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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,636 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

May 292014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

Cracked or damaged piston ring or rings...spark plug damaged...."in my opinion"the engine will never be reliable, it will never be right...at 12,000 miles....

- Portsmouth, RI, USA

problem #30

May 012014

Pilot

  • 1,200 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, there was a sudden increase in engine rpms as the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 1,200.

- Ronkonkoma, NY, USA

problem #29

Jun 252013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 6,231 miles
June 2013 - (3 mos old) car consistently misfires right before eco light comes, stalls. Requested to have this feature turned off but per dealer this cannot happen. Told me this was normal could not "duplicate" problem. Second time (January 2014) check engine light came on car lost power then turned itself off. Once it stated again took directly into dealer. They were not able to "duplicate" problem and car does not store problem code. Kept for 5 days updated software. Car still is not 100% still feel misfire prior to eco light coming on. 3rd time taking car in April 2014 check engine light flashing loss power. Pulled to side turned off car. Within 1/2 hr had car back to dealer. Could not duplicate problem. The car did not store problem code. Without the codes it is my word against there's. this dangerous not knowing if car will decide to stall. Barely 13 mos old.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #28

Jan 152014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles

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

While driving in Florida and Louisiana, I noticed a low-frequency buzzing sound and vibration which could be felt through the steering wheel and floorpan. I believe it is associated with the variable cylinder management (vcm) feature. It could be felt when the vcm transitioned from 6 to 4 cylinder mode, with the RPM of 1700-1900 and speeds of approximately 25, 45 and 60 mph. It would occur with very light accelerator pressure, just maintaining speed, and disappear when accelerator pressure was increased, causing it to downshift and/or the vcm to transition back to 6 cylinder mode. This problem is less evident here in Colorado springs (6000 ft elevation), which I cannot explain. I did not have this problem with a 2008 Pilot nor a 2008 Odyssey, both of which had a similar vcm feature. My local Honda tech could "not duplicate" my concern and said it was "operating normally". the transmission also "hunts" between 4th and 5th gear.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #27

Oct 042010

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 250 miles
75% of the time the vehicle is in eco mode the entire vehicle vibrates and shudders. The effect varies from annoying to severe. It happens at all speeds. These are the same conditions that have been stated by numerous owners. I expect major pre-mature damage to the engine and drive train. Honda refuses to admit to the defect and has no fix for the defect. Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!

- Lake Elmo, MN, USA

problem #26

Mar 032014

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 16,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph and attempting to enter a parking garage, the vehicle jerked violently and crashed into a concrete barrier. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16000.

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #25

Oct 032013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 10 miles

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

Engine vibration in eco mode. It has grown steadily worse since new. This is completely unacceptable for a well engineered vehicle.

- Oregon, IL, USA

problem #24

Feb 152014

Pilot

  • 11,000 miles
I have had this Pilot for a year and its performance has been going downhill. When the eco engages, the car starts to shudder and sound like it is going to stall. I need to press on the gas to get the car going again. This happens at any mph as it occurs when the eco light turns on. The dealership is aware of this issue and states its a flaw of the 2013 Pilot and cannot be fixed. They also call it normal. I do not feel safe in this vehicle and I do not consider it normal for the car I am driving to sound like it is going to turn off. Piazza Honda of limerick states they can hook this car up to a computer to ensure that there is no problem but told me over the phone that it was a know issue, basically telling me I am wasting my time. This issue should be fixed, or recalled as it is unsafe.

- Malvern, PA, USA

problem #23

Aug 142013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 150 miles
Ever since I pulled off the new car lot, ,,,, vehicle has vibration at 1500 to 2000 RPM. It is slight but vibrates throughout vehicle. Annoying is the perfect description. Goes away with slight acceleration. Seems to be related to eco being in operation. I see same complaint in other posts. I believe it is a rookie design flaw in power train. A $40,000 vehicle should be without this defect. I also own a 2010 Pilot that operates without any vibration at any speed or load upon engine/drivetrain. This is my second "Honda" company vehicle. I wish I had the 1st one back. You can imagine my frustration with my 2013 Honda Pilot. Honda..... can you own up to this flaw and fix?

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #22

Oct 172013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 600 miles
When slowing down to make a left turn, as I start the turn the engine hesitates and there is no response. The car seems to have no power and coasts 4 or 5 seconds before responding normally. This is very dangerous in high traffic conditions. This problem has also occasionally occurred starting off from a traffic signal, and making right turns.

- Rochester Hills, MN, USA

problem #21

Jun 062013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 2,713 miles

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

Everytime I reached a certain speed then try to maintain it by slightly pressing on the gas, the engine starts to shudder/vibrate. It is really annoying and it concern me a lot. The issue happens in different speed. I brought this complain to the dealership but they said that everything is working normal with the car. So, I just get a long with it. Then after a few more months, the vibration is getting worse and it is getting in my nerves. I brought it back yo them but the same they only gave me the same reason. My sister and some friends have Honda cars with eco mode also. How come that they don't experience the same thing with their vehicles. I agree with some complainants that this is a safety issue. It bothers the driver when you experience that vibration from the engine. Is Honda just waiting for someone to die from a car crash with the Pilot before they make a move to correct the issue. I just hope that they bring this issue to the higher op of Honda before someone's life will be taken.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #20

Dec 022013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
The vehicle starts to shudder and vibrate at various speeds. You must slow down or speed up to get it to stop vibrating. We bought this Honda Pilot because we drive on a lot of slick roads. I feel this makes it very unsafe for my family. Along with being unsafe, it is very annoying and with it being a new vehicle, we should not have to accept this. The dealership says it is a normal operation of vcm. American Honda tells me the same thing. I don't agree.

