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 it thru the car seat, back, and center storage lid. Passengers have remarked "what's wrong with your car?" at 30 MPH…
2013 Honda Pilot powertrain problems
severe 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
3crashes
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 47 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Honda Pilot, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
Owners have filed 47 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Purchased vehicle used as a Honda certified vehicle on 10/23/14. During test drive we did not notice vibration in drive train - possibly because fluids were cold. During a road trip 2 weeks after above date, we noticed a vibration in 51, 52, 53 MPH range. Felt like transmission or torque converter was trying to shift up or down. Took back to dealership and explained problem, service writer took…
At various speeds there is a very annoying shuddering and vibrating and growling at 45 MPH 68 MPH. Just when your ready to have a smooth ride on the highway it begins to shudder in eco...on a straightaway while free wheeling and while I am on cruise control ... If you accelerate or decelerate, it will cease for a second and begin again.. I have even stayed at 68 MPH to see how long it would last…
2013 Honda pilot 4wd was purchased 6/30/2013 from dch temecula. On 7/1/2013, vtm light on instrument cluster stayed lit in all gears, all speeds, including park and drive, which is out of manufacture spec's. Dch Honda of temecula confirmed issue on 7/2/13. Relay replacement was needed and performed. Car out of our possession: 2 days. On 11/26/2013, at 5,974 miles, car was brought in with…
Vibration at 1500 RPM. Stops when RPM go above 2000 or less than 1400. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Honda Pilot?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Honda Pilot?
It's a meaningful issue. 47 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 4,500 and 51,000 miles, with the median around 16,750. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,500; a quarter make it past 51,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Honda/Pilot.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.