Complaint volume
908 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Honda Odyssey Complaints
908 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Honda Odyssey, grouped by component category.
908 Total complaints
13 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
16 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, electrical system, power train. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 13 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 16 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 243 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 37,613 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, electrical system, power train?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Honda Odyssey?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Honda Odyssey
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Honda Odyssey complaints?
13 Crash
3 Fire
16 Injury
1 Fatality
20 Towed
7 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Honda Odyssey complaint categories?
ENGINE 87
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 84
POWER TRAIN 80
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 60
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 59
STRUCTURE 56
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 32
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE 22
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 21
908 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | ADAS system is not working due to internal camera failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The transmission is unreliable. You push the gas and it hesitates to accelerate or switch to the next gear to speed up. It can shake or rattle the car. Has a trouble at low speeds or shifting to the next gear to increase speed. This makes it dangerous to try to pull out into an intersection because the transmission or gear shifting doesn't always hit and you can get hit or injured. This transmission has been weird since the car was new. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | A defective/leaking seal in the rear of the vehicle area caused water damage and corrosion on the tailgate control unit. As a result of the control unit failure the blinkers and lights stopped working while driving. In addition rear tailgate does not open. Dealer confirmed the issue, fixed the seal and replaced control unit. Research shows this is a recurring problem on this model vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 10/4/2023 (55K miles), the vehicle suddenly lost power at interstate speed and dropped to three cylinders. Warning lights came on disabling all automatic safety systems. I took the vehicle to a parts store and OBD indicated an oil pressure sensor in VTEC Bank 1. After restarting the vehicle I once again had all 6 cylinders, but all safety systems failures were still indicated on the dash. I replaced the battery (5.5 years old) and all systems returned to normal. After a the PGM-FI update for idle stop issues (recall) was performed at the dealer on 1/31/2024, two days later (2/2/2024) the previous event recurred resulting in severe loss of power and all safety systems indicating failure. I replaced the 4 month old battery under warranty believing the battery had failed prematurely. The problem did not resolve after replacing the battery and multiple restarts. I returned the car to the dealer service center on 2/3/2024 running on three cylinders and then suddenly 6 again after a restart part way there. Dealer diagnosed issue as intermittent fault P2652 Rocker Arm Oil Pressure Switch B (Bank 1) and replaced it at my cost but did not charge diagnoses. Operation returned to normal. ***I have driven Honda vehicles for 25 years with very few issues. Something is seriously wrong in their ECU program/electrical system that causes vehicle to suddenly lose power and safety systems due to an intermittent oil pressure sensor fault. I am a Mechanical Engineer with more than 18 years working in mechanical and electrical aerospace systems. Honda needs to identify the root cause of this failure mode and issue yet another recall to address the systemic hardware and software issues. Both times this occurred, I had 4 young kids in the car and could not maintain safe interstate speed or accelerate to get on the highway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | The vehicle had low voltage indications and electrical issues that would affect many of the electrical systems in the car (power doors, main entertainment system, etc). More concerning, the vehicle would shift into park while driving and then would shut off. This posed a serious hazard when driving quickly. Honda was unable to remedy the issue and could not come up with a definitive cause. Another recall with these same problem was issued for other VIN numbers of the same make, model, and manufacturing year. My VIN was not included in that recall. The recall needs to be expanded to include more VINs as this is an issue in 2018 Honda Odyssey vans and poses a risk to me and my family while driving in its current state. My transmission is now experiencing issues due to shifting into park while driving and needs to be replaced. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rod bearing failure lead to engine seizing How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? We started hearing the ticking in October, I visited the dealership and contacted Honda multiple times and either told to take no action or wait for the recall. Case #[XXX] We expressed our concern to both the dealership and Honda about not addressing the issue because we had a big trip for Christmas coming up. My mother-in-law has terminal cancer and the entire family was getting together for Christmas with her. To get there we drive 20 hours from Arkansas to Utah. We followed the advice of the dealership and Honda and waited. Unfortunately about 50 miles out of Amarillo the van started to make loud engine noise and stalled. While going 75 miles an hour down the interstate I lost power steering and my brakes were very unresponsive. Luckily, we were in the farthest right lane and I was able to get us safely to the shoulder. We feel blessed to have made it off the road, it was a very dangerous situation. Now my van with 70K mile has a seized engine and is stuck 12 hours away in Amarillo Texas. I am requesting that Honda reimburse my rental, ship my van back home to Bentonville, and send a new engine for the dealership to fix the now seized engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes the issue has been diagnosed by Brown Honda in Amarillo TX by Todd Burkham the Fixed Operations Director Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Only by Brown Honda in Amarillo TX Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Only the ticking sound that we took the vehicle in for starting in late October. