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:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,294 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2013 Honda Pilot Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 132022

Pilot

  • miles

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

During my commute home from work my vehicle began shaking as if it was going to stall. The orange check engine light began to flash. I used my scanner and it read the code P0303. I took it to a mechanic the following day and they stated the engine is burning excessive oil and misfiring due to Honda-€™s Variable Cylinder Management system. The oil is soaking the rear three spark plugs from continuously turning on/off while driving causing the engine cylinders to misfire. They stated it is not safe to drive due to possible shut off, power loss, acceleration loss, and damage to the other car systems. I have regular maintenance done to the vehicle but due to the VCM system it will continue to have the same issues. I paid a lot of money for a -€œreliable-€ car but the mechanic is saying I need a new motor.

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #8

Sep 022020

Pilot

  • 125,000 miles
Check fuel cap message comes on sometimes even after I tighten the fuel cap. Sometimes the message stops on its own. Don't know why. Check engine light comes on sometimes and goes off on its own. Don't know why. I noticed these alerts when the car is moving or sitting at an idle. City driving with very little highway driving. I checked Honda website today for a list of recalls on my VIN, but the website said that there were not open recalls on my vehicle. I wonder about the airbags in the vehicle.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #7

Aug 262018

Pilot

  • 56,000 miles
My car is increasingly smelling like gasoline and exhaust. Our garage smells strongly of gasoline. When I use A/C the cabin smells like exhaust. I just made a 5 minute trip to pick up my daughter and it made me feel dizzy. We have never skipped any maintenance on the vehicle, everything is up to date. The oddly gasoline-Y smell in our garage has just suddenly gotten to the point where I realize it is coming from my Honda Pilot - I can follow the scent directly to the car even with the garage door open. The interior of our car is now being affected and the smell is much stronger when A/C runs. Had to turn it off.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #6

Jul 052016

Pilot

  • 51,970 miles

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

On 7/5/2016, I set out to drive my parents to an appointment. I am their full-time caregiver. My father has dementia & rheumatoid arthritis and my mother has alzheimer's. my 9 yr old golden retriever was also in the car. When I tried starting the car, it didn't want to turn over. But after a few tries, it started. No indicator lights came on, so I figured it was a fluke. I pulled out of the driveway, began driving (neighborhood - 25mph speed lim) and shortly began hearing knocking noises. After less than a quarter of a mile (crossing Suburban main road 35mph speed lim), the car would not respond to the gas pedal. I turned off the air conditioner and rolled down the windows, and I promptly turned around and headed back home. It continued to knock and failed to accelerate above 20 mph. Still, no indicator lights came on. I also checked the temperature gauge and oil gauges and they were also giving normal readings. We failed to make it the quarter-mile back home. Shortly after I turned the corner one street away from our house, there was a sudden explosion in the engine right in front of me in the driver's seat and the front of the car was engulfed in flames. Less than a split second before the explosion, the check oil and check engine lights came on. It didn't even give me enough time to get my finger on the key before it set ablaze. My father can't walk well and uses a scooter. Both my parents are diminished mentally and could not unlock their doors which did not unlock automatically. If I hadn't rolled down the windows, & if this had happened on the main road instead of our neighborhood where people came to help, I could not have gotten everyone out in time. Insurance co told me there was a recall on engine piston we were never notified of - #13V382000. Neither dealership-heritage Honda westminster md-nor local service provider shockley Honda knew about it either.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #5

Oct 052015

Pilot

  • 30,000 miles
"check gas cap" light repeatedly illuminates. Dealers and mechanics say "tighten gas cap" or replace. Does not solve problem. Problem is fuel pump creates high pressure and when excess fuel goes through pressure regulator, fuel flashes to vapor; tank loses vacuum and warning illuminates, driver stops car in traffic to check, causing safety problem. Hundreds of complaints on internet. Honda should be required to fix the problem.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 182015

Pilot

  • 17,500 miles
While driving up the driveway and turning the steering wheel to the right, the car accelerated by itself, tried to apply the brakes but the brakes didn't work causing the SUV to crash thru a concrete fence and down a 40 feet cliff.

- Caguas , PR, USA

problem #3

Jan 222013

Pilot 6-cyl

  • 1,000 miles

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

Severe hesitation when trying to accelerate at low speeds...no response for 1 to 2 seconds...extremely dangerous when trying to turn or pull into moving traffic...problem is sporadic but frequent(2-3 times per week.

- Miller Place, NY, USA

problem #2

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

problem #1

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

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