Honda Odyssey: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Honda Odyssey problems by model year, from 4,588 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2016 (54%, 139 drivetrain complaints), 2015 (47%, 86 drivetrain complaints) and 2014 (44%, 127 drivetrain complaints). 8 of the 14 Honda Odyssey years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2023 (16%), 2011 (21%) and 2020 (21%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
By raw volume, the 2018 drew the most drivetrain complaints (379 of 1,525 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Honda Odyssey year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Odyssey | elevated | 35% | 83 | 255 | 7/14 | 2 |
| 2011 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 21% | 45 | 233 | 13/14 | 5 |
| 2012 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 29% | 65 | 245 | 9/14 | 5 |
| 2013 Odyssey | high | 42% | 81 | 210 | 5/14 | 6 |
| 2014 Odyssey | high | 44% | 127 | 308 | 3/14 | 5 |
| 2015 Odyssey | high | 47% | 86 | 206 | 2/14 | 6 |
| 2016 Odyssey | high | 54% | 139 | 270 | 1/14 | 6 |
| 2017 Odyssey | high | 43% | 16 | 39 | 4/14 | 2 |
| 2018 Odyssey | elevated | 40% | 379 | 993 | 6/14 | 16 |
| 2019 Odyssey | elevated | 35% | 330 | 976 | 8/14 | 20 |
| 2020 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 21% | 95 | 474 | 12/14 | 14 |
| 2021 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 26% | 33 | 143 | 10/14 | 8 |
| 2022 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 25% | 31 | 136 | 11/14 | 9 |
| 2023 Odyssey | no elevated signal | 16% | 15 | 100 | 14/14 | 5 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Honda Odyssey years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Honda Odyssey engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns on the Honda Odyssey involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 42 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2013 | 13V143000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2012–2013 |
| Aug 2013 | 13V382000 | engine | 2013 |
| Mar 2014 | 14V112000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2010 |
| Jul 2014 | 14E049000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2010 |
| Jun 2016 | 16V417000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly | 2015–2016 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V298000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys | 2019 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V299000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2018–2019 |
| Jan 2021 | 21V010000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage | 2018–2021 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V215000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2019 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V751000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical | 2018–2019 |
| Dec 2023 | 23V858000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2013–2023 |
31 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2011 | 11V180000 | visibility: windshield wiper/washer | 2011 |
| Mar 2011 | 11V181000 | visibility | 2011 |
| Dec 2011 | 11V602000 | suspension: front | 2012 |
| Jan 2013 | 13V016000 | air bags | 2011–2013 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V175000 | air bags: side/window | 2014 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V932000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2016 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V933000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2011–2016 |
| Jun 2017 | 17V397000 | seat belts | 2018 |
| Nov 2017 | 17V725000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2011–2017 |
| Mar 2018 | 18V170000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2014–2016 |
| Sep 2018 | 18V664000 | seat belts: pretensioner | 2019 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V777000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper | 2018–2019 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V795000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2018–2019 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V213000 | service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor | 2018–2019 |
| Feb 2020 | 20V066000 | electrical system: wiring | 2018–2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V437000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2018–2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V438000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2019–2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V439000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2018–2020 |
| Jul 2020 | 20V440000 | electrical system: software | 2019–2020 |
| Jun 2021 | 21V432000 | seats | 2022 |
| Sep 2021 | 21V768000 | tires: sidewall | 2022 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V158000 | seat belts: front: buckle assembly | 2018–2020 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V174000 | visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior | 2020–2022 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V431000 | back over prevention: display function | 2018–2023 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V064000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2020–2022 |
| Feb 2024 | 24V114000 | steering | 2023 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V876000 | equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement: latch/anchor: | 2015 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V877000 | equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement: latch/anchor: | 2021–2023 |
| Apr 2026 | 26V227000 | air bags: air bag/restraint control module: software | 2018–2022 |
| May 2026 | 26V332000 | air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger | 2018–2023 |
| Jul 2026 | 26V423000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2018–2020 |
What the free pages leave out on the Honda Odyssey
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Honda Odyssey
What are the worst years for the Honda Odyssey?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Honda Odyssey years are the 2016 (54% of relevant complaints, high), the 2015 (47% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2014 (44% of relevant complaints, high). 8 of 14 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Honda Odyssey?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Honda Odyssey years are the 2023 (16%), the 2011 (21%) and the 2020 (21%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Honda Odyssey have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 14 scored years, 1,525 of 4,443 relevant NHTSA complaints (34%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Is the Honda Odyssey reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 8 of 14 Honda Odyssey years we score have an elevated complaint share and 6 do not. Pooled across those years, 34% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Honda Odyssey?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Honda Odyssey years we track, out of 42 in total: 21V215000 (Mar 2021, 2019), 23V751000 (Nov 2023, 2018–2019), 23V858000 (Dec 2023, 2013–2023), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.