FaultScore

2013 Honda Pilot body problems

47 of the 368 complaints about the 2013 Honda Pilot are about the body and structure — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 60,000 miles.

B

47

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 42 89.4%
Structure 3 6.4%
Frame AND Members 1 2.1%
SUN Visor 1 2.1%

Body & Structure across every Honda Pilot year

2003 48 13.5%
2004 42 11.8%
2005 24 6.7%
2006 26 7.3%
2007 16 4.5%
2008 16 4.5%
2011 19 5.3%
2013 47 13.2%
2014 20 5.6%
2016 54 15.2%
2017 15 4.2%
2018 17 4.8%
2019 12 3.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Charlottesville, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

The factory clear coat and paint on the roof of this 2013 Honda Pilot are delaminating and peeling away from the metal. The failure began about 1.5 years ago and continues to spread; in places it has now progressed through the paint to bare metal that is corroding and rusting. The vertical body panels remain glossy and intact while the entire horizontal roof has failed - a top-down failure pattern consistent with a defective factory finish rather than wear or environmental exposure. This matches a well-documented paint-adhesion defect in Honda vehicles of this generation: Honda issued warranty-extension service bulletin 19-057 for 2013-16 Pilots in White Diamond Pearl after identical roof peeling, a companion bulletin covers other white finishes, and an active class-action lawsuit alleges the same peeling and delaminating paint defect across 2013-and-later Honda and Acura vehicles. As the paint separates, detached clear-coat material can lift off the moving vehicle, and the exposed roof metal is now corroding. The affected roof/body panel is available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps applied; the defect is visible. The vehicle was not in a crash, and there was no fire and no injury. I am reporting this so it is documented as a manufacturing defect affecting colors beyond those the manufacturer has chosen to cover.

NHTSA complaint #11745465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

Significant paint chipping

NHTSA complaint #11656727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lloyd Harbor, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint has peeled completely off of areas of the body--including the roof above the windshield and others. This peeling has occurred without any physical damage to the body itself

NHTSA complaint #11642984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schaumburg, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

I purchased the vehicle and in May 2023 I noticed a small bubble on the paint on the roof of the car near the windshield on the left, above the driver's side. I went to the closest Honda Dealer and the gentleman at the shop dismissed me saying the car's warranty was expired. A few months later, the bubble popped and a part of the paint peeled off. I called the dealer Arlington Honda and was told by a manager Jeremy Hardman to take my car to one of 2 Autobody shops he provided me with for inspection. I went to Schaumburg Autobody who inspected the vehicle and found more affected areas behind the sunroof. They determined it to be defective sealer that is not adhearing to the metal. I sent an email to Jeremy Hardman and called that Honda dealer I was told Jeremy no longer works at that dealer and transferred me elsewhere. I was told to contact Honda Corporate. Meanwhile, the paint has now peeled further, the metal is now completely exposed which will lead to rust formation causing further damage. Also making my car look old and poorly maintained. Since its near the windshield, moisture from snow, rain etc will cause damage where water will start to make its way into the vehicle causing further damage there as well. I have attached pictures to show the metal exposure from the peeling and pictures where you can see the sealant coming off. I would like instructions on how to proceed from here to initiate a recall asap due to poor paint/sealer quality and/or improper application. Instructions for a temporary solution to avoid further damage. I also found an article. Please see [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11631923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albert lea, MN

STRUCTURE:BODY

paint peeling above windshield

NHTSA complaint #11597826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lady Lake, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint bubbling up all over vehicle.Roof,hood,rear tail gate,doors and paint peeling off. Had same problem between windshield and roof and American Honda repaired it.Now entire car is bubbling and paint peeling off.

NHTSA complaint #11522422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 177,000 miles Columbia, SC

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that the fog lights and exterior lights became inoperable. The contact noticed there was rust underneath the hood. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact also needed to add additional power steering fluid three times per week. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear box, power steering lines, water lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the power steering reservoir, power steering cooling lines, power steering line rem pump, and power steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA complaint #11503381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mineral Bluff, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint peeling on my 2013 Honda Pilot - passenger side roof between moon roof and front windshield. Paint color is the white pearl. Seeing many reports of paint issues with this type of vehicle and paint color.

