2018 Honda Odyssey problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This vehicle is actively immobilized on private residential property with its central ADAS safety networks and Advanced Driver-Assist networks completely crashed and offline (DTC U3000-49) and active short-to-ground circuit failures (DTC B2035) rendering the passenger sliding doors completely inoperable, creating an immediate entrapment and safety hazard. These progressive component failures cascade directly from severe environmental moisture intrusion inside the rear tailgate enclosure. This exact water migration vector intersects directly with active federal safety campaign NHTSA Recall 26-V-423 (Rearview Camera Failure), which isolates moisture intrusion into the panel housing as the root factory manufacturing defect. A manufacturer franchise location documented active water leakage onto the Power Tailgate Control Unit and heavy corrosion on the wiring connector under a previous Repair Order but performed zero interim moisture sealing, corrosion cleanup, or terminal mitigation, allowing progressive water migration to completely destroy the wiring system harness. Furthermore, American Honda Corporate Case Management explicitly stated on a recorded verbal line that the manufacturer is denying all repair assistance to remedy these cascading safety campaign electrical defects under an active corporate case. The manufacturer is in open default of its statutory federal obligation to remedy a safety recall defect free of charge to the consumer.

NHTSA complaint #11763754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This vehicle is actively immobilized on private residential property with its central ADAS safety networks and Advanced Driver-Assist networks completely crashed and offline (DTC U3000-49) and active short-to-ground circuit failures (DTC B2035) rendering the passenger sliding doors completely inoperable, creating an immediate entrapment and safety hazard. These progressive component failures cascade directly from severe environmental moisture intrusion inside the rear tailgate enclosure. This exact water migration vector intersects directly with active federal safety campaign NHTSA Recall 26-V-423 (Rearview Camera Failure), which isolates moisture intrusion into the panel housing as the root factory manufacturing defect. A manufacturer franchise location documented active water leakage onto the Power Tailgate Control Unit and heavy corrosion on the wiring connector under a previous Repair Order but performed zero interim moisture sealing, corrosion cleanup, or terminal mitigation, allowing progressive water migration to completely destroy the wiring system harness. Furthermore, American Honda Corporate Case Management explicitly stated on a recorded verbal line that the manufacturer is denying all repair assistance to remedy these cascading safety campaign electrical defects under an active corporate case. The manufacturer is in open default of its statutory federal obligation to remedy a safety recall defect free of charge to the consumer.

NHTSA complaint #11763754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

This vehicle is actively immobilized on private residential property with its central ADAS safety networks and Advanced Driver-Assist networks completely crashed and offline (DTC U3000-49) and active short-to-ground circuit failures (DTC B2035) rendering the passenger sliding doors completely inoperable, creating an immediate entrapment and safety hazard. These progressive component failures cascade directly from severe environmental moisture intrusion inside the rear tailgate enclosure. This exact water migration vector intersects directly with active federal safety campaign NHTSA Recall 26-V-423 (Rearview Camera Failure), which isolates moisture intrusion into the panel housing as the root factory manufacturing defect. A manufacturer franchise location documented active water leakage onto the Power Tailgate Control Unit and heavy corrosion on the wiring connector under a previous Repair Order but performed zero interim moisture sealing, corrosion cleanup, or terminal mitigation, allowing progressive water migration to completely destroy the wiring system harness. Furthermore, American Honda Corporate Case Management explicitly stated on a recorded verbal line that the manufacturer is denying all repair assistance to remedy these cascading safety campaign electrical defects under an active corporate case. The manufacturer is in open default of its statutory federal obligation to remedy a safety recall defect free of charge to the consumer.

NHTSA complaint #11763754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the audio of the vehicle unexpectedly became inoperable. The failure was a recurring failure. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V431000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted and stated that the cost of the repair was not covered because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,332.

NHTSA complaint #11763401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My vehicle intermittently shifts from normal automatic Drive (D) into S mode without any intentional driver input. I do not touch or activate the steering-wheel paddle shifter when this occurs. Searching on reddit and other forums I see many other drivers have the same issue. The problem appears to happen primarily after coming to a complete stop, such as at a traffic light or stop sign. When I then press the accelerator to proceed, the vehicle may have very little acceleration because it has unexpectedly entered S mode. This has occurred while I was attempting to turn or proceed into traffic and has nearly caused an accident on multiple occasions. The issue is intermittent and cannot be reproduced on demand. However, it has happened multiple times under similar circumstances. I am certain I did not intentionally activate the paddle shifter. I am concerned this may be a safety defect involving the electronic shift control, paddle shifter, transmission controls, sensors, or related software. An unexpected change in transmission mode immediately after stopping can create a dangerous situation because the driver expects normal automatic operation and acceleration when entering an intersection or traffic. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and investigate whether this is a safety-related defect that may affect other vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11763173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Tail gate problems Looks like there are a lot of tailgate problems with the Honda Odyssey, including water leaks that can affect the control module. I replaced the control module, but it looks like there’s a lot of information and research about this issue online.

