ANY TIME ECO MODE VCM (VEHICLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT) ENGAGES ENGINE SHUDDERS AND ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES UNTIL ECO MODE DISENGAGES UPON INCREASED ACCELERATION. *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
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.
Power Train complaints
54 reportsINTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING STOPPED AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE COULD EASILY GET REAR-ENDED OR WORSE YET GET CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION IN ON…
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INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE AFTER BEING STOPPED AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE COULD EASILY GET REAR-ENDED OR WORSE YET GET CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE IS ALSO VIBRATION AND SHUTTER AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND SEEMS TO BE WORST WHEN ECO MODE KICKS IN AND WHEN DRIVING CONSERVATIVELY. THERE IS ALSO A PULL IN THE STEERING UPON ACCELERATION. *TR
SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING OUT AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AT THE LEAST AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS ONE COULD EASILY GET REARENDED OR WORS…
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SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING OUT AND MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE AND BOG DOWN FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT "KICKS IN" AND THEN THERE IS A "SURGE OF POWER". THIS IS VERY ANNOYING AT THE LEAST AND ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AS ONE COULD EASILY GET REARENDED OR WORSE YET GET CAUGHT IN THE INTERSECTION IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMERS WRITE IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUDDERS, PULSATES AND VIBRATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHUDDER, PULSATING AND VIBRATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING ANY AND ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HONDA REPRESENTATIVES AD TECHNICIANS…
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2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMERS WRITE IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUDDERS, PULSATES AND VIBRATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHUDDER, PULSATING AND VIBRATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING ANY AND ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HONDA REPRESENTATIVES AD TECHNICIANS THAT VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY THE VARIABLE CYLINDER CONTROL SYSTEM AND IT USUALLY STARTED AFTER 1000 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HONDA WAS WORKING ON A FIX, BUT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A SOLUTION IN THE FUTURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A VERY DISTINCT AND CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FUEL SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED WITH GAS. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALER, TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE GAS GAP. THE ALERT LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARSHLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH HE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. *JB
MY DAUGHTER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO PARK GEAR SELECTOR, EXITED AUTO TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM GARAGE. NOTICED THE CAR ROLLING , ATTEMPTED TO GET IN THE CAR, AS HER TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE REAR (AGES 6 &9).CAR ROLLED OVER HER LEG, RESULTING IN MAJOR COMPOUND FRACTUR…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO PARK GEAR SELECTOR, EXITED AUTO TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM GARAGE. NOTICED THE CAR ROLLING , ATTEMPTED TO GET IN THE CAR, AS HER TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE REAR (AGES 6 &9).CAR ROLLED OVER HER LEG, RESULTING IN MAJOR COMPOUND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE SURGERY, METAL ROD AND SCREWS IN HER LEG. CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS CROSSING STREET INTO DITCH. POLICE REPORT INDICATES ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WITH GEAR IN REVERSE . HONDA CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 10/21/2014 *JS
WHILE DRIVING IN FLORIDA AND LOUISIANA, I NOTICED A LOW-FREQUENCY BUZZING SOUND AND VIBRATION WHICH COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORPAN. I BELIEVE IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT (VCM) FEATURE. IT COULD BE FELT WHEN THE VCM TRANSITIONED FROM 6 TO 4 CYLINDER MODE, WITH THE RPM OF 1700-1900…
