Service Bulletin - The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Honda Accord engine problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Honda Accord have filed 98 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
98
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Accord | 28 |
| 2007 Accord | 32 |
| 2008 Accord | 178 |
| 2009 Accord | 108 |
| 2010 Accord (this page) | 98 |
| 2011 Accord | 22 |
| 2012 Accord | 26 |
| 2013 Accord | 94 |
| 2014 Accord | 90 |
1crash
3fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 98 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Honda Accord, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 98 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
"Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align, which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on. American Honda is extending the powertrain warranty to cover repairs related to engine misfire (that triggers DTCs P0301 through P0304) to 8 years with unlimited mileage from t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2008-11 Accord L4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded, or similar tittle under any state's law."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are replacement service parts, and were not installed at the factory; they were installed during postmanufacturing repairs that required replacement of the underlying part. This will cause the vehicle to be non-compliant with emissions regulations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is excessive oil consumption traced to defective piston rings. Owners consistently report burning 1–3 quarts between 3,000–5,000 mile oil changes, with some hitting 1 quart per 1,000 miles—a threshold Honda's dealers use to claim the loss is "normal." The problem surfaces as early as 7,500 miles and persists through 150,000+ miles. The oil gauge often reads inaccurately (showing 30% full when the engine is nearly dry), and the low-oil warning light frequently fails to illuminate, creating dangerous oil starvation. This allows fouled spark plugs, grinding cold-start noises from oil starvation, and misfires that trigger check engine lights.
Honda released a warranty extension through TSB 11-033 and related campaigns, covering engine warranty to 125,000 miles on affected vehicles. However, numerous owners missed notification deadlines, were unaware of the program, or fell outside mileage/time cutoffs despite buying their car during the coverage period. Dealers conducted oil consumption testing at 1,000-mile intervals, and some owners report being told the consumption is within acceptable limits even though they're adding oil constantly.
Beyond oil consumption, owners report spark plug fouling that requires repeated replacement within weeks; stalling while driving (sometimes during merges or turns, creating collision risk); check engine and VSA lights that persist despite multiple repairs; ignition coil failures; and early catalytic converter failure. Dealer diagnosis has been inconsistent—several owners were initially told to replace brakes or axles before the actual oil consumption issue was identified. One owner's 2010 was excluded from an engine-stalling recall despite experiencing the identical stalling symptom, and another's December 2010 build fell outside a PCM recall despite matching recalled symptoms.
Same Honda Accord engine reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption with piston ring defect
Engine burns or consumes abnormally high volumes of oil between service intervals, traced to defective piston rings allowing oil to escape past cylinders into combustion chambers. Owners report consuming 1-3 quarts between 3,000-5,000 mile oil changes; some dealers confirmed oil consumption testing at or near 1 quart per 1,000 miles as 'normal' threshold. Honda extended warranty to 125,000 miles on some vehicles but many owners fell outside coverage window or were unaware of the program.
When: Reported from 7,500 miles through 150,000+ miles; early onset common with some 2010 model year vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine burning or consuming 1-3 quarts of oil between oil changes; No external oil leaks visible despite low oil levels; Oil gauge display inaccurate (shows 30% full when engine near dry); Low oil warning light fails to illuminate despite critically low levels; Grinding or clattering noise at cold start or during operation indicating oil starvation; Black or sooty exhaust tailpipes
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalytic converter efficiency), Codes related to oil consumption (per TSB 11-033)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite piston ring replacement costs in thousands of dollars; some received engine replacement under warranty; oil consumption testing by dealers every 1,000 miles with variable results
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 11-033 and TSB 12-087 addressed issue; Honda extended engine warranty to 120,000-125,000 miles for some model year vehicles under campaign 11V004000 (though V6-only coverage left V4 owners unprotected); owners report missed recall notification deadlines and denial of coverage past mileage threshold despite purchase within coverage window
Spark plug fouling due to oil in combustion chamber
Spark plugs become coated with oil and foul prematurely, causing misfires and rough running. This occurs because defective piston rings allow oil to migrate into cylinders. Owners report replacing spark plugs multiple times within short intervals only to have them foul again within weeks or months.
