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2016 Honda Odyssey Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Honda Odyssey carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering mid/rear assembly. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Cylinder misfire from VCM piston ring wear.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Campaign #18V170000 · Mar 13, 2018

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats have a lever to fold the seatback and slide the seat forward to access the third row seats. Due to a manufacturing error, if the walk-in release lever is used to fold a fully reclined left outboard seatback forward, the seatback may stay in the unlocked position (free-folding) or unexpectedly unlock without engaging the walk-in or recliner lever.

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

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will confirm proper operation of the second row left outboard seatback, and install a support bracket to the seat recliner. If the seatback cannot lock, dealers will replace the seatback frame assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X0R.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Campaign #17V725000 · Nov 17, 2017

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Campaign #16V932000 · Dec 27, 2016

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured September 23, 2016, to October 24, 2016. The affected vehicles have a second row center seat with a horizontal adjuster bar that may stick in the unlocked position, allowing the seat to unexpectedly slide. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 207, "Seat Systems."

Risk: An unlocked second row center seat may increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the slide function and replace the horizontal position adjustment bar, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KD4.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Campaign #16V933000 · Dec 27, 2016

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Campaign #16V417000 · Sep 6, 2016

Issue: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2015 Acura MDX 2WD and MDX 4WD vehicles, 2016 Acura MDX 4WD vehicles, 2015-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles, and 2016 Honda Pilot 2WD and 4WD vehicles. The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tanks, free of charge. Owners may contact Honda/Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138. The recall began on July 29, 2016. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA9 (Honda vehicles) and KB0 (Acura vehicles).

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #23V858000 · Dec 18, 2023

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Honda Odyssey.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Inadvertent Deployment of Air Bags

    Action #DP26005 · opened Jul 13, 2026

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated May 30, 2026. The Petition is requesting an investigation into inadvertent air bag deployment in model year (MY) 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The Petition contends that air bags can deploy absent a sufficien…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Cylinder misfire from VCM piston ring wear

ENGINE

80 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle began to experience cylinder misfiring and vibrations and the check engine light had illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11736247
“While driving on the interstate my 2016 Honda Odyssey with 120k miles experienced a blinking check engine light along with strong engine shudder”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11655732
“Within the last two years, spark plug number two has been faulty 3 different times. This causes driving issues while on the road, the car will not accelerate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11469504

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Torque converter judder during acceleration

POWER TRAIN

20 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2024-12

“2016 Honda Odyssey developed torque converter judder as shown in Honda TSB 17-043 dated 2/27/2018. This lead to problems accelerating and maintaining speed which is a safety issue”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11475121
“The torque converter is failing. When accelerating, the van will shudder and shake, usually between 25-30 mph and sometimes at 45mph”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436304
“THE VAN JUDDERS PERIODICALLY AT SPEEDS BELOW 50MPH. THE JUDDERING IS BAD ENOUGH TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11221953

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power sliding door failure to open or close

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

17 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2025-02

“POWER SLIDING DOOR IS POPPING OPEN AFTER CLOSING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11408072
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side sliding doors were difficult to open and close”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11640620
“2016 HONDA ODYSSEY. DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR LATCHES FAILED TO OPERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11318569

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Keyless entry and electrical system malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-08

“I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially life-threatening safety issue involving my Honda Odyssey’s locking system”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756578
“After the vehicle is off, and after the smart key fob is removed from the vehicle, the dashboard will flicker, the alarm sometimes goes off and the headlights turn on draining the battery and leading to me having to jump the car to get it started”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11748712
“The keyless entry module on numerous Honda vehicles has a known flaw where one or more chip are inadequately protected from the elements”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11607899

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate fails to open in cold weather

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2025-02

“Under 45 degrees, the back door will not open. The latch is faulty and fails in moderate to severe cold weather”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11644072
“THE REAR LIFT GATE IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN IN COLD WEATHER FOR OUR 2016 HONDA ODYSSEY EX. THERE IS ONLY ONE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE - A PHYSICAL BUTTON ON THE REAR LIFT GATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163572
“THE CAR IS STATIONARY. THE SAME THING OCCURS IF THE VAN IS RUNNING OR NOT. THE REAR HATCH OPEN SWITCH DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11383360

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Second-row seat fails to latch or recline

SEATS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2024-07

“The passenger side second row seat will not lock. It has been diagnosed by a Honda dealer that the seat back frame part number 81326-TK-A22 needs replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580946
“Left drivers side seat back does not lock on second row seat. This puts passengers at risk for injury”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11577250
“UPON HEAVY BRAKING THE LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SECOND ROW SEAT RECLINER COLLAPSED AND FOLDED OVER. SEAT NOW DOES NOT LOCK IN UPRIGHT POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11389778

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration while braking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2025-10

“I was traveling on a local street around 35mph and braking for a red light. The braking felt funny in that it didn't slow the car down like normal, but it felt like the car's accelerator was still engaged”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11624861
“My husband was driving the car up a hill and coming to a stop light while slowing the car with the break the engine accelerated (you could hear it)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449934
“WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN ACCELERATED AFTER PRESSING THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11259070

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Inadvertent airbag deployment over road impacts

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-06

“I Have a 2016 Honda Odyssey. I have had my van for nine years My mileage is 137,000. I am always update with my upkeep with my minivan. I went over a pothole my airbags deployed. Front Passenger and Driver Side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696598
“The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the front passenger’s side tire drove over a pothole, and immediately afterwards, all the air bags on the passenger’s side of the vehicle inadvertently deployed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679388
“WENT TO TURN RIGHT GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. WAS JUST TURNING THE CORNER AND BOOM THE WHOLE SIDE, I HAD JUST STARTED TO MOVE SO WAS NOT EVEN GOING 10MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269876

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

28 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Honda Odyssey reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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