2014 Honda Odyssey

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition requested an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contended that air bags can deploy absent a sufficiently severe event to trigger a deployment, such as an impact, rollover event, or G-force threshold breach. The Petition further alleged that the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) conflict and inaccurate data is being recorded for the air bag system. An air bag is a supplemental vehicle occupant restraint system that deploys a cushion designed to inflate in milliseconds during a collision. The cushion prevents vehicle occupants from striking hard interior surfaces and, in some cases, exterior surfaces. Air bags are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts, the primary occupant restraint system. Seat belts restrain occupants keeping them in place for the air bag to provide proper protection and to mitigate injury from air bag deployment. An air bag system consists of an air bag cushion, an inflator module, an air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and impact sensors. When a crash begins, impact sensors located on the vehicle exterior begin to measure impact severity. If a crash is severe enough, the sensors send a signal to the system’s ECU, which then signals the inflator to fill the air bag. ODI reviewed 9 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), one Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Death & Injury (D&I) report, and several TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation) Field Reports alleging inadvertent air bag deployment in the Subject Vehicles. Several complaints allege that the inadvertent deployment of air bags occurred while traveling over potholes, road debris, or during minor curb strikes. All the complaints allege that there was no warning prior to the inadvertent deployment. In general, different types of air bags are designed for different types of impacts. For instance, frontal air bags are generally designed to deploy during frontal impacts; side curtain air bags are generally designed to deploy both during rollovers and impacts to the sides of the vehicle; and side thorax air bags are generally designed to deploy during impacts to the sides of the vehicle. While these are broad categories of crash scenarios, the specific conditions under which deployment is intended are multifaceted and dependent on complex algorithms. Differences in particular variables can make a deployment an intended part of the design in one scenario and not in another similar scenario. Although the reports described above all contain allegations of inadvertent deployment, the conditions under which those reported deployments occurred differ widely. The reports ranged different types of air bags, different combinations of air bags, and different driving scenarios preceding the deployment. Based on the data available to ODI, there is no clear pattern or factor to prompt the alleged inadvertent deployments. Thus, ODI’s review did not identify a trend of a vehicle defect regarding any type of air bag in the Subject Vehicles. Moreover, ODI did not identify any reports of inadvertent air bag deployment that resulted in a loss of vehicle control. ODI is likewise not aware of any crashes or severe injuries involving the Subject Vehicles that resulted from inadvertent deployment of the air bags. ODI recognizes that inadvertent air bag deployments can create dangerous safety hazards. For instance, an inadvertent deployment can surprise a driver, leading to a loss of vehicle control; or if an inadvertent deployment occurs when an occupant is out of position, the force of the deployment may injure the occupant. Inadvertent deployments have been the basis for past NHTSA recalls and investigations. Here, the Petition cites one such recall: Recall 26V-227, which concerns inadvertent deployment of the side curtain and thoracic air bags in MY 2018 to 2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles (the “Recalled Vehicles”) due to the air bag ECU containing incorrect deployment parameters. Although this recall involved Honda Odyssey vehicles in adjacent model years to the Odyssey vehicles that are the subject of this Petition, ODI understands certain key differences to exist between the two groups of Odyssey models. Honda introduced a new generation of the Odyssey line in 2018. This new generation involved a large-scale redesign and a new vehicle platform compared to the previous model years. As a result, the vehicles covered by the Petition differ from the recalled vehicles in many characteristics, including physical dimensions, engines, transmissions, and air bag ECU algorithms. Given these differences, ODI’s review has not identified evidence that the reports of inadvertent deployment in the Odyssey models covered by the Petition correlate to Recall 26V-227. After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the Petitioner, consumer complaint information in NHTSA’s databases, and other relevant information already in possession of the Agency, NHTSA has not found sufficient evidence to indicate that a trend of inadvertent air bag deployments as alleged by the Petitioner is likely to present a safety related defect that would warrant a formal investigation. After full consideration of the available information the Petition is denied. A denial report will be posted in the Federal Register. The closing of the Petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11744118.

The contact owns a 2014 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while the wife was driving into a park lot the vehicle suddenly stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was later towed back to the home. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11739460

Incident

May 21, 2026

Mileage

155,000 mi

Rear sliding doors will not shut automatic or otherwise!!!!! Having to pull the door shut to get it to shut could result in someone arms or fingers being crushed! The cord could snap and hurt someone! Kids riding in backseat could fall out of car while the door won’t shut! The door could open while driving down the road! These doors have costs us hundreds in trying to fix them and they just keep breaking!

