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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,749 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Honda Pilot electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #9

May 272019

Pilot

  • 60,000 miles

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

Vehicle was parked and rear latch was unable to open from button on hatch or key. This is a safety hazard not being able to open rear latch. I could not find any way to open the rear latch even from inside with an escape button.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #8

Oct 222018

Pilot

  • 70,000 miles
Rear door is not opening, switch does not respond to pressing, you hear the unlocking sound and light turns on but door wont open, this is not an electrical door that opens by itself, this is a main issue since I cannot open the door to put my kids strollers, etc. By doing so much pressure in the door, I took off the handle and broke one of the pins. Is anybody experiencing the same issue ?

- Belleville, NJ, USA

problem #7

Nov 162017

Pilot

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power without warning. The vehicle was towed to nardy Honda (559 middle country rd, St james, NY), but the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Stony Brook, NY, USA

problem #6

Sep 142017

Pilot

  • 80,000 miles

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

The locks work intermittently and the tailgate locks at inopportune times. The dash camera works off and on as well as the locks in the car. It is unsafe for my children because they can get locked in the car.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #5

Feb 152017

Pilot

  • 2 miles
The locks work intermittently and the tailgate releases at inopportune times (moving, parking, while unattended). It's inconsistent and extremely challenging especially with small children with the potential of locking them in the car. Proactively, I have to keep one door open to maintain general safety. Additionally, the rear camera is unreliable. It also works intermittently.

- Millersville, MD, USA

problem #4

Feb 162015

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 154,000 miles
My ignition key will not turn at times. I have to insert and remove the key multiple times until it turns. It happens randomly but seems to be getting worse as time goes by. I am afraid that one day I will get stranded. I noticed that several people have reported that Honda is aware of the issue.

- Apo, AE, USA

problem #3

Dec 072014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 30,700 miles

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

At about 12:05 pm, on December 7th (while driving approximately 45mph) on a flat surface street with my wife in the front seat and two children in the back seat, we heard a grinding noise coming from beneath the front passenger side of the car. Seconds later, my wife grabs her foot and screams in excruciating pain. I pull over and saw a.25 inch" thick by 5 inch long abrasion that ran across the arc of her right foot that tore the top layers of her skin. After we stopped by a local target to buy gauze and bandages and dropped off our children at a local friend's house I checked my wife into urgent care at St. Jude's hospital, located within ten miles of the incident, to have the wound examined. A physician diagnosed the abrasion as a second degree electrical burn and gave her a tetanus shot and pain medications. I reported the issue to oc Honda world, the dealership where I purchased the car from while waiting in lobby. I took the car in on December on 9th and 17th and the service department at oc Honda world found nothing faulty. Photos of the injury could be viewed at: tinyurl.com/Pilot-injury-photos. I contacted [xxx], human relations manager, from Honda of North America on December 16th to address a safety question he would not answer... if my car has been inspected by the service technicians at oc Honda world and found nothing faulty... is it safe to Transport passengers in the front seat of my car" he politely and firmly said I cannot answer that question. He stated that anything could happen now and in the next ten minutes. This was very comforting as I bought my Honda Pilot touring with three factors in mind: (1) safety; (2) reliability; and (3) roomy interior space. This incident completely factored out my first priority as passenger safety has been compromised... what options do I have as a consumer? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Updated 1/29/16

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #2

Jul 022013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 41 miles
2013 Honda Pilot 4WD was purchased 6/30/2013 from dch temecula. On 7/1/2013, vtm light on instrument cluster stayed lit in all gears, all speeds, including park and drive, which is out of manufacture spec's. dch Honda of temecula confirmed issue on 7/2/13. Relay replacement was needed and performed. Car out of our possession: 2 days. On 11/26/2013, at 5,974 miles, car was brought in with vtm light staying on again. Part unavailable. Took car home wed 11/27/2013 per advisor "car is safe to drive." Phone GM; offered a service car on Friday 11/29/2013 while dealership replaced vtm control module. Car out of our possession: 2 days. On 12/16/13, 6,573 miles, vtm light staying lit on instrument cluster while car is in any gear. I was able to duplicate the issue while car was in park. Shifted through the gears while stationary -- light still on. Vtm light will not engage on manual switch. At this time, unable to determine how long car will be out of possession until it is brought in. In addition to vtm light issue, rear hatch glass switch would not open glass, as per owner's manual. Noted during purchase; sales person said able to fix under warranty. Car brought in on 7/2/2013. Part was unavailable until 7/8/13. Dealership able to switch part out from car on lot on 7/5/13. Car out of possession: 1 day. To date, car has been out of service for 5 days within 5 months of ownership. At this time, I would like american Honda to issue a safety bulletin on this car, possibly issuing a recall due to poor quality control. Possible accident likely to occur if we depend on all wheel drive and it does not engage. Car was purchased with 4WD as main priority.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 282013

Pilot

  • miles
Doors continue to lock automatically when the keys are inside the vehicle. If you open a door and set your purse inside, and shut that door to open another...ie putting child in car seat, or loading equipment in back. Car locks automatically. Children or pets could be endangered by this. People could be left in dark parking lot without phone, or in dangerous situation because of this. It is a problem that needs to be fixed.

- Lake Dallas, TX, USA

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