Last updated: 2026-10-10

Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 66/100

Skip the 2018 and 2019 model years. Both draw far more owner complaints than later years, led by electrical faults and a transmission that hesitates, then lurches. The 2024 is the year to buy, with the lowest complaint rate among years that have had real time on the road.

Verdict

Avoid
2019 53/1002018 53/100
Buy
2024 73/100
Model average
66/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Honda Odyssey Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Honda Odyssey average of 66/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1201953/100Mixed17768Electrical System (155)
2201853/100Mixed13841Electrical System (186)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

53
MixedReliability score: 53 out of 100, rated Mixed

2019 Honda Odyssey

Power sliding doors and the liftgate stop mid-travel or fail to sense a person in the way. The center display can go black, taking out the backup camera. The transmission hesitates from about 15,000 miles, and the windshield camera fails, disabling collision braking. Five fire reports are on file.

17 recalls768 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (155), Power Train (110), Forward Collision Avoidance (94), Unknown Or Other (77), Fuel System, Gasoline (61), Fuel Propulsion System (52)

View full 2019reliability report →
53
MixedReliability score: 53 out of 100, rated Mixed

2018 Honda Odyssey

Water leaking into the rear body can short the power tailgate module, so the tailgate opens or closes on its own, and one dealer quoted $7500. The transmission hesitates and lurches, and engines have thrown connecting rods. Owners also filed three fire reports.

13 recalls841 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (186), Power Train (147), Engine (98), Forward Collision Avoidance (82), Unknown Or Other (75), Structure (59)

View full 2018reliability report →

What Are Common Honda Odyssey Problems?

Odyssey electrical problems

584 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Water leaking into the rear body shorts out the power tailgate control module.

POWER TRAIN

300 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2022

2018: The 9-speed transmission hesitates when pulling away from a stop and then lurches forward.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

279 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: The multipurpose camera behind the windshield fails.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

238 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: These are mixed reports, and the most serious are two engine-bay fires that started after the van was parked, one at under 700 miles.

ENGINE

202 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Connecting rod bearing failure dominates.

STRUCTURE

112 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Rear body seams above the liftgate leak and let water reach the power tailgate control module.

Best Honda Odyssey Year to Buy Instead

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Honda Odyssey

The 2024 has only 43 owner complaints and 3 recalls, against 841 and 13 for the 2018 and 768 and 17 for the 2019. Its complaint rate is the lowest of any year with real time on the road. Its main flaw is Auto Idle Stop restart failures.

Score: 73/100 (Good)3 recalls43 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Honda Odyssey has 3 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Honda Odyssey Years by Generation

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good

2026 Honda Odyssey

2 recalls · 3 complaints

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

2025 Honda Odyssey

2 recalls · 82 complaints

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Honda Odyssey

3 recalls · 43 complaints

70
GoodReliability score: 70 out of 100, rated Good

2023 Honda Odyssey

5 recalls · 75 complaints

69
GoodReliability score: 69 out of 100, rated Good

2021 Honda Odyssey

6 recalls · 108 complaints

65
GoodReliability score: 65 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Honda Odyssey

8 recalls · 108 complaints

60
GoodReliability score: 60 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Honda Odyssey

11 recalls · 342 complaints

53
MixedReliability score: 53 out of 100, rated Mixed

2019 Honda Odyssey

17 recalls · 768 complaints

Weakest Year
53
MixedReliability score: 53 out of 100, rated Mixed

2018 Honda Odyssey

13 recalls · 841 complaints

Weakest Year

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Honda Odyssey years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2018 and 2019 model years. Both sit well below the model's own average, with 841 and 768 owner complaints and the most fire reports. Electrical, transmission, and engine or camera failures drive those numbers. The 2024 is the better buy.
Which Honda Odyssey years have transmission problems?
The 2018 and 2019 vans have the most, with 147 and 110 power train complaints. Owners describe hesitation pulling away, lurching, and shifts into neutral or park while moving. Full replacements appear around 70,000 to 74,000 miles in 2018 and at 102,800 and 120,000 miles in 2019.
Is the 2020 Honda Odyssey a good used buy?
It is a reasonable choice, but not the best. The 2020 has good reliability and far fewer complaints than 2018 or 2019, led by electrical faults and camera problems. Its complaint rate is still well above 2024, so compare condition and history before buying.
Is the 2026 Honda Odyssey the most reliable year?
No. The 2026 has only 3 owner complaints, but it is too new to judge. Complaints and recalls build up with time on the road. The 2024 is the safer recommendation because it has had time to show how it holds up.
Which Odyssey years have engine failures?
The 2018 data shows the clearest pattern, with 98 engine complaints led by connecting rod bearing failure. The engine knocks, power drops, and it can seize at highway speed. Many owners say their VIN falls outside the rod bearing recall, so they pay for repairs themselves.

How we score every Honda Odyssey model year

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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