CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012-2013 Honda Pilot have a small complaint trend of owners reporting the engine hesitates sometimes when accelerating.

While it's not a widespread trend with the Pilot, it's a little concerning because of the possibly safety ramifications. While it's certainly something to keep in mind, most Pilot owners are not experiencing this problem.

7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,500
Average Mileage:
71,650 miles
Total Complaints:
23 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new paint job (19 reports)
  2. not sure (4 reports)
2013 Honda Pilot body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

Jun 012020

Pilot EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Entire roof of car peeling, seems like other owners are having the same issue and Honda is not handling it.

- Bob S., Acworth, GA, US

problem #22

Feb 162022

Pilot LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,873 miles

We are thinking of selling as is, and never buying another Honda.

- John M., Culver City, CA, US

problem #21

Nov 102021

Pilot LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,670 miles

This is the 4TH TIME WE HAVE NEEDED TO PAINT OUR PILOT.

- John M., Culver City, CA, US

problem #20

Jun 012019

Pilot EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling

Purchased my white 2013 Honda Pilot EX-L in late 2018. Small paint peel started to show in late 2019. During quarantine, Honda said they would let me still bring in my Honda after the extended warranty was expired since this was part of the manufacture defect. When I contacted them, it was going to be about 2 weeks to repaint and no rental was to be given. As a single parent with one car, how is this acceptable since this is part of Honda’s paint issue? This is getting worse every time I wash my car. It has not been exposed to harsh environmental elements at all and is not under trees. Honda will not honor extension now and I gave up a few months ago trying to get Honda to cover this.

- jilligan1js, Lilburn, US

problem #19

Oct 252019

Pilot V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,293 miles

click to see larger images

paint peeling

My Honda, as you see, has very low mileage and has been garage kept 100% of time when not in use. This is a definite flaw on the part of Honda considering that the car is not in the elements, so it should not be chipping off.

- Jason C., Eustis, US

problem #18

May 182018

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,117 miles

click to see larger images

paint peeling

When I spoke to my Honda dealership about the paint peeling from my 2013 Honda Pilot Touring, the representative mentioned they couldn't do anything about the situation. Unfortunately, this will reduce the return on my investment when I sell. "DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER"

- Deb P., Howell, US

problem #17

Jun 012019

Pilot EXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling

Honda issued a TSB bulletin acknowledging paint defect but chose to only repair/paint roofs and tailgates. Mine and many others I've seen are peeling elsewhere. I have small spots beginning also that are not pictured with my complaint. Here's the deal if the paint is defective on the roofs and the tailgate - it's defective all over the vehicle because, guess what, it's the same primer, paint and process used on the roof and tailgates!!!

My local Honda dealership body shop said they would repair the area peeling (at my cost), but I would have to sign something saying they weren't liable if they pulled any other paint off when removing tape. I also took the car to an independent body shop and they said the only way to fix the problem is to repaint the vehicle.

Honda is well aware of this problem but are not taking care of their customers. This is my 4th Honda but its going to be my last unless they step up. I am. Going to tell everyone I can not to buy a Honda and I'm going to continue posting pictures and making the public aware of Hondas defect they are unwilling to straighten out.

- Amy R., Hattiesburg, US

problem #16

Jan 022020

Pilot

  • 48,000 miles

Spoke to American Honda. They will cover tail gate and roof to repaint.

After painting both tailgate and roof, 3 months later the left rear door has a bubble that popped, leaving a 2 inch area with just primer and no color. The Honda representative said the will not cover this problem because there is no current problem other than roof and tailgate?

Honda knows their primer is CRAP!!! But won't stand behind their product!

- John M., Culver City, CA, US

problem #15

Sep 152018

Pilot Touring V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

Seems like the white paint is the problem, but I heard other colors having the same issue. First incident of the roof paint peeling was taken care of by Honda. The second incident of hood and top of rear driver side door claim was denied by Honda stating these two areas are not covered by the campaign. Such bullcrap! I call it a pre-existing condition - should be covered :(

Have any one of you had any luck?

- Vito D., Schaumburg, US

problem #14

Dec 312016

Pilot EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Paint faded and became chalky very quickly after purchasing my 2013 Pilot as a new vehicle. It was clearly a factory defect... and, that is made even more obvious as I notice how many people are reporting the same problem online. The dealer did not have any recourse when I took it them 2 years ago.

I just made another appointment since regrettably, the defective paint has now begun to peel away from the primer - another commonly reported consequence of the failed 'one coat' paint process that I understand was implemented by Honda when my car was produced. It will be very sad if Honda does not admit their error and fix this serious problem they have caused. After buying 4 Hondas and being very pleased, I will no longer trust them or buy from them. How ironic that they pitch themselves as a trustworthy source!

- tfletch, Newport Beach, US

problem #13

Oct 012020

Pilot EX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,084 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

paint peeling paint peeling

This is latest symptom of poor paint job and confirms that we obtained one of the defective units. I will take it again to the dealer now that I've learned that Honda issued a Service Bulletin 19-055 since I last took it to the dealer. I'm just hoping they correct the problem. I've heard about multiple bad experiences in different online forums. This severely impacts my view of Honda as a trusted source. I have previously purchased 4 Hondas and was very pleased with them all, but unless they correct this problem, this will probably be the last time I buy. This is 180 degrees opposite of their campaign to be perceived as a trustworthy source.

