
2013 Honda PILOT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2013 Honda PILOT has 366 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 366. The most common issue is engine problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: while slowly backing out of parking place into the street, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated out-of-control to very high rate. caught off guard, the engine rpm was not noted, but driver quickly decided that the only solution was to turn off ignition. there was no mat on pedal, and dri. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.
366
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
82 complaints- • WHILE SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE INTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL TO VERY HIGH RATE. CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THE ENGINE RPM WAS NOT NOTED, BUT DRIVER QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION. THERE WAS NO MAT ON PEDAL, AND DRI
- • 2013 HONDA PILOT TOURING 4WD PURCHASED ON 2/2. BRAND NEW, ONLY 5 MILES. AFTER 3 DAYS OF OWNING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN IT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. SHE PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A MIN OR 2 OF WAITING AND IT RAN
- • I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE (2013 HONDA PILOT EX-L) ON 11/26/12 AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO FEEL AN ANNOYING VIBRATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN ECO MODE. THIS VIBRATION CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSOLE. SEATS AND THROUGHOUT THE CABIN. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE ON LEVEL STRETCHES OF ROADWAY WHE
“WHILE SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE INTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL TO VERY HIGH RATE. CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THE ENGINE RPM WAS NOT NOTED, BUT DRIVER QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION. THERE WAS NO MAT ON PEDAL, AND DRI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2013 Honda PILOT
Based on 277 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 24K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
BRAKES
SPEED CONTROL
STEERING
FUEL SYSTEM
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Honda PILOT
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Honda PILOT
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Honda PILOT Service Intervals
Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2013 PILOT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 366 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: WHILE SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE INTO THE STREET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL TO VERY HIGH RATE. CAUGHT OFF GUARD, THE ENGINE RPM WAS NOT NOTED, BUT DRIVER QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF IGNITION. THERE WAS NO MAT ON PEDAL, AND DRI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AT NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL PARTIALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: 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 BETWEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AT NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD TRAVEL PARTIALLY TO THE FLOORBOARD ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda PILOT — Year Comparison
How does 2013 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 366
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 4
- Crash reports
- 12
- Injury reports
- 16
- Segment avg
- 366
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2013 Honda PILOT