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moderate Owners of the 2013 Honda Pilot have filed 42 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 66,024 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Pilot | 29 |
| 2010 Pilot | 17 |
| 2011 Pilot | 18 |
| 2012 Pilot | 24 |
| 2013 Pilot (this page) | 42 |
| 2014 Pilot | 25 |
| 2015 Pilot | 14 |
| 2016 Pilot | 495 |
| 2017 Pilot | 278 |
Of the 42 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service 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 misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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 misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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 misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 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 misfire.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"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., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The 2013 Honda Pilot engine shows two dominant failure patterns. Piston ring and oil leak failures are the most severe: rings wear prematurely, oil seeps into the combustion chamber, fouls spark plugs (especially cylinders 1–4), and triggers misfire codes (P0301, P0303, P0304). Owners report check engine lights flashing, rough running, hesitation, loss of power, and heavy oil consumption. One owner's vehicle caught fire after an engine explosion at low speed. Cases span from 5,700 miles to 150,000 miles. Honda issued Service Bulletin 13-082 and a recall (Campaign #13V382000), but many 2013 Pilot VINs were excluded from the warranty extension, leaving owners responsible for thousands in engine or short-block replacement costs.
Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) vibration and hesitation plague nearly every gear: when eco mode engages, the entire car vibrates and shudders at all speeds, with some owners unable to drive without distress. The problem worsens over time. Dealers tell owners it is "normal" and cannot be fixed. Cold-start rough running, oil pump pressure issues, and sporadic power loss round out the complaints. No effective repair exists in the narratives. Owners consistently report dealerships could not diagnose or replicate problems, software updates failed, and Honda denies liability despite known defects affecting the model year.
Same Honda Pilot engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Piston rings wear prematurely or fail, allowing oil to seep past and enter the combustion chamber. Oil saturates spark plugs and fouls them. Cylinder #1 and rear cylinders are commonly affected. In severe cases, the engine seizes or rod bearings fail catastrophically.
When: Reported from ~5,700 miles to 150,000 miles; many cases within first few years of ownership despite light use
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing or illuminated (often P0301, P0303, P0304 codes); Rough idle, misfiring, hesitation, and shaking under acceleration; Loss of power and inability to accelerate; Engine knocking or metal vibrating/flapping noise; Visible oil pooling on engine or oil saturating spark plugs; Vehicle stalling, sometimes without warning; Smoke when accelerating; Excessive oil consumption (one owner reported 1 quart per 1,000 miles); Check emissions, VSA, VTM-4, and stability control lights illuminating; In one case, sudden engine explosion and fire
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0303, P0304
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers and independent mechanics recommend piston ring replacement, spark plug replacement (cylinders 1–4), complete engine replacement, or shortblock replacement with new oil pump. One owner paid out-of-pocket for tow and initial diagnosis. Some dealers had to backorder parts for months. One owner reported repair cost of approximately $160 for diagnostic alone, plus unknown repair costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued Service Bulletin 13-082 and NHTSA Campaign #13V382000. However, a class action settlement excluded many 2013 Pilot VINs from warranty extension coverage. Owners report that Honda refuses to assist vehicles not included in the recall despite having the same problem and same factory defect. Some cases where manufacturer opened a case and assisted with repair fees; others where manufacturer refused assistance and case was closed.
The VCM system, which deactivates cylinders in 'eco' or 'ECO' mode to improve fuel economy, causes the entire vehicle to vibrate, shudder, jerk, and hesitate. The problem worsens over time. Many owners report the dealer claims this is 'normal' behavior.
When: From 3 months old through vehicle life; occurs at all speeds but especially between 40–60 mph and at low speeds/RPMs; many cases reported after 1,400 miles on new lease vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration through gas pedal, steering wheel, seats, and dash when eco mode engages; Vehicle shudders, jerks, or shakes as if about to stall; Rough running and loss of power during eco mode transitions; Hesitation during acceleration, especially at 10 mph or when changing lanes; Noticeable rumble or hum felt throughout vehicle; Check engine light may illuminate; Jerking violent enough in one case to cause crash into concrete barrier
Repairs/costs cited: No effective repair noted in narratives. Dealers state the issue cannot be fixed or is 'normal.' Software updates have been attempted without resolution. One owner reports the dealership offered to turn off the eco feature but stated it cannot be done. One mechanic adjusted valves and replaced VCM solenoid with no success. Vehicle remained in 'limp mode.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denies this is a defect and tells owners it is normal operation. Service bulletins exist but no recall has been issued for this vibration/hesitation issue. One owner notes that Honda settled a class action lawsuit but the issue remains unresolved for many vehicles.
Engine runs rough immediately after cold start, often accompanied by flashing check engine light and rough running at specific RPM ranges. After restarting, engine typically runs normally. Problem may recur on subsequent cold starts.
When: Reported within first 3 days of ownership; recurring over weeks and months; at ~13 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing after cold start; Rough running and engine misfire after cold start; Running rough when reaching 2,800–3,000 RPM after cold start; Check emissions system light may illuminate; Issue clears after vehicle is restarted and warmed
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed faulty oil pump producing excessive oil pressure, triggering VCM sensors and causing misfire. Replacement oil pump was ordered but backordered until April. Honda factory rep recommended replacing the short-block assembly (which includes a new installed oil pump) instead.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial dealer service could not find issue on first visit (did not perform cold-start test). Upon keeping vehicle for testing, dealer identified oil pump problem. Honda Factory rep recommended short-block replacement. No recall issued for this specific failure mode.
Oil pump produces excessive pressure, triggering oil pressure sensors and causing the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system to malfunction. Oil circulation may be disrupted, leading to misfire and check engine codes.
When: Reported at 5 miles (brand new vehicle) within 3 days of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; Rough idle and engine misfire; Emission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pump replacement required; however, part was backordered. Short-block assembly (with integrated new oil pump) recommended as alternative solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda factory rep acknowledged the issue and recommended short-block replacement via dealer.
Engine seizes suddenly while driving, without warning. In one case, engine seized at very low mileage (5,700 miles).
When: Reported at 5,700 miles on downhill section of highway; another case at stall on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving downhill or on highway; Check vehicle stability assist and check emission lights illuminate; Engine will not restart
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement performed at dealership. One dealership installed a new engine before even opening the hood.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified. No warranty assistance noted in narratives.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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.
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started to stall with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle off the highway and the vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a premature engine piston wear which was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V382000 (Engine) however, the vehicle was…
The engine vibrates and makes a noticeable noise when driving slow or when feathering the gas pedal. *tr
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 12,000 and 86,680 miles, with the median around 66,024. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 86,680. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.