2010 Honda Pilot Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: front suspension compliance bushings that wear and cause vibration or alignment problems, and the passenger airbag inflator recalls. A smaller but consistent group describes excessive oil consumption and spark-plug fouling leading to misfires, often at higher mileage. Many reports come from routine service visits where a worn part was found before the owner noticed anything.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Worn front compliance bushings (rattle, vibration)

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 59,940 mi at 5.4 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2018

   Owners describe rattling or thumping from the front end over bumps, vibration at highway speeds, uneven tire wear and a car that will not hold an alignment. In most cases the worn bushings were found during routine maintenance or after a noise complaint, and dealers quoted several hundred to over a thousand dollars to replace them plus an alignment. Some owners say the same symptom returned after replacement, and a few report the steering feeling loose. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 120,000 miles, with many appearing in the 40,000-80,000 mile range.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the front lower control arm bushings for cracks, leaks or play, and drive over bumps and at highway speed to check for rattles or vibration. Ask whether the bushings have already been replaced and with which part number.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I brought the vehicle to Honda city, liverpool, ny because of an issue with compliance bushing identified by an independant mechanic. The mechanic and service advisor both agreed that the bushing has signs of previous leak and is visually damaged which can be seen by cracked rubber. They also told me that since the TSB says it has to be a visual leak or popping it doesnt qualify for replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10538267, filed 2013-09, 59,940 miles

   “Noticed thumping/rattling noises and vibrations when moving over any size bumps at all speeds (more noticeable at slow speeds. Also, when traveling at moderate to high speeds over a dip in the road, the front end bounced excessively. I took the car to the dealer and complained about the suspension: they said it was normal. The conditions continued and when I took it in for oil change (60,000 miles), I complained again about the suspension, and this time they said it was the compliance bushings ($1000.00 installed). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10721165, filed 2015-05, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and misfires

   • 21 complaints (19%)
   • median 92,500 mi at 6.9 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2023

   Owners report the engine using a quart or more of oil between changes with no visible leak or smoke, sometimes followed by rough running, check-engine lights and fouled spark plugs. Some describe engine damage or seizure attributed to low oil, and one report says the vehicle stalled and was diagnosed with a failed piston and spark plug. Owners say dealers often called the oil use normal or pointed to maintenance items before the underlying cause was identified. Reported from about 40,000 to 185,000 miles, most often above 80,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition, ask for oil-change records showing how much oil was added between services, and scan for stored misfire codes. Service bulletins describe a powertrain warranty extension related to piston rings, so ask whether it has been applied or is still in effect.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Excessive oil consumption cause engine pistons to blow. Seems to be a common issue. No check oil light came on or any indication that the car was low on oil. Received oil change 2k miles prior. Mechanic said this is a common issue he has seen with my year and motor. I owe $12k on a car worth nothing that I can no longer drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11163955, filed 2018-12, 128,500 miles

   “Driving along at normal highway speeds and the emission management indicator light started blinking. Took vehicle to Honda dealership for inspection and found out that there was a software update needed for the fuel management control systems as Honda was getting multiple complaints of early spark plug fouling due to incorrect management of the eco drive state. We found out that we had lost 4 out of 6 cylinders due to the spark plugs being fouled. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10533840, filed 2013-08, 48,400 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag inflator recall and parts delays

   • 27 complaints (24%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners describe being notified of the passenger airbag inflator recall and then waiting weeks or months for parts, with dealers saying replacements were not yet available. Some report little or no contact from the manufacturer about scheduling, and several describe being told to keep passengers out of the front seat in the meantime. A separate complaint describes airbags failing to deploy on one side in a crash, and one describes deployment after an object struck the windshield. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 50,000 to 160,000 miles, typically years after purchase.

