2013 Honda Pilot engine problems
78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2013 Honda Pilot — 29% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Recalls without notification; 1) Engine- recurring problem piston seal leak - continual replacement of coils & spark plugs. Engine light on VTM-4, traction bar symbol on, engine missing. [XXX] 2025: [XXX] ][XXX] Oil change 7 days later wrench & engine light gone [XXX] * 2 days later it came on…”
filed Jun 29, 2026
“Multiple mechanics have told me it’s spark plugs and piston ring and issues. I constantly get my oils changed when I’m at 10% and never let it run out of gas. Constantly babied this thing. It only has 145k miles on it. Had 111k when I bought it in 2022! I barely put miles on this and the fuel…”
filed May 17, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process…Campaign 13V382000 · Aug 27, 2013
Related service bulletins
Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1…
A26-002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2026Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1…
A25-060 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 29, 2025Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301…
ONL6Z6072025 · Other · issued Jul 29, 2025Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1…
A25-060 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug, potentially leading to carbon fouling and misfire triggering DTCs…
AEBM06172025901 · Other · issued Jun 17, 2025
Engine problems in other Pilot years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Pilot | 26 | 15% |
| 2024 Pilot | 10 | 9% |
| 2023 Pilot | 11 | 9% |
| 2022 Pilot | 21 | 16% |
| 2021 Pilot | 96 | 23% |
| 2020 Pilot | 99 | 21% |
| 2019 Pilot | 222 | 25% |
| 2018 Pilot | 154 | 36% |
| 2017 Pilot | 455 | 50% |
| 2016 Pilot | 755 | 45% |
| 2015 Pilot | 22 | 20% |
| 2014 Pilot | 31 | 27% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2013 Honda Pilot
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.