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Third-Row Power Outlet Wire Harness Pinch — Electrical Short / Fire Risk — Recall 20V066 (2018-2020)
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Catastrophic2018-2020
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26 NHTSA recalls, 4 camera recalls, transmission TSBs & fuel pump expansions. California lemon law rights for 2018-2024 Honda Odyssey owners. Free case review.
You bought the 2018-2024 Honda Odyssey because Honda built the gold standard of the family minivan — the vehicle that defines practical, safe, people-hauling transportation. The badge promises a reliable, feature-rich family carrier for school runs, road trips, and everything in between. Instead, many Odyssey 5G owners have found themselves navigating a minivan with a documented history of 26 NHTSA recalls, two major transmission systems (a 9-speed and a 10-speed automatic) that Honda itself had to re-calibrate twice via technical service bulletins, an engine VCM system that consumes oil in ways Honda's own TSB 19-028 acknowledges, sliding doors that may not latch on the first recall remedy and then fail again via a separate motor defect, and a rearview camera system so troubled it required four separate recalls over four years — covering water intrusion, software faults, instrument cluster failures, and finally a defective MOST cable connector affecting 2018-2023 model years. The Odyssey 5G's recall record is not the story of one or two unlucky batches. It is a multi-system pattern across nearly the entire production run: powertrain, safety restraints, ADAS, fuel system, electrical, and visibility all appear in the recall register. For California families, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act exists precisely for this situation. If your Odyssey has been back to the dealer for the same complaint more than once, or spent weeks in service while Honda and its dealers figured out what was wrong, you may have legal options — including a full vehicle repurchase. Margarian Law has reviewed thousands of Honda lemon-law cases and knows the documentation patterns that distinguish a covered lemon from ordinary wear. If your family's minivan has let you down, this page is your starting point.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
fuel smell; fuel leak; reduced fuel range; fuel filler or fuel tank recall
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
This recall covers the third-row center seat belt tongue that may not latch securely, creating an unrestrained occupant risk in a collision. Under Song-Beverly, any recall-acknowledged safety defect that required a dealer visit for remedy counts as a qualifying repair attempt. If a 2018 Odyssey required multiple dealer trips before the seat belt was properly inspected and remedied, those visits support a lemon-law claim. California parents and families traveling with children in the third row face particular exposure.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row center seat belt to make sure that it has the correct tongue, replacing the seat belt, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this r
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
This recall involves a defective SRS control unit that may prevent airbag or seatbelt pretensioner deployment in a crash — a direct occupant safety risk. Although the generic title listed it as a 'Seat Fastener' issue, the actual defect is an airbag and restraint system fault. Under Song-Beverly, repeated dealer visits related to the SRS system — whether for the control unit itself or associated warning lights — can establish the repair-attempt pattern. 2019 Odyssey owners who saw the SRS warning light return after the dealer performed this recall should document every such visit.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SRS unit, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B2R, C2P, and Z2Q.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
Insufficient coating on rear brake caliper pistons allows gas pockets to form, reducing braking effectiveness on 2018-2019 Odysseys — a direct brake safety defect. Brake system failures are among the most straightforward Song-Beverly lemon-law bases; California courts treat brake defects as safety-critical. If a dealer performed the brake bleed remedy and the soft pedal or reduced braking complaint returned, those additional visits count toward the repair-attempt threshold. Any Odyssey owner who had the brake system touched more than once for the same complaint — whether under this recall or a subsequent warranty repair — should preserve all repair orders.
Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Sticky or failed power sliding door latch assemblies on 2018-2019 Odysseys allow the door to appear closed while not fully secured — a direct occupant ejection risk at speed. Honda's recall specifically targets the rear latch assemblies that interface with the door strikers. Under Song-Beverly, if the latch replacement did not fully resolve door closure issues — or if the sliding door continued to malfunction after the recall repair — that constitutes an unremedied defect. Families with children who may interact with sliding doors should treat any incomplete door closure as an urgent safety matter and document every dealer visit.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right power sliding door rear latch assemblies, free of charge. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Z33 and O36.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
This recall covers Braun-modified wheelchair-accessible 2018-2019 Odysseys where rear wheel speed sensors were routed to incorrect wheels during the conversion, creating an ABS defect that can cause unexpected brake behavior. Braun-modified Odysseys are typically purchased by families with mobility-dependent occupants, making this defect particularly high-stakes. Under Song-Beverly, the defect occurred during a manufacturer's conversion process — Braun is the responsible party, and California law extends to vehicles modified after factory completion. Owners of Braun-converted Odysseys should confirm this recall was completed and that the ABS functions correctly before each trip.
Braun has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the rear wheel speed sensor harnesses, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
Timing belt tooth separation on the 2019 Odyssey J35Y6 V6 can cause sudden engine failure, loss of motive power, and potential vehicle rollaway — a catastrophic powertrain safety defect. Honda's recall remedy includes engine inspection and component replacement, not just belt replacement, confirming the defect's severity. Under Song-Beverly, an engine failure at highway speed constitutes a safety-risk defect; if a 2019 Odyssey experienced repeated powertrain complaints after the timing belt recall, those visits establish a strong lemon-law basis. California owners who have seen engine-related warning lights or experienced any stalling since this recall should have their Odyssey inspected immediately.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge. Vehicles receiving a replacement timing belt will also have the engine inspected and any damaged components will be replaced for free. The recall began June 7, 2019. Honda owners may c
transmission shifts unexpectedly; hesitation; harsh shift; transmission warning
A loose battery terminal or degraded battery can cause the Transmission Control Unit on 2018-2019 Odysseys to reboot mid-drive, shifting the transmission to Park while the vehicle is in motion — a direct collision-causing defect. This is among the most severe recall defects on the 5th-gen Odyssey: an unexpected shift to Park at speed can cause the vehicle to spin, lose control, or stop abruptly in traffic. Under Song-Beverly, any Odyssey owner who experienced an unexpected transmission shift or sudden deceleration that prompted a dealer visit — before or after this recall remedy — can count those visits toward the lemon-law threshold. Owners should confirm both the TCU software update and the battery connection inspection were documented on their repair order.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will ensure the battery terminal connections are secure and will update the TCU software, free of charge. Additionally, the parking rod effectiveness will be checked. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Hon
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
A pinched third-row power outlet wire harness on 2018-2020 Odysseys can cause an electrical short that creates a fire risk inside the passenger compartment — a catastrophic safety defect. Honda's remedy — inspection, tape protection, re-routing, and replacement if damaged — acknowledges the fire-risk potential. Under Song-Beverly, any fire-risk defect is treated as a top-tier safety concern; California courts have consistently found that owners of vehicles with electrical fire risks are entitled to the full protections of the Act. Odyssey owners who notice a burning smell from the third row or any unexplained electrical issues should treat this as an urgent safety matter.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row seat accessory power outlet wire harness for damage, replacing it as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and re-route the harness. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Water intrusion into sliding door outer handle cables on 2018-2020 Odysseys can freeze the cables in cold temperatures, preventing the sliding door from latching — leaving the door unlatched during travel. This recall's remedy (cable replacement) addresses a distinct failure mode from the 18V795 latch assembly recall, meaning an Odyssey owner could have experienced two separate sliding-door latch failures across two recalls plus a TSB-covered motor failure. Under Song-Beverly, the cumulative number of sliding-door-related dealer visits — across both latch recalls and any motor TSB repair — counts toward the lemon-law threshold. California owners in colder regions, particularly at elevation, face heightened risk from this defect.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power sliding door outer handle cables, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is A88.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Water entering the rearview camera lens housing on 2019-2020 Odysseys causes a distorted or absent backup camera image, removing a federal FMVSS-required visibility aid. Loss of the backup camera creates a real risk of backing collisions, particularly with pedestrians and children — a safety defect under Song-Beverly. If a camera was replaced under this recall and the distortion returned, or if multiple cameras were replaced, those visits form the pattern required for a California lemon-law claim. Owners should preserve any dashcam footage or photos of the distorted display as evidence.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is W83.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Incorrect instrument panel control module software on 2018-2020 Odysseys causes the cluster to fail to display critical information including oil pressure warnings, speedometer readings, and fuel level — constituting a safety and drivability defect. Although grouped generically with camera display rows in the existing data, this is an instrument cluster software defect, not a camera issue. Under Song-Beverly, an Odyssey with recurring instrument cluster failures after reprogram — or one that required multiple reprogram attempts — can establish a lemon claim based on the instrument system alone. California owners who drove with absent oil pressure or speed readings before the recall remedy should document those dates.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Incorrect central network module software on 2019-2020 Odysseys delays or prevents the rearview camera image from appearing — a federal FMVSS 111 compliance failure. This is a software-origin defect distinct from the water intrusion (20V438) and MOST cable (23V431) camera failures, though the symptom is similar. If a dealer performed this software update and the camera image still delayed or disappeared, the camera system defect remained unresolved — a separate basis for a Song-Beverly claim. Owners who had the 20V438 water recall and 20V440 software recall performed at separate visits should count both repair attempts.
Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact
fuel smell; fuel leak; reduced fuel range; fuel filler or fuel tank recall
Braun-modified 2018-2021 Odysseys equipped with an altered fuel tank assembly may allow the fuel tank to overfill into the charcoal canister; if the canister saturates, a fuel leak and fire risk result. This is a Braun Corporation recall rather than a Honda recall, but Braun's conversion is covered under California consumer protection law — the modifying manufacturer is liable for defects introduced during conversion. Under Song-Beverly, if a Braun-converted Odyssey required multiple visits to address fuel odor, fuel tank, or canister issues, those visits establish the repair-attempt record. Owners of Braun-modified Odysseys should confirm this recall was completed before operating the vehicle.
Braun will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles. If evidence of a fuel leak is present, a new fuel tank assembly and a new Honda charcoal canister will be installed, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
Denso fuel pump impeller delamination on 2019 Odysseys causes fuel pump failure leading to engine stall at speed or no-start — a direct safety defect. This recall is an expansion of the original 20V314 recall and was later further expanded by 23V858, demonstrating the systemic nature of the Denso LPFP defect across the Honda lineup. Under Song-Beverly, owners who experienced stalling before the recall remedy was available — particularly if dealers could not replicate or diagnose the condition — have strong evidence that the defect was present and unresolved. Any California Odyssey owner who had an unexplained stall event should check whether the fuel pump recall was ever completed on their specific VIN.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
Deformed seat rail locking mechanisms on 2022 Odyssey second-row seats may allow seats to slide or unlatch unexpectedly during travel — a direct crash-safety risk to occupants. This is a structural seat defect, not a cosmetic issue; it requires dealer seat frame replacement. Under Song-Beverly, if a 2022 Odyssey owner experienced ongoing seat rail issues after the initial recall repair, or if the dealer failed to complete the remedy promptly, those visits count toward the lemon-law threshold. Owners with the Magic Slide second-row seats should verify that rail locks engage firmly after the repair.
Dealers will replace both second-row outboard seat frames, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is YBE.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Bridgestone tires on certain 2022 Odysseys contain manufacturing pinholes causing slow air leaks — a federal FMVSS tire compliance failure that can result in underinflation, blowout, and loss of vehicle control. While the defect originates with the tire supplier, Honda is responsible for the recall as the vehicle manufacturer. Under Song-Beverly, if a 2022 Odyssey owner experienced repeated tire pressure warning lights or slow leaks after the recall inspection, or if a replacement tire also proved defective, those visits count toward the lemon-law threshold. California owners should confirm that the inspection covered all four tires and that any pinhole-affected tire was replaced, not patched.
Dealers will inspect all four tires and replace the tire if a pinhole is found, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 24, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is HBL.
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
A manufacturing defect in the front seat belt buckle channel may prevent the seat belt from releasing or latching properly on 2018-2020 Odysseys — a direct restraint-system safety defect. This recall was not issued until April 2023 for vehicles manufactured as early as 2018, meaning owners may have driven with defective buckles for years. Under Song-Beverly, if the buckle defect manifested as a complaint before the recall and the dealer failed to diagnose it, those earlier visits can count in the repair-attempt tally. Document all seat belt-related dealer visits regardless of whether a recall was open at the time.
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Improperly bonded heating pads on 2020-2022 Odyssey side-view mirrors can cause the mirror glass to detach at highway speeds — creating a visibility loss for the driver and a road hazard projectile for other vehicles. Honda's remedy requires replacement of both side-view mirrors, confirming the systemic nature of the bonding defect. Under Song-Beverly, if mirror glass detachment occurred before the recall was completed, or if mirrors were replaced and subsequently showed re-delamination, those events represent a recurring safety defect. California owners who drive the Odyssey frequently on highways — where mirror detachment is most dangerous — should prioritize completing this recall.
Dealers will replace both left and right side-view mirrors, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is FE5.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
A faulty MOST communication coaxial cable connector on 2018-2023 Odysseys prevents the rearview camera from displaying — affecting the widest model year range of all camera-related recalls and covering over 770,000 vehicles. This recall was issued nearly five years into the Odyssey 5G's production run, meaning many California owners experienced recurring camera failures that dealers could not explain before the root cause was identified. Under Song-Beverly, each dealer visit for a camera-absent complaint prior to the recall remedy counts as a repair attempt — and owners with multiple pre-recall visits plus the recall visit itself may easily meet the presumptive threshold. This recall's broad MY scope makes it one of the most important lemon-law entry points for 5th-gen Odyssey owners.
Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are EEL, ZEM, and SFC.
engine knocking; engine stalls; sudden loss of power; check engine light; engine failure recall
A manufacturing error in the connecting rod bearing of 2018-2019 Odyssey J35Y6 engines causes progressive bearing wear that can lead to bearing seizure, sudden engine stall at speed, and potential engine fire from metal-to-metal contact. This recall — issued in March 2024 for vehicles sold as early as 2018 — means California owners drove defective engines for up to six years without a remedy. Under Song-Beverly, any pre-recall dealer visit for engine knocking, oil pressure warnings, or engine noise on affected Odysseys counts as a repair attempt. The long delay between defect onset and recall issuance strengthens lemon-law arguments based on constructive manufacturer knowledge; owners should gather all oil service records and repair orders from the full ownership period.
Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024. 2016-2020 Acura MDX owner letters are expected to be mailed in mid-December 2024. Honda began mailing owner n
engine stalls while driving; vehicle will not start; loss of power; fuel pump recall
This expansion recall covers 2018-2023 Odysseys for the same Denso LPFP impeller delamination defect documented in recalls 21V215 and 20V314 — affecting the broadest model year span yet. The cascading recalls across 20V314, 21V215, and 23V858 confirm that Honda and Denso were aware of a systemic fuel pump manufacturing defect spanning multiple model years and production batches. Under Song-Beverly, a California Odyssey owner who received two or more recall or warranty fuel pump replacements — or who experienced stalling events on a vehicle that subsequently fell under an expanded recall — has compelling evidence of a recurring, manufacturer-acknowledged defect. Owners should verify via their VIN whether this recall or any prior expansion applies to their vehicle.
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.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
Defective passenger seat weight sensors on 2020-2022 Odysseys may cause the passenger airbag to fail to deploy in a crash — one of the most serious safety defects possible. Under Song-Beverly, Honda's recall acknowledgment that the airbag system was defective is powerful evidence of a covered warranty defect. If the seat sensor replacement did not resolve an illuminated airbag warning light, or if the warning returned after repair, those additional visits establish a strong lemon-law claim. California families with child passengers should treat any persistent SRS warning light after this recall as an unresolved safety defect requiring immediate legal review.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
An improperly torqued steering gear box on 2023-2024 Odysseys allows water intrusion, causing corrosion and gear binding that increases steering effort and can lead to sudden steering resistance — a direct crash-causing defect. Electric power steering failures are classified as safety-critical under both NHTSA and Song-Beverly because sudden steering resistance at highway speeds can cause the driver to lose control. Under Song-Beverly, a 2023-2024 Odyssey owner who experienced stiff, sticky, or intermittently heavy steering should document every such complaint visit, particularly if the dealer dismissed it as 'normal feel' before the recall was issued. Those pre-recall diagnostic visits, combined with the recall itself, can establish the repair-attempt pattern required for a California buyback claim.
Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are LHU and FHT.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraint retractors on Vantage Mobility-equipped 2021-2024 Odysseys may not lock, preventing proper wheelchair securement and creating an unrestrained mobility device in a crash. This recall affects a highly vulnerable population — wheelchair users — and the defect has direct life-safety implications. Under Song-Beverly, Vantage Mobility bears primary responsibility, but California law can reach third-party converters whose products are sold through the vehicle distribution chain. Owners of wheelchair-accessible Odysseys should confirm the retractor replacement was completed and that the QRT system locks properly before every trip.
Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
A software error in the SRS ECU can cause side and side curtain airbags to deploy unexpectedly on 2018-2022 Odysseys — creating injury risk even in the absence of a collision. Unexpected airbag deployment is among the most severe safety defects because it can cause driver incapacitation, vehicle loss of control, and passenger injury. Under Song-Beverly, any owner who experienced or observed unexpected deployment symptoms — including SRS warning lights, airbag system errors, or partial deployments — before the recall was issued can count those pre-recall dealer visits as repair attempts. This recently-issued recall (May 2026) covers a broad range of 2018-2022 Odysseys, making it highly relevant to current California lemon-law evaluations.
Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall i
airbag warning light; passenger airbag may not deploy; SRS warning; occupant detection fault
This is the largest-scope airbag recall for the 5th-gen Odyssey, covering 2018-2024 model years and representing an expansion of the seat weight sensor defect identified in 24V064. The phase-2 recall's breadth — nearly the entire 5th-gen production run — confirms that Honda was aware of a systemic supplier-level sensor defect. Under Song-Beverly, California owners whose Odysseys show persistent passenger airbag warning lights, particularly those who had sensor replacement under 24V064 and still experienced issues, have a compelling case. Owner letters for this recall are expected July 2026; owners should not wait for the letter and should contact their dealer immediately if an airbag warning light is present.
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO
harsh downshift at highway speeds; shudder under light throttle; transmission hesitates before engaging; clunky 1-2 upshift; transmission feels like it is slipping; delayed acceleration from stop; rough gear change when merging
The 9AT/10AT calibration defect is the defining known issue for 5th-gen Odyssey and is TSB-acknowledged across three-plus years of production. Under Song-Beverly, if a dealer cannot correct harsh shifting after two or more repair attempts — or the vehicle returns to the shop repeatedly for the same complaint — the owner may have a presumptive lemon-law claim. The wide MY scope (2018-2021) means many California owners are potentially eligible; document every transmission repair visit with repair orders showing the same symptom code.
TCM/PCM software reprogram per TSB 20-097 (first visit); if harsh shift returns, TCM reprogram per TSB 21-073; persistent cases require valve body inspection and possible torque converter replacement.
low oil warning light between oil changes; burning oil smell from engine; blue smoke from exhaust at startup; uses more than one quart of oil per 3,000 miles; engine smell after highway driving; oil level drops rapidly
Excess oil consumption is a documented powertrain defect on the J35Y6 that Honda acknowledges in TSB 19-028. If the dealer repeatedly performs oil consumption tests and denies engine repair despite clear evidence of consumption above 1 qt/3,000 mi, or if the engine requires repeated top-offs within a warranty period, this pattern of failed repair attempts is the core of a Song-Beverly claim. California owners should save every receipt for oil purchased between service visits.
Honda oil consumption test (3-interval minimum per TSB 19-028); if threshold exceeded, piston ring replacement or short block replacement under powertrain warranty; use only Honda-approved 0W-20 full synthetic.
power sliding door stops halfway and reverses; door does not close all the way; sliding door will not open electronically; door open warning stays on after closing; grinding or clicking noise from door track; door only works manually
Sliding door motor failure is separate from, and may occur alongside, the two sliding door latch recalls (18V795 and 20V437). If a dealer performs the recall latch repair but the door continues to malfunction due to motor failure, that represents an ongoing unremedied defect. Multiple service visits to address the same door symptom — even if each visit addresses a different component — establish the pattern required for a Song-Beverly presumption.
Retrieve door motor DTCs; reprogram door motor ECU per TSB 20-023; if code returns, replace door motor unit and verify latch assembly; clean and lubricate door track.
car brakes suddenly with nothing in front; forward collision warning for no reason; CMBS activates on highway; phantom braking on bridge; Honda Sensing warning light; sudden deceleration scares passengers; false alarm from Honda Sensing radar
Phantom braking is a safety defect — uninstructed braking at highway speeds creates a rear-end collision risk for following vehicles. Under Song-Beverly, an owner whose Odyssey has been returned to the dealer two or more times for phantom CMBS activation without a lasting fix has a strong basis for a lemon-law claim, particularly because this defect creates a direct risk of accident or injury. California courts treat ADAS safety failures seriously; document every CMBS-related visit.