When: Reported at 55,000-112,000 miles; some as early as first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates repeatedly; Spark plug failure codes appearing on diagnostic scan; Engine misfire and hesitation during acceleration; Rough idle and sputtering on cold start; Visual oil coating on spark plugs during inspection; Loss of power while driving
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random cylinder misfire), Specific cylinder misfire codes (e.g., P0301 cylinder 1, P0302 cylinder 2)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement as temporary fix at $100-300 per visit; owners report replacing plugs 2-6+ times without permanent resolution; some dealers offered free first repair under warranty extension campaign, charged $200-400+ on subsequent failures
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued extended warranty campaign covering spark plug replacement and software updates for certain model year ranges; some owners informed warranty campaign had ended or they fell outside mileage/time coverage; dealers performed computer updates and spark plug replacement under TSB 13-078 procedure
Check engine and dashboard warning lights with poor diagnosis
Check engine light, VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) light, and low oil warning lights illuminate intermittently or continuously, often with confusing or incorrect dealer diagnoses. Multiple owners report dealers blaming unrelated components (brakes, axles) before identifying actual oil consumption issue. Low oil warning light frequently fails to illuminate even when oil is critically low.
When: Reported throughout ownership period; some as early as 7,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing or steady illumination; VSA warning light coming on; Low oil warning light failing to appear despite dangerously low levels; Engine light accompanied by rough running and poor acceleration; Dashboard lights illuminate during highway driving causing owner distress; Lights may disappear after restart, then return intermittently
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalytic converter system efficiency below threshold), P0300 series (cylinder misfire codes), P3400 (rear oil pressure sensor), Generic misfire codes without component identification
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers initially misdiagnosed as brake issues ($426 brake service), axle replacement ($1,413 axle replacement), and valve cover gasket/serpentine belt replacement without resolving lights; oil consumption testing recommended for permanent diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in most complaints; owners state Honda refused escalation or assistance; one complaint notes NHTSA campaign 11V004000 may apply to electrical systems
Engine stalling and loss of power while driving
Engine stalls suddenly while driving at various speeds or idles at traffic lights, with or without warning lights. Some incidents occur at critical moments (turning left, merging onto highway) creating serious accident risk. Engine may fail to restart immediately, and intermittent nature makes diagnosis difficult for dealers.
When: Reported at 12,000-151,000 miles; frequency varies from once to multiple times over ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving 15-65 mph; Loss of motive power without warning light; Engine stalling at traffic lights during acceleration; Engine stalling during highway merging or left turns; Difficulty restarting after stall; Dashboard instruments going black during stall event
Codes mentioned: Engine harness coupler failure codes (per one complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate stalls for diagnosis; engine harness coupler replacement mentioned in one case; no permanent repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports a recall for engine stalling exists but their VIN was excluded despite experiencing identical symptoms; Honda dealer could not resolve
VTC (Variable Timing Control) actuator rattle on cold start
Engine produces loud rattling or grinding noise for 1-2 seconds during cold start when vehicle is stationary. Honda dealerships confirm this is caused by VTC actuator wear and is a known issue in 2008-2012 Accords. Honda offers no recall despite acknowledging the defect and charging owners approximately $600-$900 for replacement, with no guarantee the replacement will fix the problem.
When: Reported across model lifespan; some owners experienced within first ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or grinding noise at cold start lasting 1-2 seconds; Noise occurs only during cold start when vehicle stationary; Noise disappears once engine warms up; No other symptoms or warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: VTC actuator replacement cost $600-$900 with no guarantee of success; dealers acknowledge this is a known issue but recommend replacement as only remedy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda acknowledged this is a defect affecting 2008-2012 Accord models; no recall issued; owners report Honda knew of problem and announced recall to 'cover their liability' knowing repair would not fully resolve issue
Ignition coil and spark plug premature failure
Ignition coils fail repeatedly within short timeframes; multiple replacements required within 8-12 months. Fouled spark plugs indicate underlying combustion chamber oil contamination from piston ring defects, requiring coil and plug replacement in sequence.
When: Reported within first 8 months of ownership on one vehicle; starting around 65,000 miles on another
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition coil failure requiring replacement; Spark plugs fouled with oil coating; Check engine light for cylinder misfires; Multiple coil replacements within 6-8 month period
Codes mentioned: Cylinder misfire codes triggering multiple coil replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Three ignition coil replacements documented in 8-month span; piston ring problem identified as root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda warranty extension program (TSB 13-078) referenced but owner never notified and missed deadline; would have covered spark plug and software update but not coil replacement
Catalytic converter premature failure
Catalytic converter fails and requires replacement at 110,000 miles, which is unusually early for this component. Owner and research indicates pattern among 8th generation Accords of premature converter failure, likely due to excessive oil consumption and fouled plugs damaging converter.
When: Reported at 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminating with P0420 code (catalyst system efficiency below threshold)
Codes mentioned: P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement cost approximately $1,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer acknowledgment of premature converter failure; no recall issued despite online reports of pattern across 8th generation Accord models
Camshaft lobe wear
Front camshaft lobe for cylinder 6 (V6 engine) developed significant wear, requiring camshaft replacement. Owner suspects manufacturing defect due to inadequate heat treatment of component.
When: Reported at 104,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking noise during engine idle; Loud knocking noise under use
Repairs/costs cited: Camshaft replacement required; Honda did not acknowledge part as defective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denied defect responsibility; owner suspects heat treatment failure in manufacturing
Engine overheating with melted components
Engine overheated causing internal components to melt. Entire engine deemed defective and required replacement at very low mileage (19,000 miles).
When: Reported at 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light and VSA light illumination; Engine stalling at 15 mph; Thermometer indication of overheating
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Engine replaced; no documentation of root cause or manufacturer acknowledgment of defect
Engine harness coupler failure
Engine harness coupler failed, resulting in loss of motive power. Failure occurred without warning light and vehicle was difficult to diagnose.
When: Reported at 151,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving at 20 mph; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Engine harness coupler replacement identified as needed repair; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no assistance provided
Idle and transmission shift quality issues
Engine RPM raises 500-700 rpm above idle when vehicle moving at slow speeds or stopped, causing unwanted speed surge. Transmission shift quality is rough and jerky, not smooth during acceleration. Vehicle makes loud noise at startup.
When: Reported from recent ownership (August 2017 onward); ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM surges 500-700 rpm above normal idle at 10 mph or stopped; Loud noise when starting vehicle; Rough, jerky transmission shifts during acceleration; Vehicle accelerates unintentionally when stopped or moving slowly; Sounds like engine pushing too hard during gear changes
Codes mentioned: PCM (Powertrain Control Module) codes; vehicles made prior to September 2010 subject to PCM recall
Repairs/costs cited: Suspect PCM software issue; owner's vehicle made December 2010 is outside recalled range despite symptoms matching recalled vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCM recall exists for vehicles made before September 2010; owner's December 2010 vehicle excluded despite exhibiting identical symptoms
Heater core clogging with interior coolant leak
Heater core partially clogged causing uneven heat output between driver and passenger sides. Coolant leaks into passenger floor and console area. Honda issued service bulletin (Manufacturer Communication ID 10120775) instructing dealerships to flush heater core as remedy, but no recall issued.
When: Reported as long-term issue on one vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: AC/heat vent problems with uneven heating; Coolant leak visible in passenger floor area; Coolant leak in console area; Driver side vent produces lower heat output than passenger side
Repairs/costs cited: Heater core flushing recommended by Honda service bulletin
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued Manufacturer Communication ID 10120775 instructing dealerships on flushing heater core; no recall; dealership instruction only
Complete electrical shutdown while driving
Engine and all dashboard instruments shut down completely while driving on highway, creating dangerous situation. Vehicle had no recorded defects despite week-long dealer investigation with computer diagnostics.
When: Reported two days after lease began
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving on highway; All dashboard instruments go black simultaneously; Complete loss of engine and electrical function
Codes mentioned: No codes detected by dealership computer
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to identify cause after one week of diagnostics
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documentation of repair or manufacturer response; vehicle deemed safe to drive despite unresolved issue
Hesitation and acceleration loss during driving
Vehicle jerks and hesitates, failing to accelerate smoothly when depressing accelerator pedal. Performance returns inconsistently. Some incidents involve loss of power requiring towing, others resolve temporarily.
When: Reported at 60-90,000 miles and during various driving conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks during acceleration; Fails to accelerate as intended despite pedal depression; Hesitation at 65 mph when accelerating; Abnormal engine sound during loss of power; Check engine warning light illuminates during incidents; Vehicle shaking during poor performance episodes
Codes mentioned: Spark plug misfire codes, P3400 (rear oil pressure sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement and computer reset performed; costs not specified in complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Computer updates and spark plug replacement offered under warranty campaign; some cases provided case numbers but no long-term resolution
Synthesized from 98 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Since december, 2016 the engine has been using excessive oil. I have regularly scheduled oil changes every 5,000 miles (synthetic). On 7/13/17 the oil was changed but I was told that the engine oil was very low. It was changed again on 12/21/17 with less than 4,000 miles since the last change. Again the check engine light was on. This problem is definitely getting worse.
Vehicle has 73k miles every 1000k miles its burning at least a quart of oil
Had to replace three ignition coils within about eight months. Then, one of the ones had been replaced (#1 cylinder), developed a problem. Mech tech informed/showed me that plug had fouled - due to possible piston ring problem. Learned from cars.com that there was a problem with piston rings of 2008 - 2012 accords and Honda had offered a special extended warranty to correct them. I was never…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Honda Accord?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Honda Accord?
It's a meaningful issue. 98 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 62 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 52,175 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,175; a quarter make it past 105,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Honda/Accord.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.