2013 Honda Pilot Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 79about this part
- Share
- 29%of 271 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Honda Pilot, 29% of the 271 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Whenever I drive between 35-45 MPH the car shudders and vibrates. There is no vibration thru the steering wheel. I feel it thru the car seat, back, and center storage lid. Passengers have remarked what's wrong with your car? At 35 MPH the car drives very smooth. By 35 MPH it's like driving a different car. The vibration is getting more pronounced as miles accrue.”
NHTSA complaint #10558288, filed 2014-01, 6,000 miles“The car has engine check light and traction lights are on. Mechanic diagnosed the codes to match a recall which my VIN is excluded even thought I am facing the same exact issue. Piston misfiring and the engine can lock at any time causing an accident. Codes give to me by mechanic that said that Honda should address this issue: DTC - p0301 and p0304. Bulletin -13-082. Dtc 83-11 and DTC - 83-12. Dealership never mentioned this to me I had to go to independent mechanic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331364, filed 2020-06, 90,000 miles“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 complaint #11359996, filed 2020-09, 125,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10955685, filed 2017-02, 51,970 miles“Engine/piston/ring issue. Rings not aligned properly in one of pistons ( factory/assembly error) resulted in oil leaking and thrown on engine , caused 2 spark plugs to fail, this caused engine light to come on and then the vsa and vtm-4 came on and the eco light stopped working...we were travelling 70 miles an hour on highway. We were really afraid when the vtm-4 light came on! We had to pull off road, for fear of ruining the 4-wheel drive system, we didn't know what was happening.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10902999, filed 2016-09, 51,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V382000Aug 27, 2013Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston…Covers: Honda Pilot 2013, Odyssey 2013
Related service bulletins
- 11028516Feb 1, 2026Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and…
- 11022767Aug 29, 2025Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and…
- 11021759Jul 29, 2025Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon…
- 11020824Jul 18, 2025Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and…
- 11020087Jun 17, 2025Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug, potentially leading to…
- 11020084Jun 17, 2025Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and…
- 10152434Dec 20, 2018"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co…
- 10087402Oct 19, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084442Jul 12, 2016"techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the coolant reservoir, chances are the cylinder head may be cracked. A crack may form…
- 10084330Jun 28, 2016Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light acceleration, does the engine intermittently rattle or runs rough with the mil blinking?…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 33 | 15% |
| 2024 | 11 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 9% |
| 2022 | 36 | 21% |
| 2021 | 112 | 25% |
| 2020 | 101 | 21% |
| 2019 | 240 | 26% |
| 2018 | 157 | 36% |
| 2017 | 476 | 51% |
| 2016 | 778 | 45% |
| 2015 | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 | 31 | 27% |
| 2013 | 79 | 29% |
| 2012 | 35 | 20% |
| 2011 | 31 | 11% |
| 2010 | 28 | 25% |
| 2009 | 35 | 26% |
| 2008 | 10 | 8% |
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 22 | 8% |
| 2005 | 48 | 7% |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% |
| 2003 | 25 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2013 Honda Pilot
54 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsOther or unknown
35 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Honda Pilot
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology