2020 Honda Odyssey Powertrain (other) Problems

At roughly 5,000 miles, this 2020 Honda Odyssey was brought into an authorized Honda dealership due to transmission concerns. The dealership service department improperly evaluated the 10 speed transmission, and diagnosed a 9 speed transmission system, assured me that what I was feeling was completely normal, and instructed me to only bring the vehicle back if the issue got worse. At approximately 60,000 miles, after experiencing a transmission slip, I immediately took the vehicle to an ASE Blue Seal Certified shop for a complete transmission service to ensure proper maintenance was performed by qualified technicians. At approximately 80,000 miles, while driving on a highway during a family trip, the transmission suffered a sudden, catastrophic failure, resulting in a total loss of motive power at speed. Losing all propulsion on a high-speed highway created a severe safety hazard for my family and surrounding traffic. The complete mechanical failure was subsequently confirmed by a service center, and the failed transmission assembly remains available for inspection upon request. Initial symptoms were presented directly to an authorized Honda dealer in Annapolis MD while under factory warranty and the vehicle was properly maintained by certified technicians thereafter, but the underlying defect went unaddressed until complete failure occurred on the road.

NHTSA ID

11754107

Incident

May 29, 2026

The vehicle is a 2020 Honda Odyssey. A recurring and dangerous safety failure occurs involving the Auto Idle-Stop system. With the system enabled and the vehicle at a complete stop, the engine shuts off as designed. However, upon depressing the brake pedal to resume driving, the engine severely struggles to restart and completely fails. Simultaneously, the vehicle immediately and automatically shifts itself into PARK, and the entire dashboard display illuminates with all available warning icons and messages. This malfunction creates an immediate, high-risk safety hazard. When the incident occurs, I am trapped, locked in PARK, in live traffic lanes, sometimes at busy intersections or during left-hand turns. It is impossible to shift back into drive or quickly restart the engine. I am forced to remain stationary in traffic for multiple minutes until the system allows me to cycle the ignition completely OFF and then back ON to attempt a full restart and shift back into Drive. This leaves my vehicle, my passengers, and other drivers vulnerable to rear-end collisions.

NHTSA ID

11750904

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

The automatic engine shut off at stop doesn't always restart engine when moving again. This has happened several times where the engine doesn't restart after the engine shut off is engaged. This is the same issue as reported in NHTSA Action Number: EA25004

NHTSA ID

11746631

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

After being on idle on a stop light, when releasing the brake to go, warning on dash says "Collision Mitigation Warning" when nothing hit the car and I'm there's enough distance with the car in front and behind. The severity has increased now, after being idle, when releasing the brake, it now completely shuts off, dash says "Shift to Park", and can't go, unless I push the ignition button. Took it 3x for the same errors on dash, Honda said the 1st time it was low battery, battery was running on low juice and didnt have power to come back from idle, they changed the battery. Now they say they need to replace the starter after few thou$and$. I see online this happening to others too. I fear the car behind me, may rear end me, because I can't go, green light is on, but I can't move as I'm re-starting the vehicle after being on idle. Honda says my VIN is not part of the bad batch. It's happening more frequently and Honda said they were able to replicate.

NHTSA ID

11730501

Incident

Mar 15, 2026

Upon starting the vehicle, it failed to engage in reverse. Although the backup camera activated, the vehicle remained stationary. After multiple ignition cycles, the vehicle eventually engaged in reverse and then moved forward in Drive. However, shortly after, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and entered "limp mode," restricting speed to approximately 15–20 mph regardless of throttle input. The engine revved excessively high without corresponding acceleration, and a severe burning/heat smell emanated from the transmission/engine compartment. This failure occurred without any prior warning; notably, no dashboard warning lights or "Check Engine" indicators illuminated to alert the driver of a mechanical or electronic fault. The sudden, un-signaled drop in speed on a public roadway created a significant safety hazard for following traffic and risked a rear-end collision. The vehicle was towed to a certified Honda dealership where the Transmission Control Module (TCM) was diagnosed as failed. The TCM is currently being replaced under the Honda Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty. We do not know what else requires replacement and repairs. The dealership will not cover the replacement of the transmission fluid, or engine fluid, despite the fluid being subjected to extreme heat and potential damage during the failure and subsequent limp mode.

