These 2 SKUs are Front Left/Front Right lower control arms. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for ball stud nuts with undersized flanges. Stud nuts with undersized flanges may cause the control arm ball stud to slip through the knuckle mount causing loss of vehicle control. The Control Arms have been recalled under NHTSA campaign number 18E037.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Honda Pilot suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Honda Pilot have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the suspension at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Pilot | 14 |
| 2010 Pilot | 16 |
| 2011 Pilot | 26 |
| 2012 Pilot | 12 |
| 2013 Pilot (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 Pilot | 6 |
| 2015 Pilot | 6 |
| 2016 Pilot | 9 |
| 2017 Pilot | 5 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
G7
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗G7
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2016PILOTS WITH A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE NOISE CAN BE DESCRIBED AS RATTLING OR CLUNKING. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION, AHM WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT SPECIFIC PARTS FROM THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"DEALER MESSAGE - TODAY, JUNE 30, 2015, AMERICAN HONDA IS ANNOUNCING A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR SOME 2009-14PILOT VEHICLES DUE TO NOISY OR LEAKING FRONT SUSPENSION REAR LOWER ARM (COMPLIANCE) BUSHINGS. PLEASE CHECKVIN STATUS INQUIRY TO DETERMINE IF A VEHICLE IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXTENSION."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Pilot's suspension has multiple documented problems. Front suspension rear lower arm compliance bushings crack or leak, causing vibration through seats and rattling noise—Honda issued a 7-year/100,000-mile warranty extension, but dealers often refuse coverage on technicalities like purchase-date cutoffs, even when mileage is well under the limit. Repair costs run $500–$1,052 at dealer rates.
Wheel bearings fail prematurely, producing grinding noise that worsens with speed. One owner replaced the left bearing, then the right failed within months at under 80,000 miles.
Multiple owners report constant, pronounced vibration at highway speeds (65–78 mph) starting immediately after purchase or within days. Dealers acknowledge the issue but claim it's normal for the 2013's stiffer chassis design and refuse repair. Honda corporate told one owner they're receiving complaints but don't have enough to warrant action.
Loose interior panels rattle on rough pavement. One owner had reglued floor panels and reduced tire pressure without success. Several owners also report the rear suspension losing tracking during washboard pavement or potholes at highway speed, causing lurching—dealers claim this is normal for a top-heavy SUV and that suspension components are fine.
Same Honda Pilot suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Front Suspension Rear Lower Arm Compliance Bushing Failure
The rear lower arm compliance bushings (also called 'compliance bushings') crack or leak, causing vibration, rattling, and noise. Honda issued a warranty extension letter for 7 years/100,000 miles, and TSB-15-045 exists. Owners report dealers reluctant to honor the extension based on narrow purchase-date technicalities, or charging $500–$1,052 out of pocket for repair.
When: Reported at 45,000–100,000 miles; one owner within warranty window but denied coverage
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration through seats at highway speeds (65–78 mph); Steering wheel shake and shuddering; Low-pitched humming noises; Front-end vibration when brakes applied; Rattling noise from suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $500–$600 for bushing replacement; one dealer charged $1,052 for 'front/rear stabilizer' and 'compliance bushings'; parts replaced include P/N not fully specified in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension: 7 years/100,000 miles. TSB-15-045 exists but not widely publicized to owners. Dealers sometimes deny coverage citing purchase-date cutoff despite vehicle being under mileage limit. Honda customer service was unresponsive or dismissed concerns as 'normal vehicle operation.'
Wheel Bearing Failure
Left and right front wheel bearings fail prematurely, producing loud grinding or whining noise that increases with speed. One owner had left bearing replaced, then right bearing failed within a few thousand miles. Owner claims NHTSA has investigated this issue.
When: Left bearing noisy at purchase (68,000 miles on used vehicle); right bearing failed at 73,000–76,000 miles; failures within a few years of each other
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise from wheel bearing; Whining noise that increases with speed; Noise louder on one side during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Left front bearing replaced with P/N DL513267 at 68,000 miles; right wheel bearing replaced on May 15, 2017 at 73,000–76,000 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narratives; owner alleges NHTSA has investigated and recommends recall needed
Excessive Vibration and Shake at Highway Speeds
Brand-new vehicles exhibit pronounced vibration through seats, steering wheel, and chassis at highway speeds (65–78 mph), worsening during extended driving. Multiple dealers acknowledge the problem but claim it is 'part of the design' for stiffer 2013 suspension and refuse to repair. Honda corporate dismissed similar complaints as insufficient for action.
When: Reported within days of purchase (one at 17 miles); affects multiple owners across the U.S.
Symptoms owners cite: Constant vibration felt through seats at 65–78 mph; Multiple resonance frequencies transmitted through chassis and interior; Steering wheel shake and shuddering; Interior components (dash, panels, radio, center console, DVD) becoming loose and causing rattle; Lower back stress and pain from vibration during longer drives; Vehicle distraction to passengers
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer repair attempts failed; dealers claim no repair is possible and attribute vibration to revised 2013 chassis/suspension design
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda corporate stated: 'Yes we are starting to get a lot of similar complaints but not enough to react. This is normal vehicle operation.' Dealers instructed customers to contact Honda; Honda refused to address the issue.
Interior Panel Rattle and Scraping
Rattling or scraping noise from interior panels, especially right side (dash, door, floor), triggered by rough pavement, potholes, or washboard road surfaces. Dealer attempted regluing floor panels and reducing tire pressure without lasting success. Noise suggests loose components throughout right-side structure.
When: Reported on newer vehicle; affects multiple road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling/scraping sound from right-side dash, door, and floor; Noise occurs on rough pavement, potholes, and washboard surfaces; Interior components vibrate and rattle; Noise persists in all temperatures
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reglued floor panels and removed 5 lbs of air from tires without resolving issue; dealer believed floor panels rubbing against each other and planned further repair
Rear Suspension Control and Handling Defect
When vehicle encounters washboard pavement, small potholes, or indentations at highway speeds (65–70 mph), the rear wheels lose tracking with front wheels, causing vehicle to lurch or veer to one side. Dealer claims this is normal for 'top-heavy' Pilots and that bushings and shocks are functional. Owner expresses concern about loss of control in wet weather or emergency maneuver.
When: Reported at highway speeds; occurs when hitting road imperfections
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle goes airborne when hitting washboard areas or potholes at 65–70 mph; Rear wheels not tracking front wheels during impact; Vehicle lurches or veers to one side after impact; Unsafe feeling during normal highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claims bushings, shocks are OK and attributed to vehicle design
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Was told by Honda dealer compliance bushings leaking. They would be happy to replace for a fee. However, I found an sb. Sb 15-045. I think it applies.
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2013 Honda Pilot?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 34,448 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.