Honda Odyssey 2005–2010 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (RL3/RL4)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,315 complaints, 2,677 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2005 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 830
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2005
- Body structure138 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline106 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Steering99 reports · median 53,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components · Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 703
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Steering127 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Body structure101 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline87 reports · median 92,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 830
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Hydraulic brake circuit139 reports · median 18,000 mi
- Body structure134 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Steering109 reports · median 54,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Electrical system — software · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 499
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Body structure123 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit88 reports · median 9,500 mi
- Brakes62 reports · median 66,000 mi
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Electrical system — software · Structure — body
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 198
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2009
- Body structure63 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Engine34 reports
- Electrical system20 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Structure — body · Parking brake — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Honda Odyssey
Close- Median failure report
- 62,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 255
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2010
- Body structure54 reports · median 83,000 mi
- Engine46 reports · median 105,000 mi
- Electrical system31 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2005; earliest: the 2008, and the 2005 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2010 Honda Odyssey reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 61,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 145,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,677
- Recalls
- 13
Most reported
- Body structure18.5% of complaints · median 72,000 mi
- Steering11.5% of complaints · median 50,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit11.0% of complaints · median 18,000 mi
Owners filed 3,315 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Honda Odyssey; body structure leads with 18.5% of them, and half of the 2,677 that record an odometer reading came by 61,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 30,000 to 101,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2010 Honda Odyssey last?
On the 2005–2010 Honda Odyssey, half of the 2,677 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 61,000 miles and 90% by 145,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
246 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 58 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Odyssey reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Honda Odyssey 2005–2010 · 2,677 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 209 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 58 complaints (2.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 7,500
- 25%
- 30,000
- Median
- 61,000
- 75%
- 101,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 209 | 7.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 98 | 3.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 95 | 3.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 83 | 3.1% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 93 | 3.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 88 | 3.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 101 | 3.8% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 117 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 105 | 3.9% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 96 | 3.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 109 | 4.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 92 | 3.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 102 | 3.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 92 | 3.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 79 | 3.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 92 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 81 | 3.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 73 | 2.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 79 | 3.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 74 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 93 | 3.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 45 | 1.7% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 59 | 2.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 31 | 1.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 51 | 1.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 44 | 1.6% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 44 | 1.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 40 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 38 | 1.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 28 | 1.0% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 38 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 18 | 0.7% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 25 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 23 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 22 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 10 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 25 | 0.9% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 13 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 58 | 2.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Odyssey problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Honda Odyssey 2005–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit364 reportsmedian 18,000middle half 5,500–34,000
- Steering382 reportsmedian 50,000middle half 34,000–85,000
- Engine and its cooling system224 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 20,000–80,000
- Transmission and driveline353 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 40,000–102,000
- Body structure613 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 44,000–110,000
- Electrical system245 reportsmedian 91,000middle half 50,000–140,000
- Engine320 reportsmedian 100,000middle half 75,000–129,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 613 | 18.5% | 72,000 | 44,000–110,000 |
| Steering | 382 | 11.5% | 50,000 | 34,000–85,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 364 | 11.0% | 18,000 | 5,500–34,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 353 | 10.6% | 70,000 | 40,000–102,000 |
| Engine | 320 | 9.7% | 100,000 | 75,000–129,000 |
| Electrical system | 245 | 7.4% | 91,000 | 50,000–140,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 224 | 6.8% | 52,000 | 20,000–80,000 |
| Brakes | 214 | 6.5% | 75,000 | 46,000–105,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 185 | 5.6% | 100,000 | 65,000–147,000 |
| Airbag system | 171 | 5.2% | 98,000 | 56,000–133,000 |
Known problems with the 2005–2010 Odyssey
Engine 2005–2010
VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) side effects: running on three cylinders lets oil past the rings on the deactivated bank, causing elevated oil consumption, fouled spark plugs and misfire codes P0301-P0304, and the resulting rough running destroys the active engine mounts. Honda ran a warranty extension for VCM spark plug fouling covering the J35 VCM engines.
Body 2005–2010
Power sliding door and power liftgate actuator failures continue.
Before you buy a 2005–2010 Odyssey: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,677 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine on 2005–2010 (VCM–equipped trims) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check body on 2005–2010 cars.
- Years differ here: from 198 to 830 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Odyssey problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi48% below | At 90k mi67% below | At 120k mi82% below | At 150k mi91% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 44,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 34,000–85,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 5,500–34,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 40,000–102,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 75,000–129,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 50,000–140,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 20,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Honda Odyssey 2005–2010 · 2,677 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 48% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 82% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 91% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2010 Honda Odyssey recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (2), the electrical system (2), body structure (2) (why one area can repeat).
Mar 2014 · 2005–2010 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 23, 2004, through September 4, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
What can happen. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Parts to permanently repair the affected vehicles are not currently available. Honda will notify owners with an interim letter during May 2014. A second notice was mailed to owners October 6, 2014…
Nov 2013 · 2007–2008 · Electrical SystemThe vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing…
The defect. American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 8, 2006, through September 8, 2008. Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may…
What can happen. The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.
