2013 Honda ODYSSEY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
210 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
34,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 149 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 210 complaints (32.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 26.2% |
| Steering behavior | 31 | 14.8% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 69 |
| Service Brakes | 55 |
| Structure:Body | 17 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
Engine: 69; Service Brakes: 55; Structure:Body: 17; Air Bags: 14; Electrical System: 14; Power Train: 14; Steering: 14; Unknown Or Other: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 57 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 37 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 57; 25,000 to 49,999: 37; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 12
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 61 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 20 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 22 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 13; 2014: 27; 2015: 20; 2016: 22; 2017: 22; 2018: 24; 2019: 9; 2020: 11; 2021: 12; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 17; 2025: 19; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10496891 · 2013-02-08 (February 8, 2013)
UPON STARTING FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, THERE IS SOMETIMES A "HESITATION" WHERE THE TACHOMETER FALLS FROM AROUND 2000 RPM TO ABOUT 1000, THEN RECOVERS AFTER ABOUT 1 SECOND. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE - THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE CONDITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510176 · 2013-04-30 (April 30, 2013)
THE THIRD ROW, RIGHT HAND SIDE ARM REST/CUP HOLDER AREA WALL GETS HOT TO A POINT THAT PASSENGER ON THAT SIDE CANNOT SIT AND IS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A PERSON.THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE COOLING/AIRCONDITIONING OF THE CAR AS WELL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 797 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10513928 · 2013-05-28 (May 28, 2013)
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 ENTIRE INCIDENT WAS THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE OR EVEN COME OUT UPON IMPACT. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO JACK OF DIAMONDS IN TYLER FOR THE FIRST RECALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,725 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10523255 · 2013-07-05 (July 5, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BUT THERE WERE NO FAILURES DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 940. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 940 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10525081 · 2013-07-16 (July 16, 2013)
AIR CONDITION IN THE VEHICLE COMES BY ITSELF AND GOES OFF AFTER CERTAIN TIME EVEN THOUGH THE SWITCH IS OFF. WE GET COLD IN THE VEHICLE AND DOESN'T HAVE ANYWAY TO SWITCH IT OFF. DRIVER NEED TO SWITCH OFF FAN WHEN IT'S TOO COLD AND SWITCH ON THE FAN WHEN THE CABIN BECOMES HOT. HAVING DRIVERS MIND IN MAKING THIS MANUAL OPERATOR JOB, HE/SHE LOOSES THE CONCENTRATION ON THE ROAD. HAVING KIDS IN THE BACK THE CAR AND COMPLAINING ABOUT TEMPERATURE IS MOST ANNOYING THING FOR THE DRIVER AND MAKE DRIVER IRRITATING. THIS HAPPENS IN THE NEW HONDA VEHICLE IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10525081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533572 · 2013-08-14 (August 14, 2013)
2010 & 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RADIO ISSUES IN BOTH VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE 2010 MODEL. HOWEVER, WHEN HE DID OWN THE VEHICLE, THE SIRUS XM SATELLITE RADIO WOULD CHANGE STATIONS ON ITS OWN, OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD. DURING THAT PERIOD, TWO RADIOS WERE REPLACED, NUMEROUS RADIOS HARNESSES WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY SATELLITE RADIO SIGNAL. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE PURCHASED A 2013 MODEL, AND IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME RADIO PROBLEMS. THE RADIO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10533572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10534147 · 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HIM THAT THE HUMIDITY SENSOR ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER AUTOMATICALLY AND THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537223 · 2013-08-26 (August 26, 2013)
WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE 2013 MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE DO NOT SOUND THE BEEPER IF THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPEN WHILE DRIVING. PAGE 77 OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES "THE BEEPER SOUNDS AND THE INDICATOR COMES ON IF ANY DOOR OR THE TAILGATE IS OPEN WHILE DRIVING." WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AMERICA HONDA AND THEY SAY THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS FEATURE NOT WORKING AS STATED IN THE MANUAL AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED TO ALERT THE DRIVER TO THIS HAZARD AS STATED IN THE MANUAL. THIS COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS TO SMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537223 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V016000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2013-01-18 (January 18, 2013)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V143000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2013-04-15 (April 15, 2013)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V382000 · Engine
Reported: 2013-08-27 (August 27, 2013)
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).
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V933000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2016-12-27 (December 27, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V725000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2017-11-17 (November 17, 2017)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