Honda Odyssey Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

I am reporting a recurring and dangerous failure of the infotainment system and electrical control in my vehicle. The following issues occur intermittently but frequently: Safety Camera Failure: The center display screen often goes black, causing the backup camera and side-view cameras to fail completely. This occurs while the vehicle is in reverse, creating a significant blind-spot hazard and risk of collision. I specifically visited the dealership in early June 2025 to inquire about this issue—and I have video evidence to prove it—yet the electronic fault "magically disappeared" (an intermittent issue) when the vehicle was inspected on-site. Despite this, the dealership still charged me a $300 diagnostic fee. Total System Freeze: The GPS navigation, audio system, and all center console controls frequently stop responding or shut down entirely while driving, causing significant driver distraction. Power Management Defect: Most critically, the infotainment system and audio often fail to shut off even after the engine is turned off and the vehicle is locked. This parasitic draw continues until the 12V battery is completely drained, leaving the vehicle stranded and potentially creating an electrical fire hazard. On 03/20/2026, the infotainment system failed to shut down after the engine was turned off, which completely drained the battery. I had to call AAA for roadside assistance to tow/jump-start the vehicle to the dealership. I have a video recording of the system staying powered on while the vehicle was off. Furthermore, I just replaced the 12V battery with a brand new one in February 2026, confirming that this is a parasitic draw caused by a vehicle defect and not a faulty battery. I am unable to upload videos here, but I reserve the right to present them.

See attached document for complaint.

2024 odyssey sport vin [XXX] in the drive through lane at a reataurant activated the auto start stop feature and shut off the van. The van did not restart when trying to move foreward again and had to cycle the starting ignition system via placing van in park and pressing the start button. Taking the van to the hennesey honda dealer in woodstock ga for inspection. Thank you [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] or [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On multiple occasions our vehicle has turned off at a stop (auto start/stop) and failed to restart upon pressing the accelerator. It then takes several seconds to be able to restart and get moving.

Description: Subject: Formal Warranty Claim – Spontaneous Glass Breakage and Request for Immediate Assistance Serious and unexpected failure involving my vehicle, a 2025 Honda Odyssey Elite (VIN: [XXX] ), currently with approximately 26,000 miles. On April 19, 2026, I submitted an initial complaint to Honda concerning what appears to be a spontaneous breakage of the rear side (fixed quarter) glass. The vehicle was parked overnight in driveway when the glass shattered without any known impact, external force, or evidence of vandalism. The fracture pattern is consistent with spontaneous tempered glass failure originating from the edge, which raises concerns of a potential manufacturing defect or internal stress within the material. On April 20, 2026, I presented the vehicle in person at my local Honda dealership for inspection and assistance. To date, no action has been taken, nor has any resolution been provided. This lack of response is unacceptable given the safety implications. Due to safety concerns, the vehicle is currently not in use and remains parked. I am unwilling to operate the vehicle in its present condition out of concern for further damage or risk. As a result, I am experiencing a significant disruption to my daily activities and mobility. Accordingly, I respectfully request the following: 1. Immediate review and approval of this issue under Honda’s warranty as a case of spontaneous glass breakage. 2. Prompt authorization for repair or replacement of the damaged glass at no cost to me. I have photographic documentation available. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] ?VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Idle start stop system was engaged at stop light. When I released the brake the van engine should have restarted - however the van completely died at this point. I had to wait about 10 seconds and then restart the entire car while sitting at the stop light. Very dangerous - the vehicle has also done this when at a stop light but cut off after I started to make a turn - leaving me in a dead vehicle in traffic's way -

Hello I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2022 Honda Odyssey EX-L that was involved in an accident and declared a total loss. During the incident, I was driving in snowy conditions at approximately 50 mph while entering a split lane. The vehicle began to skid, and shortly afterward I observed warning indicators activating. It appeared that vehicle safety systems, including stability or braking systems, engaged automatically. Over the next several seconds, I attempted to regain control by applying the brakes multiple times and making steering corrections. However, the vehicle did not respond as expected. Despite these inputs, the vehicle continued toward the shoulder and ultimately impacted a barrier. I was unable to regain effective steering control during this period. This raises concern about the behavior and response of vehicle safety systems, including ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), and related driver-assist features during loss-of-traction conditions. Additionally, I became aware of a recall affecting similar model years related to unintended or improper curtain airbag deployment due to system sensitivity. Given that my vehicle falls within this model range, I believe it is important to evaluate whether system behavior may have contributed to the incident. I am requesting that this incident be reviewed as a potential safety issue and considered alongside similar reports to determine whether further investigation is warranted.

