The Lemon Index2013 Honda Pilot.
The 2013 Honda Pilot is better than average by owner complaints: 126 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 mpg combined. The best Honda Pilot year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 271 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Honda Pilot year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 67K miles on the car (201 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 0K–74K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 0K–24K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 37K–80K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
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 …
- airbags 2019
The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2013
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 w…
- airbags 2013
One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 89 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engineering request for an investigation due to a noise, like moaning, or humming, or droning
- Service news article - while driving under steady cruise (between 30 and 65 mph) or light…
- "techline summary article - if the engine is overheating and theres engine oil mixed in the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Honda Pilot SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The engine vibrates and makes a noticeable noise when driving slow or when feathering the gas pedal.
2013 Honda Pilot owner · NHTSA complaint 10555265
More owner reports
Cracked or damaged piston ring or rings...Spark plug damaged...."in my opinion"the engine will never be reliable, it will never be right...at 12,000 miles....
NHTSA complaint 10594833
Engine vibration in eco mode. It has grown steadily worse since new. This is completely unacceptable for a well engineered vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10566684
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Pilot year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2013 Honda Pilot problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (34%), transmission & drivetrain (33%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Honda Pilot have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Honda Pilot get?
20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Honda Pilot safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Pilot problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,400 and 67,000 miles. The middle report was at 28,000 miles, from 201 complaints.
Does the 2013 Honda Pilot have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Honda Pilot cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Honda Pilot have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Honda Pilot year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2015 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works