NHTSA complaint #11421076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,000 miles Tallahassee, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED MY THIRD HONDA, A 2013 HONDA PILOT IN 2017 FROM MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP. IN 2019, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM AMERICAN HONDA STATING THAT WE COULD HAVE THE COST OF REPAINTING OUR RECALLED VEHICLES COVERED IF WE HAD DAMAGE. AT THAT TIME, I DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON MY PILOT. WELL, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, A HUGE AMOUNT OF PAINT ON MY ROOF WAS MISSING ALL OF A SUDDEN. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AS IT STATED ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL PERIOD AND MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NEVERTHELESS, I WAS TOLD A CLAIM WAS OPENED ON MY BEHALF AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. I WAS THEN SENT TO AN AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE. AFTER HAVING TO CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, I WAS TOLD BY THE BODY SHOP THAT HONDA WOULD ONLY COVER 60% OF THE $1700 COST (WHICH WAS ONLY FOR THE ROOF TO BE REPAINTED) AND THAT EVENTUALLY THE REST OF THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO START TO PEEL. I FEEL CHEATED AND THIS IS TRULY A LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE PART OF AMERICAN HONDA AND PROCTOR HONDA. HOW DO YOU SELL VEHICLES KNOWING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PAINT COMING OFF AND THEN NOT BE WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE??

NHTSA complaint #11384726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Newport Beach, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT TURNED DULL AND CHALKY AFTER LESS THAN 5 YEARS AND NOW BEGINNING TO PEEL AT 7 YEARS

NHTSA complaint #11384754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Burbank, CA

STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE UP POSITION CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT A PLASTIC PART USED TO SECURE THE VISOR IN THE UP POSITION HAD CRACKED CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER HONDA OF PASADENA LOCATED AT 1965 E FOOTHILL BLVD, PASADENA, CA 91107 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #11377899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Charlotte, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT AROUND THE MOONROOF OF MY 2013 HONDA PILOT WAS PEELING. IT'S WHITE DIAMOND PEARL.

NHTSA complaint #11353262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Valencia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED ENTERING HER DRIVEWAY, WHEN HER HUSBAND NOTICED THE PAINT PEALING FROM THE ROOF AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER AUTOMATION HONDA VALENCIA LOCATED AT 23551 MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY, VALENCIA, CA 91355, (661) 200-9110, WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEEDING TO REPAINT THE DAMAGE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11326345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Pittsburg, CA

STRUCTURE

THE PAINT ON TOP OF PILOT JUST ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD AND BEFORE THE SUNROOF IS PEELING. I'VE SEEN LOTS OF OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I WASHED THE PILOT AND SAW THE PAINT HAS BUBBLES AND HAD CHIPPED ALREADY. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT AND NOTICED THERE IS NOW A BIG PART OF THE PAINT THE PEELED AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11325597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clermont, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT CHIPPING, COMING RIGHT OFF ON THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11323331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Washington, DC

STRUCTURE:BODY

ON 2018, THE PAINT ON THE ROOF BEGAN TO PEEL IN CHUNKS BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHOLE BODY PAINT BEGAN TO FADE REGARDLESS OF HOW OFTEN IT WAS WASHED AND WAXED. THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WERE ONLY WILLING TO PAINT THE ROOF AND SIDE BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A VEHICLE RECALL MATTER. THE ROOF HAS BEEN FIXED BUT NOW THE CAR LOOKS AWKWARD AS ONE PORTION IS VERY SHINY WHILE THE REST LOOKS HORRIBLY FADED. THE REST OF THE PAINT HAS ONLY BECOME WORSE AS THE TIME PROGRESSED. WHY ISN'T ANYONE AT HONDA CORPORATE NOT FIXING THIS? IT IS A KNOWN QUALITY DEFECT AND NO FIX IS BEING DONE. I ASKED A BODY SHOP FOR A QUOTE TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE TO PAINT THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. $8000.00 TO FIX THE ISSUE!!!

NHTSA complaint #11317339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Hattiesburg, MS

STRUCTURE:BODY

2013 HONDA PILOT WITH ONLY 31K MILES AND PAINT IS PEELING OFF. HONDA ISSUES A TSB BULLETIN AND ARE COVERING ROOFS AND TAILGATES THAT ARE PEELING. SO THEY HAVE ADMITTED THERE IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT THE PROBLEM IS ITS THE SAME PAINT/PRIMER USED ALL OVER THE CAR. MINE IS PEELING AT TO OF BACK DOOR AND AROUND FRONT AND BACK WINDOW. I KNOW IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. BODY SHOP SAID THEY'VE SEEN A GOOD DEAL OF WHITE HONDAS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE AND SAID THERE IS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN PRIMER CAUSING PAINT ADHERENCE ISSUES. THEY ARE 1500 PEOPLE ON A FACEBOOK PAGE THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ALSO. HOW CAN HONDA CONTINUE TO GET AWAY WITH TREATING CUSTOMERS THIS WAY. THIS IS MY 4TH HONDA BUT ITS LOOKING LIKE MY LAST UNLESS HONDA STEPS UP AND DOES THE RIGHT THING!!!