Update from Dec 19, 2020: Will take the vehicle to Norm Reeves Honda in Huntington Beach with hopes that they will take the situation more seriously this time since there is now both a) actual peeling of the paint and b) a Service Bulletin based on the high number of complaints arising from their 'one coat' paint process [no clear coat?!]

- tfletch, Newport Beach, US

problem #12

Jul 202018

Pilot EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling paint peeling

We purchased our 2013 Honda Pilot new in 2013. Around the time we made our last payment with American Honda Finance Co., approximately summer 2018, the very front of the roof paint started to fade, which looked like clear-coat delamination.

We contacted our local Honda dealer, but were told that there is no service bulletin or recall for this VIN or for this factory color for paint problems. We were told that it might be environmental due to sun damage or car wash chemicals. Now a year and a half later from the 1st reporting to our Honda dealer, the paint problem has taken over the entire roof top. It appears to be defective clear-coat to the roof as the rest of the car looks shiny and bright. The local reputable body shop wants $450 to paint just the roof. Has anyone had any luck getting Honda of America to warrantee this type of repair? We are looking for direction. We only have a few months left on the warranty. This might be our first and last new Honda.

- mikiecam, Clearwater, FL, United States

problem #11

Jun 202019

Pilot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

I called Honda and they told me my Pilot is covered under an extended warranty.... have not had it fixed yet!

- Alice K., Orlando, US

problem #10

May 192019

Pilot Touring 3.5L V/6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,955 miles

Just want the HONDA dealer to fix it please. Paint is peeling between windshield and sunroof.

- Jim G., Lake City, AR, US

problem #9

May 192019

Pilot Sport

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,091 miles

Very surprised at Honda. Went through this with my daughters car, 2004 Honda Accord. Here we go again. Obviously they are very well aware of this and refuse to do anything. Total disappointment. No more Hondas for this family, moving over to Toyota or back to GMC.

- Karen S., Bethpage, US

problem #8

Dec 232018

Pilot EXL-N V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint peeling

Bought the vehicle in 2014. It was just out of the warranty and the paint began to peel in sheets. Drove to Norm Reeves Honda and was told there was nothing they could do. They told me to call American Honda. Called American Honda and was blamed for the paint peeling telling me their paint is only guaranteed under warranty and I may have neglected to care for the vehicle, leaving it under the sun. My vehicle is parked in a carport at work and at home! I was told by “Danielle” that there wasn’t anyone else I could speak to and therefore nothing they could do to fix it. Come to find out I’m not the only one with the same paint problem in the same spot, same color vehicles by Honda.

- tmsanchez1011, Los Angeles, US

problem #7

Oct 012018

Pilot

  • 37,000 miles

First my roof pant peeled

Now my rear door paint is peeling

Since my first paint job I saw 2 on Your side on TV talking about the very same problem as My Honda Pilot is having.

I am now waiting to see if Honda will cover and reimburse me for the repairs

- John M., Culver City, CA, US

problem #6

Mar 132018

Pilot

  • 34,500 miles

I called American Honda to see if paint peeling was covered under warranty. They said NO

I brought my pilot to West Cost autobody and had the roof painted.

The body shop said we would probably have further problems?

A few months later my wife said the trunk door is peeling.

It started as a bubble under the paint, then it started to peel further.

I took the Pilot to my dealer to take care of the seat belt update and had them take a photo and see if Honda would repair it under warranty....I have not heard from them?

- John M., Culver City, CA, US

problem #5

Jan 202019

Pilot EX-L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

click to see larger images

paint peeling paint peeling

Incredibly frustrated by peeling paint on my 2013 Honda Pilot. Paint should not be peeling off of a 6 year old car (that cost $40000). It is a well-documented issue that has been happening for years, especially to white vehicles. I feel like it is fraud to knowingly sell cars with paint defects to consumers. Honda will not acknowledge that this is a problem. They offer ZERO assistance with getting it fixed. The dealership says it is out of their control- totally a corporate decision. You cannot speak easily to a human at corporate Honda. Long and tedious automated responses. They defer to a mysterious "regional manager" who makes the decisions about assistance. But you can't get a phone number for that person who made that decision. I am mostly angry about the lack of principles that this company has. They are in a position of me needing them more than they need me, and are completely exploiting people. So disappointed they aren't doing the right thing. No integrity.

- Janna L., Brevard, US

problem #4

Dec 172018

Pilot LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The car is 5 1/2 years old and I take very good car of it. I was in a rain storm and when I got home the paint was peeling off above the windshield. We went on vacation after Christmas and ran into several people with a white pilot 2013 and 2014 that theirs was doing the same thing.Very disappointed in Honda for this poor workmanship. The last Honda I owned was a Honda Accord Wagon, and the hood of the car did the same thing.

- Susan L., Perry, FL, US

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