- Monmouth, IL, USA

problem #19

Mar 282013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 900 miles
My 2013 Honda Pilot along with many others shortly after purchasing started to show a vibration through the gas pedal and steering column that can be felt by passenger also. It appears to be a manufacturers defect with the vcm/eco modes of the vehicle. I have taken back to dealership a couple of times and called them several times concerning this defect. Honda says this is "normal". it is far from normal. The vehicle vibrates at all speeds and is inherently dangerous. I am getting no where with Honda. Thank you

- Jefferson, WI, USA

problem #18

Jul 122013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 300 miles
Vehicle constantly vibrates/shudders as engine run in eco mode and as vcm kicks in/out or is in use. I see hundreds of same complaint on Honda message boards and all have gotten the same response from Honda. They indicate it is normal operation and nothing they can do. Anyone that's driven a vehicle for more than a few hours can tell you it's not normal for a vehicle to vibrate like that. In my driving, I find it to be not only annoying, but very distracting as I'm constantly trying to change speeds/RPM, etc. To make the vibrations go away. This constant distraction is a safety concern. I implore you to get Honda to own the situation and find a fix.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #17

Nov 012013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
Whenever I drive between 35-45 mph the car shudders and vibrates. There is no vibration thru the steering wheel. I feel it thru the car seat, back, and center storage lid. Passengers have remarked "what's wrong with your car?" at 35 mph the car drives very smooth. By 35 mph it's like driving a different car. The vibration is getting more pronounced as miles accrue.

- Medford, NJ, USA

problem #16

Sep 062013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 100 miles
I purchased a brand new 2013 Honda Pilot in September 2013. From the first day of driving it, I noticed a vibration coming from the drive train/engine/transmission when the engine was switching into "eco" mode. The vibration can be felt through the steering wheel, gas pedal, and floor board. It becomes worse when cruising at a low RPM, or when climbing a hill (no matter how steep the hill is) when the eco mode is engaged. The vibration only stops when the car is required to increase the RPM, either from manually depressing the gas pedal, or the computer deciding it needs more power. The vehicle does not experience this vibration until the engine warms up and the eco mode engages. When the engine is cold, the eco mode does not kick in, and there is no vibration. I now have 5600 miles on the Pilot, and the problem seems to be getting worse. I've taken the car to the dealership, who without taking it for a test drive advised that "this is a known problem with the eco mode on both the Pilot's and Odyssey's". they went on to tell me that there was nothing they could do to fix it, as Honda has determined that this is "normal operation". in addition to filing a complaint with the dealership, I have also filed a complaint with Honda customer care. No resolution to date. Had the salesman told me about this "normal operating vibration issue", I would not have purchased the vehicle.

- Volo, IL, USA

problem #15

Oct 122013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 10 miles
Vehicle vibration/rumbling/shuttering at speeds around 35-55mph. Apparently due to vcm(vehicle cylinder management system) most noticeable when backing off accelerator after vehicle reaches constant speed and eco light is on, but can occur weather eco light is on or not. Vibration is felt through out entire vehicle but as a driver, it is felt through the seat, steering wheel and center console. This vibration is very unpleasant and annoying. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer due to us just purchasing it with only 10 miles on it. The first time they rebalanced the tires. This did not help. Second time I took the service manager out for a test ride to show him what I meant. He felt the same vibration/shutter/rumble. We then went back to the dealership and took out another new Honda Pilot that was on the lot. The road test came back with the same results. Service manager then told me that the vibration I was feeling was due to the vcm as the different cylinders fired and that there was nothing they can do about it and that I would just have to deal with it until Honda comes out with a way to correct the problem, which as far as he knows they have no intention to do so. Apparently Honda says that this is part of normal operation. I paid over $36,000 dollars for this vehicle and feel that is not normal operation, and that Honda needs to correct this.

- Windham, NH, USA

problem #14

Nov 072013

Pilot

  • 3,550 miles
The engine vibrates and makes a noticeable noise when driving slow or when feathering the gas pedal.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #13

Sep 122013

Pilot 4WD

  • miles
Letter from constituent regarding Honda's 2013 Pilot recall (NHTSA recall 13V-382/campaign#JB5/service bulletin #13-075); he has been unable to correct the problem from american Honda motor co. Or university motors; requesting assistance from NHTSA. The consumer stated he would like to have the long block and short block replaced. He stated he talked to three different automotive mechanics, and it was in their opinion that replacing only the short block of the engine was not a trustworthy fix. The short block repair performed under non-factory conditions, which could lead to contamination of the engine, that would cause serious issues and engine failure in the future. The consumer stated the dealer would not return his calls. Also, the consumer was not getting the proper gas mileage as advertised. The vehicle was rated between 16 and 17 mpg, and he was getting 13 mpg. The vehicle rolled backward on a slight incline, while in drive, there was a vibration/shudder coming through the vehicle, when maintaining a constant speed.

- Helena, MT, USA

problem #12

Oct 212013

Pilot

  • 100 miles
I have a 2013 Honda Pilot, less than 1 month since purchase. At speeds from 20 mph to 70 mph my engine and car will, vibrate, shudder. There is also a low frequency noise that seems to vibrate in my ear which is also quite a distraction. It seems to happen most when I am on a flat or slight incline. The only way to get it to stop is to either speed up or let off the gas. This is very distracting while driving at highway speeds, and very frustrating since it is a new vehicle. I have taken it back to the Honda dealership and they said that they feel the problem, but they said that american Honda states that this is normal for this vehicle. I do not understand how this could be normal. A rough feeling, vibrating cabin and shuddering engine is not a normal operating car. It feels like something will break or come loose, which makes me very nervous as my children commute with me every day.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

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