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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,741 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

May 052018

Pilot

  • 71,000 miles

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

While driving on I65 North of birmingham, al at 65-70 mph with no other vehicles close by, we heard a loud pop and then noticed what sounded like air coming into the cabin. We pulled back the sunroof shade slightly and noticed shattered glass. We pulled over to find about a 4 inch hold in the sunroof with shattered glass all around it. We broke off as much as we could so other vehicles would not be damaged by the debris.

- Owens Cross Roads, AL, USA

problem #11

Oct 242017

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
"TAKATA RECALL" INFLATORS / AIRBAGS: AS PER NOTICE IN MAIL FROM TK HOLDINGS, INC., ET AL., WE CONTACTED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON TX 'VANDERGRIFF HONDA & MADE APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH SERVICE ADVISOR/REP. HOWEVER WHEN HE LISTED OUR VIN HE STATED ([XXX]) THAT ONLY 2 RECALLS WERE ISSUED ON OUR 2013 HONDA PILOT BUT NOT PERTAINING TO OUR VEHICLE'S AIRBAGS.. SO WOULD U PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SUBJECT AS WE ARE SENIORS IN OUR AGE 70+ YEARS & VERY NERVOUS IN DRIVING OUR HONDA IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. YOUR WEBSITE LISTED UNDER 'SAFERCARS.GOV' STATES 'RIVETS DEFECTS' IN OUR MODEL 2013 PILOT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE TAKATA AIRBAGS/INFLATORS FOR OUR MODEL YEAR 2013 HONDA PILOT FWD. YOUR FURTHER PROPER REVIEW IN FINDING OUT WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH OR ANSWER W/BE APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY, & OUR BEST REGARDS. [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 222017

Pilot

  • 130,000 miles
It was a sunny and very hot day, temperatures above 90 degrees. The vehicle was proceeding West on a 2 lane in town street, with no curbs, with one vehicle in front, stopped at the intersection to a 2 lane highway. As the vehicle was approaching the railroad tracks, with a slight incline, the driver applied the brakes for the stop sign after the railroad tracks. As the driver applied the brakes, the car accelerated towards the highway. At this point, the driver said, 'it's not stopping'it's not stopping.' To the over 2 passengers of the car. There was a car in front of the car, waiting to turn onto the highway and car getting ready to cross the highway, as well as a car on the highway near the intersection. The driver continued to apply the breaks without the car breaking and veered to the left to try to avoid the car in front. As the car accelerated, it hit the car in front and bounced off the left back bumper of the car in front and came to a stop. They cars were not moving at a high rate of speed but the car in question was not stopping even with the breaks applied, foot on the brake petal, foot not on accelerator. It was accelerating. The car was put into park. The car seemed to 'have a mind of it's own' not breaking but accelerating. There was an unknown cause for this as of this time. A county deputy was in the area and came over to the accident.

- Palmer, IL, USA

problem #9

Dec 282016

Pilot

  • 53,000 miles

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

Ever since I bought my Honda Pilot touring many many times there has been a hesitation when excelerating but after the hesitation it excelerates. Until the time I was going up a hill on the freeway I excelerated and nothing happened - absolutely no exceleration at all. I had literally a second to decide what to do. I decided to use my momentum to move into the slow lane - in front of an 18 wheeler - and kept moving to the shoulder and stopped. I tried to start my car again and it started but stilll no exceleration. I shut it off and tried again and it wouldn't start. We were 40 miles too far for the Honda towing but just a few miles short with aaa. We had aaa tow it to our home dealer. The dealer couldn't replicate the problem. They said they thought there was debris in the mass airflow sensor causing fuel trim failure. Labor for this was $120. My car hasn't completely stopped again but it still does its hesitation thing. I see from reading this article that isn't just my problem. I think this should tell Honda they have a problem they need to address.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

problem #8

Sep 162016

Pilot

  • 35,000 miles
Takata recall the 2013 Honda Pilot leaks water into the passenger cabin if the car is in the rain. So much water that the carpet and padding underneath are soaked and water standing on the floorboard of the vehicle. The padding and carpet even after cleaning has begun to have problems and mold because it has happened so many times. American Honda admits/says it is a design flaw of the car, but that it is our problem to take care of and not to park the car outside ever,

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 112016

Pilot

  • 42,000 miles
The car hesitates and does not accelerate, especially when making a turn or slowing down and then accelerating in traffic. It does accelerate after it pauses, it is very scary to have it stop and not move. This VIN was not part of the recall announced today, but the problem is exactly what is happening with my car. Will there be more recalls for this problem? we have brought it to the Honda dealer when it was new, and again before the warranty ran out. They deny that there is a problem. It is no longer under warranty.

