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2013 Honda Pilot

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Pilot do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 239.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

201 reports with mileage · 70 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

9 reports
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60,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND REAR LATCH WAS UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BUTTON ON HATCH OR KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN REAR LATCH. I COULD NOT FIND ANY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR LATCH EVEN FROM INSIDE WITH AN ESCAPE BUTTON.

NHTSA ODI #11217618

70,000 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or Other

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 HAND…

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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 ?

NHTSA ODI #11142559

80,000 miles · Nov 17, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11047023

80,000 miles · Nov 15, 2017
Electrical SystemCrash

THE LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TAILGATE LOCKS AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES. THE DASH CAMERA WORKS OFF AND ON AS WELL AS THE LOCKS IN THE CAR. IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY CAN GET LOCKED IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11046227

2 miles · Feb 16, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure

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 …

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10955120

154,000 miles · Feb 20, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

MY IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN AT TIMES. I HAVE TO INSERT AND REMOVE THE KEY MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT TURNS. IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES BY. I AM AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I WILL GET STRANDED. I NOTICED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689507

30,700 miles · Dec 30, 2014
Electrical SystemInjury

AT ABOUT 12:05 PM, ON DECEMBER 7TH (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH) ON A FLAT SURFACE STREET WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, WE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BENEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. SECONDS LATER, MY WIFE GRABS HER FOOT AND SCREAMS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN. I PULL OVER A…

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AT ABOUT 12:05 PM, ON DECEMBER 7TH (WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH) ON A FLAT SURFACE STREET WITH MY WIFE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT, WE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BENEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. SECONDS LATER, MY WIFE GRABS HER FOOT AND SCREAMS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN. I PULL OVER AND SAW A .25 INCH? THICK BY 5 INCH LONG ABRASION THAT RAN ACROSS THE ARC OF HER RIGHT FOOT THAT TORE THE TOP LAYERS OF HER SKIN. AFTER WE STOPPED BY A LOCAL TARGET TO BUY GAUZE AND BANDAGES AND DROPPED OFF OUR CHILDREN AT A LOCAL FRIEND'S HOUSE I CHECKED MY WIFE INTO URGENT CARE AT ST. JUDE'S HOSPITAL, LOCATED WITHIN TEN MILES OF THE INCIDENT, TO HAVE THE WOUND EXAMINED. A PHYSICIAN DIAGNOSED THE ABRASION AS A SECOND DEGREE ELECTRICAL BURN AND GAVE HER A TETANUS SHOT AND PAIN MEDICATIONS. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO OC HONDA WORLD, THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM WHILE WAITING IN LOBBY. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON DECEMBER ON 9TH AND 17TH AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT OC HONDA WORLD FOUND NOTHING FAULTY. PHOTOS OF THE INJURY COULD BE VIEWED AT: HTTP://TINYURL.COM/PILOT-INJURY-PHOTOS. I CONTACTED [XXX], HUMAN RELATIONS MANAGER, FROM HONDA OF NORTH AMERICA ON DECEMBER 16TH TO ADDRESS A SAFETY QUESTION HE WOULD NOT ANSWER... IF MY CAR HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS AT OC HONDA WORLD AND FOUND NOTHING FAULTY... IS IT SAFE TO TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF MY CAR? HE POLITELY AND FIRMLY SAID I CANNOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION. HE STATED THAT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN NOW AND IN THE NEXT TEN MINUTES. THIS WAS VERY COMFORTING AS I BOUGHT MY HONDA PILOT TOURING WITH THREE FACTORS IN MIND: (1) SAFETY; (2) RELIABILITY; AND (3) ROOMY INTERIOR SPACE. THIS INCIDENT COMPLETELY FACTORED OUT MY FIRST PRIORITY AS PASSENGER SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED... WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE AS A CONSUMER? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 1/29/16 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669195

