2013 Honda Pilot — Should You Buy One?
Typical asking price: $11,000–$17,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.
Kestrel Take
A durable, boxy three-row with the strong J35 V6, and the same cylinder-deactivation oil-burning caveat as its Honda siblings. Buy one with a VCM disabler or documented plug maintenance, keep up the timing belt, and it will run past 250,000 miles.
Known Issues for the 2013 Honda Pilot
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.
Fouled rear-bank plugs, misfire codes, oil burning, and shaking mounts. A VCM disabler prevents it cheaply.
Repair cost range: $150 disabler, $2,500-$4,000 ring job
An interference belt engine. Belt, water pump, and tensioner on schedule or the engine is destroyed.
Repair cost range: $900-$1,400
Worn mounts cause idle shudder, worsened by VCM.
Repair cost range: $400-$800
The V6 automatic benefits from fluid service; neglect causes harsh shifts.
Repair cost range: $300 service to $3,000
Walk-Away Red Flags
- ✗Rear-bank misfires
- ✗No timing belt record past 105k
- ✗Idle shudder
- ✗Oil consumption
Good Signs
- ✓VCM disabler installed
- ✓Timing belt and water pump done with receipts
- ✓Documented transmission service
Found a specific Honda Pilot?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2013 Honda Pilot in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99No account required. Delivered to your inbox, usually within minutes.
Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
Other Honda Pilot years
More from Honda
Similar suvs & crossovers