RoadVitals

2011 Honda Odyssey Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
65
Latest Sep 11, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 232 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Honda Odyssey submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 65 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 65, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages "check Systems" and "Check Power" were displayed, and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after refueling, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the battery warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that since the failures started, the battery had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11686590
Incident
Jan 11, 2024
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 20, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle, the Carfax Report indicated that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 121,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 211,000.

NHTSA ID
11681809
Incident
Aug 19, 2025
Mileage
211,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 31, 2025

Vehicle stalled was able to safely get to side of road and stop and then everything locked up. I tried to get out of the doors. I manually unlocking them, but they would not allow me to get out. It was 90° outside and at this point the internal temperature was probably creeping to 120. I started to panic as I tried the other doors. Finally realizing I had to call 911. It was taking a while for her to believe me that I was stuck inside vehicle and not able to physically get out. I then tried the last sliding door and was able to pry it open and get out. This was a very scary situation. If the vehicle computer system turns off there should be a way to manually get out of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11664125
Incident
May 31, 2025
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2023

The passenger side electric door cord snapped while children were getting out of the vehicle and no we cannot open the door any longer. The safety of my children were put at risk since there was no warning that this was going to happen; the door made a loud noise and started to shut quickly. The problem has been confirmed by an independent auto repair center and we were quoted $1,100 to repair (the entire motor and door pulley system needs to be replaced; we cannot ONLY fix the cord - we have to replace the entire thing). Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO WARNING.

NHTSA ID
11523170
Incident
Sep 17, 2022
Electrical
Filed Dec 10, 2022

Back-up camera screen is black and only shows guide-lines.

NHTSA ID
11496893
Incident
Nov 10, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2019

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS OPENING BY THEMSELVES, EVEN WHEN DOORS ARE LOCKED. HAPPENED WHEN SITTING IN HOME DRIVEWAY AND PUBLIC PARKING LOT,STATIONARY AT BOTH LOCATIONS. ALSO,STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT,APPLYING BRAKES, ON A CITY ROAD AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED AGAIN, ON THEIR OWN. UNKNOWN REASONS FOR THESE OCCURRENCES. ALSO WHILE SITTING STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY, MY VEHICLE STARTED UP WITH NO ONE INSIDE, NO KEY IN IGNITION, AND DOORS LOCKED.

NHTSA ID
11165474
Incident
May 1, 2018
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 14, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TAMERON HONDA (LOCATED AT 1675 MONTGOMERY HWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL) WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11129535
Incident
Sep 14, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 30, 2018

RODENTS CHEW THROUGH MY HONDA ODYSSEY 2011 ELECTRICAL WIRING. LOOKS LIKE WIRE COATING IS SOY BASED (BASED ON WHAT I AM READING ON FORUMS) WHICH ATTRACTS RODENTS. SO RODENTS CHEWED ELECTRICAL WIRING WHICH CAUSED ISSUES WITH SIGNALS GOING TO TRANSMISSION AND WE FACED ISSUES WITH DRIVING CAR. CAR STARTED JUMPING WHILE PUTTING IN REVERSE AND FORWARD GEARS AND WE IMMEDIATELY HAD TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS SAFETY HAZARD AND WE WERE LUCKY TO NOT FACE ACCIDENT. LOOKS LIKE HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY EVEN HAVE DEVELOPED SHRINK WRAP TAPE (HONDA 4019-2317 RODENT TAPE). NOT SURE WHY THEY ARE NOT INSTALLING IT AT THE START

NHTSA ID
11098833
Incident
May 29, 2018
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed May 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY BRAKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTOFAIR HONDA (200 KELLER ST, MANCHESTER, NH 03103) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11098642
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2018

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP OF MY COMPLAINT NUMBER 11076339. ON THAT COMPLAINT I FORGOT TO REPORT THAT ON 2/18/18 AFTER A LONG WEEKEND AWAY AND NOT DRIVING THE VAN FOR 4 DAYS, WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE (GEICO) WHO DISPATCHED A TOW TRUCK TO JUMP START MY VAN. SINCE THEN ALMOST EVERY TIME I START OR TURN OFF THE KEY TO MY VAN IT TELL ME "BAT LOW'. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AGAIN THEY TELL ME THAT THE VAN WORKS AS DESIGNED, THAT I NEED TO DRIVE THE VAN EVERY DAY FOR LONG RIDES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL THESE 2011 ODYSSEYS AND RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS MATTER. [XXX] THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11078637
Incident
Feb 18, 2018
Electrical
Filed Mar 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" AND "LOW BATTERY" SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFFREY HONDA (30800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
11076677
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
103,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2018