The free fix. Parts to remedy these vehicles will not be available until the spring of 2014. Honda will send owners an interim letter notifying them of the issue and instruct them how to prevent unintended…
Feb 2012 · 2008–2009 · StructureStruts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Odyssey vehicles, the gas-filled struts that help to raise and support the liftgate of vehicles equipped with a power liftgate system may be prone to early life failures due to a manufacturing flaw. The flaw can…
What can happen. Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The free fix. Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both power liftgate gas struts free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2012. Owners may contact Honda customer service at…
Oct 2010 · 2005–2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Odyssey and Acura rl vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or…
What can happen. A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during december 2010. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Mar 2010 · 2007–2008 · Service Brakes, AirIf the owner does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the…
The defect. Honda has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2007 and 2008 Odyssey and element passenger vehicles manufactured between july 28, 2006 and august 21, 2008. Air can enter the vsa modular pump during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly…
What can happen. If the owner does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the system can continue to accumulate enough air to affect braking performance, increasing the…
The free fix. Honda will notify owner and Honda dealers will repair the vsa modulator by removing any existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to prevent air from entering the brake system free…
Feb 2010 · 2005 · StructureInjury may result from a power liftgate closing unexpectedly when a person is within the closing path of the…
The defect. Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Odyssey touring vehicles equipped with power operated rear liftgate. The power liftgate gas struts may deteriorate unexpectedly early. Struts that have worn out prematurely may fail to hold the power liftgate in the…
What can happen. Injury may result from a power liftgate closing unexpectedly when a person is within the closing path of the liftgate.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the gas liftgate struts and replace if within the recall population. This service will be performed free of charge. The campaign began on march 26, 2010. Owners may contact Honda…
Feb 2009 · 2009 · Parking BrakeDrivers would not be aware of brake system failure and braking capability would not be possible, increasing…
The defect. Honda is recalling 421 my 2009 Odyssey vehicles. During assembly, incorrect front brake hoses were installed. The brake hose can contact the caliper bolt and over time a hole may develop which will allow brake fluid to leak. This would eventually result in…
What can happen. Drivers would not be aware of brake system failure and braking capability would not be possible, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect both front brake hoses and replace with the correct brake hoses free of charge. The recall began on february 12, 2009. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Mar 2007 · 2005 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
The defect. On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
What can happen. If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Jul 2006 · 2006 · EquipmentThe language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
What can happen. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
The free fix. Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the…
Aug 2005 · 2005 · Air BagsFront impact sensor failure could cause a delay in, or loss of, frontal air bag deployment, which can…
The defect. The frontal air bag system has two external impact sensors. On certain MINI vans,some sensors were insufficiently sealed during manufacturing. If water enters a sensor, corrosion can occur. Corroded sensors could short circuit internally. If sensors fail, the…
What can happen. Front impact sensor failure could cause a delay in, or loss of, frontal air bag deployment, which can increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front impact sensors. The recall began on august 30, 2005. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Apr 2005 · 2005 · Electrical SystemIf the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
What can happen. If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on april 13, 2005. Owners may contact Honda at 800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Feb 2005 · 2005 · SteeringLoss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
The defect. On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control.
What can happen. Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
The free fix. Owners were notified by telephone on january 25, 2005, and arrangements were made to have their vehicles towed to their dealers and have the repairs performed. The recall began on january 25, 2005.
Nov 2004 · 2005 · Service Brakes, AirThe driver could experience a loss of brake force and a crash could occur.
The defect. On certain minivans, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) uses a sensor on each wheel to detect wheel speed. Some sensors on the rear wheels were installed incorrectly, which means the sensor may report the wrong wheel speed to the ABS control unit.
What can happen. The driver could experience a loss of brake force and a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear wheel speed sensors. If an incorrect gap is detected, the sensor will be removed and the knuckle checked for cross threading damage. If damage is found, the knuckle will…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,315 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 138 (4.2%)
- Fires
- 57
- Injury reports
- 170
- Fatality reports
- 1
Odyssey problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 830, most of them about body structure, and the 2009 the fewest, 198. A typical year drew about 601.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 830 | 673 | 74,000 | Body structure (138) | 8 |
| 2006 | 703 | 567 | 65,000 | Steering (127) | 3 |
| 2007 | 830 | 671 | 55,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (139) | 4 |
| 2008 | 499 | 420 | 50,000 | Body structure (123) | 4 |
| 2009 | 198 | 160 | 64,000 | Body structure (63) | 3 |
| 2010 | 255 | 186 | 62,000 | Body structure (54) | 1 |
What Odyssey owners reported
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the battery warning light illuminated, and smoke was coming from under the front passenger’s side hood. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked. The contact stated that moments later, smoke and flames were…
2010 · 183,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions the vehicle did not start. The contact stated that she turned the key fob forward and slowly turned it back the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be…
2007 · 200,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly braked hard. The contact stated that the Vehicle Stability Assistance (VSA) warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed and was able to continue…
2007 · 200,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the rear cargo window exploded and shattered into pieces. The contact also stated that while driving on a service road at 35 MPH, the rear driver's side window exploded and shattered into pieces. No warning…
2007 · 215,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 2,677 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Odyssey generations
- Odyssey 1999–2004 2,941 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Odyssey 2011–2017 1,002 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Odyssey 2018–2025 602 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system