Most years of the Honda Odyssey sit at the top of the charts as one of the most reliable minivans. However, 2014 and 2018 saw a significant jump in trouble reports for the infotainment system, seat safety, and a clunking transmission. Avoid the problematic features and look to the best years of 2017 and 2021.
Key Points
- The 2018 Honda Odyssey is the vehicle’s worst year with the highest recalls, complaints, and poor reliability ratings from owners.
- The 2014 Honda Odyssey is also the worst year. Recalls for unsecured seating and a faulty transmission detract from its generally good reputation.
- Opt for the 2017 Honda Odyssey when you want the best year for the reliable minivan. You will be hard-pressed to find any significant problem.
- While the 2019 and 2020 Honda Odyssey are excellent choices, the 2021 model has improved forward collision avoidance and a near-flawless record.
- Even the bad years for the minivan rate as an excellent choice when searching for a safe and reliable family vehicle.
Worst Years: Redesign of the 2018 Honda Odyssey Brought Doors that Pop Open and a Glitchy Infotainment System
While the 2018 Honda Odyssey is the worst year for the minivan over the past 12 years, it is not a lemon. The van gathered nine recalls and 238 complaints, which represents a tenfold increase over the 2017 model.
The most alarming recall issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) covers power sliding doors that open while the vehicle is in motion.
Honda replaced the outer handle cables, which were freezing in cold weather and causing the latch to stick open or closed. Some drivers were locked out of their running vehicle when the door froze shut.
Also, the 2018 Honda Odyssey’s infotainment center and digital instrument cluster could get stuck on the wrong screen. Drivers would not see warnings for overheating engines or the rearview monitor when in reverse.
In some instances, the infotainment system remained on after the car shut off and drained the battery. A class-action lawsuit was settled in 2022 and covered the cost of new batteries, towing, and loaner vehicles.
In Addition to Many Recalls, the Annual Maintenance Cost for the 2018 Honda Odyssey Dramatically Increased
According to Repair Pal, the average annual cost for repairs and maintenance also jumped from $296 in 2017 up to $438 for the 2018 minivan.
Also, its Top Safety Pick status with the IIHS was marred by a poor score for its standard halogen headlights.
Finally, owners that shared their love for the family soccer van dropped its reliability score at J.D. Power from an average 78 in 2016 down to an abysmal 64 for 2018.
2014 Honda Odyssey is Among the Worst Years with Unsecured Sliding Seats, Warped Brake Rotors, and a Clunking Transmission
There are several consistent problems associated with the 2010–2015 years on the Honda Odyssey, but the 2014 minivan saw a rise in complaints to accompany the various issues.
Four open recalls for this year include second-row seats that fail to latch securely. Also, the side curtain airbag needed a few replacement parts to work properly in an accident.
More than 25% of the 250 NHTSA complaints refer to braking problems. Most notably, drivers feel a vibration when applying the brakes while on an incline or at highway speeds.
Owners at the Ody Club forum indicate that warped rotors often cause the shaky wheel.
Six-speed Automatic Transmission is Also a Problem, With Drivers Experiencing a Surging Engine and Hesitation at Stop Lights
The other major system that generates negative attention is the six-speed automatic transmission. Drivers experience a surging engine, clunks, judders, and hesitation at stop lights.
A technical service bulletin issued in 2018 calls for flushing the transmission fluid and updating the software.
But more than a few of these minivans also needed to replace the torque converter to address the shaking.
The bad brake rotor design is found on every Honda Odyssey from 2011 to 2017. The transmission judder also comes with the 2014 to 2017 models.
Nearly Spotless Record and Lowest Repair Costs Make 2017 Honda Odyssey One of the Model’s Best Years
The 2017 Honda Odyssey stands apart as the best year available for the minivan. As the last year of the reliable fourth generation, it sorted out nearly all the mechanical problems with its brakes and transmission.
There are no recalls and only 19 complaints at the NHTSA with over 100,000 units sold, according to Car Sales Base.
Just like the preceding years, it earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. An optional forward-collision warning system helped it to score higher than other minivans.
The 2017 Honda Odyssey enjoys the lowest average maintenance cost of all the years at just $296 annually. The 2017 Honda Odyssey also ranks first among all minivans for owner satisfaction and second in fuel economy at Vehicle History.
2021 Honda Odyssey Builds on the Success of the 2019 and 2020 Model With Standard Autonomous Safety Systems
While both the 2019 and 2020 models performed exceptionally well on recalls, reliability, resale value, and complaints, the 2021 version managed to bring even more to the table.
The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ as it introduced a standard autonomous forward collision avoidance system that earned a “Superior” ranking. Its LATCH child seat system also ranked above average.
Finally, drivers enjoy brilliant illumination with its standard LED headlights that scored “Acceptable” across all trims.
So, in addition to being a versatile and dependable ride, the 2021 Odyssey also goes the extra mile in protecting your passengers.
Even the Worst Years of the Honda Odyssey are Still a Smart Choice on the Used Market
Unlike other vehicles, in the case of the Honda Odyssey, its worst years are actually not that bad. Truly terrible cars often come with recalls in the double digits, lawsuits, and thousands of complaints registered with the NHTSA.
The Odyssey never generated that kind of negative attention. Year after year it stands up to its reputation as safe, dependable, and affordable to maintain. Its worst year just might be 2018, but it’s not that much worse than the bulletproof 2017 version.
Photos: Honda