NHTSA complaint #11762619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear sliding door failure, doors wouldn't latch properly resulting in opening when driving down the road. Took to dealership for repair. Paid $1633.78 they replaced rear latches 3/31/2026. Rear latches failed to open resulting in one Rear door cable breaking and one that will not open at all 9/1/2026. Neither door opens at this point.

NHTSA complaint #11762447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Rear sliding door failure, doors wouldn't latch properly resulting in opening when driving down the road. Took to dealership for repair. Paid $1633.78 they replaced rear latches 3/31/2026. Rear latches failed to open resulting in one Rear door cable breaking and one that will not open at all 9/1/2026. Neither door opens at this point.

NHTSA complaint #11762447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Rear sliding door failure, doors wouldn't latch properly resulting in opening when driving down the road. Took to dealership for repair. Paid $1633.78 they replaced rear latches 3/31/2026. Rear latches failed to open resulting in one Rear door cable breaking and one that will not open at all 9/1/2026. Neither door opens at this point.

NHTSA complaint #11762447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Front Molecular sensor/Camera

NHTSA complaint #11762383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Front Molecular sensor/Camera

NHTSA complaint #11762383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

Front Molecular sensor/Camera

NHTSA complaint #11762383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the rear liftgate was inoperable and had to be unlocked through the emergency release in the trunk. Additionally, the contact stated that the rear window seal was significantly fractured. A message that the tailgate was inoperable was displayed accompanied by a chime that was heard inside and outside the vehicle while driving. The contact stated that the message was displayed after a rainstorm. Additionally, while the contact's son was using the seat belt, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side third-row seat belt and seat belt retractor housing attached to the roof were wet. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tailgate printed circuit board for the locking mechanism was corroded, and the motor had failed. The vehicle was scheduled for the repair. Additionally, the dealer referred the contact to an auto body service center to determine where the water was entering the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11762099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

NHTSA Recall 19V-299 / Honda Campaign Z4J. Sudden gear refusal, shifting malfunctions, and stalling. The premature structural failure of my 10-speed transmission is a direct consequence of the known factory software defect that violently shifts the car into Park while moving.

NHTSA complaint #11761878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The vehicle would not accelerate over 40MPH, we took the vehicle into the dealership for what we thought was a failed fuel injector, upon inspection they found metal shavings in the oil and mentioned the engine is not repairable and would need a whole new replacement. We had this vehicle 9 months. Upon investigation there was a known recall that is identical to the issues we are experiencing. The whole engine is failed and we cannot utilize it. It was inspected by the dealership. The check engine light is illuminating, and does not increase in speed. My family and I were unable to drive at a reasonable speed on the highway once it failed.

NHTSA complaint #11761430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The windshield-mounted front monocular camera (Honda Sensing unit) overheated and failed/burnt out. This failure completely disabled the Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control systems, triggering multiple safety system warning lights on the dashboard.

NHTSA complaint #11760970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side power sliding door unexpectedly opened and failed to latch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V795000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

NHTSA complaint #11760867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The windshield-mounted front monocular camera (Honda Sensing unit) overheated and failed/burnt out. This failure completely disabled the Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control systems, triggering multiple safety system warning lights on the dashboard.

NHTSA complaint #11760970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

The windshield-mounted front monocular camera (Honda Sensing unit) overheated and failed/burnt out. This failure completely disabled the Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control systems, triggering multiple safety system warning lights on the dashboard.

