THE ENGINE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. 1 QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES
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.
What owners actually said
271 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NARDY HONDA (559 MIDDLE COUNTRY RD, ST JAMES, NY), BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
THE LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THE TAILGATE LOCKS AT INOPPORTUNE TIMES. THE DASH CAMERA WORKS OFF AND ON AS WELL AS THE LOCKS IN THE CAR. IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY CAN GET LOCKED IN THE CAR.
"TAKATA RECALL" INFLATORS / AIRBAGS: AS PER NOTICE IN MAIL FROM TK HOLDINGS, INC., ET AL., WE CONTACTED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON TX 'VANDERGRIFF HONDA & MADE APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH SERVICE ADVISOR/REP. HOWEVER WHEN HE LISTED OUR VIN HE STATED ([XXX]) THAT ONLY 2 RECALLS WERE ISSUED ON OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT BUT NOT PE…
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"TAKATA RECALL" INFLATORS / AIRBAGS: AS PER NOTICE IN MAIL FROM TK HOLDINGS, INC., ET AL., WE CONTACTED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON TX 'VANDERGRIFF HONDA & MADE APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH SERVICE ADVISOR/REP. HOWEVER WHEN HE LISTED OUR VIN HE STATED ([XXX]) THAT ONLY 2 RECALLS WERE ISSUED ON OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT BUT NOT PERTAINING TO OUR VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.. SO WOULD U PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SUBJECT AS WE ARE SENIORS IN OUR AGE 70+ YEARS & VERY NERVOUS IN DRIVING OUR HONDA IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. YOUR WEBSITE LISTED UNDER 'SAFERCARS.GOV' STATES 'RIVETS DEFECTS' IN OUR MODEL 2013 PILOT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS/INFLATORS FOR OUR MODEL YEAR 2013 HONDA PILOT FWD. YOUR FURTHER PROPER REVIEW IN FINDING OUT WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH OR ANSWER W/BE APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY, & OUR BEST REGARDS. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
IT WAS A SUNNY AND VERY HOT DAY, TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING WEST ON A 2 LANE IN TOWN STREET, WITH NO CURBS, WITH ONE VEHICLE IN FRONT, STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION TO A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. AS THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR THE …
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IT WAS A SUNNY AND VERY HOT DAY, TEMPERATURES ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS PROCEEDING WEST ON A 2 LANE IN TOWN STREET, WITH NO CURBS, WITH ONE VEHICLE IN FRONT, STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION TO A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. AS THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING THE RAILROAD TRACKS, WITH A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR THE STOP SIGN AFTER THE RAILROAD TRACKS. AS THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR ACCELERATED TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY. AT THIS POINT, THE DRIVER SAID, 'IT'S NOT STOPPING'IT'S NOT STOPPING.' TO THE OVER 2 PASSENGERS OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A CAR IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WAITING TO TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAR GETTING READY TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY, AS WELL AS A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BREAKS WITHOUT THE CAR BREAKING AND VEERED TO THE LEFT TO TRY TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT. AS THE CAR ACCELERATED, IT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT AND BOUNCED OFF THE LEFT BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND CAME TO A STOP. THEY CARS WERE NOT MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED BUT THE CAR IN QUESTION WAS NOT STOPPING EVEN WITH THE BREAKS APPLIED, FOOT ON THE BRAKE PETAL, FOOT NOT ON ACCELERATOR. IT WAS ACCELERATING. THE CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK. THE CAR SEEMED TO 'HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN' NOT BREAKING BUT ACCELERATING. THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN CAUSE FOR THIS AS OF THIS TIME. A COUNTY DEPUTY WAS IN THE AREA AND CAME OVER TO THE ACCIDENT.
PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING ON THE ROOF. VEHICLE IS GARAGED DAILY OUT OF THE SUN AND WHETHER.
WHEN VEHICLE HITS "WASH BOARD" AREAS SUCH AS SMALL INDENTATIONS IN PAVEMENT OR SMALL POTHOLES IT GOES AIRBORNE(65-70 MPH) AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN THE BACK WHEELS AREN'T TRACKING THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE OR OTHER. DEALER SAYS THAT IS JUST THE WAY PILOTS ARE, TOP HEAVY, ETC. SAID BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, ETC A…
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WHEN VEHICLE HITS "WASH BOARD" AREAS SUCH AS SMALL INDENTATIONS IN PAVEMENT OR SMALL POTHOLES IT GOES AIRBORNE(65-70 MPH) AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN THE BACK WHEELS AREN'T TRACKING THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE OR OTHER. DEALER SAYS THAT IS JUST THE WAY PILOTS ARE, TOP HEAVY, ETC. SAID BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, ETC ARE OK. VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. TO ME IT COULD LOSE CONTROL IN WET WEATHER!
AFTER ONLY 25000 MILES, WHEN BRAKING, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY. STOPPING VEHICLE FROM HIGHER SPEEDS DANGEROUS AS CAR STEERING BECOMES UNSTEADY. DIAGNOSED WARPED FRONT ROTORS. NORMAL CITY DRIVING. REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS. VIBRATION IS NOW GONE.
WIFE HAD TO PULL OVER ON HER WAY BACK FROM DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DANCE DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND FRONT OF CAR SHAKING NOTICEABLY. CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE DUE TO SAFETY AND CONCERN OF FURTHER DAMAGING ENGINE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED THE CAR BE TAKEN TO DEALER AS I…
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WIFE HAD TO PULL OVER ON HER WAY BACK FROM DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT DANCE DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND FRONT OF CAR SHAKING NOTICEABLY. CAR WAS NOT DRIVEABLE DUE TO SAFETY AND CONCERN OF FURTHER DAMAGING ENGINE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED THE CAR BE TAKEN TO DEALER AS IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN 13-082. DEALER REPLACED PISTON RINGS AND SPARK PLUGS 1-4 AT NO CHARGE. HOWEVER, I HAD TO PAY FOR TOW AND INITIAL DIAGNOSIS FROM MY NON-HONDA DEALER MECHANIC. SUFFICE TO SAY WE'RE NOT HAPPY THIS IS HAPPENING AS WE'RE STILL PAYING THE CAR OFF AND WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT OUT THE LEASE LAST YEAR HAD WE KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE, WHICH WAS KNOWN BY HONDA BEFORE WE BOUGHT OUT THE LEASE.
DESCRIPTION: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED . AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE LEFT FRONT BEARING WAS NOISY AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH BEARING P/N DL513267 MILES ON VEHICLE 68000. THE NOISE SEEM TO STOP, BUT AT 73000-76000 MILES THE NOISE STARTED ON RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DURING DRIVING, LOUDER AS SPEED INCREASED. ON MAY 15, 2017 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE …
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DESCRIPTION: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED . AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE LEFT FRONT BEARING WAS NOISY AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH BEARING P/N DL513267 MILES ON VEHICLE 68000. THE NOISE SEEM TO STOP, BUT AT 73000-76000 MILES THE NOISE STARTED ON RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DURING DRIVING, LOUDER AS SPEED INCREASED. ON MAY 15, 2017 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HONDA PILOT'S WHEEL BEARINGS THAT NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER COST PROTECTION IN REPLACING THEM.
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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