NHTSA ID

11709127

Incident

Dec 27, 2025

At 67,000 miles the transmission was lurching when shifting in 4th gear. Took it to Honda dealership who found code p0736 stored in TCM. Transmission fluid flushed January 2024 by same dealer. No warning lights ever appeared. Body shop said this requires a new transmission at $10k+

NHTSA ID

11693536

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

Subject: Urgent Vehicle Safety Concern – Sudden Malfunction and Safety Risk On [XXX], at approximately [XXX, I experienced a traumatic incident when my vehicle unexpectedly malfunctioned while I was driving home. After making a left turn on a green signal from [XXX] toward the Community, the car suddenly stalled. By God's grace, I managed to cross Woodbridge Avenue before stopping, avoiding a major traffic obstruction. However, it came to a complete stop in the middle of the street, creating a hazardous situation. After a brief pause, the car moved approximately 10 yards before stopping again, becoming completely immobile in the middle of a public road. Attempts to jump-start the battery failed. All warning lights turned on, but the engine would not start. The vehicle could not be restarted or moved under its own power. 911 was called, and police responded promptly to the scene. With the assistance of my wife, police officers, and local neighbors, a tow company was called to remove the vehicle from the roadway. It was then towed and parked in a nearby lot. This incident was highly traumatic and posed a serious threat to my safety, my family's safety, and the safety of the public. Diagnostics and expert assessments indicate the issue may be related to a manufacturer defect, which is deeply concerning given that this is a new vehicle. At this time, the vehicle is no longer drivable. I am seeking urgent assistance to resolve this matter with the manufacturer and to ensure that other consumers are not exposed to similar risks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11659198

Incident

May 5, 2025

While driving on highway, 3 hours away from home, all of a sudden van slowed down and jerking and shaking with loud grinding movement sound from the van started. No warning sign displayed on the dashboard display screen and no warning alert either. Luckily got out of the exit and parked the van. Van was not going beyond first gear and jerking and shaking and making loud grinding sound. Van was not drivable safely. Towed to the local Honda dealership which was 30 miles away. Dealership checked the Van and diagnosed that the 10 speed Automatic transmission has failed and need a new transmission now. There is no warning sign or error on the dashboard display and any warning alert even after this incident happened. I am very disappointed that such an expensive van has no good warning sing or alert system for transmission failure, even though vehicle has computer to monitor every small thing but no good warning system for most expensive automatic Transmission system. This is total lack of care and failure on the part of manufacturer Honda, which did not put some good warning system on these defective automatic transmissions. These sudden failures can cause catastrophic accidents on the highways and roads. This sudden failure of transmission should have been a recall for defective manufacturing of 10 speed automatic transmission in Honda Odyssey van.

NHTSA ID

11631106

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

I have a concerning noise from my car's engine that I’ve already brought in for diagnosis. Knocking/ticking/rattling noise on stand-still acceleration at relatively low speeds/under light load. Does not duplicate when revving in park, only under light load. Sound present with HVAC on or off. Does not make noise when cold or after long trips. Honda seems to be aware of this issue and has remedied it through work involving the crankshaft bearings and possibly other components as it relates to their service bulletin 23-097. The problem is that my vehicle falls outside of the stated range of production years as mine is a 2020 model year, but the likelihood seems quite high that the engine in my vehicle is suffering from this exact problem. The service department refuses to help me and the corporate line I've contacted through email me simply refers me to the service department. I just spent $38,000 on this vehicle with 30,000 miles and I have no other recourse at this point to remedy this.

