CSR

Honda · NHTSA safety record

2013 Honda Pilot

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 271 safety complaints about the 2013 Honda Pilot with the US government. Of those, 12 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 12 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags and the engine.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 79 complaints, 29% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 28,000 miles, the median across the 201 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2013 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

271 complaints on file

271

Complaints

12

Describe a crash

4

Mention fire

12

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 9 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 6 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 79 · 29%
POWER TRAIN 54 · 20%
STRUCTURE 47 · 17%
SERVICE BRAKES 40 · 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 35 · 13%
AIR BAGS 18 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 · 6%
SUSPENSION 13 · 5%
STEERING 12 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11 · 4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 · 3%
SEATS 7 · 3%
0 35 69

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 271.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 44.

48 36 24 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2013 Honda PILOT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV 4WD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 16.4% 17.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V502000 · June 27, 2019

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 9,555 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V378000 · May 16, 2019

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
The risk
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 19,138 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V661000 · September 27, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 1,355,406 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V042000 · January 9, 2018

The defect
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 691,726 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

13V382000 · August 27, 2013

The defect
Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear.
The risk
A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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).

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 270 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

13V016000 · January 18, 2013

The defect
Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
The risk
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.
The remedy
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.

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · up to 748,481 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

POWER TRAIN

5 injured · crash · towed · 2 miles

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 by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 93,000 miles

RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. DO I JUST TAKE IT TO THE NEAREST HONDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED? WILL THERE BE ANY OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS, AND IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE REIMBURSED FOR IN THE FORM OF A RENTAL CAR UNTIL IT'S FIXED? WE ALSO LEASE A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. VIN: [XXX]. WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FOR THIS CAR AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA complaint 11053414. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 89,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD THE CONTACT DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A REST AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA complaint 11301366. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

Brake failure at stop sign. Driver crashed into a pole, suffered severe injuries including bleeding in the brain and broken ribs.

NHTSA complaint 11473506. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Diagnosed by CMA Honda dealership - need piston ring replacement due to the ongoing issue and Service Bulletin SB-10099310-9340. This was under 8 year warranty from date of purchase, but this just started happening at 155k miles and in 2026. I purchased this in 2016. Although it is out of the extended warranty timeframe, it is still an ongoing issue with these models and should be covered. Cost estimated for repair is $5700 and a new engine isn't an option since they all of the same issues.

NHTSA complaint 11759352. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The factory clear coat and paint on the roof of this 2013 Honda Pilot are delaminating and peeling away from the metal. The failure began about 1.5 years ago and continues to spread; in places it has now progressed through the paint to bare metal that is corroding and rusting. The vertical body panels remain glossy and intact while the entire horizontal roof has failed - a top-down failure pattern consistent with a defective factory finish rather than wear or environmental exposure. This matches a well-documented paint-adhesion defect in Honda vehicles of this generation: Honda issued warranty-extension service bulletin 19-057 for 2013-16 Pilots in White Diamond Pearl after identical roof

NHTSA complaint 11745465, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash

Had a car accident and hit a sand barrel at about 40 miles an hour without the airbags didn’t deploy. The grill and bumper were damaged with impact.

NHTSA complaint 11740049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Multiple mechanics have told me it’s spark plugs and piston ring and issues. I constantly get my oils changed when I’m at 10% and never let it run out of gas. Constantly babied this thing. It only has 145k miles on it. Had 111k when I bought it in 2022! I barely put miles on this and the fuel consumption and engine are now causing issues. Even been told possible catalytic converter issues. Multiple Honda has told me different things. This is so frustrating because the allowed some vin specific models with my year. But not mine?! Helllllllp

NHTSA complaint 11738403. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Brake lights did not appear to be working while car suddenly slowed.

NHTSA complaint 11735278. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The car was inspected by the authorized dealer, but it is still on the list.

NHTSA complaint 11713298. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Honda Pilot

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 22 1 —
2025 202 4 —
2024 114 6 —
2023 144 5 —
2022 160 5 —
2021 436 10 —
2020 489 11 —
2019 907 13 —
2018 440 7 —
2017 929 4 —
2016 1,709 8 —
2015 109 4 —
2014 116 3 —
2012 171 9 —
2011 293 11 —
2010 111 10 —

Other 2013 Honda models

Every Honda on this site — 192 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst