2013 Honda Pilot: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2013 Honda Pilot? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 265 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2013 Honda Pilot Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2013 Honda Pilot trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2013 Honda Pilot Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2013 Honda Pilot SUV 4WDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
16.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
16.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Honda Pilot has 265 owner complaints, 11 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Honda
- Model
- Pilot
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 265
- Crash-related complaints
- 11
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 24
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2013 Honda Pilot Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Structural Problems
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Structural Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2013 Honda Pilot?
The 2013 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2013 Honda Pilot
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like brakes and airbags.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for reported components like brakes and airbags.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on structural integrity.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Honda Pilot, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2013 Honda Pilot are concentrated in engine, transmission, and structural issues, with a notable number of brake and airbag reports. The data suggests potential concerns with major drivetrain components, though the low confidence level and limited sample size warrant caution.
- Engine Problems account for the highest number of complaints at 81.
- Transmission / Drivetrain complaints total 53, the second most frequent.
- Structural Problems are reported 46 times, indicating possible body or frame issues.
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Structural Problems
All 2013 Honda Pilot Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Pilot. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| 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.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Honda Pilot. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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.
2013 Honda Pilot Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Honda Pilot. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2013 Honda Pilot Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 265 owner complaints, 11 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
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?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Honda Pilot, NHTSA complaints include 11 crash-related reports and 4 fire reports out of 265 total complaints. 12 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Honda Pilot have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Honda Pilot. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2013 Honda Pilot?▾
The 2013 Honda Pilot shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
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.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Honda Pilot based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.