Car Yearsto Avoid

2013 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners have reported about the 2013 Honda Pilot, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2013 Honda Pilot a good year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA, the 8th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and body and structure.

271 complaints 6 recalls, 2 can stall 8th worst of 18 Pilot years

Top 2013 Honda Pilot problems

1

Engine problems

84 complaints (31%) name the engine.

Complaints 84 · Usually at 1,000–80,000 miles · Recall 13V382000

2

Transmission problems

54 complaints (20%) name the transmission.

Complaints 54 · Usually at 1,000–29,000 miles

3

Body problems

47 complaints (17%) name the body and structure, most often the body and sun visor.

Complaints 47 · Usually at 45,000–80,000 miles

4

Brake problems

42 complaints (16%) name the brakes, most often the power assist and ABS warning light.

Complaints 42 · Usually at 11,000–56,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Engine 31%
Transmission 20%
Body 17%
Brakes 16%
Unknown or Other 13%
Airbags 7%
Acceleration 6%
Suspension 5%
Fuel System 5%
Steering 4%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (181 of 271). The amber line is the middle value, about 31,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2013 Honda Pilot recalls

Inflator module

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. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Recall 19V502000 · Jun 2019

Inflator module

Can stall

The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement. 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.

Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Recall 19V378000 · May 2019

Inflator module

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. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Recall 18V661000 · Sep 2018

Inflator module

S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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 or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain 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. 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

Recall 18V042000 · Jan 2018

Engine

Can stall

During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear. A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block free of charge. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).

Recall 13V382000 · Aug 2013

Airbags

One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing. The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge.

Recall 13V016000 · Jan 2013
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2013 Honda Pilot gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2013 Honda Pilot, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Pilot years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Honda Pilot a reliable year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 271 complaints with NHTSA, the 8th most of 18 Pilot model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and body and structure.

What are the most common 2013 Honda Pilot problems?

Owners most often report problems with the engine, transmission, body and structure and brakes. 84 complaints (31%) name the engine.

At what mileage do 2013 Honda Pilot engine problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 1,000–80,000 miles, with a middle value near 6,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2013 Honda Pilot have?

6. Inflator module (19V502000); Inflator module (19V378000); Inflator module (18V661000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2013 Honda Pilot?

Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2015, 2010 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.