HAVE A BRAND NEW BATTERY AND EVERY TIME I START OR WHEN I TURN OFF THE VAN IT TELLS ME "BAT LOW". THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE BATTERY SENSOR BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. I TOOK VAN SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER BUT THEY SAY: THE VAN RUNS AS DESIGNED, BUT, HOW IRONIC, IT COULD NOT PASS THE NYS INSPECTION.THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT FOR 60 MILES AT HIGH SPEED AND HOPEFULLY IT WOULD THEN PASS INSPECTION. IT DID. THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT WITH THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM AND HONDA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. ATTACHED IS THEIR SERVICENEWS ARTICLE OF FEB 2011 OUTLINING THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HONDA NEEDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. THANK YOU. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE. *JS

NHTSA ID
11076339
Incident
Feb 6, 2018
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 29, 2017

LOCATION, STATEN ISLAND, NY. DATE, 10/29/2017. TIME, ABOUT 9:45PM. DROVE OVER A FEW PUDDLES IN POURING RAIN AND A HILLY ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK CHARGE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. A MINUTE LATER, IT WAS RESTORED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT A MINUTE LATER. THEN IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY HOME. EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS IF THE LOSS OF ALTERNATOR POWER CAN IMMEDIATELY CAUSE LOST OF STEERING.

NHTSA ID
11041002
Incident
Oct 29, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 4, 2017

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND CABLE. COATED CABLE RUSTED AND SNAPPED. SUBSTANDARD CABLE QUALITY. PREMATURE FAILURE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. CABLE SNAPPED AND POPPED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY INJURING PERSON STANDING NEAR DOOR. DOOR UNABLE TO CLOSE WITHOUT UNREASONABLE FORCE POSING DANGER TO PASSENGERS RIDING WITH OPEN DOOR. PASSENGER CAN NOT EXIT CAR WITH CABLE SNAPPED. CAN NOT REPLACE JUST THE CABLE CAUSING UNDUE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. SEAT HEATER- FAULTY, CRIMP IN HEATER BROKE CAUSING FAILURE WITH NORMAL USE BY 100 POUND PERSON.

NHTSA ID
10993051
Incident
Apr 26, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 19, 2017

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. IT'S NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. I HAVE INSTALLED A BRAND NEW BATTERY. ONCE THE VOLTAGE DROPS THE VEHICLE BECOME SLUGGISH AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN A HIGH-SPEED SITUATION SUCH AS ON A BUSY FREEWAY. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD ISSUE. BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY DEATHS AS A RESULT OF IT YET. I DO NOT BELIEVE HONDA IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS TO BE AFFECTING SOME LATER MODELS AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
10967092
Incident
Mar 18, 2017
Mileage
84,900 mi
Electrical
Filed May 24, 2016

CAR WHEN ON BLUETOOTH WITH IPHONE WILL ABRUPTLY CUT OFF AND NOT ALLOW OPERATOR TO USE HANDS FREE. EVERY DAY THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ID
10870614
Incident
May 23, 2016
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 13, 2016

BATTERY WARNING CAME ON SO REPLACED BATTERY. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER SO HAD BATTERY TESTED AS WELL AS ANYTHING THAT WOULD DRAIN BATTERY LIFE. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. BUT NOW EVERY TIME I OPEN THE DOOR OR TURN OFF THE CAR THE CAR LOUDLY BEEPS A LOW BATTERY WARNING. FED UP WITH IT. IF CAR WAS NOT PAID OFF I WOULD TRADE IT IN BUT WOULD THINK TWICE BOUT GETTING ANOTHER HONDA SINCE THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10855380
Incident
Dec 1, 2015
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Apr 1, 2016

8 MONTHS AGO WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARK, RAIN CAME INSIDE THE VAN BEHIND REAR VIEW MIRROR DOWN THROUGH THE RADIO.04/01/16 WHILE DRIVING(HIGHWAY) IN THE RAIN WATER AGAIN CAME INSIDE THE VAN BEHIND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR.TALKED TO SERVICE TECH. SHE STATED THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH HONDA, BUT THEY STILL HAVE TO CHARGE FOR THIS MANUFACTURED PROBLEM.HAVE 75535 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10852871
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
75,535 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 15, 2015

CHANGE BATTERY WARNING! JUST REPLACED FOR A BRAND BATTERY. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING!?