Honda Sensing radar and camera firmware update per TSB 21-046; front radar re-aim to factory spec; if false-positives persist, verify front camera bracket alignment and inspect for prior front-end damage.
center screen goes black while driving; touchscreen frozen and unresponsive; HondaLink app cannot connect; navigation freezes; audio system stops working; have to do hard reset; screen flickers before going black
While infotainment freeze is a Functional-severity defect under Song-Beverly, California's Song-Beverly Act covers any defect that impairs the use or value of the vehicle — and courts have found navigation and display system failures to meet that threshold. If an owner's Odyssey has had the head unit reprogrammed or replaced more than once for the same freeze or black-screen symptom, the cumulative repair pattern may support a lemon-law claim. Track each visit separately on repair orders.
Head unit software reprogram per TSB 22-031; if symptom recurs within 30 days, replace audio/display unit under warranty.
rear entertainment screen is black; rear screen turns off while kids watch video; HDMI input not working on rear screen; rear overhead screen stuck; rear screen flickers then goes dark; children's movie stops mid-play
Rear entertainment failure on a family minivan purchased specifically for its passenger amenities can support a Song-Beverly claim if the defect impairs the vehicle's use or value. If the rear screen has been replaced or reprogrammed more than once within the warranty period without lasting resolution, the cumulative visits establish the repair-attempt pattern California law requires. Upper-trim Odyssey buyers paid a substantial premium for this feature.
Replace rear entertainment unit per TSB 23-015 under warranty; verify HDMI and DVD function post-replacement.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
remedy available
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Odyssey and 2024 Acura RDX vehicles. The steering gear box assembly may not have been tightened properly, allowing water to enter the assembly and cause corrosion and binding gears.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
remedy available
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.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bearing in the engine may wear and seize, damaging the engine.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2020-2022 Passport and Odyssey vehicles. The heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, allowing the mirror glass to detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022 Odyssey vehicles equipped with Bridgestone tires. The affected vehicles may have a tire that contains a pinhole, causing a slow air leak. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 139, "New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022 Odyssey vehicles. The second-row outboard seats may have deformed seat rail locking mechanisms, which could prevent the seat rails from locking into place.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
remedy available
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Braun-modified Honda Odyssey vehicles. The fuel tank assembly installed by Braun may be susceptible to the fuel tank overfilling into the charcoal canister. If the charcoal canister fills with a sufficient amount of fuel, fuel may leak out.
remedy available
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may enter the outer door handle cables for the sliding doors. If this occurs, the outer door handle cables may freeze in cold temperatures, preventing the front and rear sliding door latches from securely latching.
remedy available
American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may get into the rearview camera mounting holes and enter the camera lens and cause a distorted image, or no image at all. Additionally, if the rearview camera view mode is set to top-down view, or switched from that view to another mode in a bright environment, the image may not display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. The wire harness for the third row seat accessory power outlet may get pinched between the unibody and rear trim panel, possibly damaging the wires and causing an electrical short.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Loose battery terminal connections or a degraded battery may cause the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) to unexpectedly reboot. Upon rebooting, the TCU may shift the transmission to the "Park" position, possibly damaging the parking rod.
remedy available
Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Honda Odyessy vehicles modified to be equipped with an in-floor wheelchair ramp conversion. The rear wheel speed sensor harnesses may have been routed to the incorrect rear wheels, resulting in the possibility that the anti-lock brake system will not recognize each rear wheel speed properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake System" and 404, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2018 and 2019 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The latch assemblies for the power sliding doors may stick and not properly latch to the door strikers.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, reducing brake performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019 Honda Insight, Odyssey, and Ridgeline vehicles. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may have a manufacturing error, possibly resulting in the air bags or seatbelt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
remedy available
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The seat belt tongue for the third row center seating position may not be compatible with the latch, preventing the seat belt from latching securely. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you specific remedies when a vehicle defect cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts during the warranty period. For the 5th-gen Odyssey, that threshold is easier to reach than most owners realize.
