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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
60,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Structure

MY PAINT IS PEELING. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY MOTHERS HONDA PILOT ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11166028

50,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Structure

PAINT BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF STARTED TO PEEL, AND HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE QUICKLY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. RECENTLY, PAINT HAS NOW STARTED TO PEEL FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI #11164857

20,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Service Brakes

ROTORS WARPED. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES IT IS "FIXED".

NHTSA ODI #11164518

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2018
Suspension

WAS TOLD BY HONDA DEALER COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS LEAKING. THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPLACE FOR A FEE. HOWEVER, I FOUND AN SB. SB 15-045. I THINK IT APPLIES.

NHTSA ODI #11162261

57,000 miles · Dec 6, 2018
Service BrakesSteering

I HAVE HAD SHAKING IN STEERING WHEEL AT 60-70 MPH AND BRAKES CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUDDER. THE BRAKES GRABBED WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED THEM AT 70 MPH TO AVOID A TRUCK THAT PULLED INTO MY LANE. AFRAID THAT VEHICLE WILL LOSE CONTROL DUE TO SUDDEN BRAKE AND SHUDDER IN STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11156556

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 · Oct 8, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

I HAVE MAJOT PAINT REMOVAL ON THE ROOF OF MY HONDA PILOT. IT JUST COMES OFF IN SHEETS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID WE DIDN'T WAX THE CAR ENOUGH AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. A CAR THAT IS 5 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINT COMING OFF IN SHEETS. IT IS SO BAD THAT I NOW HAVE TO WORRY …

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I HAVE MAJOT PAINT REMOVAL ON THE ROOF OF MY HONDA PILOT. IT JUST COMES OFF IN SHEETS WHEN WE ARE DRIVING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID WE DIDN'T WAX THE CAR ENOUGH AND THAT WAS WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. A CAR THAT IS 5 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE PAINT COMING OFF IN SHEETS. IT IS SO BAD THAT I NOW HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE ROOF GETTING RUST BECAUSE THE PAINT COMES OFF DOWN TO THE METAL.

NHTSA ODI #11138987

84,000 miles · Oct 4, 2018
Structure

I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO WE NOTICED PAINT PEELING OFF OF THE HOOD. WE CONTACTED RUSTY WALLIS HONDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIRS ONLY AT 50%, WHICH LEFT ME PAYING ABOUT $450 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS A TOTAL MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I TOLD THEM I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THIS BUT THEY SA…

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I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT WITH ABOUT 85,000 MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO WE NOTICED PAINT PEELING OFF OF THE HOOD. WE CONTACTED RUSTY WALLIS HONDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIRS ONLY AT 50%, WHICH LEFT ME PAYING ABOUT $450 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS A TOTAL MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I TOLD THEM I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THIS BUT THEY SAID THE DECISION WAS FINAL. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME SORT OF REGIONAL MANAGER THAT MAKES THESE DECISIONS, CALLED THE "DPMS". THE BODY SHOP MANAGER AGREED THAT IT WAS A DEFECT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IN THE PAST. A FEW WEEKS AFTER WE GOT THE HOOD REPAIRED WE NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. WE CONTACTED RUSTY WALLIS AGAIN AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THIS REPAIR AT 50% WHICH LEAVES ME PAYING ABOUT $650. I AGAIN TOLD THEM I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THIS. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I COULD SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH THE DPMS. SO I CALLED MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS AT RUSTY WALLIS. I HAVE EVEN SENT RUSTY WALLIS A PERSONAL EMAIL, ONLY TO GET NO CALLS OR EMAILS RETURNED AT ALL FROM ANYONE. SOMEONE FROM AMERICAN HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE FINALLY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE DPMS WOULD NOT MEET WITH ME AND THAT THE DECISION WAS FINAL. I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL COMPLETELY HELPLESS IN ALL THIS. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT A 5 YEAR OLD CAR'S PAINT WOULD BE UNCONTROLLABLY PEELING OFF. THIS COULD JUST KEEP HAPPENING OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL THE ENTIRE CAR GETS REPAINTED. I KNOW THAT HONDA HAS HAD CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ABOUT THEIR PAINT IN THE PAST BUT APPARENTLY IS HASN'T HAPPENED FOR THIS MODEL YET.

NHTSA ODI #11133266

55,000 miles · Aug 28, 2018
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN THE SPEED OF 60-80 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VERY NOTICEABLY MAKING IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE VIBRATION. I HAVE HAD TIRES REPLACED AND THE WHEELS REBALANCED AND NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR MONTHS AND NO SERVICE STATION IS ABLE TO FIX T…

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WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN THE SPEED OF 60-80 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VERY NOTICEABLY MAKING IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE WITH THE VIBRATION. I HAVE HAD TIRES REPLACED AND THE WHEELS REBALANCED AND NOTHING SEEMS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR MONTHS AND NO SERVICE STATION IS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. FEARING THAT SOMETHING MAY HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEN MY CHILDREN DRIVE THE CAR. SAFETY IS MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN WHEN GETTING INTO A VEHICLE AND IT IS VERY UPSETTING THAT I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR TO AVOID THE UNKNOWN PROBLEMS OF A USED VEHICLE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO FIND A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT EVERY HONDA PILOT OWNER IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND THAT HONDA DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11123041

56,000 miles · Aug 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR IS INCREASINGLY SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST. OUR GARAGE SMELLS STRONGLY OF GASOLINE. WHEN I USE A/C THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST. I JUST MADE A 5 MINUTE TRIP TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND IT MADE ME FEEL DIZZY. WE HAVE NEVER SKIPPED ANY MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING IS UP TO DATE. THE ODDLY GASOLINE-Y SMELL …

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MY CAR IS INCREASINGLY SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST. OUR GARAGE SMELLS STRONGLY OF GASOLINE. WHEN I USE A/C THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST. I JUST MADE A 5 MINUTE TRIP TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND IT MADE ME FEEL DIZZY. WE HAVE NEVER SKIPPED ANY MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING IS UP TO DATE. THE ODDLY GASOLINE-Y SMELL IN OUR GARAGE HAS JUST SUDDENLY GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I REALIZE IT IS COMING FROM MY HONDA PILOT - I CAN FOLLOW THE SCENT DIRECTLY TO THE CAR EVEN WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN. THE INTERIOR OF OUR CAR IS NOW BEING AFFECTED AND THE SMELL IS MUCH STRONGER WHEN A/C RUNS. HAD TO TURN IT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11122403

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.