NHTSA ID
10790490
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 15, 2015

THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FREQUENTLY GOES DEAD, LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED AND FEELING INSECURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. FOR EXAMPLE, IF I SIT IN THE CAR, TURNED OFF, WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION (NO LIGHTS ON, NO RADIO, ETC.) THE BATTERY WILL DIE. I HAVE TO HAVE IT JUMPED, OR WAIT HOURS (WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION) FOR THE BATTERY TO RECHARGE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE BEING STRANDED SOMEPLACE FOR HOURS AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10763926
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
200 mi
ElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Jul 24, 2015

HAVE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH TPMS LIGHT ON MY HONDA MINI-VAN. HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THE CODE COMING BACK IS "RADIO FREQUENCY THIRD WHEEL", AND THIS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CANNOT FIX. HONDA CORP NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND INFORM DEALERS HOW TO FIX THE TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT. I HAVE READ THAT SMART PHONES, LAPTOPS, ETC CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM, WHICH SHOULD NOT EVEN BE AN ISSUE. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY SMART PHONE WITH ME FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. TECHNOLOGY SHOULD NEVER BE AN INTERFERENCE ISSUE WITH TPMS. THIS INDICATOR JOLTS/SCARES ME WHEN IT COMES ON, MOST TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER TODAY TOLD ME TO PUT BLACK TAPE OVER THE LIGHTS SO THEY DON'T BOTHER ME, THAT WAS THEIR ANSWER!! NOT ACCEPTABLE. ....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF I WENT TO A NON-HONDA REPAIR SHOP WHO FIXED THE FAULTY SENSOR AND ALL IS GOOD WITH THE VAN. THE HONDA DEALER WAS INCORRECTLY TELLING ME THAT IT WAS A RADIO FREQUENCY ERROR DUE TO THE ELECTRONICS IN MY CAR. I WENT TO ANOTHER PLACE, WHO DIAGNOSED AND FIXED THE TPMS PERFECTLY. UPDATED 11/18/15.*JB

NHTSA ID
10743362
Incident
Mar 30, 2015
Mileage
32,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 28, 2015

THE BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FREQUENTLY GOES DEAD, LEAVING MY FAMILY STRANDED AND FEELING INSECURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10721846
Incident
May 26, 2015
Mileage
55,400 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 16, 2014

DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH ON A SIDE STREET. CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP TO RESTART CAR. CAR RESTARTED AND DROVE 1 MILE HOME. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO ERROR MESSAGE ON COMPUTER READING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10645014
Incident
Oct 12, 2014
Mileage
46,855 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2014

MY IGNITION KEY IS FALLING APART. THE IGNITION KEY CONTAINS THE SECURITY CHIP TO ALLOW THE CAR TO START/RUN AND IT ALSO CONTAINS THE TRANSMITTER TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR. THE HOUSING OF THE KEY IS COMING APART. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR MAY STOP RUNNING IF THE SECURITY CHIP FALLS OUT OF THE HOUSING, AS I AM DRIVING. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING AND THE LOST OF POWER FOR THE BRAKES AND STEERING. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO HONDA AND THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN ASSISTING ME WITH REPAIRING HIS AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE KEY IS IN EXCESS OF $100.00. MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE DOING WELL TO JUST MAKE THE CAR PAYMENT AND DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT KEY DUE TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED ISSUE. SEEING THAT GM HAS HAD A NUMBER OF CRASHES RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, I BELIEVE THAT A SIMILAR ISSUE IS LIKELY TO OCCUR WITH HONDA'S USING THE SAME KEY AS MY 2011 ODYSSEY EX-L. *TR

NHTSA ID
10644309
Incident
Oct 9, 2014
Mileage
41,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 27, 2012

CAR FAILED TO START FOR OVER 3 HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10453276
Incident
Mar 27, 2012
Mileage
3,750 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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