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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.

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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

Structure complaints

47 reports
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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

41,000 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Structure

WATER LEAKING IN FROM A FAULTY GROMMET ON THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER A-PILLAR. WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE GROMMET AND CAUSING MOLD AND MILDEW TO FORM ON THE FRONT DASH PAD AND ON THE FRONT CARPET AND CARPET PADDING.

NHTSA ODI #10918015

8,739 miles · Dec 6, 2013
StructureSuspension

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 T…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10555009

750 miles · Oct 11, 2013
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed Control

UPON APPLYING THE BRAKE IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION, I NOTICED THE SPONGY FEEL TO THE BRAKES. WHAT CONCERNS ME MORE, IS THAT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE EVENT, THE BRAKE PEDAL SETTLES DOWN TO BELOW THE HEIGHT OF THE ACCELERATOR AND IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T SQUARE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YOU WIND UP HITTING THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VE…

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UPON APPLYING THE BRAKE IN AN AVOIDANCE SITUATION, I NOTICED THE SPONGY FEEL TO THE BRAKES. WHAT CONCERNS ME MORE, IS THAT DURING THE PROCESS OF THE EVENT, THE BRAKE PEDAL SETTLES DOWN TO BELOW THE HEIGHT OF THE ACCELERATOR AND IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T SQUARE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, YOU WIND UP HITTING THE GAS WHILE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE.. I NEED TO TALK WITH SOMEONE. THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY A DEFECT IN DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547673

1,000 miles · Jul 19, 2013
Structure

I NOTICED WATER SITTING IN THE AREA WHERE THE PULL FOR THE GAS TANK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO BRINGING A WET UMBRELLA INTO THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER I GOT MY CAR WASHED AND THE CAR WASH PERSON POINTED OUT WATER IN THE SAME SPOT. A FEW DAYS LATER WE GOT RAIN AND AGAIN WATER IN THE SAME AREA. AT THAT POINT WE WENT IN T…

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I NOTICED WATER SITTING IN THE AREA WHERE THE PULL FOR THE GAS TANK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO BRINGING A WET UMBRELLA INTO THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER I GOT MY CAR WASHED AND THE CAR WASH PERSON POINTED OUT WATER IN THE SAME SPOT. A FEW DAYS LATER WE GOT RAIN AND AGAIN WATER IN THE SAME AREA. AT THAT POINT WE WENT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD SEAL. TURNS OUT WHEN THEY WENT TO REPLACE THE SEAL THEY BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. THEY NOW HAVE TO ORDER A NEW WINDSHIELD WHICH MEANS THAT I WILL NOT HAVE MY NEW CAR FOR 9 OF THE 30 DAYS WE HAVE OWNED IT (ASSUMING WE GET IT BACK IN TIME). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525820

4,500 miles · May 7, 2013
Structure

WE NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. EITHER THE SEAM OF THE GASKET ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD OR THE INSTALLATION OF THE WINDSHIELD IS DEFECTIVE SINCE IT WAS LEAKING DURING A RAIN STORM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510887

17 miles · Feb 9, 2013
StructureSuspensionWheels

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 SP…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10496956

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.