   Recall 19V502000Recall 19V378000Recall 18V661000Recall 18V268000Recall 18V042000Recall 17V545000Recall 17V030000Recall 16V346000Recall 13V0160008 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the seller for proof that the passenger airbag inflator recalls were completed, and check the VIN with a dealer for any open campaigns. A warranty extension program for the inflator is described in service bulletins, so confirm whether it applies.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air bag deployed when something hit my windshield causing me to lose control of the vehicle and ending with the vehicle being on its side and the jaws of life being used to remove my body. I literally drove 1/10 of a mile when this happened at a speed of 40 MPH on a side street”

   NHTSA complaint #11339290, filed 2020-07, 1 miles

   “Takata recall I have received notice of the recall. Called my dealership in june, they told me they would order airbags. I am still waiting for the airbags to be replaced. I wrote american Honda asking for a rental car because I have children in my car for carpool to/from school and have been told no that Honda is not prepared to do that . But I am still waiting for the airbags. It has been 3 months; that is much too long.”

   NHTSA complaint #10903659, filed 2016-09, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine hesitation or shudder under light acceleration

   • 14 complaints (13%)
   • median 97,500 mi at 6.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2022

   Owners describe the vehicle feeling sluggish or hesitating at low speeds, especially between roughly 20 and 40 mph, sometimes with a shudder that owners link to the cylinder-shutoff mode. Some reports involve misfire codes and fouled plugs that were addressed only after a software update for the fuel management system. Others describe transmission shudder in the same speed range. Reported from about 48,000 to 145,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at steady 20-40 mph and light throttle to feel for hesitation or shudder, and check whether the fuel management software update and spark plugs have been addressed. Ask for any transmission service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle has about 145k miles. For a couple years now, it has shuddered when accelerating between 25-40 MPH. Feels like transmission issue. I have maintained to the letter. When I did some research, I found that this is a very common problem with this model and Honda has yet to remedy it. I took it to an independent dealer and they confirmed it was transmission overhaul needed based on computer error codes and troubleshooting. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10874855, filed 2016-06, 145,000 miles

   “We were told by several service technicians at the wolfchase Honda in bartlett, tn that there was a recall on all 2010 Honda pilots, (ours is a touring fwd), due to a miss-firing issue. We purchased our Pilot 9/2015 and repeatedly reported that the car was miss-firing, which caused the check engine light to appear. When we took it in for oil changes, the techs would tell us to do a gas treatment, such as lucas (they did it once themselves), or to change the air and cabin filters. We did that, and the problem persisted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11281312, filed 2019-11, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal stiff or stuck in cold weather

   • 7 complaints (6%)
   • median 57,727 mi at 4.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe the brake pedal feeling frozen or very firm when temperatures drop below freezing, requiring repeated pumping before it frees up. One complaint describes a soft, unresponsive pedal in a low-speed stop that ended in a collision, and another describes the pedal sticking to the floor. Dealers reportedly could not reproduce the concern in cold conditions, and one repair involved the brake booster valve. Mostly reported in winter or sub-freezing temperatures, from around 55,000 to 80,000 miles.

   What to check: On a cold morning, test the pedal before driving to see whether it moves freely, and ask whether the brake booster or related parts have been replaced. Have the brake fluid condition and front rotors checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a new 2010 Honda Pilot ex in 3/13/2010. In the evening of 4/16/2010, my wife drove it to pick up my daughter and my neighbor's daughter from gym class. When the car approaching the girl's house in a cul-de-sac and my wife reduced the speed by applying the brake entering the cul-de-sac. When she tried to make full stop in front of the house, she suddenly felt the brake was very soft and unresponsive and it would not stop no matter how hard she pressed the brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10328783, filed 2010-05, 490 miles

   “2010 Honda Pilot, I have had it since brand new. This is the 4th or 5th winter I have no brakes when the temps are below freezing. The pedal is basically frozen in place. I have to continually press on it until it loosens as I press down on the pedal. I have had it to allstar Honda, told them park it outside like I have to, hop in & drive on a day in the teen temps. They told me they can't recreate the problem which means they didnt drive it or they are lying as they don't know how to fix it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11058543, filed 2018-01, 75,000 miles

Buying note. Look for records showing the airbag inflator recalls were completed and, if applicable, the powertrain warranty extension work on piston rings; then budget for a suspension inspection, since front compliance bushing wear and the resulting vibration are the most frequently described problem. A pre-purchase inspection covering bushings, brakes, oil consumption and misfire codes is worthwhile on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.