I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding a failure of the power tailgate system on my 2023 Honda Odyssey. The issue involves water intrusion into the liftgate control system, which has resulted in corrosion and subsequent failure of the power tailgate. This malfunction presents both a safety concern and a significant reliability issue, particularly for a vehicle of this age and mileage. What is most concerning is that this does not appear to be an isolated incident. There is a documented history of similar failures in Honda Odyssey vehicles, including prior class action litigation related to tailgate and electrical system defects. Despite this, the issue does not appear to have been adequately addressed or corrected in newer models, including the 2023 version. My vehicle has approximately 30,500 miles and is only slightly outside of the warranty period. I was explicitly assured at the time of purchase that the vehicle was reliable and that the manufacturer would stand behind it. However, I have since been informed that this repair will not be covered, despite the apparent design flaw and known history of the issue. A power tailgate failure is not merely an inconvenience—it can pose safety risks, especially when transporting passengers, children, or cargo. A malfunctioning liftgate can fail to open or close properly, potentially causing injury or limiting access in urgent situations. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter further, as it appears to be part of a broader pattern affecting Honda Odyssey vehicles. Consumers should not be responsible for costly repairs stemming from known defects that have not been properly resolved. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I am happy to provide any additional documentation or details if needed. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

When Idle start/stop function is engaged and then goes to restart, the engine hesitates or fails to restart all together.

I purchased a new 2025 Honda Odyssey XLE in February 2025 and soon noticed a clunking noise coming from the front suspension whenever I hit bumps. I contacted the dealership, and they scheduled an appointment. After inspecting the vehicle, they told me they could not find anything wrong. However, when I left the dealership, the noise was still there. The issue has since gotten worse. The clunking noise can now be heard when starting the engine, during transmission downshifts, and over even small bumps in the road. It feels like something in the suspension is loose, and I believe it is unsafe to drive. I am requesting that the vehicle be bought back. The dealership where I purchased the vehicle is 380 miles away, and I am currently on military orders, which makes it difficult for me to return to that location.

This is the second time I have taken it to the dealership. When sitting at a stop and the automatic stop and start happens, it acts like it does not want to crank back up. Last time the dealership said it was the battery; they replaced the battery, but that has not fixed the issue. if I am at a stoplight and it does not start back, that is not a good feeling my wife now does not want to drive the van anymore because of the seriousness of this issue as well has having young children in the car. This is a van that was bought brand new and has been in the shop more than it has been driven.

The power tailgate control unit (part #74970-THR-A12) failed on my 2023 Honda Odyssey at approximately 46,000 miles and 3 years of age. The tailgate stopped functioning entirely. Upon removing the interior rear trim panels to diagnose, I discovered the failure was caused by water intrusion into the rear body of the vehicle. Behind the interior panels I found: significant rust on interior sheet metal, green corrosion coating the power tailgate control unit, dried water stains showing pooled standing water that had evaporated over time, and clear evidence of repeated slow water exposure over an extended period — not a single incident. The vehicle has no rear windows that open and no exterior damage that would explain the water source. The symptoms and damage pattern match the class action Dubrosky v. American Honda Motor Co., [XXX] , which alleges defective polyurethane rear body seam sealant in 2018-2021 Honda Odysseys allowing water to leak into the rear driver's side panel and destroy the power tailgate control module. My 2023 exhibits identical symptoms, raising the question whether the same defect extends to later model years. SAFETY RISK: The class action documents that this defect has caused tailgates to open or close unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, fail to latch, short-circuit, and in some cases cause fires. Items in the cargo area can fall out during driving, creating road hazards for other vehicles. My tailgate failed completely; I consider myself fortunate it failed closed rather than opening in motion. The damaged components are available for inspection. The vehicle has been inspected and photographed by Pohanka Honda of Salisbury, MD, who confirmed the damage but denied warranty coverage. No independent inspection has occurred. WARNINGS PRIOR TO FAILURE: None. No dashboard warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared before the tailgate stopped functioning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)