2013 Honda Pilot Problems

I am submitting this formal written complaint concerning Honda's refusal to reimburse me for a piston-ring-related engine failure in my 2013 Honda Pilot. I purchased the vehicle used from a Honda dealership in August 2016. In August 2026, at approximately 155,000 miles, the original engine failed. The authorized Honda dealership confirmed that the failure was related to the piston-ring problem. I contacted Honda corporate and was denied coverage because the warranty had expired. As a result, I paid approximately $3,500 for a used replacement engine and installation ($1000 for engine and $2500 labor – 25 hours @ $100/per hour). I requested a written explanation of Honda's decision. The representative refused to provide a letter or email, stating that I could call and reference my case number instead. I am requesting that Honda reconsider its decision and provide a substantive written response addressing the diagnosis, the applicable service bulletins and warranty extensions, and the reason reimbursement was denied. Technical Service Bulletin 13-082 issued in 2012 and newer TSB 25-060 issued 06/17/2025 extending warranty to 1/31/2026 due to this issue. This was not long enough for the customer’s affected after this date, so I am asking for reconsideration from Honda. The original extended warranty due to the TSB was up to 150,000 miles and 10 years from date of purchase. My issue began exactly 10 years after my date of purchase and at 155,000 miles, just outside of the extended warranty limits. Since it was extended once, I feel there may be a need to extend once again for the people who do not drive their vehicles enough to reach the 150k mile limitation within the 10 year period. Please associate this letter with my existing customer-relations case: Honda case number: 16674657- denied by Honda due to being outside of the extended warranty parameters in TSB 25-060

Diagnosed by CMA Honda dealership - need piston ring replacement due to the ongoing issue and Service Bulletin SB-10099310-9340. This was under 8 year warranty from date of purchase, but this just started happening at 155k miles and in 2026. I purchased this in 2016. Although it is out of the extended warranty timeframe, it is still an ongoing issue with these models and should be covered. Cost estimated for repair is $5700 and a new engine isn't an option since they all of the same issues.

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

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.

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.

Significant paint chipping

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.

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.

I was reversing out of a parking spot and all of my passenger side curtain air bags went off with no collision, no dashboard lights, no flat tire, didn’t almost hit anything, nothing.

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.

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 that the pressure sensor had malfunctioned and the VSA module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the parts was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the part unavailable and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Since purchasing new in 2013, experienced ongoing issues with VCM. Noticable vibration/shudder at all speeds except during heavy acceleration. Taken to dealer mant times. They are able to reproduce but state no fix available. It's how the car was made. In addition to vibration, engine makes a chirping noise when accelerating through vibration. I believe they are related although neither have been able to be fixed. No warning lights illuminate. I purchased this car for the 4wd as I live in snow/ice climate. However, excessive vibration/shudder makes driving in these conditions (any conditions) unsafe due to constant need to fluctuate acceleration/ deceleration to help minimize vibration/shudder to regain sense of control. If you maintain speed while vibrating on snow/ice you feel like you are losing control. This vibration HAS to have a long-term effect on engine/car integrity. It's strong enough that some day I imagine I'll come to a stop and at that very moment, every screw will have come loose/undone from years of vibrating and I'll be left sitting in the seat holding just the steering wheel with the car in parts all around me.

Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.

HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE, CA GAVE US CASE # BUT UNHELPFUL.2013 PILOT'S PART OF FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM BUSHING WARRANTY EXTENSION: 7YRS100K MILES.THIS SUMMER LOCAL DEALER SERVICE DEPTS DIDN'T ALWAYS ANSWER THEIR PHONES & COULDN'T ALWAYS BOOK DUE TO COVID/ISSUES.IN JUNE THE HONDACARE WEBSITE + OTHER MEDIA INCLUDING HONDA'S TWITTER WERE DOWN FOR DAYS.AS LOYAL HONDA OWNERS WE WERE PATIENT AS WE'VE ALSO BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE THE SUSPENSION CHECKED DUE TO ROUGH HANDLING/POOR PERFORMANCE/NOISE.DEALER NOTED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE INDEED CRACKED AS HONDA KNOWS BUT SAID THAT WHILE OUR PILOT'S UNDER 100K MILEAGE OF WARRANTY EXTENSION, HE USED EXCUSE OF OUR PURCHASE DATE JUST A FEW WEEKS PAST 7YRS DESPITE BEING WELL UNDER 100K. HONDA WOULD ONLY OFFER FRACTION OF REPAIR COST W DEALERS DEMANDING $500-600+ TO FIX SAFETY DEFECT FITTING NHSTA CRITERIA; SHOULD BE RECALLED.UNDUE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT PUSHING TO HAVE VEHICLE SEEN SOONER OR KNOWING EXACT PURCHASE DATE.HONDA AWARE OF ISSUE BUT DOESN'T PUBLICIZE OR UPDATE OWNERS FURTHER COMPROMISING SAFETY.DEALER MINIMIZED OUR CONCERNS ON UPLOADED RECEIPT. HONDA SAID 'REQUEST TO MEET DEALER'S DISTRICT MANAGER' BUT DEALER CLAIMS 'CAN'T.'STILL AWAITING THEIR REPLY.HONDA UNHELPFUL SO LEFT VOICEMAIL FOR HONDA OHIO CORPORATE AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICIAL WHO SELF-IDENTIFIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA:"TRAINED AS COMPANY SPOKESPERSON" BUT SHE HASN'T REPLIED THO WE FAXED + MAILED LETTER.YET HONDA'S ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERING VARIOUS COVID/FINANCIAL/GOODWILL ASSISTANCE.BUT PANDEMIC-RELATED DELAYS HAD VEHICLE ENTER DEALERSHIPS DAYS AFTER ITS 7-YEAR PURCHASE ANNIVERSARY, WE'RE COUNTING ON HONDA TO EMBODY ITS WIDELY ADVERTISED AESTHETIC OF ETHICS AND DO THE RIGHT THING BY PROVIDING THE REPAIR AS OUTLINED IN THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXTENSION LETTER HONDA SENT TO OWNERS FIVE YEARS AGO WITHOUT FOLLOWUP

