2013 HONDA PILOT Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Pilot. This model year has 265 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2013 Honda Pilot Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Structural Problems
Considering a 2013 Honda Pilot?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Honda Pilot. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 81 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 53 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 46 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 42 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 34 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 17 | 3 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 16 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 265 most recent complaints
The car was inspected by the authorized dealer, but it is still on the list.
Repeatedly there has been a cylinder 1 misfire causing the check engine light to activate. The vehicle starts to shake and idling is rough. It has happened repeatedly over the past 3-4 years. In 2025 it happened in August, October and December despite repeated maintenance. Erro…
• The side airbags on the passenger side, extending from the front passenger seat to the back, deployed without cause. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. • The airbags deployed while driving, forcing us to pull over immediately in an unsafe location on a very …
Vcm2 light appearing causing bank 2 to stop working, vibration and rpm not being able to go above 3000 or 5000
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 par…
Significant paint chipping
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
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 f…
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 co…
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 d…
paint peeling above windshield
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 complet…
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…
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 …
Burn oil more then usual smokes when accelerating hard . premature spark plug failure, cylinder 1, 2 , 3 have alot of oil build on them causing failure.
Wires burnt to headlights as a result of overheating wires; resulted in both low beam headlights going out while driving. It seems like Honda has had this problem previously in older Pilot models. Unsure of why they are making newer vehicles with the same issues.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, the brake warning light, and the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed th…
Paint on roof of my 2013 Honda Pilot. First bubbled up the white paint - now 2 large areas the size of basketballs just above the front window. The paint has chipped off and the metal shows underneath. Have an appt to bring to dealer to inspect. Heard its common on 2013-14 Ho…
Having a VCM system problem on vehicle, tighten gas cap, check engine light, vtm-4 light, misfire in 3. Took to Buerkle Buick after reading about class action lawsuit. They were absolutely no help. Said without a code could not help. Bought new gas cap and replaced purge valve,…
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced rough idling. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. Th…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Honda Pilot.
Recalls for 2013 Honda Pilot
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Honda Pilot. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2013 Honda Pilot — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2013 Honda Pilot has 265 NHTSA owner complaints, 11 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (81 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Honda Pilot?▾
#1: Engine Problems (81 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (53 complaints). #3: Structural Problems (46 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Honda Pilot?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2013 Honda Pilot has 11 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 265 total NHTSA complaints. 12 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Honda Pilot. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2013 Honda Pilot has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Pilot reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2013 Honda Pilot
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.