2013 Honda Pilot Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 20%of 272 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Honda Pilot, 20% of the 272 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was traveling at about 35mph in a city street and slowly approaching an intersection to make a right turn. Out of a sudden, the car accelerated while my foot was on the brake, crashing into another vehicle and running off the road. Both airbags deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11192590, filed 2019-03, 2 miles“This vehicle seems to have a design flaw. Many threads exist online discussing the same. The vehicle exhibits strange behavior when shifting from p to d and lurches forward. In addition shifting between gears is problematic at times. Lots of shuddering and vibrations. I have take. To dealer on 3 separate occasions with no success in getting repaired. Dealer does not acknowledge problems. I beleive this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10717416, filed 2015-05, 30,233 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 miles“I had a check engine light on the dashboard and brought the car to the dealership for service. They diagnosed the car and stated that there is something wrong with the torque converter. I have read a number of reports regarding issues with the torque converter of the Honda Pilot. Significantly, report states that there is shuddering and vibration during shift change. This was addressed to them when I have my car when it was bought brand new. They said it is just the way it was design but honestly, it was really annoying. So now, after about 95,000 miles, an issue came up. …”
NHTSA complaint #11185062, filed 2019-03, 95,000 miles“I have a 2013 Honda Pilot, less than 1 month since purchase. At speeds from 20 MPH to 70 MPH my engine and car will, vibrate, shudder. There is also a low frequency noise that seems to vibrate in my ear which is also quite a distraction. It seems to happen most when I am on a flat or slight incline. The only way to get it to stop is to either speed up or let off the gas. This is very distracting while driving at highway speeds, and very frustrating since it is a new vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10552518, filed 2013-11, 100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10142438Jun 13, 2018Service 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…
- 10099803Dec 23, 2015"service bulletin - under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2wd and 4wd vehicles, the calibration vcm operation combined with…
- 10108659Apr 16, 2015Service bulletin - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the…
- 10108570Apr 13, 2015Dealer message - Under certain driving conditions, there is excessive vibration between 30 and 65 mph. For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the…
- 10115785Dec 9, 2014Service bulletin - For 2WD and 4WD vehicles, the calibration VCM operation combined with the action of the lock up torque converter creates excessive vibration. Additionally for…
- 10053786Oct 8, 2013Honda: on certain vehicles, piston rings for certain cylinders rotate and align and can lead to fouling spark plug and a powertrain warranty extension has been issued. Model…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% |
| 2025 | 23 | 11% |
| 2024 | 12 | 10% |
| 2023 | 10 | 7% |
| 2022 | 18 | 11% |
| 2021 | 25 | 6% |
| 2020 | 35 | 7% |
| 2019 | 94 | 10% |
| 2018 | 78 | 18% |
| 2017 | 122 | 13% |
| 2016 | 201 | 12% |
| 2015 | 11 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 6% |
| 2013 | 54 | 20% |
| 2012 | 20 | 12% |
| 2011 | 21 | 7% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 12 | 9% |
| 2008 | 11 | 8% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 176 | 26% |
| 2004 | 142 | 26% |
| 2003 | 224 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2013 Honda Pilot
80 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 30, 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