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

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

Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the fog lights and exterior lights became inoperable. The contact noticed there was rust underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also needed to add additional power steering fluid three times per week. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear box, power steering lines, water lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering reservoir, power steering cooling lines, power steering line rem pump, and power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that when he exited the vehicle, he heard a cracking sound coming from underneath the driver’s seat. The contact stated he looked around the driver’s seat and noticed that the bottom of the driver’s seat frame was fractured in three locations. The contact inspected the frame of the front passenger’s seat and noticed one crack. The contact stated he called the local dealer and they informed him that there was no recall associated with the VIN and suggested he contact the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the seat repair would be at his own cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT A PLASTIC PART USED TO SECURE THE VISOR IN THE UP POSITION HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER HONDA OF PASADENA LOCATED AT 1965 E FOOTHILL BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91107 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND REAR LATCH WAS UNABLE TO OPEN FROM BUTTON ON HATCH OR KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN REAR LATCH. I COULD NOT FIND ANY WAY TO OPEN THE REAR LATCH EVEN FROM INSIDE WITH AN ESCAPE BUTTON.

REAR DOOR IS NOT OPENING , SWITCH DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSING , YOU HEAR THE UNLOCKING SOUND AND LIGHT TURNS ON BUT DOOR WONT OPEN , THIS IS NOT AN ELECTRICAL DOOR THAT OPENS BY ITSELF , THIS IS A MAIN ISSUE SINCE I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO PUT MY KIDS STROLLERS , ETC . BY DOING SO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE DOOR , I TOOK OFF THE HANDLE AND BROKE ONE OF THE PINS . IS ANYBODY EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE ?

2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ALLOY WHEELS DEVELOPED CRACKS. *SMD *CN

I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEEMS TO SHAKE A LITTLE WHEN DRIVING. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE WHEEL BEARING. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE VEHICLE. A YEAR AGO, WHEN I DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. I HAD TO PULL OVER, RE-START THE CAR TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE WHEEL BEARINGS WERE WORN DOWN AT THAT TIME. IT WAS REPLACED THEN AND NOW, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, I HAVE A LEAK.

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CEILING, SEAT, AND FLOOR WOULD BE WET.

DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP. ONE TIME WHEN I PULLED DOWN GENTLY TO BLOCK THE SUN IT BECAME LOOSE AND NEVER WOULD STAY UP AGAIN. IN READING ON CAR FORUMS THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY MODELS OF HONDA CARS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY RECALL FOR REPAIRS.

I THOUGHT FINALLY I COULD START ENJOYING THE LUXURY IN A CAR BUT HONDA COMPANY PAINTED MY FACE SHAME BY MAKING ME FEEL DISAPPOINTED WITH THEIR PRODUCT. MY CAR STEERING IS SO HARD FOR ME A WOMAN, THE AIR CONDITIONING WILL NOT BLOW TO THE RIGHT DIRECTION EVEN WHEN I SET THE MODE, THE BELT IS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROOF PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LESS THAN A YEAR I BOUGHT IT, THIS IS 2013 VEHICLE , THIS REALLY BROKE MY HEART AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I HAVE A LOT ON MY PLATE ALREADY, NOW ADD ALL THESE. SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME, I'M LOOSING IT , PLEASE HELP ME😭😭😭😭 *TR

THE SRS MODUAL IS DEFECTIVE SO I HAVE NON WORKING AIR BAGS AND THE LEFT SEAT BELT IS DEFECTIVE. HONDA SAYS THE WILL FIX THE SEAT BELT BOT NOT THE SRS MODUAL.

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

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.