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WHILE DRIVING IN FLORIDA AND LOUISIANA, I NOTICED A LOW-FREQUENCY BUZZING SOUND AND VIBRATION WHICH COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND FLOORPAN. I BELIEVE IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VARIABLE CYLINDER MANAGEMENT (VCM) FEATURE. IT COULD BE FELT WHEN THE VCM TRANSITIONED FROM 6 TO 4 CYLINDER MODE, WITH THE RPM OF 1700-1900 AND SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 25, 45 AND 60 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WITH VERY LIGHT ACCELERATOR PRESSURE, JUST MAINTAINING SPEED, AND DISAPPEAR WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSURE WAS INCREASED, CAUSING IT TO DOWNSHIFT AND/OR THE VCM TO TRANSITION BACK TO 6 CYLINDER MODE. THIS PROBLEM IS LESS EVIDENT HERE IN COLORADO SPRINGS (6000 FT ELEVATION), WHICH I CANNOT EXPLAIN. I DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH A 2008 PILOT NOR A 2008 ODYSSEY, BOTH OF WHICH HAD A SIMILAR VCM FEATURE. MY LOCAL HONDA TECH COULD "NOT DUPLICATE" MY CONCERN AND SAID IT WAS "OPERATING NORMALLY". THE TRANSMISSION ALSO "HUNTS" BETWEEN 4TH AND 5TH GEAR. *TR
WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE EMITTED AUDIBLE NOISE FROM WITHIN CABIN AND OUTSIDE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CLUSTER OF FAST METALLIC CLAPPING/SNAPPING NOISES. THE NOISE WAS ACCOMPANIED AND FOLLOWED BY AN OBSERVED SHAKE AND HESITATION TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, THE MOTION TO TRANSITION INTO A ZERO GAS COASTING SPEE…
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WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE EMITTED AUDIBLE NOISE FROM WITHIN CABIN AND OUTSIDE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A CLUSTER OF FAST METALLIC CLAPPING/SNAPPING NOISES. THE NOISE WAS ACCOMPANIED AND FOLLOWED BY AN OBSERVED SHAKE AND HESITATION TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, THE MOTION TO TRANSITION INTO A ZERO GAS COASTING SPEED, WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LURCH TO VEHICLES DEFAULT DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE FIRST NOTICEABLE INCIDENT OF THIS BEHAVIOR WAS EXPERIENCED IN THE NOVEMBER 2013 TIME FRAME, WHILE IN A DRIVE-THRU AT A RESTAURANT, WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, AND AFTER ORDERING, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE PERFORMING THIS TRANSMISSION SHIFT. THE VEHICLE IS WITH THE DEALER FOR A REPEAT SERVICE CALL TO OBSERVE THIS PATTERN OF SHIFT CHANGE BEHAVIOR. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A FEW MORE INCIDENTS OF THIS HAPPENING, BUT THESE TWO ARE THE MOST NOTICEABLE THAT CAN BE RECOLLECTED AT THIS TIME. *TR
VEHICLE SHUTTERS TERRIBLE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS/RPM. HAVE TO ADJUST ACCELERATION TO GET IT TO STOP. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NOT NORMAL OPERATION FOR A NEW VEHICLE. IT'S CRIMINAL THAT HONDA CLAIMS ITS NORMAL. *TR
EVER SINCE I PULLED OFF THE NEW CAR LOT,,,,, VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AT 1500 TO 2000 RPM. IT IS SLIGHT BUT VIBRATES THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. ANNOYING IS THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION. GOES AWAY WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO ECO BEING IN OPERATION. I SEE SAME COMPLAINT IN OTHER POSTS. I BELIEVE IT IS A ROOKIE DESIGN FLAW I…
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EVER SINCE I PULLED OFF THE NEW CAR LOT,,,,, VEHICLE HAS VIBRATION AT 1500 TO 2000 RPM. IT IS SLIGHT BUT VIBRATES THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. ANNOYING IS THE PERFECT DESCRIPTION. GOES AWAY WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO ECO BEING IN OPERATION. I SEE SAME COMPLAINT IN OTHER POSTS. I BELIEVE IT IS A ROOKIE DESIGN FLAW IN POWER TRAIN. A $40,000 VEHICLE SHOULD BE WITHOUT THIS DEFECT. I ALSO OWN A 2010 PILOT THAT OPERATES WITHOUT ANY VIBRATION AT ANY SPEED OR LOAD UPON ENGINE/DRIVETRAIN. THIS IS MY SECOND "HONDA" COMPANY VEHICLE. I WISH I HAD THE 1ST ONE BACK. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY FRUSTRATION WITH MY 2013 HONDA PILOT. HONDA..... CAN YOU OWN UP TO THIS FLAW AND FIX? *TR
WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, AS I START THE TURN THE ENGINE HESITATES AND THERE IS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE NO POWER AND COASTS 4 OR 5 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING NORMALLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCASIONALLY OCCURRED STARTING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AND MAKI…
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WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, AS I START THE TURN THE ENGINE HESITATES AND THERE IS NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE NO POWER AND COASTS 4 OR 5 SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING NORMALLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN HIGH TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALSO OCCASIONALLY OCCURRED STARTING OFF FROM A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AND MAKING RIGHT TURNS. *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.
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