2010 Honda Pilot Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 4th of 21 Pilot years we score.

Owner complaints: 111; 25 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 13.7; 62,802 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.35×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 27; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 10
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2009 Pilot 2011 Pilot →

Should You Buy the 2010 Honda Pilot?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2010 Honda Pilot is 79 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about a third as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 4th of the 21 Pilot years we score.

The most reported problem is the control arm bushings, mostly a leak (11 of 111 complaints). Owners also complain about high oil consumption and the brakes. 27 of the 111 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 10 recalls. Honda also offers 2 warranty extensions that may still apply, for engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings) and front suspension lower arm bushings. For comparison, the 2009 scores 78 and the 2011 scores 78.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 13-082 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 79
About a third of the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Control arm bushings: a leak11 complaints
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil11 complaints
Brakes: loss of braking7 complaints

How the 2010 Pilot Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.31×	−5
Everyday problems	0.45×	−3
Problems in the last two years	0.46×	−5
Recalls	1.9×	−8
Score		79

What Owners Report

We read all 111 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Honda Pilot, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Control arm bushings: a leak
11 complaints (10%)
A leak, early wear and parts breaking or coming apart. Median mileage when it started: about 60,000 miles.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
11 complaints (10%)
Burning or using oil. Median mileage when it started: about 90,000 miles.
Brakes: loss of braking
7 complaints (6%)
Loss of braking, vibration or shudder and soft pedal. 4 of these 7 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 21,000 miles.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
6 complaints (5%)
A failure, rough running or misfires and hesitation. 1 of these 6 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 75,000 miles.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
4 complaints (4%)
Rough running or misfires and a stored fault code.
Engine failure
4 complaints (4%)
A failure that needed a new part, parts breaking or coming apart and locking up. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 97,000 miles.
Mirrors: vibration or shudder
4 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, electrical short and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 6,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (4%)
Sudden acceleration. All 4 describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 68,000 miles.
Vibration (cause not stated)
4 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Airbags: deployment with no crash
3 complaints (3%)
Deployment with no crash and no deployment in a crash. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash.
Engine: hesitation
3 complaints (3%)
Hesitation, vibration or shudder and surging. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 95,000 miles.
Piston rings failure
3 complaints (3%)
A failure. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome.
Airbag warning light
2 complaints (2%)
Warning lights.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
A stored fault code and warning lights.
Screen and audio: works on and off
2 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go.

Show 8 more problems

Oil pressure failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and warning lights.
Front suspension bushing: early wear
2 complaints (2%)
Early wear and a failure.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (2%)
Hesitation.
Steering: finger trapped in hole
2 complaints (2%)
Finger trapped in hole and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of steering control.
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
2 complaints (2%)
Shattering or cracking.
Timing belt: parts breaking or coming apart
2 complaints (2%)
Parts breaking or coming apart and a leak. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Torque converter: vibration or shudder
2 complaints (2%)
Vibration or shudder.
Transmission failure
2 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part and vibration or shudder. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome.

Reported Once (23)

Show the 23 problems reported once

12V battery: warning lights
A/C compressor failure
A/C condenser: damage
ABS: stopped working
Brake power assist: loss of braking
Defroster: stopped working
Fuel economy: high fuel use
Fumes in cabin (cause not stated)
Headlights failure
Passenger airbag sensor: stopped working
Pulling to one side (cause not stated)
Serpentine belt tensioner pulley bolt: parts breaking or coming apart
Suspension bushing failure
Vehicle fire (origin not stated) (cause not stated)
Door lock actuators: not opening or unlocking
Power liftgate: parts breaking or coming apart
Stability control (VSA): stopped working
Sway bar links failure
Car not starting (cause not stated)
Struts or shocks failure
Timing chain or camshaft failure
Wheel bearings failure
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2010 Honda Pilot Compares With Other Years

The other Pilot years of the 2nd generation, 2009 to 2015, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2016	Avoid	52	3.6×	95.8	8	Auto idle stop system: the car not starting
2015	Not scored	–	–	9.8	4	Brakes: loss of braking
2014	Excellent	82	0.33×	13.0	3	Paint and rust: paint peeling
2013	Good	78	0.47×	20.2	6	Paint and rust: paint peeling
2012	Excellent	80	0.35×	12.5	9	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2011	Good	78	0.39×	15.2	11	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2010 This year	Good	79	0.35×	13.7	10	Control arm bushings: a leak
2009	Good	78	0.34×	13.6	9	Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
2008	Good	79	0.33×	12.6	7	Seats: parts breaking or coming apart

See every Pilot year

2010 Honda Pilot Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V502000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 36% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 19V378000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 16, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V661000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 27, 2018. By the first quarter of 2020, 78% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 18V268000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Apr 26, 2018. By the third quarter of 2019, 85% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 18V042000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 9, 2018. By the second quarter of 2019, 72% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V545000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 31, 2017. By the first quarter of 2019, 94% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V030000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 70% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags: inflator module
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V346000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 24, 2016. By the first quarter of 2018, 64% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags
The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 13V016000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 18, 2013.
Seat belts: webbing
If the stitching is incomplete or missing, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing, increasing the risk of personal injury in a crash.
NHTSA 11V468000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Sep 9, 2011.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 13-082
Engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings)
The problem:
Piston rings can turn and line up, which can foul the spark plugs. The engine then misfires and the check engine light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the misfire for free. This can include a software update, new spark plugs and piston and ring repair.
Who qualifies:
A cylinder misfire fault must be stored and the spark plugs of the affected cylinders must be fouled. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered.
Coverage:
8 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit for these misfire repairs.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 15-045
Front suspension lower arm bushings
The problem:
The rubber bushings in the front suspension rear lower arms can crack from heat and ozone. They then make noise or leak fluid.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the lower arm bushings for free. Owners who paid earlier can be repaid if they meet the listed requirements.
Who qualifies:
The bushing must make noise or leak fluid. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered. Coverage passes to later owners.
Coverage:
7 years or 100,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-052, 18-055, 19-003 and 20-016
Front passenger's airbag inflator
4 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
18-052: Covered until January 31, 2027.
18-055: Covered until January 31, 2028.
19-003: Covered until September 30, 2028.
20-016: Covered until January 31, 2030.
Bulletin 18-052 (PDF)Bulletin 18-055 (PDF)Bulletin 19-003 (PDF)Bulletin 20-016 (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 18-066Ended
Front passenger's airbag inflator
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer replaced the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light had to be on. A Honda dealer test had to show the inflator was faulty. Only replacement inflators that failed later were covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
The program ended on June 30, 2026.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 15-044Ended
Front suspension lower arm bushings
The problem:
The rubber bushings in the front suspension rear lower arms can crack from heat and ozone. They then make noise or leak fluid.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer repaired the lower arm bushings for free. Owners who paid earlier could be repaid if they met the listed requirements.
Who qualifies:
The bushing had to make noise or leak fluid. Cars with a salvage or branded title were not covered. Coverage passed to later owners.
Coverage:
Covered until June 30, 2017 or 120,000 miles, whichever came first. The program has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2010 Pilot no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2010 Pilot ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door with side airbags

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2010 Pilot, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V502000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 19V378000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V661000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V268000
Air bags: inflator module NHTSA 18V042000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 10 recalls and which are still open.

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

13-082: engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings)
15-045: front suspension lower arm bushings

On the Test Drive

Look for uneven tire wear and listen for clunks or humming that changes with speed.
Ask how often oil is added between changes, and watch for blue smoke at startup.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Control arm bushings
High oil consumption
Brakes
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Pilot Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.