2011 Honda Odyssey: common problems and reliability

The 2011 Honda Odyssey has 232 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and service brakes. Owners most often flag vcm (variable cylinder management) system problems — causes excessive oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and premature piston ring wear leading to engine damage. very frequent mention for 2005-2017 models.

Safety record for the 2011 model year

232
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
11
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Honda Odyssey vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
65
service brakes
45
engine
25
structure
20
power train
19

Recalls affecting the 2011 Odyssey

seats:mid/rear assembly

Campaign 17V725000

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 wh

seats:mid/rear assembly

Campaign 16V933000

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

visibility

Campaign 11V181000

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

visibility:windshield wiper/washer

Campaign 11V180000

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 M

What owners say across generations

The sentiment is strongly positive regarding the Odyssey's core attributes of practicality, comfort, and long-term reliability, particularly for family transportation. It is consistently praised for its spacious interior, smooth driving dynamics compared to SU

  • VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system problems — Causes excessive oil consumption, fouled spark plugs, and premature piston ring wear leading to engine damage. Very frequent mention for 2005-2017 models.
  • Transmission reliability concerns — Specific to model years: early 2000s models have known failures; 2018-2019 EX and EX-L trims with the 9-speed ZF automatic exhibit hard shifts, lag, and long-term reliability worries. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Timing belt maintenance cost — Requires replacement approximately every 100,000 miles (160,000 km) or 7-10 years, a costly service ($1,500-$2,500 USD). Frequency: very frequent.
  • Electrical/electronic gremlins — Includes infotainment screen blackouts, rear entertainment system faults, sliding door sensor errors, and Bluetooth connectivity issues. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Power steering pump noise/failure — Whining or groaning noise, often requiring pump replacement. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Odyssey.

Typical used price

Used Odyssey listings typically run $12,988–$41,820 across 2003 to 2026 model years.

Other Odyssey model years