RoadVitals

2013 Honda Pilot

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
270
Latest Jun 29, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Jun 27, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 270 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Honda Pilot, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and body & structure categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 89 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V502000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
9,555 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number F5F, Q5EView on NHTSA.gov
19V378000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

May 16, 2019
19,138 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number M4O, P4R, T4Q, W4PView on NHTSA.gov
18V661000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Sep 27, 2018
1,355,406 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number M2J, S2KView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 270
Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2026

Recalls without notification; 1) Engine- recurring problem piston seal leak - continual replacement of coils & spark plugs. Engine light on VTM-4, traction bar symbol on, engine missing. [XXX] 2025: [XXX] ][XXX] Oil change 7 days later wrench & engine light gone [XXX] * 2 days later it came on again. I let it sit for a 1½ days, and the sway light went off. 5-29-25. Glendale Service Center Chase checked - engine light on Misfire of #2 cylinder again. [XXX]. HONDA DEALER Brown Stafford Honda Body Shop Mike Gerdes. 410-553-8661 712 Crain Hwy N Glen Burnie, MD 21061 Diagnostic fee. $185 ..Total $220.33 Diagnosis: One day repair Piston rings $6987.70 tax & shop fee $51. 51 Sway bar. $ 418.58 Power steering 1511.37 Flush. $178.29 Estimate Total = $9147.45 (not done) 3-11-25. Glendale Service Center Chase checked - engine light on Misfire of #2 cylinder again. *Glendale Service David/ Chase Replacing all 6 plugs and 1 coil Plugs $25 each = $125 10-2-24 Honda - trying to cut off Engine light on, VTM, Swerve lines Dash panel by music dim Once trouble starting Cell phone charger - losing charge on phone while charging Engine - slow, missing, Noise, smell, dash radio light dimmed, phone charger weak, Radio needs code often, switches from cell phone Blue tooth to radio, sway bar noise. 4-23-24 Safford Brown Honda dealer Glen Burnie. Md. Mike Gerdes. 8:30 DONE open at 7:30. $185 diagnostic Service fee $51.51? Replaced O² sensor and spark plug #2 410-553-8661 Total paid $753.95 😡 not replaced! (local mechanic checked) Phil. - service, John Kim in charge Dan 4-21-24 Engine light, VTM-4, traction bars came on AFTER repair 4-16-24 Strange rasping sounds from blower. Destiny Auto Sales 3/07/22. Again. $220 2/8/22 Coil & spark plug $220 2) White Paint peeling 2021 7-2-21 White paint peeling around Sunroof. Rain storm. Soaked inside of car. Repair white paint on roof. Mold inside car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

NHTSA ID
11747122
Incident
Feb 8, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Jun 21, 2026

The factory clear coat and paint on the roof of this 2013 Honda Pilot are delaminating and peeling away from the metal. The failure began about 1.5 years ago and continues to spread; in places it has now progressed through the paint to bare metal that is corroding and rusting. The vertical body panels remain glossy and intact while the entire horizontal roof has failed - a top-down failure pattern consistent with a defective factory finish rather than wear or environmental exposure. This matches a well-documented paint-adhesion defect in Honda vehicles of this generation: Honda issued warranty-extension service bulletin 19-057 for 2013-16 Pilots in White Diamond Pearl after identical roof peeling, a companion bulletin covers other white finishes, and an active class-action lawsuit alleges the same peeling and delaminating paint defect across 2013-and-later Honda and Acura vehicles. As the paint separates, detached clear-coat material can lift off the moving vehicle, and the exposed roof metal is now corroding. The affected roof/body panel is available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps applied; the defect is visible. The vehicle was not in a crash, and there was no fire and no injury. I am reporting this so it is documented as a manufacturing defect affecting colors beyond those the manufacturer has chosen to cover.

NHTSA ID
11745465
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2026
Crash reported

Had a car accident and hit a sand barrel at about 40 miles an hour without the airbags didn’t deploy. The grill and bumper were damaged with impact.

NHTSA ID
11740049
Incident
May 20, 2026
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 17, 2026

Multiple mechanics have told me it’s spark plugs and piston ring and issues. I constantly get my oils changed when I’m at 10% and never let it run out of gas. Constantly babied this thing. It only has 145k miles on it. Had 111k when I bought it in 2022! I barely put miles on this and the fuel consumption and engine are now causing issues. Even been told possible catalytic converter issues. Multiple Honda has told me different things. This is so frustrating because the allowed some vin specific models with my year. But not mine?! Helllllllp

NHTSA ID
11738403
Incident
Jul 25, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed May 2, 2026

Brake lights did not appear to be working while car suddenly slowed.

NHTSA ID
11735278
Incident
May 2, 2026
Airbags
Filed Jan 26, 2026

The car was inspected by the authorized dealer, but it is still on the list.

NHTSA ID
11713298
Incident
Jan 25, 2026
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 10, 2026

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. Error codes that have popped up due to the issue primarily include cylinder 1 misfires a known and documented issue related to the faulty VCM system. The problem has repeatedly been identified by multiple mechanics. I use my vehicle primarily to transport my children to and from school. We have all been in the car during these misfires endangering their safety. At many of the times when the misfires have happened my children have been in the car and any engine failure while operating the vehicle puts them in danger. My children are ADHD/autistic and during the times the vehicle has broken down while driving it has caused them extreme distress. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I have reached out to Honda repeatedly to have the issue resolved however despite repeated promises the vehicle would be fixed due to recalls and extended warranties Honda officials have repeatedly made erroneous claims and insist my vehicle's vin needs to be approved for any repairs. This is a well documented known issue for this make and model due to the faulty VCM system causing oil to get into the cylinders leading to the misfires and piston ring wear and corroded spark plugs. All I am requesting is for Honda to make the necessary repairs so my vehicle is safe to transport my children. I have kept up with the maintenance of the vehicle. The problems we have experienced are directly caused by the known VCM/MIL failures. Also we have consistently had codes come up for the ABS as well. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Honda is responsible for making the repairs.

NHTSA ID
11710068
Incident
Dec 18, 2025
Airbags
Filed Aug 23, 2025

• 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 busy road with two young kids. My son was sitting on tue passenger side in the middle section near the window and was at risk of being severely injured by the airbag deployment. All passengers were put at risk due to the airbags and because stopping on a busy road created an additional safety hazard. • No, the problem hasn’t been reproduced or confirmed yet. • Yes, two police officers and a tow truck operator inspected the vehicle at the scene. Both confirmed that there was no crash, collision, and no visible damage to the car, and were unsure why the airbags deployed. They said it was “really weird” and unexplained. • No, there were no warning lights, error messages, or other symptoms before the airbag deployment.

NHTSA ID
11682551
Incident
Aug 22, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

A26-002

ENGINE

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

A25-060

ENGINE

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

ONL6Z6072025

ENGINE

Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to come on.

A25-060

ENGINE

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

AEBM06172025901

ENGINE

Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug, potentially leading to carbon fouling and misfire triggering DTCs P0301 through P0304 and cause the MIL to come on.

A25-060

ENGINE

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Pilot by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026101043.4
20251784163.3
20241076263.3
20231315263.5
20221395165.0
202141610163.1
202047611466.1
201987713465.8
20184347463.6
20179084464.5
20161,6798465.4
20151084161.6
20141163056.0
2013Viewing2706052.5
20121709057.8
201129211058.4
201011110054.0
20091349054.3
20081329162.9
20072119359.3
200626610364.2
200567915763.1
200454413562.6
200372014561.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.