California law presumes a lemon when the same defect has been repaired four or more times, or the vehicle has been out of service 30 or more cumulative days. Safety defects — sudden airbag deployment, brake failure, or fuel pump stalls at highway speed — may qualify with fewer visits given their severity.
Every recall remedy is a counted repair visit. Every 'cannot duplicate' close on a symptom later confirmed by a TSB or recall is a counted attempt. The four camera recalls, cascading LPFP expansions, two sliding door latch recalls plus motor TSB, and three airbag actions issued through 2026 mean many Odyssey owners have unknowingly accumulated qualifying visits across multiple NHTSA campaigns.
Song-Beverly applies to vehicles purchased or leased in California for personal or family use. The remedy is a full repurchase at original purchase price (less a mileage offset) or comparable replacement. Honda's willful refusal to comply can trigger attorney's fees and up to double actual damages.
Claims must generally be filed within four years of when you knew or should have known of the defect. If your Odyssey has a recurring repair pattern, gather your repair orders and request a free case review without delay.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
Transmission shudder, sliding door hesitation, and phantom CMBS braking are condition-sensitive and may not reproduce on a 10-minute dealer test drive. Here is what to do when the dealer writes 'cannot duplicate':
1. Record every occurrence. Dashcam or phone video of the shudder or CMBS activation — with timestamp — is evidence the dealer and Honda cannot dismiss. Date and save every clip.
2. Put your complaint in your own words on the repair order. Write it on a notepad and hand it to the service advisor at drop-off. The RO must say 'transmission shudder under light acceleration' — not a vague summary. Read and approve the complaint description before you leave.
3. Request an overnight cold-start drive. TSBs 20-097 and 21-073 address cold-start harsh upshifts that are most pronounced after the vehicle sits overnight. Ask the technician to drive it first thing in the morning before any diagnosis.
4. Cite the TSB or recall by number. Telling the service advisor 'TSB 20-097, 9AT/10AT harsh shift' or 'open recall 23V431, MOST cable' forces the bulletin to be pulled and its diagnostic procedure followed. Look up Honda TSBs and open recalls at nhtsa.gov using your VIN.
5. Request a Honda factory technical assistance (FTA) case. If the tech cannot reproduce the issue, ask the service manager to open a Honda FTA case — the outcome must appear in the dealer's records.
6. Keep every repair order regardless of outcome. 'Cannot duplicate' and 'no problem found' visits count toward your Song-Beverly tally when the defect is later confirmed. Do not let the dealer withhold or destroy your paperwork.
7. File with Honda Customer Relations. A corporate complaint creates a record independent of the dealership — critical when dealers minimize CMBS or transmission concerns.
Twenty-six NHTSA recalls in six years is not typical. The Odyssey 5G's record — four camera recalls, three airbag actions, cascading fuel pump expansions, a multi-year transmission TSB family, and two sliding door latch campaigns — reflects systemic defects across multiple core systems, not isolated build batches. The transmission TSB family (2018-2021) and the Denso LPFP cascade are particularly telling: Honda recognized the defects and issued repeated remedies without consistently achieving a lasting fix. For California families, the practical result is that qualifying repair visits have accumulated without owners knowing it. Every recall remedy, every reprogram attempt, and every 'cannot duplicate' that preceded a confirmed recall counts toward the Song-Beverly threshold. If your Odyssey has been in for the same complaint more than once, a review of your repair orders is worth the call.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Honda Odyssey has been to the dealer multiple times for transmission shudder, sliding door failure, phantom braking, rearview camera issues, or any of the 26 documented recalls — you may have options under California law. Margarian Law has handled thousands of lemon-law cases and offers a free case review. Bring your repair orders and let us evaluate your record.
The 2018-2021 Odyssey uses a 9-speed (2018 only) or 10-speed automatic transmission with a documented calibration issue that causes harsh downshifts, shudder under light throttle, and hesitation when accelerating from a stop. Honda issued TSB 20-097 in October 2020 directing dealers to reprogram the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated shift calibration. TSB 21-073 followed in 2021 for cold-start harsh upshifts on the 10-speed. If your dealer performs the reprogram and the shudder returns within a few thousand miles, that recurrence is a second qualifying repair attempt under California's Song-Beverly lemon law. Ask your service advisor to specifically reference TSB 20-097 in your repair order. If the harsh shifting has happened more than twice after dealer visits, contact an attorney for a free case review.