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2018 Honda Odyssey motorized tailgate has completely stopped working. Will not open. Numerous accounts say this is due to water getting into the rear tailgate control module and have had tremendous amount of rain this week. Have not had it looked at by dealer yet but must be fixed. Warning message appeared twice on dash 10 minutes before the failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | see attached document | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | POWER TRAIN | Engine developed a tapping noise. Took it to the dealer and they diagnosed bad bearings that would have seized the engine very soon. Looks like a manufacturing defect of the crankshaft. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Warning messages for the following appeared: brake system lane keeping/assist system collision mitigation system problem road departure mitigation system problem auto-high beam problem adaptive cruise control problem None of these safety features now work. Our local dealership told us it was a failure of the multipurpose camera unit. The fix we are told is a $1400 part. The rear camera was just recalled by Honda and repaired within the last month. This failure should not have happened and greatly impacts the safety of the car and it is a common problem when searching Honda message boards. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Dash displays error message "Power Tailgate Problem". Tailgate does not open AT ALL with either of the following methods- key fob, button on dash, or button on tailgate. It is stuck and poses a significant safety issue. What if we had a accident, all doors were stuck, and needed an exit out the back of the vehicle? The tailgate is totally inoperable and Honda needs to fix this issue as it is an extremely common issue and not very cheap to repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | Power tailgate problem. Middle both passenger side door did not latch. Power tailgate cannot open automatically. It happened recently, and happened every year as far as I remember, when raining season, or winter time. It just happened few days ago. Passenger side door did not latch. I was driving with baby in car seat, on freeway, when door latch did not lock properly. My wife had this incident as well, and called Honda dealer, and they may or may not repaired the latch, and we rarely have this incident anymore after my wife called Honda dealer, cause she freaked out door was open loosely while driving. But on left side, occasionally cannot open or closed, not as extreme as before we complained to dealer. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | On the way home, the rear door controller was damaged and the rear door opened by itself. So I pull the car to the side of the high way and tried to close the rear but couldn't. I drove my car to my home with the rear door open. It was a crazy experience to me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The power tailgate control module failed due to water leaking through holes in the seam. The power tailgate problem light came on when the issues began. I was unable to open the tailgate using the button by the driver's controls, the remote fob, or the exterior button on the tailgate. The only way to open the tailgate was the manual release on the interior tailgate. There was constant beeping while driving forward or in reverse. We removed the power tailgate control module, and there was obvious corrosion around the entire part. We applied seam sealer on the driver side roof rail and installed a new ptg control module. The new module began having similar issues approximately 2 weeks later. We removed it, and could see obvious corrosion beginning on one side of the ptg control module. We applied seam sealer above the rear tailgate window and attempted to clean the affected areas on the ptg control module in hopes that it will work again. The power function of the tailgate is not working, but the power tailgate problem light is not on and there is no beeping. I am now able to open the tailgate manually using the exterior button on the tailgate. Driver's control button, remote fob button, and button on the tailgate to close it do not work. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | POWER LIFT GATE AND POWER SLIDING MINIVAN DOOR DO NOT WORK LEAK IN BODY CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CORROSON OF LIFTGATE POWER CONTROL UNIT. BAD DESIGN SAFETY ISSUE. DANGER OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT. SHOULD BE RECALL AND HONDA SHOULD FIX | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | I have a 2018 Honda Odyssey Touring. On December 8th exactly one week after I had my van serviced at the local Honda Dealership I broke down on the interstate. My van started making strange noises and the check engine light started blinking. I lost all power and had to merge over to the emergency lane almost causing an accident. I contacted the service manager at the local Honda dealership. I explained to him what was going on, I also told him that I noticed a slight tapping sound the week prior and asked them to check it out when I brought it in for service on November 30th. I was told they didn't notice anything wrong and that the only thing I needed was front brake pads. Upon searching the internet I found there is currently a recall on some of the models for faulty connecting rod bearings. Preston Locklear the service manager was unaware of the recall, so I emailed him the recall service letter. He called me back to inform me that