Problems · by component

2010 Honda Pilot engine problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Honda Pilot cite engine, 25% of all 111 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
28
25% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2022Steering, EngineODI 11478947
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2022EngineODI 11473696
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2022EngineODI 11446492
“BLINKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VAN-4 AND VSA LIGHT ARE ALL ON. I WENT TO GET A CODE AND IT WAS A MISFIRE. THIS HAPPENED THE PAST SUMMER AND I GOT IT REPLACED. HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER AND THEY FIXED IT. EVERY SINCE THEN IT HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME. I LOOKED THIS UP ON THE INTERNET AND IT SAID HONDA WAS FIXING THE ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE 2017 AND EARLIER. I DIDN'T PURCHASE MY VEHICLE UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2017. AND WAS TOLD NONE OF THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2021Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11404788
“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. UPON EACH OIL CHANGE, THE DEALERSHIP WOULD JUST RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TELL US NOTHING ELSE WAS WRONG. WE HAVE SINCE CHECKED FOR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB, AND SAW THAT NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE & A LAW SUIT SETTLEMENT . WE HAVE CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA, AND NOW THAT THE RECALL IS OUT OF THEIR TIMEFRAME FOR REPAIRS, (ENDED 10/2017) THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE THE RECALL PERIOD ENDED, BUT ALL THEY DID WAS A "QUICK FIX" OF CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS TO "APPEAR" TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN UNEXPECTED "SURGES" OF THE ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET, WHICH…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2019Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11281312
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2018EngineODI 11163955

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2010 Pilot problem areas