NHTSA complaint #11302425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orange, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTERIOR PAINT: TAFFETA WHITE VEHICLE PAINT FADING AFTER 4-5 YEARS FROM ROOF TOP, SIDES, BACK TRUNK AREA, AND HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #11255088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vidor, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT IS PEELING

NHTSA complaint #11229655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,517 miles Wichita, KS

STRUCTURE:BODY

COMPLAINTS INVOLVING PAINT PEEL FROM HONDA PILOT RECALL. VEHICLE PAINT IS PEELING AT ROOF LINE COMMON TO WHERE WINDSHIELD INSTALL AND SUNROOF INSTALL. QUALITY OF PAINT IS NOT ISSUE. MANUFACTURING PROCESS IS THE ISSUE. MOST LIKELY A RESULT OF POOR WORKMANSHIP DUE TO PREPARATION OF METAL PRIOR TO APPLICATION OF PAINT EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTROSTATIC APPLICATION. WILL REQUEST FULL REPAINT OF VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP AT MANUFACTURE EXPENSE. VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN 70-75 DEGREE ENVIRONMENT AND IS DRIVEN TYPICAL MILES FOR AGE OF VEHICLE. NO KNOWN EXTERNAL ISSUE SUCH AS CHEMICAL SPILL HAIL OR OTHER DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED ON AREA OF CONCERN OR ANY OTHER AREA. ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE. BOUGHT NEW FROM EXCELLENT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAS DONE 100% OF ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS INCLUDING TIRE REPLACEMENT, TUNE UPS, ETC.

NHTSA complaint #11221864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Brevard, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF MY PILOT. IT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. WORRIED ABOUT POTENTIAL RUST AND COMPROMISE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR. HONDA WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY THOUGH IT IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11206401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Taylor, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

LARGE SECTION OF WHITE DIAMOND PEARL PAINT PEELED AWAY FROM THE ROOF OF VEHICLE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. FURTHER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THIS IS A WIDESPREAD DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY AND HONDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR IS AN ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS THE HONDA LINE WITH WHITE VEHICLES FROM THEIR ALABAMA PLANT. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN 2 OTHER WHITE PILOTS WITH SAME PEELING IN MY AREA ALONE ALONG WITH MANY PHOTOS FROM OTHER OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NHTSA complaint #11205895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,900 miles Telford, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT PEELED OFF ON ROOF BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND MOON ROOF WHILE DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY 10' BY 12' IS THE SIZE OF THE PEEL. THE AREA OF THE PEEL HAS NEVER COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS NOR WERE THEIR ANY SCRATCHES OR DENT OR DINGS.

NHTSA complaint #11204377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Augusta, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT PEELING IN MULTIPLE AREAS ON VEHICLE. STARTED ON INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER ALONG HOOD LINE AND ROOF BETWEEN TOP OF WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF. PAINT PEELING IS SHOWING UP IN NEW PLACES AND PROGRESSIVELY PEELING DAILY.

NHTSA complaint #11204478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Darien, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE PAINT ON MY WHITE 2013 HONDA PILOT BEGAN TO FAIL IN 2017. THE PAINT HAS FAILED AND WAS LITERALLY PEELING OFF IN SHEETS BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND MOONROOF. IT'S VERY CLEAR THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE SINCE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WHITE HONDA VEHICLES EXPERIENCING PAINT FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11204118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Fruitland Park, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUN VISORS, WHICH SHOULD BE LATCHED AND OUT OF THE WAY WHILE DRIVING, DROPPING DOWN BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW CAUSING A SERIOUS PROBLEM. (THE PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION ESPECIALLY IF DRIVING ON A ROUGH OR REPAIRED ROAD.)

NHTSA complaint #11181093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valhalla, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 2013 HONDA PILOT HAS PAINT PEELING OFF. THE PAINT IS MISSING OFF FROM THE ROOF BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. IT STARTED OUT SMALL DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL MORE STARTED FALLING OFF. I STARTED SEARCHING ONLINE AND NOTICED OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I EMAILED HONDA AND THEY ARE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM AND SAID I'M OUT OF MY WARRENTY. THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE PAINT THAT WAS USED.

NHTSA complaint #11176579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Deerfield, NH

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT IS PEELING DOWN TO THE METAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SUNROOF. THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN IT WAS NOTICED. THE CAR IS GARAGED.

NHTSA complaint #11173265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Sacramento, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY PAINT IS PEELING. THIS IS HAPPENING TO MY MOTHERS HONDA PILOT ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #11166028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Bellport, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

PAINT BETWEEN WINDSHIELD AND SUNROOF STARTED TO PEEL, AND HAS CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE QUICKLY. WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. RECENTLY, PAINT HAS NOW STARTED TO PEEL FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #11164857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2013 Honda Pilot problems

← Full 2013 Honda Pilot report