Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Pilot.
The 2013 Honda Pilot is a midsize SUV equipped with a 4.5-quart oil capacity specifying 0W-20 viscosity, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 18/25/20 mpg across city/highway/combined cycles; this model year represents the second generation of the Pilot, built on a unibody platform designed for family-oriented capability. In terms of reliability, the 2013 model recorded 270 owner complaints across its lifespan with the Structure category emerging as the primary concern, and it was subject to six safety recalls during its production cycle—figures that place it in a notably lower complaint territory compared to the model's peak of 1,665 complaints in 2016, though above its historic low of 101 in 2024. For a researcher assessing the Pilot's long-term dependability profile, the 2013 model year represents a comparatively stable reference point within the nameplate's broader complaint history, suggesting that while not without issues, it does not exhibit the elevated problem rates that would later characterize the 2016 model year.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 78.3 in |
| Overall height | 72.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4537 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 66.9 / 66.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 55/45 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 25 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Pilot of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 7.80 sec | 16.20 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 8.30 sec | 16.50 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 8.50 sec | 16.60 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | Touring 3.5L V6 | 7.90 sec | 16.30 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | EX-L 3.5L V6 | 8.10 sec | 16.40 sec | 250 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.6 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.4 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | 11MM Bolts: 54 ft-lbs, 10MM Bolts: 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | AT: 650, MT: 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 10, Not adjustable degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.315-1.435 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.20-4.70 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24F |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 29 Maximum variation PSI |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 53 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.102 in / 0.433 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.102 in / 0.433 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.024 in / 0.354 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 48 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 | 48 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2013 Honda Pilot sits at a local high point in complaints within its generation, with 270 NHTSA complaints—up from 170 in 2012 and 116 in 2014—while its 6 recalls are fewer than the 9–11 logged in 2011–2012 but more than the 3–4 seen in 2014–2015. Across the broader record, this generation shows relatively moderate federal activity compared with the much larger 2016 spike that follows it (1,665 complaints, 8 recalls, and 4 investigations), placing 2013 near the calmer end of the arc despite its one-year complaint bump. The leading 2013 complaint categories are structure (37), engine (35), service brakes (31), and unknown/other (21), with 11 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its lower recall count than adjacent earlier years and its position before the 2016 surge, a well-documented 2013 Pilot is a reasonably sound used-buy candidate, but the higher complaint volume relative to 2012 and 2014 means a thorough pre-purchase inspection is warranted.
All 270 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Showing 5 of 89 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A26-002 | 2026-02-01 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness… |
| A25-060 | 2025-08-28 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking… |
| ONL6Z6072025 | 2025-07-28 | Engine | Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear… |
| A25-060 | 2025-07-18 | Engine | Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness… |
| AEBM06172025901 | 2025-06-17 | Engine | Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.