2018 Honda Odyssey
Common Problems
Ranked from 375 federal NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
32 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure
117complaintsHigh severityElectricalMultiple forward collision avoidance systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and collision mitigation, have failed simultaneously.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 2
Powertrain Issues Leading to Random Jerking
98complaintsSafety riskTransmissionThe powertrain has issues leading to random jerking at low speeds, posing a safety hazard during driving.
Related recall: 19V299000
- 3
Tailgate Malfunction Due to Water Damage
86complaintsHigh severityOtherThe tailgate malfunctions and opens unexpectedly due to water damage, posing a safety risk during inclement weather.
- 4
Power Tailgate Failure Due to Water Damage
74complaintsSafety riskOtherThe power tailgate fails to operate correctly due to water damage, posing a safety risk during inclement weather.
- 5
Monocular Front Windshield Camera Failure
18complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe monocular front windshield camera fails, leading to the loss of multiple safety features including adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 6
Electrical System Failures Causing Dashboard Warnings
13complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple electrical system failures result in dashboard warnings for various safety features, indicating a widespread issue affecting the vehicle's safety systems.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 7
Power Tailgate Malfunction
11complaintsMedium severityOtherWater intrusion into the tailgate control module renders the power tailgate inoperable, posing a safety risk during travel.
- 8
Multipurpose Camera Failure
10complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe multipurpose camera at the front windshield fails, causing multiple safety features to deactivate.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 9
Safety Features Disabling After Battery Change
10complaintsHigh severityBrakesSafety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist have disabled after a battery change, leaving the vehicle unsafe.
Related recalls: 18V777000, 19V213000
- 10
Engine Knocking and Seizure
9complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound and may seize, leading to a loss of power and potential engine failure.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 11
Electrical System Widespread Issues
7complaintsMedium severityElectricalMultiple electrical system failures including power tailgate, sliding doors, and rear hatch issues due to water intrusion from roof leaks or poor seals.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 12
Transmission Issues Causing Jerking and Stalling
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionTransmission issues cause the vehicle to jerk and stall, especially during acceleration and deceleration.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V299000
- 13
Engine Knocking Sound
5complaintsHigh severityEngineAn abnormal knocking sound from the engine indicates potential engine failure or internal component issues.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 14
Engine Stall During Driving
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, often accompanied by a loud noise, leading to a loss of power and potential safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 15
Intermittent Electrical Failures
5complaintsMedium severityElectricalIntermittent electrical failures cause various systems to malfunction, including power tailgates, sliding doors, and rear hatch issues.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 20V066000
- 16
Engine Stall During Acceleration
4complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls during acceleration, especially from a stop, causing loss of control and potential accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 17
Engine Warning Light On
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine warning light illuminates without any error codes, indicating a potential internal failure.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 18
Power Tailgate Control Unit Failure
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalWater leakage from the roof causes the power tailgate control unit to short circuit, leading to unintended opening or complete failure.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 19
Sliding Door Malfunctions
4complaintsMedium severityOtherSliding doors fail to close properly and require manual assistance, often due to electrical or mechanical issues.
- 20
Electrical System Failure
3complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe infotainment center and backup camera fail, leading to a black screen and loss of visibility while driving.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 21
Engine Connecting Rod Bearing Failure
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences a connecting rod bearing issue leading to a 'knock' sound and eventual engine failure.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 22
Engine Rod Knock and Failure
3complaintsHigh severityEngineRod bearing failure causes engine knocking, resulting in a loss of power and the need for expensive engine replacement.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 23
Powertrain Vibration and Jerking
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe vehicle experiences vibrations and jerking at certain speeds, indicating a potential issue with the powertrain components.
Related recall: 19V299000
- 24
Safety Recall for Connecting Rod Bearing
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe connecting rod bearing in the engine fails, potentially leading to engine seizure and loss of power.
Related recall: 23V751000
- 25
Suspension Component Failure
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionRear shock absorbers rust out prematurely, leading to premature failure and potential safety issues.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Transmission Shifting Issues
3complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission fails to engage gears smoothly, causing the vehicle to stall or shift into neutral unexpectedly.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V299000
- 27
Electrical System Water Damage
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalWater leaks into the electrical components, causing malfunctions such as power tailgate failures and dashboard warning lights.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 28
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle when the vehicle is stopped, causing difficulty in restarting.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 29
Lane Departure and Collision Mitigation System Failures
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalLane departure and collision mitigation systems fail, disabling safety features and increasing crash risk.
Related recall: 20V066000
- 30
Power Sliding Door Malfunction
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe power sliding door malfunctions, posing a safety risk to passengers, particularly children, by compressing limbs during operation.
- 31
Stop-Start System Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe stop-start system causes the engine to stall unexpectedly, particularly at idle.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 23V751000
- 32
Transmission Randomly Shifting Out of Gear
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission randomly shifts out of drive and reverse to park, causing the vehicle to become stranded in the middle of the road.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V299000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.