Reasons to Avoid Buying a Used 2013 and 2016 Honda Pilot
Think twice about purchasing these problematic Honda Pilot model years.
The Honda Pilot is a three-row family SUV that debuted in 2002. The Pilot’s roomy cabin, spacious cargo area, and fuel-efficient V6 engine make it a popular model.
Buying a used model is a great way to get the Honda Pilot at an economical price. But some model years are best to avoid. We’ll look at some of the reasons to steer clear of the 2013 and 2016 Honda Pilot.
According to the Car Complaints website, the 2013 Honda Pilot has over 120 registered owner complaints. More than half of them concern body and paint problems. The vehicle has a problem with paint chipping and peeling on some body panels, an issue caused by the manufacturer forgetting to coat some of the panels. The paint can chip or peel whether the vehicle was garaged or parked outdoors. The problems can appear at around 69,000 miles, with typical repair costs ranging from $830 for repairing chips to $1,500 for fixing peeling paint.
Interior accessories are the next most common complaint for the 2013 Honda Pilot, with Bluetooth connectivity listed as the top problem.
Transmission issues led the list of complaints for the 2016 Honda Pilot, with 40 of more than 180 problems reported in this category. The most common transmission complaints are vehicles that jerk when accelerating and transmission failure. The average mileage reported for a failed transmission is 50,500 miles.
Electrical and fuel/propulsion system problems, including faulty fuel injectors, were also top complaints for the 2016 Pilot. One dissatisfied owner wrote: “Driving, the vehicle started to quickly lose power for about 15 seconds, and it stalled while at speed on an interstate. Luckily, I was in the right lane and was able to pull out of traffic onto the shoulder. The car had all the lights flash on the dashboard. The check engine, the hill assist, the oil, power steering, etc. I mean all the lights. It would not restart.
Photos: Honda