VehicleVerdict

2011 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Honda Odyssey is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 291 owner complaints run below the Odyssey median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (70), brakes (45), and engine (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

291

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Odyssey years?

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7024%
Brakes4515%
Engine2810%
Body & Structure207%
Transmission197%
Other176%
Tires & Wheels155%
Seats155%
Airbags114%
Steering103%
Visibility & Wipers103%
Seat Belts62%
Speed Control62%
Lighting52%
Fuel System41%
Suspension41%
Latches & Locks41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2011 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

17V725000SeatsNovember 17, 2017 · 806,936 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.

Consequence

If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.

16V933000SeatsDecember 27, 2016 · 633,753 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.

Consequence

An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent . Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD5.

13V016000AirbagsJanuary 18, 2013 · 748,481 units

Defect

Honda is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Pilot and 2011-2013 Odyssey passenger vehicles manufactured from March 13, 2008, through December 21, 2012. One or more rivets that attach the airbag module to the airbag cover may be missing.

Consequence

The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer. The dealer will inspect the driver's airbag module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

11V181000Visibility & WipersMarch 21, 2011 · 2,800 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY VEHICLES. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FAILURE WITH THE DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR POWER WINDOWS IN WHICH THE WINDOW MAY COME OFF THE TRACK CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND PREVENTING IT FROM BEING ROLLED UP OR DOWN OR IT COULD DROP INTO THE DOOR.

Consequence

THE WINDOW MAY SHATTER INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN CAUSING A RISK OF INJURY TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE EITHER THE PASSENGER'S AND/OR THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR WINDOW GLASS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

11V180000Visibility & WipersMarch 15, 2011 · 33,341 units

Defect

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY VEHICLES. IF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES BECOME FROZEN TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WIPER MOTOR IS SWITCHED ON, ONE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE RODS MAY BEND OR SEPARATE FROM THE MOTOR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STIFFNESS OF THE ROD.

Consequence

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY FAIL TO OPERATE, DECREASING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER ROD FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SOME GARDENING BLOCKS AROUND A TREE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 10, 2016 · crash

CHECK ENGINE (MALFUNCTION LIGHT BLINKING), CAR WAS STRUGGLING TO ACCELERATE, CHECKED THE CHECK ENGINE CODE FROM THE ONBOARD COMPUTER, THE CODE WAS 302. AS RECOMMENDED IN OWNERS MANUAL, TRIED TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE FUEL TANK LID, STILL THE ISSUE IS THERE. I WILL BE TAKING THIS TO A DEALER. HONDA CARS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 18, 2015

I FILE THIS COMPLAINT TO REPORT A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN MY 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM SUFFERING SIMILAR OR WORSE HARM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT IS FLAT, TO GET MY MAIL I PLACED THE VAN IN PARK BEFORE I STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 11, 2014 · crash

I FILE THIS COMPLAINT TO REPORT A DANGEROUS DEFECT IN MY 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM SUFFERING SIMILAR OR WORSE HARM WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I STOPPED MY VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY, WHERE IT IS FLAT, TO GET MY MAIL I PLACED THE VAN IN PARK BEFORE I STEPPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 11, 2014 · crash

2011 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 2011 Honda Odyssey reliable?

It is close to typical for the Odyssey: 291 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (70 complaints), brakes (45 complaints), engine (28 complaints).

Does the 2011 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Honda Odyssey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Odyssey years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Odyssey years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2000, 2001, 2004, 1999, 2008, 2025, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. The cleanest record among Odyssey years belongs to 1994.

How safe is the 2011 Honda Odyssey?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Honda Odyssey earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.