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: other or unspecified
35 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 24, 2017, crash
IT WAS A SUNNY AND VERY HOT DAY, TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING WEST ON A 2 LANE IN TOWN STREET, WITH NO CURBS, WITH ONE VEHICLE IN FRONT, STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION TO A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. AS THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR THE STOP SIGN AFTER THE RAILROAD TRACKS. AS THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR ACCELERATED TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY. AT THIS POINT, THE DRIVER SAID, 'IT'S NOT STOPPING'IT'S NOT STOPPING.' TO THE OVER 2 PASSENGERS OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WAITING TO TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAR GETTING READY TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY, AS WELL AS A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BREAKS WITHOUT THE CAR BREAKING AND VEERED TO THE LEFT TO TRY TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT. AS THE CAR ACCELERATED, IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND BOUNCED OFF THE LEFT BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND CAME TO A STOP. THEY CARS WERE NOT MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED BUT THE CAR IN QUESTION WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN WITH THE BREAKS APPLIED, FOOT ON THE BRAKE PETAL, FOOT NOT ON ACCELERATOR. IT WAS ACCELERATING. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. THE CAR SEEMED TO 'HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN' NOT BREAKING BUT ACCELERATING. THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN CAUSE FOR THIS AS OF THIS TIME. A COUNTY DEPUTY WAS IN THE AREA AND CAME OVER TO THE ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2017
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY HONDA PILOT TOURING MANY MANY TIMES THERE HAS BEEN A HESITATION WHEN EXCELERATING BUT AFTER THE HESITATION IT EXCELERATES. UNTIL THE TIME I WAS GOING UP A HILL ON THE FREEWAY I EXCELERATED AND NOTHING HAPPENED - ABSOLUTELY NO EXCELERATION AT ALL. I HAD LITERALLY A SECOND TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO. I DECIDED TO USE MY MOMENTUM TO MOVE INTO THE SLOW LANE - IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER - AND KEPT MOVING TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. I TRIED TO START MY CAR AGAIN AND IT STARTED BUT STILLL NO EXCELERATION. I SHUT IT OFF AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T START. WE WERE 40 MILES TOO FAR FOR THE HONDA TOWING BUT JUST A FEW MILES SHORT WITH AAA. WE HAD AAA TOW IT TO OUR HOME DEALER. THE DEALER COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS DEBRIS IN THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR CAUSING FUEL TRIM FAILURE. LABOR FOR THIS WAS $120.00. MY CAR HASN'T COMPLETELY STOPPED AGAIN BUT IT STILL DOES ITS HESITATION THING. I SEE FROM READING THIS ARTICLE THAT ISN'T JUST MY PROBLEM. I THINK THIS SHOULD TELL HONDA THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THEY NEED TO ADDRESS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL THE 2013 HONDA PILOT LEAKS WATER INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN IF THE CAR IS IN THE RAIN. SO MUCH WATER THAT THE CARPET AND PADDING UNDERNEATH ARE SOAKED AND WATER STANDING ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. THE PADDING AND CARPET EVEN AFTER CLEANING HAS BEGUN TO HAVE PROBLEMS AND MOLD BECAUSE IT HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES. AMERICAN HONDA ADMITS/SAYS IT IS A DESIGN FLAW OF THE CAR, BUT THAT IT IS OUR PROBLEM TO TAKE CARE OF AND NOT TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE EVER,
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2016
THE CAR HESITATES AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING A TURN OR SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. IT DOES ACCELERATE AFTER IT PAUSES, IT IS VERY SCARY TO HAVE IT STOP AND NOT MOVE. THIS VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL ANNOUNCED TODAY, BUT THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY CAR. WILL THERE BE MORE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM? WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE HONDA DEALER WHEN IT WAS NEW, AND AGAIN BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. THEY DENY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2015
STALLS AND HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT ESPECIALLY ON ROUNDABOUTS
Other or unspecified, May 29, 2015
I NOTICED A GRINDING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN GEAR AND MOVING. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO BE CHECKED OUT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE REAR ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ADMITTED THAT THIS WAS UNUSUAL. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IS IS UNUSUAL AND DANGEROUS. I HAVE A 2003 HONDA PILOT THAT I DROVE FOR 10 YEARS. I NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I KNOW HOW DANGEROUS MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE CAN BE AS I WAS DRIVING CAR WHEN THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED AND CAUSE LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CRASH THAT COULD HAVE KILLED THE FOUR OF US RIDING IN THE VEHICLE.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2015
EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I HEAR SOME RATTLE- SQUEAKY KIND OF NOISES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT , I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR 4 TIMES ALREADY AND THE TECHNICIAN HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM . *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2014
MY HONDA PILOT HAS BEEN EXPERIENING AN ENGINE CUT OFF AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN -- WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENS FOR AT LEAST 4 SECONDS THEN I RECIEVE A RAPID ACCELERATION == I AM AFFRAIND THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF MY PILOT WHEN I AM NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN --- PLUS, WHEN I ENTER MY GARAGE AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE CARE DOESN'T RESPOND FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS == THEN I EXPERIENCE A VERY RAPID ACCELERATIOIN -- I AM AFFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL HIT MY GARAGE DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2014
ONGOING DISTURBING SHUDDER OR VIBRATION APPARENTLY RELATED TO THE VCM/ECO FEATURE. THE RELATIONSHIP SEEMS TO CORRELATE WITH THE VISUAL ECO DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ISSUE CAN BE CATEGORIZED BY PROGRESSING THROUGH THREE STAGES OR MODES AS SPEED AND DRIVING CONDITIONS VARY. THE FIRST MODE CAN BE CHARACTERIZED AS A HOWLING (SIGNIFICANT AUDIBLE TONE CHANGE) FROM THE ENGINE RIGHT BEFORE THE VIBRATION BEGINS, WHICH IS THE SECOND MODE. THE SECOND MODE IS THE VIBRATION/SHUDDER MOST PREDOMINATELY AROUND 44 MPH, BUT CAN OCCUR AT OTHER SPEEDS - DEPENDING ON THE "LOAD" ON THE ENGINE. THE SHUDDER/VIBRATION CAN VARY FROM A HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION (LIKE GOING OVER SMALL NARROW RUMBLE STRIPS) TO A MORE PRONOUNCED SHUDDER, BOTH OF WHICH IS CAN BE FELT BY PASSENGERS AND/OR DRIVER. IN GENERAL, THE PILOT WILL VIBRATE/SHUDDER CONSISTENTLY, APPARENTLY WHEN THE VCM FEATURE IS IN TRANSITION. HOWEVER, ON TWO OCCASIONS, A THIRD MODE OCCURRED: VERY SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH OR SO, BY SURPRISE, THE PILOT SHOOK (FRONT END AREA) TO SUCH A INTENSE DEGREE THAT IT IMPULSIVELY CAUSED THE DRIVER OF THE PILOT TO PULL-OVER AND STOP. NOT KNOWING WHAT REALLY IS GOING ON IS CAUSING SOME TREPIDATION ABOUT WHETHER TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR. TOOK PILOT INTO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THESE MODES. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE VCM RELATED VIBRATIONS AND SAYS THAT IS THE WAY IT WORKS AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO. BUT, TO ME THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. A BRAND NEW (RATHER COSTLY) CAR SHOULD NOT BEHAVE THIS WAY. MOREOVER, IT SEEMS SUCH REGULAR ONGOING VIBRATION/SHUDDERING CAN QUICKLY NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE INTEGRITY OR LONGEVITY OF THE ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN, ETC., AS MOST MECHANICAL THINGS GENERALLY DO NOT LIKE VIBRATIONS WHICH QUITE OFTEN IS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF WEAR AND TEAR. AS THE OWNER ONE MUST ASK THINGS LIKE: WILL THE ENGINE EVEN "SURVIVE" THIS IN THE LONG RUN? WILL THIS CAUSE MORE FREQUENT REPAIRS?
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 14, 2013
AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE IS A VERY ANNOYING SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING AND GROWLING AT 45 MPH TO 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.. I ALSO GET THESE SMALL BUCKS AND SURGES , . OR A FEELING OF PULLING ME ALONG BUT FEELING LIKE I AM GOING TO FALL OUT OF MY SEAT AT THE SAME TIME..IN ECO. UNTIL THE SHUDDERING STOPS AND THEN IT FEELS SMOOTH AGAIN, FOR A MINUTE....AND THEN THE SHUDDERING BEGINS AGAIN.... MY TIRES ARE BALANCED AND I HAVE HAD AN ENGINE MOUNT NEUTRALIZING... THE HONDA PILOT HAS VCM... IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO YOUR EARS THE VIBRATING...ON TOP OF YOUR PEACE OF MIND ON YOUR WAY HOME FROM A DAY AT WORK....LOOKING FORWARD TO RELAXING LISTENING TO THE RADIO TO EASE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU GET HOME TO YOUR FAMILY LIFE...WOW...NOT RELAXING AT ALL !!! SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE.... *TR