2013 Honda Pilot Fuel system Problems

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

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 ID

11625394

Incident

Sep 21, 2024

During my commute home from work my vehicle began shaking as if it was going to stall. The orange check engine light began to flash. I used my scanner and it read the code P0303. I took it to a mechanic the following day and they stated the engine is burning excessive oil and misfiring due to Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management system. The oil is soaking the rear three spark plugs from continuously turning on/off while driving causing the engine cylinders to misfire. They stated it is not safe to drive due to possible shut off, power loss, acceleration loss, and damage to the other car systems. I have regular maintenance done to the vehicle but due to the VCM system it will continue to have the same issues. I paid a lot of money for a “reliable” car but the mechanic is saying I need a new motor.

NHTSA ID

11489335

Incident

Oct 13, 2022

CHECK FUEL CAP MESSAGE COMES ON SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER I TIGHTEN THE FUEL CAP. SOMETIMES THE MESSAGE STOPS ON ITS OWN. DON'T KNOW WHY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES AND GOES OFF ON ITS OWN. DON'T KNOW WHY. I NOTICED THESE ALERTS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR SITTING AT AN IDLE. CITY DRIVING WITH VERY LITTLE HIGHWAY DRIVING. I CHECKED HONDA WEBSITE TODAY FOR A LIST OF RECALLS ON MY VIN, BUT THE WEBSITE SAID THAT THERE WERE NOT OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WONDER ABOUT THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11359996

Incident

Sep 2, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

MY CAR IS INCREASINGLY SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST. OUR GARAGE SMELLS STRONGLY OF GASOLINE. WHEN I USE A/C THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE EXHAUST. I JUST MADE A 5 MINUTE TRIP TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND IT MADE ME FEEL DIZZY. WE HAVE NEVER SKIPPED ANY MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING IS UP TO DATE. THE ODDLY GASOLINE-Y SMELL IN OUR GARAGE HAS JUST SUDDENLY GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I REALIZE IT IS COMING FROM MY HONDA PILOT - I CAN FOLLOW THE SCENT DIRECTLY TO THE CAR EVEN WITH THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN. THE INTERIOR OF OUR CAR IS NOW BEING AFFECTED AND THE SMELL IS MUCH STRONGER WHEN A/C RUNS. HAD TO TURN IT OFF.

NHTSA ID

11122403

Incident

Aug 26, 2018

Mileage

56,000 mi

ON 7/5/2016, I SET OUT TO DRIVE MY PARENTS TO AN APPOINTMENT. I AM THEIR FULL-TIME CAREGIVER. MY FATHER HAS DEMENTIA & RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND MY MOTHER HAS ALZHEIMER'S. MY 9 YR OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER WAS ALSO IN THE CAR. WHEN I TRIED STARTING THE CAR, IT DIDN'T WANT TO TURN OVER. BUT AFTER A FEW TRIES, IT STARTED. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON, SO I FIGURED IT WAS A FLUKE. I PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, BEGAN DRIVING (NEIGHBORHOOD - 25MPH SPEED LIM) AND SHORTLY BEGAN HEARING KNOCKING NOISES. AFTER LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE (CROSSING SUBURBAN MAIN ROAD 35MPH SPEED LIM), THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL. I TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, AND I PROMPTLY TURNED AROUND AND HEADED BACK HOME. IT CONTINUED TO KNOCK AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. STILL, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. I ALSO CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND OIL GAUGES AND THEY WERE ALSO GIVING NORMAL READINGS. WE FAILED TO MAKE IT THE QUARTER-MILE BACK HOME. SHORTLY AFTER I TURNED THE CORNER ONE STREET AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE, THERE WAS A SUDDEN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. LESS THAN A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE THE EXPLOSION, THE CHECK OIL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. IT DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME ENOUGH TIME TO GET MY FINGER ON THE KEY BEFORE IT SET ABLAZE. MY FATHER CAN'T WALK WELL AND USES A SCOOTER. BOTH MY PARENTS ARE DIMINISHED MENTALLY AND COULD NOT UNLOCK THEIR DOORS WHICH DID NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. IF I HADN'T ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, & IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE MAIN ROAD INSTEAD OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE PEOPLE CAME TO HELP, I COULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN EVERYONE OUT IN TIME. INSURANCE CO TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON ENGINE PISTON WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF - #13V382000. NEITHER DEALERSHIP-HERITAGE HONDA WESTMINSTER MD-NOR LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDER SHOCKLEY HONDA KNEW ABOUT IT EITHER.

NHTSA ID

10955685

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

Mileage

51,970 mi

"CHECK GAS CAP" LIGHT REPEATEDLY ILLUMINATES. DEALERS AND MECHANICS SAY "TIGHTEN GAS CAP" OR REPLACE. DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS FUEL PUMP CREATES HIGH PRESSURE AND WHEN EXCESS FUEL GOES THROUGH PRESSURE REGULATOR, FUEL FLASHES TO VAPOR; TANK LOSES VACUUM AND WARNING ILLUMINATES, DRIVER STOPS CAR IN TRAFFIC TO CHECK, CAUSING SAFETY PROBLEM. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET. HONDA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10865558

Incident

Oct 5, 2015

Mileage

30,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING UP THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF, TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK CAUSING THE SUV TO CRASH THRU A CONCRETE FENCE AND DOWN A 40 FEET CLIFF.

