Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Honda Pilot, and it carries 10 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 29 | 26% |
| Engine | 15 | 14% |
| Suspension | 10 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 4 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Power train | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
the brakes and system isn't stablest shakes ,wobble left to right going over bumps.i fixed things over and over
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The tensioner pulley bolt for the serpentine belt keeps snapping.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 illumi
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 fi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 plac
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 Honda Pilot. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009
Risk: 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.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.
| Reliability raw | 47 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 29 of them (26%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 47/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.