NHTSA ID

11734613

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

About mid-2025, Honda announced a warranty extension campaign (not a formal NHTSA recall) for: * 2013–2017 Honda Odyssey (and some Pilots) * Related to VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) What the problem was: * Piston rings wear prematurely * Oil gets past the rings → fouls spark plugs * Leads to: * Misfires (P0301–P0304) * Oil consumption * Rough running Mechanism: * Cylinder deactivation (VCM) → uneven temps → carbon buildup + ring sticking * Sometimes described loosely as a “piston/gasket issue,” even though it’s really piston rings + oil control What Honda did: * Extended powertrain warranty to: * 10 years / 150,000 miles * Covered repairs like: * Piston ring replacement * Spark plugs, etc. In March 2023 I had multiple piston ring failures costing me almost $4k to fix. I submitted a claim with receipts and the work was done at a dealership. Honda said I had all the appropriate paperwork and would get back to me in 6-9 weeks. That was 7 months ago

NHTSA ID

11733841

Incident

Mar 14, 2023

Fuel pump issue, hard to start and low accelerate

NHTSA ID

11731755

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

All of this has been diagnosed and confirmed by Richfield-Bloomington Honda. It is a catostrophic failure of the motor. Cylinder 6 is misfiring. They are recommending a full motor replacement. Last year, I had the piston ring issue on this car and the dealership had to rebuild the motor. The van has about 125,000 miles on it and is good service, including the repaired motor. We are the single owners of the vehicle. After this happened, Honda Corporation was notified, a case was open by both the Richfield Honda Dealership where we purchased our vehicle and by our family. Both were denied. This was a huge safety issue. I was driving home and the check engine light started blinking and the car started shaking. I pulled up to the nearest mechanic (4 miles). They recommended towing it the 200 miles to where I had engine work done the previous year. I was STRANDED in Iowa during this and at the goodwill of some local helpful folks. Luckily, I did not have my kids and I did have cell phone reception where the light went off. This same motor has had two HUGE, vehicle-totaling issues in the last two years.

NHTSA ID

11730488

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

While brake pedal depressed and car coming to a stop at a traffic light, car surged forward as engine revved and hit another car in front of it. Brake pedal was depressed the entire time.

NHTSA ID

11716437

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

The piston ring function has deteriorated causing ring low wear toughness such to the point that sludge has been created fowling the spark plug. This leads to carbon fowling and misfiring of the engine. There have been two incident's one in March of 2025 and the second in Late July of 2025. Both times we after my wife freak out because the car was falling apart she had it towed to a mechanic and both times they said it was caused by what I identified above. A few weeks later a notice of a warrantee exception was sent out and we thought great we will take it in and they will fix it. If we had know about the warrantee extension prior we would have brought it to Honda. Honda told us that unless the lights are on we won't fix it. So they said we needed to wait to it breaks down somewhere and then have it towed to the nearest Honda by Jan. 31st, 2026 and they will fix it. After that tough luck. We are looking for an exception to this rule and I have sent in the necessary information proving that the problem exists as evidenced by two licensed mechanics. If and exception is not granted I will have no other choice but to bring it to the better business bureau and 7 on your side a local consumer advocate from KGO TV and get them to come after you to make this right. We have been a loyal advocate for Honda for over 12 years and just want this to be made right. Please don't make us have to expose this miscarriage of good faith. Please respond to this quickly as there are only two days left in the extended warrantee. I talked to a case worker today and they told me I was out of luck. I am not happy as you can imagine [XXX] & [XXX] , [XXX] . 1-29-2026 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11714341

Incident

Mar 24, 2025

On 10/03/2021 I was driving on the road and they car started acting up and the lights on the dashboard all start light up, so I drove to the dealer did a diagnosis on the car came out To be misfire and piston ring 4 fault. So I did the repair that are required for me to operate my vehicle safely. So four years later Honda did the recall. I submitted my documentation and repair receipt. Honda at first denied my claim saying I don’t have a proof of payment ( which clearly shows on my receipt it’s been paid with a Visa card), so I replied back with the Honda dealer’s billing personal contact info so the can verify that it’s been paid. So that takes care that. Then they move on to denying me again saying I don’t have the correct code on my invoice. So I attached the dealer repair managers contact info for them to verify the repair ( which the manager said American Honda should honor the repair since they issue the recall) and after all whose work Honda is still denying it. I did some searching on the net. I am not alone on this. A lot of honda owners are having the same issues did the repair with their hard earned money and when it comes to recall. American Honda motors are trying everything they can to dishonor it. I thing there must be something that we can do to stop this.

NHTSA ID

11713152

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

Owner Notification Letter - the piston ring function can deteriorate due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to come on.

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.

Dealer Message - Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug, potentially leading to carbon fouling and misfire triggering DTCs P0301 through P0304 and cause the MIL to come on.

Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire.