VehicleVerdict

2013 Honda Odyssey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2013 Honda Odyssey is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 275 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 20 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 75 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

275

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Odyssey years?

See all Odyssey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Honda Odyssey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine7527%
Brakes5620%
Body & Structure207%
Electrical System187%
Other166%
Steering145%
Transmission145%
Airbags145%
Speed Control124%
Fuel System104%
Seats93%
Tires & Wheels41%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Child Seat31%
Seat Belts31%
Suspension21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2013 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

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

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

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.

13V382000EngineAugust 27, 2013 · 270 units

Defect

Honda is recalling certain model year 2013 Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles and certain model year 2013 Odyssey vehicles. During manufacturing of the engine piston, it is possible that the heat treatment process was not properly applied, resulting in the piston having an insufficient hardness level, making it more susceptible to premature wear.

Consequence

A worn piston may suddenly fail, causing the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine short block free of charge. The recall began on September 16, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JB4 (Honda Odyssey) and JB5 (Honda Pilot).

13V143000TransmissionApril 15, 2013 · 204,169 units

Defect

Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF OUR 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN, WE HIT THE DEER DEAD CENTER NEITHER HEADLIGHT WAS BROKEN HOWEVER, THE GRILL, AC CONDENSER, FAN, GRILL, BUMPER, HOOD, LOCK ASSEMBLY AND SECURITY SYSTEM , RADIATOR SUPPORT AND MANY OTHER PARTS WERE DAMAGED TOTALING $4263.06. THE MOST INTERESTINGLY IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 23, 2013 · crash

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT GOING LESS THAN 5 MILES AN HOUR AND WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED OVER THE CEMENT CHOCK BLOCK, HITTING A POLE IN FRONT OF THE STORE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 15, 2019 · crash

OUR 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 22,000 MILES WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 2 DAYS AND SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE FIRE DAMAGES OUR POP-UP CAMPER AND THE SIDING ON OUR HOME. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 24, 2014 · fire

I drove the car to the spot to park my car , with the normal way as always, lower the speed so I can get into my spot. All of sudden , I felt like something pushed really hard behind my car and it moved forward really fast , I couldn't expect anything like that happened at the moment and lost…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 8, 2022 · crash

I drove the car to the spot to park my car , with the normal way as always, lower the speed so I can get into my spot. All of sudden , I felt like something pushed really hard behind my car and it moved forward really fast , I couldn't expect anything like that happened at the moment and lost…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 8, 2022 · crash

2013 Honda Odyssey — common questions

Is the 2013 Honda Odyssey reliable?

It is close to typical for the Odyssey: 275 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Odyssey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (75 complaints), brakes (56 complaints), body & structure (20 complaints).

Does the 2013 Honda Odyssey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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 2013 Honda Odyssey?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 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.