NHTSA ID

11565812

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

Driving in traffic, switched lanes into a turn lane and came to a stop. The van put itself in park and wouldn't do anything for 5 minutes...the van kept running. It couldn't be shifted out of park, it couldn't be turned off. After approximately 5 minutes was able to put it back in drive and drive away.

NHTSA ID

11554636

Incident

Nov 11, 2023

My wife was driving our honda odyssey on a state highway and it began lurching and drastically reduced speed while in 65 mph traffic. The vehicle almost created a large accident as it uncontrollably and suddenly reduced gears and instantly slowed well below the rate of travel of the vehicles on the road. She managed to pull over on the side of the road but was unable to move the vehicle . There was never a check engine indicator or any other warning signs prior to this happening. The vehicle was towed to the local honda dealership in Scranton PA. Today the service center there stated that the transmission fluid was charred and burnt up gears in the transmission. This is a huge safety concern as there was no warning signs of the issue until the vehicle rapidly and suddenly shifted down gears and slowed to almost a complete stop along the highway. The vehicle is only 3 years old and is 900 miles over the powertrain warranty. Has there been a check engine light or any indicator we could have had the problem addressed before it became catastrophic and put my families lives in jeopardy. The vehicle has been regularly maintained

NHTSA ID

11551401

Incident

Oct 22, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete stop at the traffic light, the collision mitigation braking system (CMBS) warning light illuminated and a message indicating to shift to park(P) was displayed. The contact shifted to park and shifted back into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to drive to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11513166

Incident

Mar 19, 2023

Mileage

32,000 mi

My 2020 Honda Odyssey the engine stalled while I am driving. It isn’t the first time in part two years. My first complaint to the dealer on 2020, the first time my engine stalled when I was moving to the Parking. The engine stalled and all the lights on on the dashboard with a big bang sound. I restarted the car and my car can drive again. I bought it to the honda dealer at puente hills and they told me stop to use the brake hold system while I am driving. After a few weeks later , I have the Same problem again when I made a right turn. After the turn , my car engine stalled again and I almost got rear end from the car behind me. I needed to restarted my car to drive again. After that I drove to other honda dealer at West Covina to check my car and they was unable to find any problems. They told me to take videos when the happenings again. My car was fine for almost two years. My car engine stalled again while I was driving also with the Big Bang sound and all the light on on the dashboard. But I don’t need to restart my car on this time .because the engine start again after all the lights off from the dashboard . I just need to pass the drive button to move my car. I feel so dangerous. I bought my car honda dealer to check and they told me my throttle have carbon buildup so I paid for them to do it. But I am still feeling unsafe and it’s a unacceptable situation.

NHTSA ID

11479608

Incident

Aug 15, 2022

Just experienced a serious issue with our 2020 Odyssey Elite with 24,000 miles on it. Jerked forward from a stop and then would not advance beyond 1st gear. Multiple warning lights came on: check engine/ emissions/ back up camera and sensors. Dealer reported there was an electronic defect that destroyed the transmission which they claim caused the transmission to attempt to shift into two gears simultaneously. Not sure but the jerking motion may indicate that the transmission shifted into park while moving. Dealer refused to provide a loaner car and now waiting for a transmission replacement on a $50K vehicle with 24,000 miles on it. Multiple similar transmission replacements on 2020 Honda Odyssey are reported on the Odyssey Owners Forum. Had this event occurred on a higher speed or congested area a serious accident could have occurred as vehicle could not accelerate and jerked violently initially immediately followed by inability to shift to higher gears.

NHTSA ID

11450713

Incident

Feb 4, 2022

CAR DRIVE FORWARD WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE.

NHTSA ID

11387831

Incident

Jan 12, 2021

UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, TRANSMISSION LAGS TO THE POINT OF CAR NOT MOVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, MAKING A TURN OR PULLING AWAY FROM A LIGHT. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE TO REPORT..NOW HAVE 7000 MILES ON CAR..DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL..THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR..ITS THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION WORKS.

NHTSA ID

11383377

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

250 mi