2013 Honda Pilot power train problems

“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 consumption and engine are now causing issues. Even been told possible catalytic converter issues. Multiple Honda has told me different things. This is so frustrating because the allowed some vin specific models with my year. But not mine?! Helllllllp”

“Repeatedly there has been a cylinder 1 misfire causing the check engine light to activate. The vehicle starts to shake and idling is rough. It has happened repeatedly over the past 3-4 years. In 2025 it happened in August, October and December despite repeated maintenance. Error codes that have popped up due to the issue primarily include cylinder 1 misfires a known and documented issue related to the faulty VCM system. The problem has repeatedly been identified by multiple mechanics. I use my vehicle primarily to transport my children to and from school. We have all been in the car during these misfires endangering their safety. At many of the times when the misfires have happened my children have been in the car and any engine failure while operating the vehicle puts them in danger. My children are ADHD/autistic and during the times the vehicle has broken down while driving it has caused them extreme distress. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time. I have reached out to Honda repeatedly to have the issue resolved however despite repeated promises the vehicle would be fixed due to recalls and extended warranties Honda officials have repeatedly…”

“The lights(traction control light, check engine,) in the dash come on and go off intermittently and vehicle display reads check emissions system and check VSA (vehicle stability assist) I got the vehicle scanned for the codes it throws and the print out was for the power train control module the piston rings all of them failed emission test! The dash lights come on for two to three weeks at a time and than just go off while the lights are illuminated I have no traction control no eco mode and the car doesn’t get the correct power while accelerating speed sometimes it gets too much power and accelerates too high causing the vehicle to take off and without any kind of traction”

“Since purchasing new in 2013, experienced ongoing issues with VCM. Noticable vibration/shudder at all speeds except during heavy acceleration. Taken to dealer mant times. They are able to reproduce but state no fix available. It's how the car was made. In addition to vibration, engine makes a chirping noise when accelerating through vibration. I believe they are related although neither have been able to be fixed. No warning lights illuminate. I purchased this car for the 4wd as I live in snow/ice climate. However, excessive vibration/shudder makes driving in these conditions (any conditions) unsafe due to constant need to fluctuate acceleration/ deceleration to help minimize vibration/shudder to regain sense of control. If you maintain speed while vibrating on snow/ice you feel like you are losing control. This vibration HAS to have a long-term effect on engine/car integrity. It's strong enough that some day I imagine I'll come to a stop and at that very moment, every screw will have come loose/undone from years of vibrating and I'll be left sitting in the seat holding just the steering wheel with the car in parts all around me.”

“I CHANGED TIRE ,BUSHING STABILIZER,WHEEL BALANCE ALIGNMENT, CHANGED THE TIE ROD AND CV AXLE BUT THE CAR STILL SHAKING BETWEEN THE SPEED OF 60MPH-70MPH..I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN MY HONDA PILOT 2013 MISFIRED THEN THEY FIXED IT BUT MY TIMING BELT EVERYTHING WAS MAKING SOUND , I SPENT TO MY MECHANIC FRIEND COZ THE DEALER CHARGE ME A PRICE OF 950$ TO DO TIMING BELT SERVICE.”

“THE CAR IS MAKING THESE HORRIBLE NOISES. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS EVERYTHING WAS FIND WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO US. WE TOOK IT BACK A FEW DAYS LATER FOR THEM TO FIX IT AND THEY CLAIMED TO FIX IT BUT NEVER DID. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS AND THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS AFTER HAVE IT AT LEAST 3 OR 4 DAYS. IT'S LIKE A VIBRATION/GRINDING NOISE. THE ALIGNMENT IS FINE BUT IT STILL PULLS AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF. IT ALWAYS MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VIBRATION AND GRINDING STARTS WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND IT HITS A CONSTANT SPEED EVEN WHEN YOU DONT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL.”