my van does not fall under the build dates approved for the recall. That afternoon the service writer called me to inform me that my engine is blown, when I asked him how they determined that his reply " we sent a tech out and he pulled the dipstick and seen metal". He then went on to say that if I want to determine the cause of the failure I would have to pay to get the oil pan dropped. When I asked ow much that would be they said they had to get back to me. They finally called me back December 22nd with a quote. I was told it would be about $600. I contacted Honda recall center and asked for help. I was assigned a case worker. He called me back December 29th saying there was no help they could offer. I had my van towed from Honda to an independent shop. They pulled the oil pan and found the #6 connecting rod bearing failed. I would like for Honda to help me with this matter. It is an obvious problem with this engine. They are o it recalling 250k but they need to recall all of them in those years. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Multiple error lights come on at various times, including but not limited to road departure mitigation warning, vehicle stability assist problem, hill start assist problems, brake hold system problem, power steering system problem. Upon first dealer inspection no problem was identified. On follow up after ongoing recurrence of the issue, dealer found multi purpose camera internal fault along with recalled fuel injector repair requirement. Estimated 2,000 to fix MP camera. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I am having the problem with the Honda fuel injector system causing warning lights to go off. This has been a problem for 3 months and I’ve been told that there is a major supply issue. The problem has gotten so bad that my car keeps going into limp mode bc the transmission warning light is forced on. This is a safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ENGINE | My odyssey is running rough and Not accelerating correctly. All lights on the dash come on including emissions and power steering and traction control. I recently spent close to $3,000 doing the timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, and valve adjustment. All maintenance is up to date. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle has multiple warning lights and a recall was issued for the MOST connectors upon the initial problem which fixed it temporarily and now it continues to have multiple problems. It shuts off while I'm driving and the steering wheel locks up. It's as if the car is possessed the system screams at you, goes black, turns the music off and on. I have had it at the Honda twice and am taking it again in the morning. I'm afraid to drive my children in it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | The camera on the Honda van seems to act up when either its hot outside or cold outside. Due to this, the car will show these codes, (LKAS, ACC, Collision Avoidance, Auto High Beam Problem). Due to the camera having these isues, the collision avoidance puts myself and family at risk. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | All of the advanced driver assistance systems have failed: adaptive cruise control, emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance. Additionally, there is a brake failure fault. The Honda dealership said that the plastic cover over the radar is prone to fogging and that we should clean it. We tried that and it did not work. Still get all of the faults and warnings. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My back windshield popped and shattered without anything hitting it. Driving on a smooth road at 45 mph and all of a sudden back windshield popped and shattered. Was driving with my wife and two kids. All went to a sudden sock. That was a very bad and scary experience along with the out-of-pocket expense to replace the windshield. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The battery in our van weakened and needed to be replaced. Upon replacement with brand new battery, a ton of new warnings began. These included problems with: Adaptive cruise control; lane assist; collision avoidance; auto high beam, and maybe another. Doing some research online, I found that many other Odyssey owners experienced similar issues associated with battery replacement. Local Honda dealer told me the MOST recall repair may take care of it. It did not. Was told the internal front multipurpose camera just happened to coincidentally go out at the same time as the battery. Honda wants $1500 to replace the camera. Honda USA declined to help. In the meantime, our vehicle has none of the safety features available; and regular cruise control is not an option if the camera is not replaced. I believe Honda knows this is an issue and should be help responsible for replacing defective cameras. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Power Tailgate failure, from water leaking into the vehicle. The power tailgate would open and close on its own, even when driving down the road. This is a SERIOUS safety issue if you have children in the vehicle. First sign of failure was a message of tailgate problem on the information center of the dash. That is when the intermittent opening and closing began, as well as battery going dead. Took to Honda to be serviced(Walker Honda in Alexandria, Louisiana). Was informed that water did indeed leak into the van from someplace, they did not know from where. Was told van needed a new battery as well as a module replacement for the power tailgate and a Water test to see where the water was leaking in. Total cost of around $1600 Was then informed that the entire wiring harness might also need to be replaced because water corroded or damaged the contacts on the harness that affect MANY other parts of the van, including some safety systems. That was an estimated cost of $7000 but was told the technician could possibly just clean off the wiring harness contacts and try to drive it that way and see if it fixes the problem. Van has little over 130,000 miles on it and Power Tailgate is rarely used as we have no children and don't haul much, except groceries. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |