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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

What owners actually said

271 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2025
Service Brakes

The VSA/ABS lights came on and I took it to the repair shop. The mechanic told me that the VSA/ABS module is bad and needs to be replaced. He said this is a very common problem in my vehicle type. He said the anti-lock brakes won't work which can be dangerous. He said the parts are always backordered and can take months to c…

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The VSA/ABS lights came on and I took it to the repair shop. The mechanic told me that the VSA/ABS module is bad and needs to be replaced. He said this is a very common problem in my vehicle type. He said the anti-lock brakes won't work which can be dangerous. He said the parts are always backordered and can take months to come in and they are extremely expensive. They range from $1200-$2400 for the part only. I researched the problem online and it seems to be a common problem across many Honda models and years. Many people have taken apart the modules themselves and have repaired them. They mention that the connective wires on the modules are extremely thin and not recommended for circuit boards. The thinness of the connective wires causes the failure.

NHTSA ODI #11669795

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2025
Structure

Significant paint chipping

NHTSA ODI #11656727

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2025
Structure

Paint has peeled completely off of areas of the body--including the roof above the windshield and others. This peeling has occurred without any physical damage to the body itself

NHTSA ODI #11642984

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2024
StructureUnknown Or Other

I purchased the vehicle and in May 2023 I noticed a small bubble on the paint on the roof of the car near the windshield on the left, above the driver's side. I went to the closest Honda Dealer and the gentleman at the shop dismissed me saying the car's warranty was expired. A few months later, the bubble popped and a part of t…

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I purchased the vehicle and in May 2023 I noticed a small bubble on the paint on the roof of the car near the windshield on the left, above the driver's side. I went to the closest Honda Dealer and the gentleman at the shop dismissed me saying the car's warranty was expired. A few months later, the bubble popped and a part of the paint peeled off. I called the dealer Arlington Honda and was told by a manager Jeremy Hardman to take my car to one of 2 Autobody shops he provided me with for inspection. I went to Schaumburg Autobody who inspected the vehicle and found more affected areas behind the sunroof. They determined it to be defective sealer that is not adhearing to the metal. I sent an email to Jeremy Hardman and called that Honda dealer I was told Jeremy no longer works at that dealer and transferred me elsewhere. I was told to contact Honda Corporate. Meanwhile, the paint has now peeled further, the metal is now completely exposed which will lead to rust formation causing further damage. Also making my car look old and poorly maintained. Since its near the windshield, moisture from snow, rain etc will cause damage where water will start to make its way into the vehicle causing further damage there as well. I have attached pictures to show the metal exposure from the peeling and pictures where you can see the sealant coming off. I would like instructions on how to proceed from here to initiate a recall asap due to poor paint/sealer quality and/or improper application. Instructions for a temporary solution to avoid further damage. I also found an article. Please see [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11631923

150,000 miles · Nov 15, 2024
Engine

The contact owned a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 45- 50 MPH, the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that rod bearings and piston ring replace…

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The contact owned a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving at 45- 50 MPH, the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: RQ24013 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that rod bearings and piston ring replacements were needed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and assisted with the repair fees. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11625558

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

The lights(traction control light, check engine,) in the dash come on and go off intermittently and vehicle display reads check emissions system and check VSA (vehicle stability assist) I got the vehicle scanned for the codes it throws and the print out was for the power train control module the piston rings all of them failed e…

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The lights(traction control light, check engine,) in the dash come on and go off intermittently and vehicle display reads check emissions system and check VSA (vehicle stability assist) I got the vehicle scanned for the codes it throws and the print out was for the power train control module the piston rings all of them failed emission test! The dash lights come on for two to three weeks at a time and than just go off while the lights are illuminated I have no traction control no eco mode and the car doesn’t get the correct power while accelerating speed sometimes it gets too much power and accelerates too high causing the vehicle to take off and without any kind of traction

NHTSA ODI #11625394

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2024
Structure

paint peeling above windshield

NHTSA ODI #11597826

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2024
Air Bags

I made an 8:40 am appointment to fix the 2018 airbag recall (18V-042) and after arriving at the service center was told it would take two days to fix because they were unexpectedly busy, and, they would be unable to give me a loaner vehicle or facilitate it's dropoff when complete. This does not work for us and leaves us expos…

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I made an 8:40 am appointment to fix the 2018 airbag recall (18V-042) and after arriving at the service center was told it would take two days to fix because they were unexpectedly busy, and, they would be unable to give me a loaner vehicle or facilitate it's dropoff when complete. This does not work for us and leaves us exposed to unacceptable safety risk.

NHTSA ODI #11595248

86,680 miles · May 2, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that oil was seeping through the piston rings and was leaking onto the spark plugs…

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The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that oil was seeping through the piston rings and was leaking onto the spark plugs. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that cylinder #1 was misfiring. The dealer determined that the piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V382000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 86,680.

NHTSA ODI #11586506

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2024
Engine

I recently purchased 2013 Honda Pilot (89,000 miles) and can hear a distinct intermittent hum only when the vehicle is traveling between 45 and 50 mph. I have taken it to the dealer to repair it twice, but they have not found a problem. Ball bearings are fine, transmission fluid was changed, but hum is still there. This model is…

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I recently purchased 2013 Honda Pilot (89,000 miles) and can hear a distinct intermittent hum only when the vehicle is traveling between 45 and 50 mph. I have taken it to the dealer to repair it twice, but they have not found a problem. Ball bearings are fine, transmission fluid was changed, but hum is still there. This model is known to have transmission problems, and I don’t want issues down the road.

NHTSA ODI #11582769

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.