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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,531 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

May 162013

Pilot

  • 10 miles

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

Vibration, humming noise while in eco mode. At slower speeds while feather gas, eco can sometimes seems to get confused abruptly turn off causing a jolt like feeling. At times, eco seems confused whether to fire on 2, 4, or 6 cylinders and can become in almost what I call an arrhythmia type feeling, with the vibration jumping around until it finds what it wants to do. Noticed the issue since I drove it off the lot. As expected, dealer says they can't find any issue. Vibration can be so bad that I sometimes think it is the road, but it is not. Would dump car but would loose money. Very unfortunate and will not be buying a Honda again. If you are looking into one, please be sure to test drive at all speeds, especially cruising at slow and faster speeds. Cruising and feathering the gas is when you notice it most.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #10

Aug 062013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 2,500 miles
My 2013 Honda Pilot jerks and surges when eco light engages. I have taken the vehicle to the dealer twice, with a third trip scheduled and am told, "we can't recreate the problem." But, it does it all the time when I am driving, and appears to be a very common problem based on other complaints I have read online. This is extremely unacceptable and Honda needs to acknowledge the problem, as well as provide adequate repair. This impacts the value and marketability of the vehicle. I would get rid of it today if it wouldn't have such a negative monetary impact.

- Sherwood, AR, USA

problem #9

Jun 032013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 5,000 miles
Runs very rough in eco mode. Noticeable vibration in steering wheel. Car has done it since brand new.

- Seville, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 192013

Pilot

  • 450 miles

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

I purchased a new 2013 Honda Pilot ex-L on June 15. I noticed on my first trip on the interstate that the car hesitates when driving in eco mode. This is very annoying as it feels like the engine isn't getting enough gas. Had it checked out at the dealership and was told others had complained too, but this was a normal function, nothing could be done. I feel like I'm jerking down the road. I traded a Honda Odyssey, which also had eco drive, and I never had these issues with the van. I hate to drive this car!

- Casselberry, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 202013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 42 miles
When the eco turns on start to vibrate the whole car. The car vibrates and rattle noise comes in the engine compartment. Very disturbing ofr a new car but they say is how the eco works, concerned can cause engine damage due to vibration.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 152013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 75 miles
This report is for a new, 2013 Honda Pilot touring model with less than 100 miles on the odometer and has continued since. After the car is warmed up, and when the eco light illuminates, there is a shudder or a low frequency, rumbling vibration throughout the vehicle. This was first noticed while on the highway with cruise control set, but has since been observed at multiple speeds with or without cruise control. The vibration starts when backing off the accelerator after reaching a constant speed and continues until the engine loads down due to a hill or further acceleration. This also coincides with the eco light turning off. It does not appear to be related to a shift point, because when the accelerator pedal is depressed, the vibration stops and the engine rpms stay constant. The level of vibration is not as intense as that of riding over rumble-strips, but the frequency is similar. The level of vibration appears worse at higher engine rpms.

- Medway, MA, USA

problem #5

Feb 202013

Pilot

  • 6 miles

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

2013 Honda Pilot brand new as I was driving home noticed a vibration coming from front end. More pronounced at higher speeds. Notified dealer and brought in too check out. Dealer started the diagnostics process by sitting in the passenger seat and we went for a ride. Honda tech acknowledge the vibrations coming from the front of the vehicle. Steering wheel shake, bangs, shuttering and low pitched humming noises. Tech and dealer document my concerns and say " we are aware of the problem you have to take this up with Honda. " there is nothing they can do. Contacted Honda after a week of calling daily. Which Honda's response is "yes we starting to get a lot of similar complaints but not enough for too react. This is normal vehicle operation. ". that is unacceptable, I cannot wait for something tragic to happen before Honda reacts.

- Hempstead, NH, USA

problem #4

Dec 072012

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 154 miles
I purchased this vehicle (2013 Honda Pilot ex-L) on 11/26/12 and almost immediately began to feel an annoying vibration when the vehicle was in eco mode. This vibration can be felt in the steering wheel, console. Seats and throughout the cabin. It is most noticeable on level stretches of roadway when applying light pressure on the fuel pedal. The vibration or "flutter" diminishes when more pressure is applied to the fuel pedal. When taken in to the dealership I was told this was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. After contacting Honda customer care I was told it would be checked into and have heard nothing further.....

- Hudson, NC, USA

problem #3

Feb 092013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 600 miles
While slowly backing out of parking place into the street, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly accelerated out-of-control to very high rate. Caught off guard, the engine RPM was not noted, but driver quickly decided that the only solution was to turn off ignition. There was no mat on pedal, and driver does not operate brake and accelerator pedals with two feet. Engine re-started and functioned normally.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 072013

Pilot

  • miles
Purchased a 2013 Honda Pilot on 12/28/12. I began to notice a very annoying vibration/shudder in the car as well as hear a rumbling noise. It's occurring at many different consistent speeds and the only way to stop it is to accelerate to a higher speed where it may not occur. I find this is a safety issue as it occurs mostly when the vehicle is maintaining a consistent speed. So, when on the highway and driving the stated 65mph speed limit, I must increase my speed to greater than 65mph in order for the rumbling noise and vibration to stop. Obviously, speed limits are posted for safety reasons. Additionally, I feel this defect severely diminishes the resale value of the $34,000 vehicle as I'm sure anyone whom notices the vibration/shudder/rumbling feeling and sounds will not be interested in buying the vehicle for fair market value. I am also questioning the long term impact of this judder'/vibration will have on the vehicle. My effort to have this repaired by the dealer continues, but thus far they have told me it's torque converter judder and it's a normal characteristic of the vehicle. I've researched torque converted judder problems and feel there has to be a solution, yet Honda more than likely doesn't want to absorb the cost of repairs as this problem is occurring in many of it's Pilot. On this web site the issue was also reported in the 2012 vehicles. There are also many other owners voicing their displeasure with this problems on other websites. One being www.piloteers.org. your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #1

Dec 292012

Pilot

  • 3 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the brake failed to engage at normal stopping distance and the brake pedal felt soft. When depressed, the brake pedal would travel partially to the floorboard accompanied by an abnormal vibration occurred when driving 65 mph. The failure would occur when traveling over a flat surface or when the cylinder was in third. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic was performed that was unable to locate a failure code for the vibration or the brake failure. The dealer loosened the engine and the transmission bolts however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3 and the current mileage was 2,400.

- Memphis , TN, USA

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