The 5th-gen Odyssey has been subject to four separate NHTSA recalls affecting the rearview camera system: recall 20V438 (water intrusion into the camera lens, 2019-2020), recall 20V439 (instrument panel software causing critical information loss, 2018-2020), recall 20V440 (central network software delaying camera image, 2019-2020), and recall 23V431 (defective MOST coaxial cable connector preventing camera display, 2018-2023). If your camera goes black in Reverse, it is likely that one or more of these recalls has not been completed on your VIN, or that a different defect is active. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which campaigns are open. If you have already had one camera repair and the image disappeared again, that second visit is a qualifying repair attempt under Song-Beverly. Recall 23V431 (MOST cable) is the most comprehensive and most commonly overlooked; dealers replace the MOST harness and install a cable straightener.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act applies when a vehicle has a defect that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts during the warranty period. The 2018-2024 Odyssey has 26 documented NHTSA recalls and multiple TSBs covering the transmission, rearview camera, fuel pump, sliding doors, airbags, Honda Sensing, and steering. If your Odyssey has been to the dealer two or more times for the same complaint without a lasting fix — or has spent 30 or more cumulative days out of service — California law presumes it may be a lemon. Common qualifying patterns include: repeated transmission shudder reprogram visits; multiple camera-related recall repairs; sliding door latch and motor failures across two recalls; or stalling events before and after the Denso fuel pump recall remedy. Every dealer visit — including recalls, 'cannot duplicate' diagnoses, and TSB reprogram visits — counts toward your tally. Gather all repair orders and contact Margarian Law for a free case review.
Unexpected braking on the 2019-2022 Odyssey is most commonly caused by the Honda Sensing Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) generating false-positive object detections. The front radar and monocular camera are sensitive to bridge underpasses, highway curves, light rain, and oncoming vehicles, producing uninstructed brake applications with no real hazard present. Honda acknowledged this behavior in TSB 21-046, directing dealers to update the Honda Sensing radar and camera module firmware and re-aim the front radar. This is a safety defect — uninstructed braking at highway speeds creates a rear-end collision risk for vehicles behind you. If your Odyssey has been to the dealer for phantom braking and the behavior returned, that is a second qualifying repair attempt under Song-Beverly. Record the incident on video (dashcam or phone mount); the timestamp and location data are valuable evidence. If the firmware update has been performed more than once without lasting improvement, request a Honda factory technical assistance call and document the outcome on your repair order.
Yes — the Odyssey has two sliding door latch recalls and a separate TSB for motor failure. Recall 18V795 (2018-2019) addressed sticky rear latch assemblies that did not engage the door striker. Recall 20V437 (2018-2020) addressed water in the outer handle cables that caused latch freeze in cold temperatures. TSB 20-023 (2018-2021) then addressed a separate motor-side failure where the sliding door motor wears or faults, causing the door to reverse before closing fully. If your door does not close completely, activates the door-open warning while driving, or only works in manual mode, it may be affected by one or more of these issues simultaneously. Visit your Honda dealer and specifically ask them to check for open recalls on your VIN and to diagnose the door motor DTCs per TSB 20-023. For Song-Beverly purposes: each sliding-door repair visit — whether under a recall or the TSB — counts as a repair attempt. If you have had more than two sliding-door-related visits for the same symptom, you should evaluate your lemon-law options.
Do not ignore an illuminated SRS or airbag warning light on the 5th-gen Odyssey. There are three active airbag-related recalls for this generation: recall 24V064 (2020-2022, defective passenger seat weight sensor causing airbag non-deployment), recall 26V227 (2018-2022, SRS ECU software error causing unexpected side airbag deployment), and recall 26V332 (2018-2024, phase-2 seat weight sensor expansion). If your airbag warning light is on, visit your dealer immediately and ask them to check for all open SRS recalls on your VIN. Recall 26V332 — covering 2018-2024 Odysseys — is expected to begin owner notifications in July 2026; do not wait for the letter. Under Song-Beverly, if the SRS warning returned after a prior recall repair, or if the dealer performed the sensor replacement and the warning light came back, that recurrence is a second qualifying repair attempt. Families with children in the vehicle should treat any persistent airbag warning light as an urgent safety matter and document every visit.
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