2013 Honda Odyssey

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 210 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Odyssey model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 210

Of the 2013 reports, 17 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine69 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints210Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine69
  2. Service brakes56
  3. Structure20
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Air bags14
  6. Power train14
  7. Steering14
  8. Other or unspecified12

Recalls and investigations

  1. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpDec 18, 2023

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

    Campaign 23V858000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Seats, mid/rear assemblyNov 17, 2017

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.

    If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.

    Campaign 17V725000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Seats, mid/rear assemblyDec 27, 2016

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.

    An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent . Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD5.

    Campaign 16V933000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. EngineAug 27, 2013

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear.

    A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).

    Campaign 13V382000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Power train, automatic transmissionApr 15, 2013

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

    If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

    Campaign 13V143000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bagsJan 18, 2013

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

    The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 13V016000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified

12 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 16, 2025

    My 2013 Honda Odyssey is experiencing a serious engine malfunction related to excessive oil consumption and spark plug fouling. On [XXX], the Check Engine Light came on and the vehicle began shaking. A diagnostic inspection at a Honda dealership revealed DTC P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire). Three spark plugs in Bank 1 were heavily fouled with oil. The technician recommended piston ring replacement, noting that oil had leaked into the combustion chamber. This issue is consistent with well-known engine problems associated with Honda's VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system. TSBs such as A13-081 and 11-033 have addressed similar issues in the past, but my vehicle is no longer covered under the extended warranty. I am a low-income international student currently living in the U.S. with my family. This defect creates financial hardship and safety concern. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter as a safety-related engine defect and urge the manufacturer to offer proper recall support. - Mileage at most recent diagnosis: 116,520 miles - Current mileage: 117,300 miles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  2. Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2024

    Body Paint is sticky... Its not smooth like normal paint. The car ran just 72000 miles. Please help me.

  3. Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2022, crash

    I drove the car to the spot to park my car , with the normal way as always, lower the speed so I can get into my spot. All of sudden , I felt like something pushed really hard behind my car and it moved forward really fast , I couldn't expect anything like that happened at the moment and lost control , it hit the parking pole so hard and my front end broken

  4. Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2018

    WE WERE ON VACATION LAST WEEK AS WE WERE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON I-64 EASTBOUND IN VIRGINIA WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AN THEN LOUD AIRFLOW. WE QUICKLY REALIZED OUR SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THANKFULLY WE HAD IT CLOSED AND THE SHADE WAS ALSO CLOSED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. NOTHING HIT OUR VAN AND WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT THE SUNROOF JUST SUDDENLY EXPLODED. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER WE FOUND THE CENTER OF OUR SUNROOF WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. WE HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS ONLINE OF THIS HAPPENING.

  5. Other or unspecified, May 24, 2018

    THE PAINT ON MY BACK HATCH OF MY VAN IS CRACKING AND PEELING OFF. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO CERTIFIED PRE-OWN FROM A HONDA DEALERSHIP. IT HAS ROUGHLY 50K MILES ON IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE PAINT SHOULD BE CHIPPING LIKE THIS.

  6. Other or unspecified, Mar 16, 2018

    CASE # 11078950 COULD YOU CANCEL THIS CASE? I RECEIVED A GOOD ANSWER.

  7. Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2018, crash

    2ND ROW OUTER SEATS TIPPING 2ND ROW WALK-IN FUNCTION INOP

  8. Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2017

    QUITE OFTEN, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, I.E. AT AN INTERSECTION, OR WHEN STOPPED. IT HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN INITIATING A TURN, FROM A STOP OR SLOW ROLL. THE HESITATION IS UNNERVING! IT CAN LAST A HALF-SECOND, WHICH IS A LONG TIME WHEN CARS ARE APPROACHING. IT MAY BE THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE, OR THE TRANSMISSION. SEEMS THE ENGINE IS NOT BEING TOLD TO INCREASE POWER IN REAL TIME. THE DEALER, OF COURSE, WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED, WHICH IS HARD TO DO IN A SHORT TEST DRIVE WITH A TECHNICIAN. THEY WANT $106.00 FOR EVERY TIME I TRY. I AM SURE HONDA IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION, BUT THEY PUT IT ON THE DEALER, SO NO ACTION IS TAKEN. THANK YOU HONDA FOR RUINING OUR FAITH IN YOUR PRODUCT!

  9. Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 24, 2017

    TRANSMISSION SENSOR ISSUES

  10. Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2016

    WHEN CLEANING OUR EVENFLO SYMPHONY CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS, I FOUND THE STRAPS WHICH RESTRAIN OUR CHILDREN CUT WEARING ON THE SEAT PLASTIC IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT ON BOTH SEATS. THE FIRST SEAT IS MODEL NUMBER 3451953, MANUFACTURE DATE: 5/13/2010. THE OTHER (NEWER) SEAT (MODEL 3101964, MADE 2-14-2013). I CONTACTED EVENFLO AND THEY SAID TO JUST THROW THE SEATS AWAY , WHICH WE DID. I ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE OLDEST SEAT.

  11. Exterior lighting, Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2015, crash

    I PLACED THE VAN IN PARK AND LEFT IT RUNNING AT THE TOP OF A DRIVEWAY WALKED ABOUT 40-60FT AND ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER IT COMES ROLLING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND HITS THE CORNER OF HOUSE AND ME. BOUNCES BACK 23 FEET AND STOPS. GEAR SHIFT IS STILL IN PARK AND CAR IS RUNNING. AIR BAG INFLATES AND ALARM GOES OFF. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND REMOVED KEY.

  12. Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2014

    AS VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, OCCUPANTS HEARD A SUDDEN, LOUD NOISE FROM ROOF OF CAR. NO FLYING DEBRIS WAS NOTED, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY, NO TREES, ETC. IN VICINITY. AS SOON AS WAS SAFE, WE EXITED INTERSTATE AND OPENED SUNROOF COVER TO FIND THAT THE GLASS HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED, AND THERE WAS ACTUALLY A LARGE SECTION IN THE VERY CENTER THAT WAS GONE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED PARKING GARAGE ALL WEEKEND (48 HOURS) IN EXTREME HEAT. THE LOCAL DEALER WILL NOT WORK WITH ME THROUGH MY WARRANTY, AND I AM HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A LOCAL AUTO GLASS DEALER WHO CAN EVEN ORDER THE REPLACEMENT GLASS, EXCEPT THROUGH THE DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CORPORATE OFFICE FOR HONDA BUT HAVE YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. EVERYONE I HAVE SPOKEN TO (GLASS REPAIR FOLKS) STATES THAT IT ALMOST HAS TO BE DUE TO ABNORMAL STRESS ON THE GLASS AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY ON A 1-YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR