IllustrationVEHICLE HESITATES/ AND SHAKES AT 45 AND 60 MPH, VERY SCARY. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP IN BLUFFTON SC MARCH 2014 AND MAY 2014. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Pilot years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
960–25K
3025–50K
3150–75K
2875–100K
9100–150K
7150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
5 reportsTHE VCM (VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT) SYSTEM CAUSES JERKING AND VIBRATIONS, PERIODICALLY, DURING THE CHANGE FROM "ECO" MODE TO FULL CYLINDER OPERATION. I HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE WITH ME AND ON THAT TRIP, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE SALES AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEING A PRO…
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THE VCM (VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT) SYSTEM CAUSES JERKING AND VIBRATIONS, PERIODICALLY, DURING THE CHANGE FROM "ECO" MODE TO FULL CYLINDER OPERATION. I HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER DRIVE WITH ME AND ON THAT TRIP, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE SALES AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEING A PROBLEM. I NOW SEE THAT HONDA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND FIX THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM.
WHEN THE ECO TURNS ON START TO VIBRATE THE WHOLE CAR. THE CAR VIBRATES AND RATTLE NOISE COMES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VERY DISTURBING OFR A NEW CAR BUT THEY SAY IS HOW THE ECO WORKS, CONCERNED CAN CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO VIBRATION. *TR
2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN ECO DRIVE ENGAGES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, AS IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC.
THE PROBLEM IS A NOTICEABLE RUMBLE APPEARING TO COME FROM THE REAREND BUT AFFECTING EVERY PART OF THE VEHICLE. IT CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, DASH, ETC. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT OCCURRED AT ONLY 62 AND 40 MPH BUT THE MORE WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT CAN BE FELT AT ANY SPEED. WE HAD LEASED A TOURING PILOT BUT BROUGHT IT B…
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THE PROBLEM IS A NOTICEABLE RUMBLE APPEARING TO COME FROM THE REAREND BUT AFFECTING EVERY PART OF THE VEHICLE. IT CAN BE FELT ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SEATS, DASH, ETC. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT IT OCCURRED AT ONLY 62 AND 40 MPH BUT THE MORE WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT CAN BE FELT AT ANY SPEED. WE HAD LEASED A TOURING PILOT BUT BROUGHT IT BACK AFTER 1400 MILES AND TRADED IT FOR A EX-L PILOT HOPING THE RUMBLE WOULD BE LESS. AT FIRST IT DIDN'T OCCUR AS MUCH, BUT THE MORE MILES IT HAS THE WORSE IT GETS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT VERY FORTHCOMING WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NO SOLUTION OR ANY HOPE FOR A SOLUTION. THE COMMENT WAS THAT SOMEONE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT A VIBRATION BUT ON THEIR TEST DRIVE THEY DIDN'T NOTICE IT. ANY PASSENGERS WE HAVE IMMEDIATELY NOTICE THE RUMBLE AND ASK WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ON A NEW CAR THIS IS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST. IF THERE WERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THIS LEASE WITHOUT GETTING UPSIDE DOWN ON LEASING ANOTHER VEHICLE I WOULD DO IT IN A MINUTE. THIS OUR FOURTH PILOT AND WE HAVE HAD FEW PROBLEMS WITH THEM. THEY ARE VERY STABLE ON ICE AND GET THROUGH THE SNOW VERY WELL. UP UNTIL 2013 THE PILOT SEEMED TO HAVE A VERY GOOD RIDE ON THE HIGHWAY AND WE HAVE TAKEN MANY LONG TRIPS WITH OUR PILOTS. NOW ANY TRIP WE TAKE WE OUR PREOCCUPIED WITH THIS RUMBLE AND ARE CONSTANTLY ASKING EACH OTHER "CAN YOU FEEL THAT". I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IF A FIX CAN'T BE FOUND FOR THIS IT WILL BE THE LAST PILOT WE LEASE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY SAFETY RELATED INCIDENTS TO THIS PROBLEM BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF A VEHICLE THERE CAN BE A RUMBLE LIKE THIS AND NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM IN THE REAREND, POSSIBLY EVEN LOCKING UP. *TR
Official recalls
619V502000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.