Honda Odyssey common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 14 faults the Honda Odyssey is known for (2005–2014), 13 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
Known problems on the Honda Odyssey
Compulsory Takata airbag recall
Safety risk
2001–2012 · Paperwork
What to look for: Check the plate on the NZTA Takata lookup and ask for paperwork showing the airbag inflator was replaced.
Why it matters: The NZ Government made the Alpha recall compulsory on 4 April 2018. An unrepaired car fails its warrant of fitness and a trader cannot legally sell it, so an open Alpha recall makes the car unsaleable until Honda replaces the inflator - which Honda still does at no cost. Buy one unchecked and you own a car you cannot retail.
What to look for: Check the VIN on the NZTA Takata pages, look for a Japanese recall certificate, and ask if an airbag was replaced.
Why it matters: Honda's non-Alpha inflator campaigns run across a wide slice of the models NZ buyers see, and a Japanese import will not have been chased by a NZ owner letter. From 1 November 2018 non-Alpha recalls are flagged at the NZ border and an open recall means the vehicle is rejected for entry certification until the manufacturer's evidence of replacement is produced.
What to look for: Listen at a cold start for a rhythmic deep knock low in the engine that rises with revs.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2018-2019 Odyssey, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot and 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, along with Acura TLX and MDX, because a manufacturing error means the connecting rod bearing may wear and seize, damaging the engine, with the engine running improperly or stalling while driving and a fire risk. Honda's remedy ran to replacing the engine, so a knocking example is a write-off-grade repair, not a service item.
What to look for: Ask for invoices showing when the timing belt and water pump were last replaced.
Why it matters: Honda recalled certain V6 vehicles because a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump was misaligned and could let the belt contact a bolt on the cylinder head, eventually damaging the belt until it fails; NHTSA's stated consequence is that the engine stalls, increasing crash risk. The remedy was to inspect the water pump and, if it is one of the defective pumps, replace the pump and belt.
What to look for: Ask for the fuel pump recall paperwork, and listen for a long crank when restarting hot after ten minutes.
Why it matters: Honda's fuel pump recall spans model years 2013 to 2023 across most of the models NZ dealers stock, though each model has its own band, and the failure mode is an engine stall while driving. A Japanese import in this range is very unlikely to have had a NZ owner letter, so the campaign status is worth confirming before the car goes on your yard.
What to look for: Look for metal glitter on the gearbox dipstick, and listen for growl or clatter around second gear on the drive.
Why it matters: Honda recalled certain minivans, SUVs and passenger vehicles because certain operating conditions can build heat between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage; NHTSA's stated consequence is transmission lockup and a crash.
What to look for: Ask if it has ever braked by itself, and feel for the car slowing without your input on the drive.
Why it matters: Honda Japan describes a capacitor welding fault in the stability control unit that lets electrical noise through, so the sensor reading brake pedal travel misreads, unintended brake assist is applied and, at worst, the brakes come on suddenly with the brake lamps not lit.
What to look for: Check each sliding door shuts fully and stays shut every time, from the outer handle, inner handle and key fob.
Why it matters: Honda ran two campaigns here: the sliding door latch assemblies on 2018-2019 Odyssey, and water entering the outer door handle cables on 2018-2020 Odyssey. A sliding door that will not stay latched on a seven-seat family van is both a safety issue and an immediate comeback if you retail the car.
What to look for: Check both front belts click in cleanly and release first time, buckling each one ten times.
Why it matters: Honda recalled 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey and 2019 Insight for a manufacturing issue where the front seat belt buckle channel can interfere with the release button and prevent the buckle latching. It takes a minute to test on the forecourt, and an unlatched belt cannot restrain an occupant in a crash.
What to look for: Feel for rocking, lifting or clicking when you push and pull hard on each second-row outer seat.
Why it matters: Honda ran two campaigns on these seats. Under the first, a seat placed between its two sideways positions when attached to the floor will not latch properly to the striker and can tip forward under braking. Under the second, the release lever that lets the seat move for third row access may stay in the unlocked position, letting the seat move unexpectedly.
What to look for: Check both mirrors fold and adjust properly eight times over, and ask if one has ever folded while driving.
Why it matters: The notification records 122 cases. Poor plating on the moving contact inside the mirror switch generates wear debris; the debris builds up, oxidises, contact resistance rises and the mirror can fold in while the car is moving or standing. A mirror that folds itself at speed takes away the driver's rear view without warning.
What to look for: Pull away gently then firmly from a stop, feeling for shudder, flare or a delay, and listen for whine at low speed.
Why it matters: Any slip or harsh clunk on this CVT means budgeting for a replacement unit - one of the costlier repairs this generation can need, and Japanese owners report the noise is sometimes dismissed by sellers as 'normal'.
Typical repair: NZ$3,000–NZ$7,000 in New Zealand · A$3,090–A$7,210 in Australia
What to look for: Hold a light, steady throttle at 60 to 80 km/h and feel for a fine shudder like rumble strips.
Why it matters: The torque converter is a sealed unit, so this fault is not a simple fluid top-up fix - a failed damper clutch means the whole converter needs replacing.
Typical repair: NZ$1,500–NZ$4,500 in New Zealand · A$1,550–A$4,640 in Australia
What to look for: Look in the driver's door frame near the latch for small numbered recall stickers, and photograph each one.
Why it matters: Every Japanese recall schedule in this overlay ends with the same line: completed vehicles get a sticker bearing the campaign number near the driver's-side door striker. Nothing in a New Zealand recall lookup covers Japanese campaign numbers, so for an import this sticker cluster is often the only outstanding-work evidence physically on the car.
Got a question about a Honda Odyssey? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.