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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

What owners actually said

271 reports
92,000 miles · Feb 16, 2018
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT LARGE PATCHES OF PAINT WERE PEELING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS CRACKING RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDOW ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT LARGE PATCHES OF PAINT WERE PEELING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT WAS CRACKING RIGHT ABOVE THE WINDOW ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #11073212

45,000 miles · Jan 27, 2018
Suspension

FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM COMPLIANCE BUSHING FAILURE, LEAK. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. NOTICED AT ROUGHLY 45K MILES. COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT. TSB BULLETIN IS OUT BUT CANNOT LOCATE.

NHTSA ODI #11065466

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2018
Wheels

I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEEMS TO SHAKE A LITTLE WHEN DRIVING. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE WHEEL BEARING. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE VEHICLE. A YEAR AGO, WHEN I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I HAD TO PULL OVER, …

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I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEEMS TO SHAKE A LITTLE WHEN DRIVING. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE WHEEL BEARING. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE VEHICLE. A YEAR AGO, WHEN I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I HAD TO PULL OVER, RE-START THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN DOWN AT THAT TIME. IT WAS REPLACED THEN AND NOW, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, I HAVE A LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #11065396

86,000 miles · Jan 25, 2018
Structure

A LARGE PATCH OF PAINT PEELED OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR OVERNIGHT WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF, AND HAS INCREASED IN SIZE OVER THE LAST WEEK, CONTINUING TO PEEL AS I DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11064975

50,000 miles · Jan 17, 2018
Service Brakes

I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT EX 4WD WITH 52,610 MILES ON IT. IN VERY COLD WEATHER (AROUND 5 DEGREES F OR LESS) THE BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION CORRECTLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. THERE IS A LOT OF PEDAL RESISTANCE AND IT ONLY GOES DOWN ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY OR LESS. DURING THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ARE BARELY ENGAGING (IT TAKES 3 …

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I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT EX 4WD WITH 52,610 MILES ON IT. IN VERY COLD WEATHER (AROUND 5 DEGREES F OR LESS) THE BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION CORRECTLY WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. THERE IS A LOT OF PEDAL RESISTANCE AND IT ONLY GOES DOWN ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY OR LESS. DURING THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ARE BARELY ENGAGING (IT TAKES 3 FEET TO MAKE A STOP THAT WOULD NORMALLY ONLY TAKE 6 INCHES). THEN SUDDENLY THE PEDAL WILL GO DOWN ALL OF THE WAY AND THE BRAKES WILL BE WORKING. SOMETIMES IT CORRECTS ITSELF ALMOST RIGHT AWAY ON THE FIRST PUSH, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO CORRECT. IN ALL BUT ONE OCCASION, THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED, HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED ONCE ON THE ROAD ON AN EXTREMELY COLD (SUB 0 F) DAY (NOTABLY ON THAT DAY IT HAD BEEN STORED INSIDE OVERNIGHT PRIOR TO THE TRIP). NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ABS TYPE EXPERIENCE (WHERE YOU ARE PUSHING THE PEDAL HARD BECAUSE THE ABS IS ACTIVATING) ' IN MY CASE THE PEDAL IS BARELY GOING DOWN, AND THE BRAKES ARE BARELY ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TWICE INSPECTED BY A HONDA DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. THE CHALLENGE IS THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME, SO IT IS HARD TO DUPLICATE FOR THE DEALER. BASED ON A WEB SEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/82-2012-2015-PILOT/147306-COLD-WEATHER-BRAKES.HTML HTTP://WWW.PILOTEERS.ORG/FORUMS/114-2016-THIRD-GENERATION-PILOT/141257-HARD-BRAKE-PEDAL-MORNING.HTML

NHTSA ODI #11063256

85,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Power Train

MOTOR LOST A CYLINDER AT 85,000 MILES DRIVING AT 60 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11062103

46,440 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY, THE RADIATOR BLEW UP AND SPILLED THE FLUIDS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR HOOD THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE COMPARTMENT A MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING ENGINE IS OVER HEATING AND IT STOPPED. THIS CAR ONLY HAS AROUND 46000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT SEEMS LIKE HONDA ISSU…

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WHILE DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY, THE RADIATOR BLEW UP AND SPILLED THE FLUIDS INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR HOOD THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE COMPARTMENT A MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING ENGINE IS OVER HEATING AND IT STOPPED. THIS CAR ONLY HAS AROUND 46000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT SEEMS LIKE HONDA ISSUED RECALL FOR RADIATOR PROBLEMS ONLY ON 2017 HONDA PILOTS. BUT, THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO EXIST IN OTHER OLDER MODELS ALSO. IT IS SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT HONDA AND NHTSA LOOK CAREFULLY INTO THIS PROBLEM, ISSUE RECALL FOR OTHER OLDER MODELS AND FIX THE PROBLEM TO SAVE SOME LIFE'S.

NHTSA ODI #11058140

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL. TRADED IN TO BRIARWOOD FORD ANN ARBOR MI. UNKNOWN DAMAGE

NHTSA ODI #11053705

93,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. DO I JUST TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED? WILL THERE BE ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE REIMBURSED FOR IN THE FORM OF A RENTAL CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED? WE ALSO LEASE A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. VIN: [XXX]. WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FOR TH…

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RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. DO I JUST TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED? WILL THERE BE ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE REIMBURSED FOR IN THE FORM OF A RENTAL CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED? WE ALSO LEASE A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. VIN: [XXX]. WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FOR THIS CAR AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11053414

27,172 miles · Nov 26, 2017
Structure

THE PAINT ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD IN THE CENTER JUST FLAKED OFF. THE AREA IS APPROX. 6"X8" AND THE BARE METAL IS SHOWING.

NHTSA ODI #11048437

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.