Owners have filed 142 complaints
about the 2010 Honda Pilot with NHTSA between 2009 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 24 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Honda Pilot. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1111.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
44.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
66.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1212.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1818.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1919.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2121.9%
150,000+ miles
55.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2009peak 8Jun 2025
Recalls on the 2010 Honda Pilot
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2018523263,289 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
Recall 201301844,762 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the airbag cover may not have been adequately secured to the driver’s airbag module. As a result, the airbag may deploy with an irregular shape, or the cover may detach during deployment. Failure of the airbag to deploy in the designed manner during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver’s airbag module.
Recall 20113349,954 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the driver and front passenger seatbelt webbing may have been incorrectly manufactured. As a result, the seatbelt may detach from the anchor webbing during a crash. Failure of the seatbelt to restrain the seat occupant as intended would increase the risk of personal injury during a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver and front passenger seatbelts.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Whitefish bay, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My battery light was on and after charging the battery overnight my wife drove to her workplace, parked the Pilot and then a coworker stated there was a car on fire in the parking lot and it turned out to be mine! The fire department was finally able to put out the fire but the whole front end of the car is totally burnt and part of the cabin inside was also burnt.
NHTSA complaint #11464288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
SEAT BELTS
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
AIR BAGS
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesHilton Head, SCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesHilton Head, SCCrash1 injured
WHEELS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Brooklyn, NY
SUSPENSION
the brakes and system isn't stablest shakes ,wobble left to right going over bumps.i fixed things over and over
NHTSA complaint #11666185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
the brakes and system isn't stablest shakes ,wobble left to right going over bumps.i fixed things over and over
NHTSA complaint #11666185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thomaston, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The tensioner pulley bolt for the serpentine belt keeps snapping.
NHTSA complaint #11560976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
los Banos, CA
ENGINE
oil burning
NHTSA complaint #11518330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mitchellville, IA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Interior rear view mirror glass adhesive deterioration obstructing vision. This is the auto-dimming mirror with reverse camera integrated. This has been a documented issue in online forums. It is as though the mirror is scratched by polishing with an abrasive, but originates behind the mirror glass.
NHTSA complaint #11511421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11478947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesFort Wayne, IN
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11478947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,361 milesMontpelier, VA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11473696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitefish bay, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My battery light was on and after charging the battery overnight my wife drove to her workplace, parked the Pilot and then a coworker stated there was a car on fire in the parking lot and it turned out to be mine! The fire department was finally able to put out the fire but the whole front end of the car is totally burnt and part of the cabin inside was also burnt.
NHTSA complaint #11464288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suwanee, GA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11446492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenfield, WI
AIR BAGS
I recently bought this car used and the car and the airbag icon was on and the dealer from where I bought the car. He said that it was a honda air bag recall passenger side and I went to Honda to go and get it replaced and once they fixed it the airbag icon was still on. The car has never been in an accident and the driver side is the issue. I went to the dealership where I bought the car and they gave me a code that they read from the diagnostic test and it read 31-11. The car has never been in a car accident and the driver side is the issue. They said that when Honda made the car they didn't do it right so they should fix it. I need help!
NHTSA complaint #11431947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesCorpus Christi, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT
NHTSA complaint #11415087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sicklerville, NJ
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11404788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sicklerville, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11404788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
SEAT BELTS
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
AIR BAGS
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56 milesPhenix City, ALCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY BOYFRIEND HIT A DEER AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11352600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesHilton Head, SCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesHilton Head, SCCrash1 injured
WHEELS
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1 milesHilton Head, SCCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galena Park, TX
AIR BAGS
PASSEGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF
NHTSA complaint #11299765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMemphis, TN
ENGINE
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 ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD'VE INJURED OR KILLED OUR FAMILY, WHICH INCLUDES 2 ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN. THEY NEVER DID THE SECOND STEP OF REPLACING THE PISTON RINGS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DATE. THIS WAS BY DESIGN SO THE BUYER WOULD HAVE TO EAT THE COST ($2448 + TAX). AMERICAN HONDA AND WOLFCHASE HONDA (DEALERSHIP), KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF PILOT, EVEN AT PURCHASE TIME, BUT DID NOT TELL US, NOR DID AMERICAN HONDA EVER SEND A RECALL NOTICE FOR IT. ALTHOUGH THEY DID SEND ONE FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS THAT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS. SINCE APPARENTLY, THE MEDIA HASN'T HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HONDA DECIDED TO JUST IGNORE IT AND DENY ANY CLAIMS HONDA CONSUMERS HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #11281312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMemphis, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD'VE INJURED OR KILLED OUR FAMILY, WHICH INCLUDES 2 ELEMENTARY AGED CHILDREN. THEY NEVER DID THE SECOND STEP OF REPLACING THE PISTON RINGS IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DATE. THIS WAS BY DESIGN SO THE BUYER WOULD HAVE TO EAT THE COST ($2448 + TAX). AMERICAN HONDA AND WOLFCHASE HONDA (DEALERSHIP), KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS MODEL OF PILOT, EVEN AT PURCHASE TIME, BUT DID NOT TELL US, NOR DID AMERICAN HONDA EVER SEND A RECALL NOTICE FOR IT. ALTHOUGH THEY DID SEND ONE FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS THAT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS. SINCE APPARENTLY, THE MEDIA HASN'T HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HONDA DECIDED TO JUST IGNORE IT AND DENY ANY CLAIMS HONDA CONSUMERS HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #11281312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesQueens Jamaica, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #11280397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chico, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA complaint #11251984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.