VehicleVerdict

2013 Honda Pilot engine problems

The 2013 Honda Pilot has 83 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

83

Engine complaints

23%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Pilot engine complaints by model year786 complaints2003: 63 complaints2004: 50 complaints2005: 91 complaints2006: 32 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 39 complaints2010: 28 complaints2011: 36 complaints2012: 45 complaints2013: 83 complaints2014: 34 complaints2015: 23 complaints2016: 786 complaints2017: 463 complaints2018: 158 complaints2019: 225 complaints2020: 98 complaints2021: 96 complaints2022: 21 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 10 complaints2025: 21 complaints
Pilot engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

13V382000EngineAugust 27, 2013 · 270 units

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.

Consequence

A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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).

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING GARAGE, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 3, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Honda Pilot have?

NHTSA has 83 complaints about the 2013 Honda Pilot engine — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Honda Pilot engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 13V382000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.