2013 Honda PILOT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
271 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 201 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 79 of 271 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 47 | 17.3% |
| Steering behavior | 33 | 12.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 18 | 6.6% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 79 |
| Power Train | 54 |
| Structure:Body | 42 |
| Service Brakes | 40 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 |
| Suspension | 13 |
Engine: 79; Power Train: 54; Structure:Body: 42; Service Brakes: 40; Unknown Or Other: 35; Air Bags: 18; Vehicle Speed Control: 15; Suspension: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 96 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 30 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 96; 25,000 to 49,999: 30; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (96). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 44 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 35 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2013: 42; 2014: 44; 2015: 24; 2016: 16; 2017: 18; 2018: 24; 2019: 35; 2020: 21; 2021: 7; 2022: 9; 2023: 11; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10491996 · 2013-01-09 (January 9, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT HEAD REST WOULD BLOCK THE CONTACT'S REAR VIEW WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN PLACING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT, THE HEAD REST WOULD PUSH THE CHILD RESTRAINT FORWARD WHEN LOWERED. WHEN THE HEAD REST WAS RAISED, THE METAL BAR WOULD CONTACT THE CHILD'S HEAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALTERED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42.
Owner-reported narrative. 42 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491996 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493793 · 2013-01-22 (January 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 LOOSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496730 · 2013-02-07 (February 7, 2013)
PURCHASED A 2013 HONDA PILOT ON 12/28/12. I BEGAN TO NOTICE A VERY ANNOYING VIBRATION/SHUDDER IN THE CAR AS WELL AS HEAR A RUMBLING NOISE. IT'S OCCURRING AT MANY DIFFERENT CONSISTENT SPEEDS AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGHER SPEED WHERE IT MAY NOT OCCUR. I FIND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MAINTAINING A CONSISTENT SPEED. SO, WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVING THE STATED 65MPH SPEED LIMIT, I MUST INCREASE MY SPEED TO GREATER THAN 65MPH IN ORDER FOR THE RUMBLING NOISE AND VIBRATION TO ST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10496730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496956 · 2013-02-09 (February 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, CE…
Owner-reported narrative. 17 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10497645 · 2013-02-10 (February 10, 2013)
WHILE SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE INTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL TO VERY HIGH RATE. CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THE ENGINE RPM WAS NOT NOTED, BUT DRIVER QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION. THERE WAS NO MAT ON PEDAL, AND DRIVER DOES NOT OPERATE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WITH TWO FEET. ENGINE RE-STARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10497645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499673 · 2013-02-22 (February 22, 2013)
2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING 4WD PURCHASED ON 2/2. BRAND NEW, ONLY 5 MILES. AFTER 3 DAYS OF OWNING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. SHE PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A MIN OR 2 OF WAITING AND IT RAN NORMAL. SHE THEN CONTINUED HER DRIVE TO WORK WITHOUT ISSUE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK, I DETERMINED THAT AFTER A COLD START, IF YOU WENT UP TO AROUND 2800-3000 RPM, THEN ENGINE WOULD RUN VERY ROUGH AND CHECK …
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499820 · 2013-02-23 (February 23, 2013)
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2013 HONDA PILOT EX-L) ON 11/26/12 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO FEEL AN ANNOYING VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ECO MODE. THIS VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSOLE. SEATS AND THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON LEVEL STRETCHES OF ROADWAY WHEN APPLYING LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE FUEL PEDAL. THE VIBRATION OR "FLUTTER" DIMINISHES WHEN MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE FUEL PEDAL. WHEN TAKEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING HONDA CUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 154 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503063 · 2013-03-14 (March 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 S…
Owner-reported narrative. 446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503063 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V016000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-01-18 (January 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V382000 · Engine
Reported: 2013-08-27 (August 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.
Consequence: A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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).
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V042000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V661000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-09-27 (September 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V378000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-05-16 (May 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V502000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