41 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

2013 HONDA PILOT 4WD WAS PURCHASED 6/30/2013 FROM DCH TEMECULA. ON 7/1/2013, VTM LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYED LIT IN ALL GEARS, ALL SPEEDS, INCLUDING PARK AND DRIVE, WHICH IS OUT OF MANUFACTURE SPEC'S. DCH HONDA OF TEMECULA CONFIRMED ISSUE ON 7/2/13. RELAY REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AND PERFORMED. CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION…

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2013 HONDA PILOT 4WD WAS PURCHASED 6/30/2013 FROM DCH TEMECULA. ON 7/1/2013, VTM LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYED LIT IN ALL GEARS, ALL SPEEDS, INCLUDING PARK AND DRIVE, WHICH IS OUT OF MANUFACTURE SPEC'S. DCH HONDA OF TEMECULA CONFIRMED ISSUE ON 7/2/13. RELAY REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AND PERFORMED. CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION: 2 DAYS. ON 11/26/2013, AT 5,974 MILES, CAR WAS BROUGHT IN WITH VTM LIGHT STAYING ON AGAIN. PART UNAVAILABLE. TOOK CAR HOME WED 11/27/2013 PER ADVISOR "CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE." PHONE GM; OFFERED A SERVICE CAR ON FRIDAY 11/29/2013 WHILE DEALERSHIP REPLACED VTM CONTROL MODULE. CAR OUT OF OUR POSSESSION: 2 DAYS. ON 12/16/13, 6,573 MILES, VTM LIGHT STAYING LIT ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHILE CAR IS IN ANY GEAR. I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. SHIFTED THROUGH THE GEARS WHILE STATIONARY -- LIGHT STILL ON. VTM LIGHT WILL NOT ENGAGE ON MANUAL SWITCH. AT THIS TIME, UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW LONG CAR WILL BE OUT OF POSSESSION UNTIL IT IS BROUGHT IN. IN ADDITION TO VTM LIGHT ISSUE, REAR HATCH GLASS SWITCH WOULD NOT OPEN GLASS, AS PER OWNER'S MANUAL. NOTED DURING PURCHASE; SALES PERSON SAID ABLE TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROUGHT IN ON 7/2/2013. PART WAS UNAVAILABLE UNTIL 7/8/13. DEALERSHIP ABLE TO SWITCH PART OUT FROM CAR ON LOT ON 7/5/13. CAR OUT OF POSSESSION: 1 DAY. TO DATE, CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 5 DAYS WITHIN 5 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE AMERICAN HONDA TO ISSUE A SAFETY BULLETIN ON THIS CAR, POSSIBLY ISSUING A RECALL DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL. POSSIBLE ACCIDENT LIKELY TO OCCUR IF WE DEPEND ON ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND IT DOES NOT ENGAGE. CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 4WD AS MAIN PRIORITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556297

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DOORS CONTINUE TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE KEYS ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IF YOU OPEN A DOOR AND SET YOUR PURSE INSIDE, AND SHUT THAT DOOR TO OPEN ANOTHER...IE PUTTING CHILD IN CAR SEAT, OR LOADING EQUIPMENT IN BACK. CAR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. CHILDREN OR PETS COULD BE ENDANGERED BY THIS. PEOPLE COULD BE LEFT IN DARK PARKING LOT …

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DOORS CONTINUE TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THE KEYS ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IF YOU OPEN A DOOR AND SET YOUR PURSE INSIDE, AND SHUT THAT DOOR TO OPEN ANOTHER...IE PUTTING CHILD IN CAR SEAT, OR LOADING EQUIPMENT IN BACK. CAR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. CHILDREN OR PETS COULD BE ENDANGERED BY THIS. PEOPLE COULD BE LEFT IN DARK PARKING LOT WITHOUT PHONE, OR IN DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF THIS. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532232

Official recalls

6

19V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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 & remedy

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.

18V661000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

18V042000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

13V382000 · Engine

Aug 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 & remedy

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).

13V016000 · Air Bags

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.