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.

2.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,526 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #12

Mar 032023

Pilot

  • miles

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

Excessive vibration, speeds above 50mph vibrates the entire vehicle.

- Holden, MA, USA

problem #11

Oct 012022

Pilot

  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the fog lights and exterior lights became inoperable. The contact noticed there was rust underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also needed to add additional power steering fluid three times per week. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear box, power steering lines, water lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering reservoir, power steering cooling lines, power steering line rem pump, and power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #10

Sep 012018

Pilot

  • miles
I changed tire, bushing stabilizer, wheel balance alignment, changed the tie rod and cv axle but the car still shaking between the speed of 60mph-70mph..I don't remember when my Honda Pilot 2013 misfired then they fixed it but my timing belt everything was making sound, I spent to my mechanic friend coz the dealer charge me a price of 950$ to do timing belt service.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #9

Dec 052018

Pilot

  • 57,000 miles

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

I have had shaking in steering wheel at 60-70 mph and brakes cause the car to shudder. The brakes grabbed when lightly touched them at 70 mph to avoid a truck that pulled into my lane. Afraid that vehicle will lose control due to sudden brake and shudder in steering.

- Muncy, PA, USA

problem #8

Jan 092018

Pilot

  • 55,000 miles
When driving on the highway between the speed of 60-80 mph, the steering wheel shakes very noticeably making it very uncomfortable to drive with the vibration. I have had tires replaced and the wheels rebalanced and nothing seems to fix the problem. I have been dealing with this for months and no service station is able to fix the problem. Fearing that something may happen when driving on the highway or when my children drive the car. Safety is my number one concern when getting into a vehicle and it is very upsetting that I bought a brand new car to avoid the unknown problems of a used vehicle. Upon doing some research on the internet to find a solution to my problem, I have discovered that every Honda Pilot owner is complaining about the same issue and that Honda does not want to fix the problem.

- Valhalla, NY, USA

problem #7

Jul 202016

Pilot

  • 36,000 miles
My Honda Pilot ex-L model has 36500 miles. It all started after 20000 miles, breaks started feeling spongy and takes longer distance to stop the vehicle. When I took it to dealership, they told me the breaks are working as designed. Now my steering is shaking vigorously when I apply break after 40 mph speed. Anything lower that speed steering is less shaky but I can feel the steering is shaking even in that speed. Now breaking distance is lot longer and during red lights I am crossing the line during intense traffic stops.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #6

Oct 172015

Pilot

  • 200,000 miles

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

Key will either not go into ignition key lock, or it will go in but you can't turn it to start car

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #5

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 #4

Jun 262013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 15 miles
Vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer performed an alignment after my test drive and it improved slightly though technician indicated he found nothing. Had vehicle aligned by dealer again at 5000 miles as it was pulling left again. Technician found alignment needed correction. Vehicle stills pulls to left and gets worse the more we drive it.

- Manchester, ME, USA

problem #3

Mar 082013

Pilot

  • 5,500 miles
Intermittently when starting to drive after being stopped at light or stop sign the engine will hesitate and bog down for a few seconds before it "kicks in" and then there is a "surge of power". this is very annoying and also very dangerous as someone could easily get rear-ended or worse yet get caught in the intersection in oncoming traffic. There is also vibration and shutter at certain speeds and seems to be worst when eco mode kicks in and when driving conservatively. There is also a pull in the steering upon acceleration.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #2

Dec 072012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • miles
2013 Honda Pilot. Consumers write in regards to vehicle shudders, pulsates and vibrates intermittently during normal driving conditions. The consumer stated the shudder, pulsating and vibration occurred intermittently during any and all driving conditions. The consumer was informed by Honda representatives ad technicians that vibration was caused by the variable cylinder control system and it usually started after 1000 miles. The consumer was informed Honda was working on a fix, but may or may not have a solution in the future. Also, there was a very distinct and constant pull to the left in the steering system. The fuel system alert light illuminated after the tank was filled with gas. The consumer was instructed by the dealer, to remove and replace the gas gap. The alert light went out. The consumer stated the vehicle shifted harshly and it felt as though he transmission was failing. The consumer stated the problem became worse as time went on.

- Oregon City, OR, USA

problem #1

Oct 252013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 5,800 miles
My Honda Pilot stalled without any warning and without any engine lights appearing while driving on two way side roads and entering a highway. Emergency brake release handle was not working or releasing the brake appropriately same day. Honda can't replicate the issue so they say the car is to go with me. No explanation for incident. Manufacturer had them put something in the computer to read 15 second prior to and after a stall. This is an unsafe vehicle to drive for me, my family and anyone around me if it is undiagnosed and unexpected. Power steering and brakes lost so risks are high. I run the risk of causing an accident, injury, and/or death to anyone in the car or others. I filed a complaint with Honda, [xxx] case # [xxx] without resolution and wastold to pick the car up from the dealership or I be charged a fee. The car was at bernardi Honda in natick and they did all they could to replicate and work with Honda, I was told by them to pick the car up or be charged a fee. They are aware that the manufacturer is involved. I went to pick the car up on Saturday November 2, and discovered the emergency brake release cord is still broken and there were scratches on my car. I left it there so they could order parts and fix scratches. Please assist if able. I read about two recalls by Honda for the Pilot and Odyssey regarding unexpected braking and how you assisted! thanks. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Needham, MA, USA

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