RoadVitals

2013 Honda Pilot Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints 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.
13
Latest Mar 12, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 270 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Honda Pilot submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 12, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11511430
Incident
Mar 3, 2023
Suspension
Filed Nov 2, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11372579
Incident
Jun 27, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Jul 19, 2019

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE FRONT END STARTS TO VIBRATE AS THE CAR IS MOVING ON STREETS, ROADS, HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. NOT DURING A TURN, YET. JUST MOVING FORWARD. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT AS OF YET BUT, I AM FEARFUL THAT THE VIBRATION WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO STOP IN TIME TO SAVE MY LIFE AS WELL AS WHO EVER I HIT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE PILOT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP THIS MORNING. THEY CALLED WITH A BILL FOR 1,052.00 FOR COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS. THIS CAR IS SIX YEARS OLD WITH 61,026 MILES, WAY TOO YOUNG TO BE COSTING ME THAT MUCH MONEY FOR A 'FRONT / REAR STABILIZER', THAT SHOULD BE A PROBLEM AT MAYBE 200,000 MILES. WILL I EVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA? LET'S SEE!!!!! HMMMM. I'M THINKING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
11233488
Incident
Apr 30, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 18, 2018

WAS TOLD BY HONDA DEALER COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS LEAKING. THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPLACE FOR A FEE. HOWEVER, I FOUND AN SB. SB 15-045. I THINK IT APPLIES.

NHTSA ID
11162261
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Suspension
Filed Jan 27, 2018

FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM COMPLIANCE BUSHING FAILURE, LEAK. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. NOTICED AT ROUGHLY 45K MILES. COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH HONDA PILOT. TSB BULLETIN IS OUT BUT CANNOT LOCATE.

NHTSA ID
11065466
Incident
Jan 19, 2018
Mileage
45,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 13, 2017

WHEN VEHICLE HITS "WASH BOARD" AREAS SUCH AS SMALL INDENTATIONS IN PAVEMENT OR SMALL POTHOLES IT GOES AIRBORNE(65-70 MPH) AND WHEN IT COMES DOWN THE BACK WHEELS AREN'T TRACKING THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE OR OTHER. DEALER SAYS THAT IS JUST THE WAY PILOTS ARE, TOP HEAVY, ETC. SAID BUSHINGS, SHOCKS, ETC ARE OK. VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T FEEL SAFE. TO ME IT COULD LOSE CONTROL IN WET WEATHER!

NHTSA ID
11005077
Incident
Jul 5, 2017
Mileage
48,500 mi
Suspension
Filed May 16, 2017

DESCRIPTION: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED . AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE LEFT FRONT BEARING WAS NOISY AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH BEARING P/N DL513267 MILES ON VEHICLE 68000. THE NOISE SEEM TO STOP, BUT AT 73000-76000 MILES THE NOISE STARTED ON RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DURING DRIVING, LOUDER AS SPEED INCREASED. ON MAY 15, 2017 DEALER HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT WHEEL BEARING. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HONDA PILOT'S WHEEL BEARINGS THAT NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER COST PROTECTION IN REPLACING THEM.

NHTSA ID
10985945
Incident
Jan 5, 2017
Suspension
Filed Jun 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CONSTANT GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN PROVIDED SEVERAL REPAIRS THAT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10723592
Incident
Nov 15, 2013
Mileage
10,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 13, 2014

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AFTER MY TEST DRIVE AND IT IMPROVED SLIGHTLY THOUGH TECHNICIAN INDICATED HE FOUND NOTHING. HAD VEHICLE ALIGNED BY DEALER AGAIN AT 5000 MILES AS IT WAS PULLING LEFT AGAIN. TECHNICIAN FOUND ALIGNMENT NEEDED CORRECTION. VEHICLE STILLS PULLS TO LEFT AND GETS WORSE THE MORE WE DRIVE IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10644323
Incident
Jun 26, 2013
Mileage
15 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed May 7, 2014