NHTSA complaint #11760970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS

COMPONENT THAT FAILED & AVAILABILITY: The vehicle's primary electrical architecture and data communications network (CAN bus) failed during a safety recall service for the SRS ECU and rearview camera. After attempting to complete the recall work, the vehicle is no longer able to start. SAFETY RISK: The manufacturer's federally mandated safety recall remedy compromised the vehicle's critical safety and control infrastructure. This rendered a previously reliable family vehicle entirely inoperable, destroying its ability to communicate, start, or turn on. It poses a systemic safety risk if the corporate recall procedure itself causes severe electronic failures in consumer vehicles. REPRODUCTION & DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. The failure was induced directly by Williams Honda ([XXX]) during service on Thursday, XXX. The dealership's Service Manager explicitly confirmed to me that their technicians compromised the electrical architecture while performing the SRS ECU and rearview camera recall work. The vehicle has remained dead at their facility ever since. INSPECTION BY OTHERS: The vehicle has been actively inspected by dealership technicians in coordination with Honda Engineering headquarters. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, as no crash occurred. I have requested an inspection by a Honda Corporate Field Technical Specialist (FTS). WARNING LAMPS & PRIOR SYMPTOMS:NONE. Prior to this appointment, the vehicle was in perfect electrical and mechanical working order. There were absolutely no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any starting or electrical problems. The vehicle had just safely completed a seven-hour road trip immediately prior to being dropped off for the recall work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11760347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMPONENT THAT FAILED & AVAILABILITY: The vehicle's primary electrical architecture and data communications network (CAN bus) failed during a safety recall service for the SRS ECU and rearview camera. After attempting to complete the recall work, the vehicle is no longer able to start. SAFETY RISK: The manufacturer's federally mandated safety recall remedy compromised the vehicle's critical safety and control infrastructure. This rendered a previously reliable family vehicle entirely inoperable, destroying its ability to communicate, start, or turn on. It poses a systemic safety risk if the corporate recall procedure itself causes severe electronic failures in consumer vehicles. REPRODUCTION & DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. The failure was induced directly by Williams Honda ([XXX]) during service on Thursday, XXX. The dealership's Service Manager explicitly confirmed to me that their technicians compromised the electrical architecture while performing the SRS ECU and rearview camera recall work. The vehicle has remained dead at their facility ever since. INSPECTION BY OTHERS: The vehicle has been actively inspected by dealership technicians in coordination with Honda Engineering headquarters. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, as no crash occurred. I have requested an inspection by a Honda Corporate Field Technical Specialist (FTS). WARNING LAMPS & PRIOR SYMPTOMS:NONE. Prior to this appointment, the vehicle was in perfect electrical and mechanical working order. There were absolutely no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any starting or electrical problems. The vehicle had just safely completed a seven-hour road trip immediately prior to being dropped off for the recall work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11760347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

COMPONENT THAT FAILED & AVAILABILITY: The vehicle's primary electrical architecture and data communications network (CAN bus) failed during a safety recall service for the SRS ECU and rearview camera. After attempting to complete the recall work, the vehicle is no longer able to start. SAFETY RISK: The manufacturer's federally mandated safety recall remedy compromised the vehicle's critical safety and control infrastructure. This rendered a previously reliable family vehicle entirely inoperable, destroying its ability to communicate, start, or turn on. It poses a systemic safety risk if the corporate recall procedure itself causes severe electronic failures in consumer vehicles. REPRODUCTION & DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. The failure was induced directly by Williams Honda ([XXX]) during service on Thursday, XXX. The dealership's Service Manager explicitly confirmed to me that their technicians compromised the electrical architecture while performing the SRS ECU and rearview camera recall work. The vehicle has remained dead at their facility ever since. INSPECTION BY OTHERS: The vehicle has been actively inspected by dealership technicians in coordination with Honda Engineering headquarters. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, as no crash occurred. I have requested an inspection by a Honda Corporate Field Technical Specialist (FTS). WARNING LAMPS & PRIOR SYMPTOMS:NONE. Prior to this appointment, the vehicle was in perfect electrical and mechanical working order. There were absolutely no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any starting or electrical problems. The vehicle had just safely completed a seven-hour road trip immediately prior to being dropped off for the recall work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11760347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The car on a weekly basis or almost every time it is driven. The car jerks when driving at low speeds. This is a safety risk when driving for vehicles in front or behind me, as the car jerks forward. This has been mentioned to the dealer, but they stated a charge of 180 USD will be incurred for diagnoses. If you look at the NHTSA complaints database there are numerous complaints similar to what I am experiencing from other owners stating the same issue of jerkiness on the honda Odessey. I am surprised there is no recall on this. I put the date in down below but it happens almost every time the car is driven.

NHTSA complaint #11760061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate, requiring the contact to forcefully depress the accelerator pedal to move the vehicle. The contact stated that multiple warning lights unexpectedly illuminated, including the Road Departure Mitigation system, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Lane Departure Warning system warning lights, and all related safety features failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11760009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.