NHTSA ID

10745608

Incident

Jul 18, 2015

Mileage

17,500 mi

SEVERE HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AT LOW SPEEDS...NO RESPONSE FOR 1 TO 2 SECONDS...EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO TURN OR PULL INTO MOVING TRAFFIC...PROBLEM IS SPORADIC BUT FREQUENT(2-3 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10631504

Incident

Jan 22, 2013

Mileage

1,000 mi

ON 2013 PILOT ANY ONE HAS NOISE LIKE LIQUID ONLY WHEN YOU STOP LIKE BOUNCING SLUSHY FROM BACK OF VEHICLE CAR HA ONLY 7K ON WAS STARTED AFTER FIRST OIL CHANGE I TAKE TO CROWN HONDA ST PETERSBURG FL .I TEST THE CAR WITH THE TECH VERIFY THE NOISE BUT AFTER I LEAVE THE CAR TO BE DIAGNOSED THE SAY CAN NOT DUPLICATE 3 TIMES I TOOK TO SERVICE LAST TIME IS 01/08/2014 I TEST DRIVE WITH SERVICE MANAGER HI VERIFY THE NOISE BUT SAME STORY AGAIN SAY THAT IS NORMAL AFTER HI TELL ME 40 YEARS I THINK IS FUEL TANK BUT IF YOU KNOW IS FUEL THANK FIX I PAY 35000 NORTH AMERICA HONDA NOT WILL PAY THAT IS NORMAL PLEASE HELP FOR THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10559103

Incident

Jan 7, 2014

LETTER FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING HONDA'S 2013 PILOT RECALL (NHTSA RECALL 13V-382/CAMPAIGN#JB5/SERVICE BULLETIN #13-075); HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. OR UNIVERSITY MOTORS; REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM NHTSA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE LONG BLOCK AND SHORT BLOCK REPLACED. HE STATED HE TALKED TO THREE DIFFERENT AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS, AND IT WAS IN THEIR OPINION THAT REPLACING ONLY THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE WAS NOT A TRUSTWORTHY FIX. THE SHORT BLOCK REPAIR PERFORMED UNDER NON-FACTORY CONDITIONS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO CONTAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, THAT WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS ISSUES AND ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT RETURN HIS CALLS. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS NOT GETTING THE PROPER GAS MILEAGE AS ADVERTISED. THE VEHICLE WAS RATED BETWEEN 16 AND 17 MPG, AND HE WAS GETTING 13 MPG. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, WHILE IN DRIVE, THERE WAS A VIBRATION/SHUDDER COMING THROUGH THE VEHICLE, WHEN MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED.

NHTSA ID

10552366

Incident

Sep 12, 2013

I HAVE A 2013 HONDA PILOT, LESS THAN 1 MONTH SINCE PURCHASE. AT SPEEDS FROM 20 MPH TO 70 MPH MY ENGINE AND CAR WILL, VIBRATE, SHUDDER. THERE IS ALSO A LOW FREQUENCY NOISE THAT SEEMS TO VIBRATE IN MY EAR WHICH IS ALSO QUITE A DISTRACTION. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST WHEN I AM ON A FLAT OR SLIGHT INCLINE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP IS TO EITHER SPEED UP OR LET OFF THE GAS. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE IT IS A NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY FEEL THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY SAID THAT AMERICAN HONDA STATES THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD BE NORMAL. A ROUGH FEELING, VIBRATING CABIN AND SHUDDERING ENGINE IS NOT A NORMAL OPERATING CAR. IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING WILL BREAK OR COME LOOSE, WHICH MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS AS MY CHILDREN COMMUTE WITH ME EVERY DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10552518

Incident

Oct 21, 2013

Mileage

100 mi

THIS REPORT IS FOR A NEW, 2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING MODEL WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND HAS CONTINUED SINCE. AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP, AND WHEN THE ECO LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THERE IS A SHUDDER OR A LOW FREQUENCY, RUMBLING VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET, BUT HAS SINCE BEEN OBSERVED AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. THE VIBRATION STARTS WHEN BACKING OFF THE ACCELERATOR AFTER REACHING A CONSTANT SPEED AND CONTINUES UNTIL THE ENGINE LOADS DOWN DUE TO A HILL OR FURTHER ACCELERATION. THIS ALSO COINCIDES WITH THE ECO LIGHT TURNING OFF. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO A SHIFT POINT, BECAUSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VIBRATION STOPS AND THE ENGINE RPMS STAY CONSTANT. THE LEVEL OF VIBRATION IS NOT AS INTENSE AS THAT OF RIDING OVER RUMBLE-STRIPS, BUT THE FREQUENCY IS SIMILAR. THE LEVEL OF VIBRATION APPEARS WORSE AT HIGHER ENGINE RPMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510669

Incident

Apr 15, 2013

Mileage

75 mi