Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Honda Pilot owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Pilot. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and making right turns, the steering wheel lost power steering. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was in idle position. The low pressure oil warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Hondo Pilot. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed a failure with the piston and spark plug. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,361.
When I drove back from Atlanta airport on highway I-85 on December 27, 2021, the car started shaking and check engine light was flashing. It was very dangerous on the highway. I immediately drove to nearest Gwinnett place Honda. The dealer found the second cylinder misfired and replaced piston rings 1-3.
At 7:15 am in a public parking lot of a strip mall setup, I approached a parking place but first letting an employee of panera bread cross in front of me before I approached the space. Upon approaching I was gliding in using the brake to slow me when all at once the engine reved while my foot was on the brake accelerating me and the vehichle into a tree 8 feet past the parking space, deploying the air bag and bouncing me back around 16 feet. The vehichle had at least accelerated to 20mph to accomplish what had happend. My husband had told me as well as the officer at the scene, that this had happened to him 3 times in the recent past on a graduated intensity. I suffered hand lacerations as well as forehead with chest bruising from the seat belt and a hand burn from the deployed air bag. …
Streeing wheel seriously vibrates when breaking over 60 MPH. Front bushings need replaced at 76,000 miles and dealer said that there was a leak in the hydrolics controling the timing belt which will lead to possible enging replacement. Dealer quoted $2500 to fix. The information on the bushings and timing belt was discovered while have the air bag replaced. Also, there was another customer that got the same news on his car. After looking at the complaints these are common problems which Honda does not help with and you don't know if the same problem will reoccur if you do fix. It does appear to be a manufacturing/engineering problem that Honda knows well but there is no help for the customer. The dealership seems to be looking for these known problems for more profit potiental. This vehicle has been well serviced and used for mostly long road trips. …
Engine seized at 109.369mi unexpectedly on the highway with regular maintenance and clean full oil and gasoline. Honda is aware of the potential as per their class action settlement http://settlement-claims.com/enginemisfire/courtdocuments.html . Https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2009/engine/engine_failure.shtml https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Pilot/2009/engine/excessive_oil_consumption.shtml after complaints of oil burning and misfiring and lack of acceleration, Honda did not address the issue and is allowing vehicles such as this to remain in service risking the lives of thousands of unsuspecting owners of these family vehicles as well as owners of their civics and odysees. Please do something before people die. These cars are coming up on the mileage where the engines will seize!
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Honda Pilot. While driving at an unknown speed, the engine failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine failed due to premature oil consumption, which caused the engine camshaft to fail. The mechanic replaced the engine; however, the engine failed again due to premature oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 85,000. The VIN was not available. Consumer stated engine stopped working twice. Updated 11/28/18
My wife was driving down the street and she was going to get into another lane she checked her mirrors and took a glance over her shoulder. When she looked back she noticed a car had stopped in the lane. She then slammed on her brakes in which at that time she said it felt that like the car was still pulling against her braking. After she hit the person in front of her pushing the adverse vehicle forward. Her car then continued accelerating as she was braking and slammed into the adverse vehicle again. Her car only stopped by putting the car in park.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Honda Pilot. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal noise as if a tire were deflated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that there were smoke emitting from the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt detached, which caused the engine to fail. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
Excessive oil burning issue. Between standard oil change mileage distance, the engine can burn so much oil that it no longer registers on the dipstick setting a faulty positive for a bad rocker arm oil pressure switch. Obviously if the engine get so low on oil it can be catastrophic and if that happens at speed then it could be deadly. I've caught it early enough that so far it hasn't caused catastrophic failure but I'm told by my dealership and Honda that there is nothing to be done and to just let it break.
Engine complaints in other Pilot years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Honda Pilot?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Honda Pilot, 25% of the model year's 111 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2010 Honda Pilot engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Honda Pilot, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Honda Pilot engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.