- Montville, NJ, USA

problem #6

Oct 012015

Pilot

  • 43,000 miles

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

Stalls and hesitates when turning left especially on roundabouts

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #5

May 112015

Pilot

  • 30,989 miles
I noticed a grinding sound when the vehicle was put in gear and moving. The noise got louder when the air conditioner was running. I took the vehicle to the dealer service department to be checked out. The service department determined that the rear engine motor mounts have failed and needed to be replaced. The service technician admitted that this was unusual. I have reason to believe that is is unusual and dangerous. I have a 2003 Honda Pilot that I drove for 10 years. I never experienced anything like this. I know how dangerous motor mount failure can be as I was driving car when the motor mounts failed and cause lost of control of the vehicle resulting in a crash that could have killed the four of us riding in the vehicle.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 172013

Pilot

  • 100 miles
Every time I drive the car I hear some rattle- squeaky kind of noises coming from the passenger front seat, I have taken the car 4 times already and the technician hasn't been able to fix the problem.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 301949

Pilot

  • 6,300 miles
My Honda Pilot has been experiening an engine cut off after making a left hand turn -- when I step on the gas nothing happens for at least 4 seconds then I recieve a rapid acceleration == I am affraind that someone is going to run into the back of my Pilot when I am not able to accelerate after making a left hand turn --- plus, when I enter my garage after making a left hand turn the care doesn't respond for 3 to 4 seconds == then I experience a very rapid acceleratioin -- I am affraid that one day I will hit my garage door.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #2

Oct 012013

Pilot

  • 1,325 miles
Ongoing disturbing shudder or vibration apparently related to the vcm/eco feature. The relationship seems to correlate with the visual eco display on the dashboard. The issue can be categorized by progressing through three stages or modes as speed and driving conditions vary. The first mode can be characterized as a howling (significant audible tone change) from the engine right before the vibration begins, which is the second mode. The second mode is the vibration/shudder most predominately around 44 mph, but can occur at other speeds - depending on the "load" on the engine. The shudder/vibration can vary from a high frequency vibration (like going over small narrow rumble strips) to a more pronounced shudder, both of which is can be felt by passengers and/or driver. In general, the Pilot will vibrate/shudder consistently, apparently when the vcm feature is in transition. However, on two occasions, a third mode occurred: Very suddenly while driving about 45 mph or so, by surprise, the Pilot shook (front end area) to such a intense degree that it impulsively caused the driver of the Pilot to pull-over and stop. Not knowing what really is going on is causing some trepidation about whether to even drive the car. Took Pilot into the dealer and explained these modes. Dealer was aware of the vcm related vibrations and says that is the way it works and nothing they can do. But, to me this is a real safety issue. A brand new (rather costly) car should not behave this way. Moreover, it seems such regular ongoing vibration/shuddering can quickly negatively impact the integrity or longevity of the engine/drive train, etc., as most mechanical things generally do not like vibrations which quite often is a significant source of wear and tear. As the owner one must ask things like: Will the engine even "survive" this in the long run" will this cause more frequent repairs"

- Earlsyville , VA, USA

problem #1

Mar 082013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 446 miles
At various speeds there is a very annoying shuddering and vibrating and growling at 45 mph to 68 mph. Just when your ready to have a smooth ride on the highway it begins to shudder in eco...on a straightaway while free wheeling and while I am on cruise control... if you accelerate or decelerate, it will cease for a second and begin again.. I have even stayed at 68 mph to see how long it would last on a straight away while it was shuddering....and it continued...until I decelerated.. I also get these small bucks and surges, . or a feeling of pulling me along but feeling like I am going to fall out of my seat at the same time..in eco. Until the shuddering stops and then it feels smooth again, for a minute....and then the shuddering begins again.... my tires are balanced and I have had an engine mount neutralizing... the Honda Pilot has vcm... it is very uncomfortable to your ears the vibrating...on top of your peace of mind on your way home from a day at work....looking forward to relaxing listening to the radio to ease yourself before you get home to your family life...wow...not relaxing at all !!! something is definitely wrong with my vehicle....

- Portsmouth, RI, USA

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