Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year. first year of a new design.
2013GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual Extended coverage
233 serious complaints of 271, the most about engine (79) and power train (54); per car on the road, 0.3× this model's usual year. 6 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2013 honda pilot. While driving approximately 65 mph, the check engine and vtm-4 indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, May 2019
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Jul 2013
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. (Service, Jul 2014)
- Extended coverage The exterior paint on the roof and/or tailgate may peel off. American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint of the affected vehicles to 7 years from the original date of purchase with no mileage limit. (A19-055, Jun 2019)
- Extended coverage It is important that your dealership follows the requirements listed in the service bulletins (and below) or your claim may be debited. (AAW08072019, Aug 2019)
- Extended coverage Owner Notification Letter - On some 2013-14 Odyssey and 2013-16 Pilot models, the exterior paint on the roof and tailgate may peel off. To ensure your confidence in your vehicle, American Honda is extending the warranty on the paint in these areas to 7 years from the original date of purchase. (ONL6R308082019, Aug 2019)
- Extended coverage American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only. (A18-055, Jun 2018)
- Extended coverage Today, June 1, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2011-14 Odyssey and 2013-16 Pilot vehicles with either Taffeta White or White Diamond Pearl paint to address customer concerns with peeling paint. American Honda is extending the paint warranty coverage from 3… (ABOM06012019, Jun 2019)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
271 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2013 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD
2013 Pilot trims
| EX | EX-L | EX-L with RES | EXL-N | LX | TOURING |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Honda reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Honda aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | 5 of 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 285 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 22 | Steering (11) | — |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 285 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 202 | Forward collision avoidance (55) | Yes |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 285 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 114 | Seat belts (24) | Yes |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 285 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–22 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 144 | Seat belts (34) | Yes |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 280 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 160 | Forward collision avoidance (43) | Yes |
| 2021 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 280 hp | AWD, FWD | 22–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 10 | 438 | Electrical system (129) | Yes |
| 2020 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 280 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 11 | 489 | Electrical system (213) | Yes |
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 280 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 13 | 907 | Electrical system (264) | Yes |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl, 280 hp | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 7 | 440 | Engine (157) | Yes |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 928 | Engine (470) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 8 | 1709 | Engine (771) | No |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 109 | Engine (22) | No |
| 2014 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 116 | Engine (31) | No |
| 2013 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 271 | Engine (79) | No |
| 2012 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 9 | 171 | Engine (35) | No |
| 2011 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–19 mpg | 4 of 5 | 11 | 293 | Air bags (68) | No |
| 2010 | 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–19 mpg | Not rated | 10 | 111 | Air bags (32) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Pilot 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | HONDA PILOT SUV ICE FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | HONDA PILOT SUV ICE AWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | HONDA PILOT SUV N/A AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 12 |
| 2026 | HONDA PILOT SUV N/A FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 22 |
| 2025 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 4 | 202 |
| 2025 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 4 | 202 |
| 2024 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 6 | 114 |
| 2024 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 6 | 114 |
| 2023 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 5 | 144 |
| 2023 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 5 | 144 |
| 2022 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 5 | 160 |
| 2022 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 5 | 160 |
| 2021 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 10 | 438 |
| 2021 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 10 | 438 |
| 2020 | Honda PILOT SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 11 | 489 |
| 2020 | Honda PILOT SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 11 | 489 |
| 2019 | Honda Pilot SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 13 | 907 |
| 2019 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 13 | 907 |
| 2018 | Honda Pilot SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 440 |
| 2018 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 7 | 440 |
| 2017 | Honda Pilot SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 928 |
| 2017 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 928 |
| 2016 | Honda Pilot SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 8 | 1709 |
| 2016 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 8 | 1709 |
| 2015 | Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 109 |
| 2015 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 109 |
| 2014 | Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 116 |
| 2014 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 3 | 116 |
| 2013 | Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 271 |
| 2013 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 271 |
| 2012 | Honda Pilot SUV 4WD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 171 |
| 2012 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 171 |
| 2011 | Honda Pilot SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 11 | 293 |
| 2011 | Honda Pilot SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 11 | 293 |
| 2010 | Honda Pilot 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 10 | 111 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2026 | Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2026 | Pilot AWD TrailSport | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2026 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2025 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2025 | Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2025 | Pilot AWD TrailSport | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2025 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2024 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2024 | Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2024 | Pilot AWD TrailSport | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2024 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2023 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2023 | Pilot AWD Touring/Elite/Black | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2023 | Pilot AWD TrailSport | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2023 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2022 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2022 | Pilot AWD TrailSport | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 21 |
| 2022 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2021 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 22 |
| 2021 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 23 |
| 2020 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–22 |
| 2020 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
22–23 |
| 2019 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–22 |
| 2019 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
22–23 |
| 2018 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–22 |
| 2018 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
22–23 |
| 2017 | Pilot AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–22 |
| 2017 | Pilot FWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
22–23 |
| 2016 | Pilot 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
22–23 |
| 2016 | Pilot 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.5 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–22 |
| 2015 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2015 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2014 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2014 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2013 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2013 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 20 |
| 2011 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2011 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 18 |
| 2010 | Pilot 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2010 | Pilot 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 18 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.