--- title: "2012-2015 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity and Specs" description: "The 2012-2015 Honda Pilot tows up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped. Fuel tank 21 gallons. Curb weight, fuel economy, ground clearance and other key numbers for the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot, by engine and drivetrain." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/specs" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2012-2015 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity and Key Specifications The 2012-2015 Honda Pilot tows up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped. Fuel tank 21 gallons. Curb weight, fuel economy, ground clearance and other key numbers for the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot, by engine and drivetrain. **Quick answer**: The 2012-2015 Honda Pilot tows up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped, and weighs about 4,550 lbs at the curb. Engine, axle ratio, cab and bed configuration all move the real number down; the door-jamb placard for your exact build governs. ## 2012-2015 Honda Pilot key specs | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Towing capacity (max) | 4,500 lbs | | Fuel tank | 21 gallons | | Fuel economy | 17 city / 24 hwy (2WD); slightly lower with VTM-4 4WD. Towing: 2,000 lbs (2WD) / 4,500 lbs (4WD). | | Curb weight | 4,550 lbs | | Key fob battery | CR2032 | ## 2012-2015 Honda Pilot engines | Engine | Trims | Power | Fuel | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 3.5L V6 (J35Z4, SOHC i-VTEC, VCM cylinder deactivation) | All trims 2012-2015; 5-speed automatic | 250 hp | Regular 87 octane | ## Which Honda Pilot model years does this cover? These specs specifications apply to every Honda Pilot built from 2012 through 2015, the 2nd generation (YF3/YF4), 3-row mid-size suv (fwd or vtm-4 4wd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012) - [2013 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2013) - [2014 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2014) - [2015 Pilot](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2015) ## What changed during the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Mid-cycle facelift year for this generation: revised front/rear styling, J35Z4 V6 carries over | | 2013 | Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, a USB port, a new 8-in i-MID display, backup camera, and tri-zone automatic climate control become standard across the lineup | | 2014 | Unchanged from 2013 | | 2015 | Final year of the 2nd generation before the all-new 2016 redesign | ## 2012-2015 Honda Pilot specs: common questions ### How much can a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot tow? Up to 4,500 lbs when properly equipped. That is a maximum for the best-configured version, engine, axle ratio, cab and bed configuration, and towing package all move the real number down, and the door-jamb placard plus the towing guide for your exact build is what governs. ### How big is the fuel tank on a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot? 21 gallons. ### What does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot weigh? About 4,550 lbs at the curb, before passengers and cargo. ### What gas mileage does a 2012-2015 Honda Pilot get? 17 city / 24 hwy (2WD); slightly lower with VTM-4 4WD. Towing: 2,000 lbs (2WD) / 4,500 lbs (4WD). on the EPA cycle. ## Sources - [pilotsuv.com, Honda Pilot oil capacity by generation (4.5 qt, 2012-2015)](https://pilotsuv.com/honda-pilot-engine-oil-guide/) - [Honda News, 2012 Honda Pilot Specifications and Features (250 hp, fuel tank, MPG)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-4509ac20f72a429d892191934c064ecc-2012-honda-pilot-specifications-and-features) - [Edmunds, Used 2012 Honda Pilot Specs & Features (curb weight, fuel capacity, MPG)](https://www.edmunds.com/honda/pilot/2012/features-specs/) - [Muller Honda, Honda Pilot towing capacity by year (2012-2015: 2,000/4,500 lbs)](https://www.muller-honda.com/honda-pilot-towing-capacity) - [jdmwestside.com, 2009-2014 Honda Pilot J35A/J35Z4 VCM engine](https://jdmwestside.com/honda/engines/honda-pilot-2009-2010-2011-2012-2013-2014-j35a-3-5l-vcm-enginess/50/2008-2012-honda-odyssey-j35a-vcm-model-3-5l-v6-engine-sohc-motor/) - [College Hills Honda, 17220-RN0-A00 engine air filter (2012-2014 Pilot)](https://honda.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/honda-oil-filter-15400plma02) - [HondaPartsNow. 80292-SDA-407 cabin filter fits 2009-2022 Pilot](https://www.hondapartsnow.com/oem-honda-pilot-cabin_air_filter.html) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2012 Honda Pilot wiper size chart (22/21/14 in)](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/honda/pilot/2012) - [eBay/PHILTOP listings, 2009-2015 Honda Pilot front rotor 329.8 mm (12.98 in)](https://www.ebay.com/itm/406449623025) - [Piloteers.org, Honda settles class-action lawsuit, extends powertrain warranty (VCM)](https://www.piloteers.org/threads/honda-settles-class-action-lawsuit-and-extends-powertrain-warranty.48313/) - [YouTube, Honda VCM Warranty Extended 10 years/150,000 miles (2013-2017 Pilot/Odyssey)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQYcbcoTfF0) - [Honda News, Takata Airbag Inflator Recall Fact Sheet (2003-2015 Pilot)](https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-corporate/releases/takata-airbag-inflator-recall-fact-sheet) - [Consumer Reports, Honda expands Takata airbag recall (NHTSA campaign 18V661)](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/honda-expands-takata-airbag-recall/) - [Piloteers.org, 2009-2015 Pilot reliability after 150k (control arm bushings, VCM)](https://www.piloteers.org/threads/2009-2015-pilot-reliability-after-150k.173076/) - [RepairPal, 2015 Honda Pilot problems and complaints (warped rotors)](https://repairpal.com/2015-honda-pilot/problems) ## Other Honda Pilot generations - [2023-2025 Honda Pilot specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2023-2025/specs) - [2016-2022 Honda Pilot specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2016-2022/specs) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/specs). ## More for the 2012-2015 Honda Pilot - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/honda/pilot/2012-2015/key-fob-battery) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.