2013 HONDA PILOT. CONSUMERS WRITE IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUDDERS, PULSATES AND VIBRATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHUDDER, PULSATING AND VIBRATION OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING ANY AND ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HONDA REPRESENTATIVES AD TECHNICIANS THAT VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY THE VARIABLE CYLINDER CONTROL SYSTEM AND IT USUALLY STARTED AFTER 1000 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HONDA WAS WORKING ON A FIX, BUT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A SOLUTION IN THE FUTURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A VERY DISTINCT AND CONSTANT PULL TO THE LEFT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE FUEL SYSTEM ALERT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED WITH GAS. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE DEALER, TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE GAS GAP. THE ALERT LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED HARSHLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH HE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AS TIME WENT ON. *JB

NHTSA ID
10585908
Incident
Dec 7, 2012
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Dec 6, 2013

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A RATTLING/SCRAPING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT GOING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH THROUGH THE RIGHT DOOR AND DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE TO THE BACK. IT OCCURS IN ALL TEMPERATURES AND DESPITE THE DEALER REGLUING THE FLOOR AND REMOVING 5 LBS OF AIR FROM THE TIRES, THE NOISE CONTINUES. THE DEALER THINKS THAT IT IS AN ISSUE OF FLOOR PANELS RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WILL ATTEMPT A REPAIR AGAIN THIS WEEK, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE ALOT IS LOOSE. CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE SCRAPING SOUNDS CONTINUE... *TR

NHTSA ID
10555009
Incident
Nov 15, 2013
Mileage
8,739 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Mar 14, 2013

2013 HONDA PILOT BRAND NEW AS I WAS DRIVING HOME NOTICED A VIBRATION COMING FROM FRONT END. MORE PRONOUNCED AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOTIFIED DEALER AND BROUGHT IN TOO CHECK OUT. DEALER STARTED THE DIAGNOSTICS PROCESS BY SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WE WENT FOR A RIDE. HONDA TECH ACKNOWLEDGE THE VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. STEERING WHEEL SHAKE, BANGS, SHUTTERING AND LOW PITCHED HUMMING NOISES. TECH AND DEALER DOCUMENT MY CONCERNS AND SAY " WE ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS UP WITH HONDA. " THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. CONTACTED HONDA AFTER A WEEK OF CALLING DAILY. WHICH HONDA'S RESPONSE IS "YES WE STARTING TO GET A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR TOO REACT. THIS IS NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. ". THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE, I CANNOT WAIT FOR SOMETHING TRAGIC TO HAPPEN BEFORE HONDA REACTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503069
Incident
Feb 20, 2013
Mileage
6 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Feb 9, 2013

AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OUT OF THE LOT, 17 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, A VIBRATION WAS FELT COMING THROUGH THE SEATS AT 75 MPH. AND MULTIPLE RESONANCE FREQUENCIES CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE CHASSIS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VIBRATION IS CONSTANT BETWEEN 65 MPH TO 78 MPH (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND IT GET WORST DURING LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING. THESE FREQUENCIES OF VIBRATIONS ARE TRANSMITTED TO YOUR LOWER BACK CAUSING STRESS AND BACK PAIN. IN ADDITION THE INTERIOR PARTS OF THE CAR (DASH, PANELS, RADIO, CENTER CONSOLE, DVD, ETC.) ARE BECOMING LOOSE AND IT CAN BE FELT DURING DRIVING CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE PASSENGERS. MULTIPLE REPAIRS ATTEMPTS ARE BEING PERFORMED BY HONDA DEALERS AND THEY DECIDED TO TELL THE COSTUMERS THAT THIS IS PART OF THE CAR DESIGN SINCE THEY RE-DESIGNED THE CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION TO BE STIFFER FOR THE 2013 MODELS. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING REPORTED BY DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS AROUND THE US BUT NOT REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED. WE DO NO'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL A TIRE/WHEEL BECOMES LOOSE AND KILL A FAMILY OR MULTIPLE FAMILIES ON THE HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF AN UNSAFE CONDITION ON THESE VEHICLES. ALSO, POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AND BRAKE ISSUES (AFTER LONGER PERIODS OF DRIVING, 2+HRS) HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITHOUT BEING CORRECTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496956
Incident
Oct 31, 2012
Mileage
17 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .