Honda Odyssey owners filed 3,774 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2015–2025 (see the Car Problem Index for all 60 models), and NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for the same years. The 2018 Honda Odyssey drew the most complaints (988); across all years, owners complain most about electrical system (28% of complaints).
Key findings
- Worst model year: 2018, with 988 complaints, led by electrical system (258) and 16 recalls.
- Complaints vs recalls: Electrical system drew 1,072 complaints but 2 recalls, so for most of these owners the repair falls to warranty or their own pocket, not a free recall fix.
- Spike years, compared with a typical model year: 2018 (4.9 times as many complaints), 2019 (4.8 times as many complaints), 2020 (2.3 times as many complaints), 2025 (1.9 times as many complaints).
- Earliest-failing area: brakes complaints came at a median 13k mi.
- Fire and crash reports: 22 complaints mention a fire and 65 a crash, with 139 injuries and 3 deaths reported.
Honda Odyssey complaints and recalls by model year
| Model year | Complaints | Top problem areas |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 6 recalls | 202 | Engine (52), Transmission / powertrain (40), Electrical system (27) median 34k mi · 9 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2016 6 recalls | 269 | Engine (92), Electrical system (39), Transmission / powertrain (38) median 30k mi · 9 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2017 2 recalls | 39 | Engine (10), Transmission / powertrain (7), Electrical system (6) median 25k mi · 3 crashes |
| 2018 16 recalls | 988 | Electrical system (258), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (200), Engine (188) median 24k mi · 14 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2019 20 recalls | 960 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (225), Electrical system (220), Lane departure assist (158) median 20k mi · 15 crashes · 7 fires |
| 2020 14 recalls | 467 | Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (178), Electrical system (163), Lane departure assist (124) median 13k mi · 4 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2021 8 recalls | 140 | Electrical system (53), Engine (26), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (19) median 32k mi · 2 crashes · 1 fire |
| 2022 9 recalls | 134 | Electrical system (34), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (27), Engine (15) median 26k mi · 4 crashes · 2 fires |
| 2023 5 recalls | 98 | Electrical system (28), Automatic emergency braking / collision warning (25), Engine (13) median 31k mi · 2 crashes · 3 fires |
| 2024 3 recalls | 103 | Electrical system (45), Engine (37), Transmission / powertrain (14) median 9k mi · 1 crash |
| 2025 2 recalls | 374 | Electrical system (199), Engine (198), Transmission / powertrain (35) median 16k mi · 2 crashes |
One recall campaign often covers several model years, so the recall column adds up to 91, more than the 33 separate campaigns. Newer years have had less time to collect reports.
Most-reported Honda Odyssey problems, and what they cost to fix
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Recalls | Median mileage | Estimate the repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1,072 | 28% | 2 | 15k mi | Alternator / electrical repair cost |
| Engine | 830 | 22% | 2 | 48k mi | Engine overhaul cost |
| Automatic emergency braking / collision warning | 716 | 19% | 0 | 60k mi | — |
| Transmission / powertrain | 464 | 12% | 1 | 25k mi | Transmission repair cost |
| Lane departure assist | 457 | 12% | 0 | 70k mi | — |
| Fuel system | 280 | 7% | 4 | 22k mi | Fuel pump repair cost |
| Body structure | 268 | 7% | 0 | 18k mi | — |
| Brakes | 165 | 4% | 2 | 13k mi | Brake repair cost |
Top problem areas only; one complaint can count twice.
What Honda Odyssey owners report
Owners’ own words; dollar figures are what they reported.
Electrical system
Multiple dash lights warnings (lkas, forward collision, lane departure, etc.) came up. Brought it to the dealership and was told that this is an electrical camera issue that is overheating, and there is no preventative or ways to keep it from happening. It would cost an upward of $2000 to fix it. This should be part of the recall since it seems like it’s happened quite frequently with the other Honda odyssey.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11623865
Multipurpose camera is defective- broken after only 80,000 miles. No longer functions at all. No automatic emergency braking, no forward collision warning, no lane departure warning, no lane keeping assistance, no adaptive cruise control. Dangerous now without all those computer controlled safety functions. $2400 replacement. I don’t have $2400.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11742077
Related recalls: 20V440000 (2019–2020): A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. 20V066000 (2018–2020): An intermittent electrical short could overheat the wire harness, increasing the risk of a fire.
1,072 owners reported electrical system problems; the alternator / electrical repair cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Engine
The engine failed and required a complete ring/piston replacement at a cost of $5,670,52 with only 135,946 miles. I purchased the vehicle new and had it serviced at Honda dealerships throughout its life. These vehicles are used by families and many older citizens because of their ease of access and advertised reliability. Such an unexpected expense should be covered by honda.
2016 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11624668
Our 2018 Honda Odyssey (elite) has been diagnosed by our local Honda dealer with engine failure due to rod knock (rod bearing failure). This vehicle is well maintained with only 72,500 miles when the issue became noticeable.
2018 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11724550
Related recalls: 23V751000 (2018–2019): A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. 19V298000 (2019): Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash.
830 owners reported engine problems; the engine overhaul cost calculator shows what the fix costs where you live.
Automatic emergency braking / collision warning
With no external cause the multifunction camera/radar stopped working at ~59000 miles almost immediately after we purchased it (used).problem may have been disguised by dealer and occurred earlier.oly fix is a $2000+ replacement. Automatic braking, cruise, lane keeping, collision alerts all disabled.
2019 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11671856
Multiple Honda sensing safety systems (collision mitigation, lane keeping, road departure, adaptive cruise, and auto high‑beam) disabled suddenly on 2020 Honda Odyssey ex‑l around 76,000 mi. Dealer and two independent diagnostics confirmed DTC U3000‑49, internal electronic failure of the forward recognition camera. The fault disables all automatic braking and lane‑keeping functions.
2020 model-year owner, NHTSA complaint 11715420
None of these 716 automatic emergency braking / collision warning complaints is matched by a recall on these model years, so a repair is covered only by warranty or paid by the owner.
Honda Odyssey recalls
Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for your car’s open recalls.
| Campaign | Announced | Model years | System | Risk (NHTSA's wording) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V423000 | 2026-07-01 | 2018–2020 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 26V332000 | 2026-05-21 | 2018–2025 | Air bags | Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. |
| 26V227000 | 2026-04-09 | 2018–2022 | Air bags | Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury. |
| 25V876000 | 2025-12-17 | 2015 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 25V877000 | 2025-12-17 | 2021–2025 | Equipment Adaptive/mobility | An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 24V114000 | 2024-02-15 | 2023–2024 | Steering | Corroded and binding steering gears can result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V064000 | 2024-02-01 | 2020–2022 | Air bags | An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. |
| 23V858000 | 2023-12-18 | 2015–2023 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V751000 | 2023-11-13 | 2018–2019 | Engine and cooling | A damaged engine may run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury. |
| 23V431000 | 2023-06-15 | 2018–2023 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V174000 | 2023-03-16 | 2020–2022 | Visibility (windows, mirrors, wipers) | Detached mirror glass can reduce driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V158000 | 2023-03-09 | 2018–2020 | Seat belts | An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury. |
| 21V768000 | 2021-09-29 | 2022 | Tires | A slow air leak can affect tire performance, and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 21V432000 | 2021-06-07 | 2022 | Seats | A seat that is not locked into place can move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 21V215000 | 2021-03-25 | 2019 | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 21V010000 | 2021-01-14 | 2018–2021 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. |
| 20V437000 | 2020-07-28 | 2018–2020 | Latches and locks | A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 20V439000 | 2020-07-28 | 2018–2020 | Backup camera / rear sensors | Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V440000 | 2020-07-28 | 2019–2020 | Electrical system | A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V438000 | 2020-07-28 | 2019–2020 | Backup camera / rear sensors | A distorted or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V066000 | 2020-02-06 | 2018–2020 | Electrical system | An intermittent electrical short could overheat the wire harness, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 19V299000 | 2019-04-12 | 2018–2019 | Transmission / powertrain | A damaged parking rod can allow the vehicle to roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 19V298000 | 2019-04-12 | 2019 | Engine and cooling | Teeth separation from the timing belt may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 19V213000 | 2019-03-20 | 2018–2019 | Service Brakes, Air | If the rear wheel speeds cannot be correctly monitored, the anti-lock brake system may not engage properly to prevent the wheels from locking up, increasing the risk of crash. |
| 18V795000 | 2018-11-09 | 2018–2019 | Latches and locks | If the power sliding doors fails to latch, the doors may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury. |
| 18V777000 | 2018-11-01 | 2018–2019 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | A reduction of braking performance increases the risk of a crash. |
| 18V664000 | 2018-09-27 | 2019 | Seat belts | In the event of a crash, if the air bags or seatbelt pretensioners do not function as intended, there would be an increased risk of injury. |
| 18V170000 | 2018-03-13 | 2015–2016 | Seats | An unlocked second row left outboard seatback increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash. |
| 17V725000 | 2017-11-17 | 2015–2017 | Seats | If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury. |
| 17V397000 | 2017-06-23 | 2018 | Seat belts | If in the event of a crash, the seat belt cannot restrain the occupant they have an increased risk of being injured. |
| 16V933000 | 2016-12-27 | 2015–2016 | Seats | An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash. |
| 16V932000 | 2016-12-27 | 2016 | Seats | An unlocked second row center seat may increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash. |
| 16V417000 | 2016-06-09 | 2015–2016 | Fuel System, Gasoline | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. |
What this data can and can't tell you
3,774 unverified owner reports, not adjusted for sales. Method.
Other Honda models in the index
- Honda CR-V (8,154)
- Honda Pilot (5,597)
- Honda Accord (5,446)
- Honda Civic (4,916)
- Honda HR-V (1,821)
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation consumer complaint files (nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-25; NHTSA recalls database (nhtsa.gov/recalls), retrieved 2026-09-23. Model years 2015–2025. Free to cite with a link to this page.