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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-HONDA-PILOT NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Honda

2013 Honda Pilot problems

The 2013 Honda Pilot has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 270 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.

The 2013 Honda Pilot has 270 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 47 complaints, typically surfacing around 30,509 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Honda Pilot owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2010 Pilot 111 0
2011 Pilot 292 1
2012 Pilot 170 1
2013 Pilot (this page) 270 3
2014 Pilot 116 0
2015 Pilot 107 3
2016 Pilot 1,672 4
2013 Honda Pilot
Photo: Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · representative photo of the Honda Pilot
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Pilot?
Avoid — the powertrain

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Honda Pilot SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2013 Honda Pilot? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 30,509 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2013 Honda Pilot

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2013-honda-pilot/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2013 Honda Pilot reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2013-honda-pilot/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2013 Honda Pilot reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
47 reports · fails ~30,509 mi · avg $2,500
severe
body
42 reports · fails ~60,589 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
engine
42 reports · fails ~57,110 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
brakes
33 reports · fails ~34,294 mi · avg $450
severe
airbags
17 reports · fails ~76,192 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
12 reports · fails ~86,288 mi · avg $700
moderate
cruise control
11 reports · fails ~1,738 mi · avg $600
moderate
suspension
10 reports · fails ~34,448 mi · avg $900
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2013 Honda Pilot

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~16,750 mipowertrain~$2,500
  2. ~25,545 mibrakes~$450
  3. ~57,000 misteering~$700
  4. ~60,000 mibody~$1,500
  5. ~66,024 miengine~$3,100

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 Pilot's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Pilot?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Pilot · electrical Injury
At about 12:05 pm, on december 7th (while driving approximately 45mph) on a flat surface street with my wife in the front seat and two children in the back seat, we heard a grinding noise coming from beneath the front passenger side of the car. Seconds later, my wife grabs her…
12/30/2014 · at 30,700 mi · NHTSA ODI #10669195.0 · see electrical pattern →
2013 Pilot · brakes
When applying the brakes at low speed during an emergency stop, the brake pedal depressed and continued to depress further to a point where the location of the accelerator pedal was higher than the brake pedal. This position interferes with the proper application of the brake by…
12/30/2013 · at 1,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557670.0 · see brakes pattern →
2013 Pilot · engine
Burn oil more then usual smokes when accelerating hard . premature spark plug failure, cylinder 1, 2 , 3 have alot of oil build on them causing failure.
2013 Pilot · powertrain
I purchased a 2013 Honda pilot touring model on may 3, 2013. Over time, and now whenever I drive between 35-45 MPH the car shudders and vibrates. It occurs in vcm mode and is now present whether in vcm mode or accelerating. There is no vibration thru the steering wheel. I feel…
12/29/2013 · at 10,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557595.0 · see powertrain pattern →
View all 270 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Honda Pilot? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

critical NHTSA 18V042000 January 9, 2018

Honda (American Honda Motor Co

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 February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
severe NHTSA 13V382000 August 27, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles

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. The recall began on September 16, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).
severe NHTSA 13V016000 January 18, 2013

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012

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. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Honda Pilot reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Honda Pilot has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2013 Honda Pilot?

On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Honda Pilot is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the powertrain was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 47 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 4,500–51,000 mi; Brakes: 33 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 12,000–50,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2013 Honda Pilot?

Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 47 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,509 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2013 Honda Pilot a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 270 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 30,509 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Honda Pilot?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 47 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 30,509 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 30,509 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Honda Pilot has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Honda Pilot?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 270 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Honda/Pilot. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Honda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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