 'CAN'T.'STILL AWAITING THEIR REPLY.HONDA UNHELPFUL SO LEFT VOICEMAIL FOR HONDA OHIO CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICIAL WHO SELF-IDENTIFIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA:"TRAINED AS COMPANY SPOKESPERSON" BUT SHE HASN'T REPLIED THO WE FAXED + MAILED LETTER.YET HONDA'S ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERING VARIOUS COVID/FINANCIAL/GOODWILL ASSISTANCE.BUT PANDEMIC-RELATED DELAYS HAD VEHICLE ENTER DEALERSHIPS DAYS AFTER ITS 7-YEAR PURCHASE ANNIVERSARY, WE'RE COUNTING ON HONDA TO EMBODY ITS WIDELY ADVERTISED AESTHETIC OF ETHICS AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY PROVIDING THE REPAIR AS OUTLINED IN THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXTENSION LETTER HONDA SENT TO OWNERS FIVE YEARS AGO WITHOUT FOLLOWUP
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jul 19, 2019
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT END STARTS TO VIBRATE AS THE CAR IS MOVING ON STREETS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. NOT DURING A TURN, YET. JUST MOVING FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT AS OF YET BUT, I AM FEARFUL THAT THE VIBRATION WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO STOP IN TIME TO SAVE MY LIFE AS WELL AS WHO EVER I HIT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PILOT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING. THEY CALLED WITH A BILL FOR 1,052.00 FOR COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS. THIS CAR IS SIX YEARS OLD WITH 61,026 MILES, WAY TOO YOUNG TO BE COSTING ME THAT MUCH MONEY FOR A 'FRONT / REAR STABILIZER', THAT SHOULD BE A PROBLEM AT MAYBE 200,000 MILES. WILL I EVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA? LET'S SEE!!!!! HMMMM. I'M THINKING ABOUT IT.
Suspension, Dec 18, 2018
WAS TOLD BY HONDA DEALER COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS LEAKING. THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPLACE FOR A FEE. HOWEVER, I FOUND AN SB. SB 15-045. I THINK IT APPLIES.
Suspension, Jan 27, 2018
FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM COMPLIANCE BUSHING FAILURE, LEAK. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. NOTICED AT ROUGHLY 45K MILES. COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT. TSB BULLETIN IS OUT BUT CANNOT LOCATE.
Suspension, Jul 13, 2017
WHEN VEHICLE HITS "WASH BOARD" AREAS SUCH AS SMALL INDENTATIONS IN PAVEMENT OR SMALL POTHOLES IT GOES AIRBORNE(65-70 MPH) AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN THE BACK WHEELS AREN'T TRACKING THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE OR OTHER. DEALER SAYS THAT IS JUST THE WAY PILOTS ARE, TOP HEAVY, ETC. SAID BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, ETC ARE OK. VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. TO ME IT COULD LOSE CONTROL IN WET WEATHER!
Suspension, May 16, 2017
DESCRIPTION: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED . AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE LEFT FRONT BEARING WAS NOISY AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH BEARING P/N DL513267 MILES ON VEHICLE 68000. THE NOISE SEEM TO STOP, BUT AT 73000-76000 MILES THE NOISE STARTED ON RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DURING DRIVING, LOUDER AS SPEED INCREASED. ON MAY 15, 2017 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HONDA PILOT'S WHEEL BEARINGS THAT NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER COST PROTECTION IN REPLACING THEM.
Suspension, Jun 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN PROVIDED SEVERAL REPAIRS THAT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Steering, Suspension, Oct 13, 2014
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AFTER MY TEST DRIVE AND IT IMPROVED SLIGHTLY THOUGH TECHNICIAN INDICATED HE FOUND NOTHING. HAD VEHICLE ALIGNED BY DEALER AGAIN AT 5000 MILES AS IT WAS PULLING LEFT AGAIN. TECHNICIAN FOUND ALIGNMENT NEEDED CORRECTION. VEHICLE STILLS PULLS TO LEFT AND GETS WORSE THE MORE WE DRIVE IT. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Power train, May 7, 2014
2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMERS WRITE IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUDDERS, PULSATES AND VIBRATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHUDDER, PULSATING AND VIBRATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING ANY AND ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HONDA REPRESENTATIVES AD TECHNICIANS THAT VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY THE VARIABLE CYLINDER CONTROL SYSTEM AND IT USUALLY STARTED AFTER 1000 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HONDA WAS WORKING ON A FIX, BUT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A SOLUTION IN THE FUTURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A VERY DISTINCT AND CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FUEL SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED WITH GAS. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALER, TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE GAS GAP. THE ALERT LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARSHLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH HE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. *JB
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
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
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