Looking for an affordable, stylish minivan for the family? The 2006 Honda Odyssey may be the right fit for you. This four-door minivan is popular with families and people who enjoy having a little bit of extra room in their vehicle. Like all vehicles, there have been some problems reported with the Odyssey. Here’s what you need to understand before you make a purchase.
What should I know before I purchase a 2006 Honda Odyssey?
There are several issues of which you should be aware, including:
- Sliding doors may pop open while driving down the road
- Faulty fuel pump
- Blurriness in the windshield
- Power steering failure
- Doors may fall off when being closed
- Electrical issues with door closing
Luckily, we’ll go over each of these issues in this article, as well as explain what your dealer or mechanic will need to do to remedy these problems. Then, we’ll talk about the next steps you can take to get further reliable research on your potential new vehicle.
The 2006 Honda Odyssey: What You Need to Know
A two-wheel-drive minivan, the 2006 Honda Odyssey can be a great fit for both large and small families who enjoy having a little bit more room in their vehicle.
The Odyssey has front-wheel drive, an automatic transmission, and can fit up to seven passengers, perfect for families who are used to carting around little ones and their friends.
The four-door style makes it easy for all passengers to get in and out of the vehicle, without having to fold down seats or climb over one another.
Six Common Issues With the 2006 Honda Odyssey
Sliding Doors May Pop Open While Driving
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11344176
Some 2006 Honda Odyssey drivers have experienced the sliding doors of the vehicle coming unlatched and opening while the vehicle is in motion.
Clearly a safety issue, it’s essential that this problem is fixed by a dealer or a mechanic. Fixing this problem involves inspecting the doors and replacing the latches or other faulty parts that are allowing the doors to come open while the vehicle is in motion.
Faulty Fuel Pump
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11341872
A potentially faulty fuel pump can cause fumes to leak inside the vehicle, potentially resulting in negative health consequences for the driver. Fumes can cause the driver to become sleepy, increasing the likelihood of a crash. To repair this issue, a mechanic or dealer can inspect and replace the fuel pump if necessary.
Blurriness in the Windshield
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11337994
Some drivers report substantial blurriness in the windshield of the 2006 Honda Odyssey, even when the windshield is clean.
While some vehicle owners may notice that there’s an improvement after wiping the windshield with a cleaning solution, others may find that the blurriness does not go away, even after cleaning. The solution to this problem is to have the windshield replaced.
Power Steering Failure
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11319667
Power steering failure can result in the steering wheel suddenly becoming very difficult for the driver to turn. While the vehicle can still be driven when the power steering is not working, it’s dangerous for a driver to suddenly and unexpectedly need to put muscle into making a turn.
This can result in a crash if power steering failure occurs while the vehicle is in motion. Fixing this issue can be different from vehicle to vehicle, and may involve replacing power steering fluid or replacing certain components of the power steering system.
Doors May Fall Off When Being Closed
NHTSA Complaint ID: 11302867
Some drivers have reported that the sliding doors on the side of the van can become detached from the vehicle while the doors are being closed.
This can result in injury for the person who is closing the door and can render the vehicle unable to be driven until the doors can be replaced. Fixing this issue requires a mechanic to inspect the components that attach the door to the vehicle, replacing any materials found to be faulty.
Electrical Issues with Door Closing
Vehicle History Report
The sliding doors in the 2006 Honda Odyssey should glide shut, but some drivers report that this is not the case. They feel that they have to force the doors closed, as the electrical component responsible for closing the doors is no longer effective.
To fix this issue, a mechanic can inspect the electrical and mechanical components required for closing the doors, and replace any faulty materials.
