The 2006 Odyssey can last up to 250,000 miles, but there are a lot of power steering and transmission problems. At $4,625 – $5,500, it’s expensive, and a year buyers should avoid.
Is the 2006 Honda Odyssey a Good Used Van?
- No, 2006 is not a good year for the Odyssey. Owners complain about air conditioning problems, broken bumpers, and interior cracks.
- Reliability ratings are below average. Models from 2005–2007 all have a lot of complaints, with mechanical improvements on 2008 and newer.
- Performance is good from the single V6 engine available.
- The Odyssey is a very safe van, getting a perfect five-star rating in government crash tests. There’s also an optional rearview camera available.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 20 mpg combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Odyssey?
- Consumer Reports says the Odyssey has a noisy cabin, and average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Odyssey a 4.5/5 liking the agile handling, but disliking some high maintenance costs.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Odyssey 4.5/5 and enjoy the passenger space, but find the controls laid out poorly.
What Common Problems Does the 2006 Honda Odyssey Have?
Problems with the 2006 Odyssey are serious and include power steering pump issues, transmission failures, and chipped paint.
Power steering pump issues are very common at around 50,000 miles. Excessive noise from the pump is a sign of a problem. The only way to fix the problem is to replace it, costing around $400.
Transmission failures show up on a lot of Odyssey models in the first 80,000 miles. Shuddering while shifting between gears is a sign of a problem. Replacing the transmission costs about $2,500.
Peeling and flaking paint happens to many Odysseys at around 110,000 miles. The only solution is to repaint the affected areas, which costs roughly $1,000 per panel.
There are four fairly serious recalls, with the most dangerous being for the brake master cylinder and fuel pump problems which increase the risk of accidents and fires.
How Long Will the 2006 Honda Odyssey Last?
A well-maintained 2006 Odyssey will last around 250,000 miles, about 50,000 less than the top-rated van, the Toyota Sienna. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to rivals, at around $450 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Most 2006 Odysseys will have over 100,000 miles so prospective buyers should be prepared to replace air conditioning lines for $525, mass airflow sensors costing $225, and power sliding door switches which cost $80.
The problems are not mechanical, but they are annoying nonetheless. My DVD player has failed more than once. My dashboard lights for geat, air conditioning, defroster, etc. Done light up and x when the fuse was replaced, they stayed lit up for a short time and then blew out again. The biggest problem is the automatic sliding doors,
It is reliable I have only had a few problems with it. For example I have broken down on the highway a few times.
I have no problems. I maintain my vehicle so it doesn't get any problems. I change the oil regularly. Hondas are very good reliable vehicles. I own mostly Hondas and I would recommend them. It is the only kind I will buy.
It is a very reliable vehicle, mechanically; however there seem to be little quirks, such as the sliding doors catch on a regular basis and have to be manually guided to close, and the driver side air frequently blows hot air unless the temperature is turned all the way to low then readjusted from there.
The problem I have with it are more comfort than reliability. The seats are low and hard for a short person to see over the dash. The steering wheel needs to be able to be lifted higher. The seats are not as roomy as the Toyota..
I have not discovered any problems so far, as long as regular maintenance is maintained it runs well.
As far as the engine, the odyssey has been extremely reliable. My engine has had no issues thus far.
It has been so reliable. The only issue we had was that it came with pax tires which are no longer made. So we had to get new rims with the new tires which was expensive.
How Much is the 2006 Honda Odyssey Worth?
Blue book values range from $4,625 – $5,500, making the Odyssey around $1,000 more expensive than the Nissan Quest and Dodge Grand Caravan. When new, the price range was $25,345 to $36,595. Depreciation is average, losing 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Odyssey?
There are four models of the Odyssey available. Technology was last updated in 2005, and there’s a new infotainment system and features added in 2008.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 16-inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Manual Sliding Doors
- Four-speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
EX is a step up adding features such as:
- 16-inch Alloy Wheels
- Power Sliding Doors
- Six-disc In-dash CD Changer With 6 Speakers
- Automatic Climate Control
EX-L is a good choice and adds:
- Leather Seating
- Heated Front Seats
- Moonroof
Touring is the flagship model and has:
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Power Liftgate
- Auto-dimming Mirror
- Tri-zone Climate Control
- Seven-speaker Stereo System With Satellite Radio
- Optional Satellite Navigation & Rearview Camera
What Engines Come in the Odyssey?
The 2006 Odyssey comes with a powerful 3.5L V6 which has 244 horsepower, and gets up to 20 mpg combined. Performance is good for a van, taking 7.6 seconds to go 0-60 mph.
What Colors Does the Odyssey Come in?
How Big is the Odyssey?
The Odyssey is an average-sized minivan similar to the Chrysler Town & Country and Kia Sedona. Passenger room is great throughout the cabin, with plenty of room for adults in all three rows.
Cargo space is excellent with 38.4 cu. ft. of room behind the third row, 91.1 behind the second, and a maximum of 147.4 with both rear rows folded flat.
How Does the Odyssey Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Sienna is a popular competitor costing around $1,000 more. Where the Sienna stands out is with better reliability ratings, but the Odyssey is more powerful. We recommend the Sienna for the 2006 model year, but in other years the competition is much closer.
The Chrysler Pacifica is another rival at about $1,500 less. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Pacifica, but there is more room for passengers in the Odyssey. We recommend neither for 2006, since they both have a lot of mechanical issues and owner complaints.
Do Owners Recommend the Honda Odyssey?
Yes. It has been reliable. Always starts right up and provides a smooth drive even with 197,000 miles on it!
Yes it is. It works very well and still runs even though it is 16 years old. I will drive this car until it stops running.
Yes it is. It is a good vehicle for families. It is reliable and has no problems for a older higher mileage van. It is loaded with all kinds of options like a TV sliding doors leather seats. It has a jump seat for more passengers.
My Honda has been such a great vehicle for our family of 5. I am able to load my 3 small children into the vehicle and not feel crowded in spite of all of them still needing car seats.
It is a good vehicle. It gets good mileage and is low maintenance. However, the windshield supports are made where they block your view.
It has been such a reliable vehicle. Maintenance is pretty simple too because it is America's made and easy to find parts for repairs.
I am torn on whether or not to call the 2006 Honda odyssey a 'good' vehicle. The positives of this vehicle is that it has plenty of room. Third row seating, plus seats you can remove and lay down l, make it versatile. The leather interior, heated seats, and sunroof are also pluses. The negatives are that both of my sliding rear doors have slid off the internal track, causing both doors to literally fall off my van. Also, my van has some electrical issues. My power windows will roll down, but not back up. My trunk will not unlock unless the passenger door is unlocked as well. My van does have over 200,000 miles on it with no major mechanical issues. Overall, I'll say it is mostly a 'good' vehicle.
Excellent! It is extremely spacious and very comfortable. We have over 200,000 miles on it and it still runs great. The automatic doors are a lifesaver with kids, and well as the DVD player. The heated seats are great in the winter. The backup camera makes it easy to park and backup in small spaces.
