2026 Honda Odyssey Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2026 Honda Odyssey, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1328.3%
- Driver assistance1123.9%
- Electrical1021.7%
- Brakes510.9%
- Fuel system36.5%
- Visibility12.2%
- Body & structure12.2%
- Exterior lighting12.2%
- Airbags12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
At a stop light the van turned off and would not turn back on...finally was able to get it to auto zone who said it was a bad battery, we then took it to honda with it only having 7k miles on it. They determined it was the starter from the auto/start/stop feature. What if this was the highway? A 2026 vehicle this should not happen to.
My AIS system kicked in causing the engine to shut off. Unfortunately, the engine did not restart. I was unable to start my car or even shift it to neutral for a helpful bystander to help me push my car off of the road. I was blocking traffic on a busy road and I am very fortunate that I was not rear ended. Eventually, after about half an hour, was able to get the car restarted (even then, lots of “clicking” and hesitation with starting). I then drove the vehicle home. I took it to Honda and they made me aware today that they were unable to get the car to repeat this problem, nothing was wrong, I could pick it up and let them know if it happened again.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while pulling halfway into a parking spot with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, turning slightly right to miss a handicapped spot, crashed into a palm tree, and drove over rocks before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle went from 0 to 30 MPH within seconds. The ignition was turned off during the failure. The driver’s side seat and top air bags deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing a burning of the face. There was smoke inside the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle. The contact sustained bruises. The driver's son was seated in the driver's side rear seat. The air pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil change the day before the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then later towed to a Geico lot. The insurance company had inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was scheduled to go to a body shop for further inspection. A Police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 6,338.
The blind-spot monitoring system on our 2026 Honda Odyssey Elite fails to operate properly in hot weather. When ambient temperatures are high, the system does not detect or alert to vehicles in the adjacent blind-spot areas, and an error message appears stating “blind spot detection unavailable.” This failure increases the risk of collisions during lane changes or merges because the driver does not receive the expected visual or audible warnings of vehicles in the blind spots, potentially endangering the occupants of this vehicle and other road users.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
At a stop light the van turned off and would not turn back on...finally was able to get it to auto zone who said it was a bad battery, we then took it to honda with it only having 7k miles on it. They determined it was the starter from the auto/start/stop feature. What if this was the highway? A 2026 vehicle this should not happen to.
My AIS system kicked in causing the engine to shut off. Unfortunately, the engine did not restart. I was unable to start my car or even shift it to neutral for a helpful bystander to help me push my car off of the road. I was blocking traffic on a busy road and I am very fortunate that I was not rear ended. Eventually, after about half an hour, was able to get the car restarted (even then, lots of “clicking” and hesitation with starting). I then drove the vehicle home. I took it to Honda and they made me aware today that they were unable to get the car to repeat this problem, nothing was wrong, I could pick it up and let them know if it happened again.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while pulling halfway into a parking spot with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, turning slightly right to miss a handicapped spot, crashed into a palm tree, and drove over rocks before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle went from 0 to 30 MPH within seconds. The ignition was turned off during the failure. The driver’s side seat and top air bags deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing a burning of the face. There was smoke inside the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle. The contact sustained bruises. The driver's son was seated in the driver's side rear seat. The air pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil change the day before the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then later towed to a Geico lot. The insurance company had inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was scheduled to go to a body shop for further inspection. A Police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 6,338.
When i was driving, going about 45 MPH, the emergency braking system beeped and breaks were engaged. Not to a complete stop but like a "break tap". Nothing was in front of beside our behind me. It was terrifying and I'm unsure why this happened. Please be advised, this can cause an accident.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a very strong exhaust smell in the cabin. This occurs under the flow and recirculate HVAC options and is not improved by changing the engine and cabin air filters.
2026 Honda Odyssey: Strong Exhaust/Fuel Odor in Cabin Causing Dizziness and Nausea I am submitting this complaint to report a potential safety issue involving a vehicle that is less than one year old. Beginning this past weekend, the vehicle suddenly began filling the passenger cabin with a strong exhaust-like odor during normal operation. The odor is severe enough that multiple occupants have experienced symptoms such as dizziness and nausea after spending approximately 10 minutes inside the vehicle. I visited my local Honda dealership to report the issue and seek assistance. According to the representatives I spoke with, Honda believes this is a known and widespread issue affecting multiple makes and models and that it is allegedly related to recent changes in gasoline formulation. I was further informed that Honda is aware of the issue, that engineering teams are working on a solution, and that there is currently no corrective action available to consumers. Honda also stated that, despite the odor, the condition does not involve toxic fumes and is only an odor concern. I am not ready to accept that explanation without further investigation. At this time: The condition began suddenly and without warning. The odor is strong and persistent. Occupants have experienced dizziness and nausea while riding in the vehicle. Honda has not identified a repair or mitigation. Honda has indicated that this may be a broader issue rather than an isolated vehicle defect. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether similar complaints have been reported and whether this condition warrants further investigation as a potential safety defect. I have also requested that Honda provide written documentation supporting its statements regarding: The alleged fuel-formulation cause of the issue. The assertion that occupants are not being exposed to harmful fumes. Any technical bulletins, engineering analyses, or communications related to this condition.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving in city limits without any other vehicles nearby, the sunroof “exploded”. After immediately pulling over and inspecting the sun roof from outside the glass was buckled up, away from the interior of the car. The glass then all fell to the interior door.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
While my 2026 Honda Odyssey was parked and stationary, I operated the driver-side power sliding door normally. The door began opening but became stuck. When I activated the power sliding door again, there was a sudden mechanical failure involving the sliding-door mechanism. The sliding-door rail was severely damaged/deformed, the mechanism appeared to disengage from its normal track/rail path, and the fixed rear quarter/third-row side window shattered. Exterior molding covering the rail was also dislodged and fell to the ground. There was no collision, accident, external impact, obstruction, or other outside force involved. The failure occurred during normal intended use of the power sliding door. Fortunately, my three children had already exited the vehicle. The shattered glass is directly adjacent to a passenger seating position normally occupied by my children, creating a serious risk of injury had a passenger been seated there. There were no warning lights, messages, or known prior symptoms before the door became stuck. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Honda or a dealer. It is currently parked at my residence and is available for inspection. I have extensive photographs taken immediately after the incident documenting the damaged rail, shattered glass, displaced molding, and debris. After the incident, because I was approximately three hours from home with my three children, I was able to carefully reposition the door enough to close and secure it, temporarily cover the shattered window, and drive home. The affected sliding door has remained closed and locked since, and I am no longer operating the vehicle pending inspection.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Sitting at a light, the auto stop system activated and shut the engine off. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and the engine failed to. Start and the entire electrical system shut off. The card was completely dead. I sat there for several minutes and I was able to restart the car.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2026 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while pulling halfway into a parking spot with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, turning slightly right to miss a handicapped spot, crashed into a palm tree, and drove over rocks before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle went from 0 to 30 MPH within seconds. The ignition was turned off during the failure. The driver’s side seat and top air bags deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing a burning of the face. There was smoke inside the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle. The contact sustained bruises. The driver's son was seated in the driver's side rear seat. The air pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for an oil change the day before the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then later towed to a Geico lot. The insurance company had inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was scheduled to go to a body shop for further inspection. A Police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 6,338.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .