2013 Honda Odyssey: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 210 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 210 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat heater was malfunctioning. The contact stated that upon engaging the seat heater, the seat heater was intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact noticed a strong burning odor inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was duplicated. The dealer retrieved DTC: B1C61; and recommended that the front driver's side seat back element and cushion heater be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,900.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2025
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V933000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues, and a case was filed.”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2025
“We have taken our 2013 Honda Odyssey several times to the shop because the brakes don't feel safe. They seem to work fine but the brakes pedal is spongy. Keeping the brake pedal slightly pressed with the engine running, the pedal continues to sink almost to the floor. So far we have spent over $1000 for a new brake booster, new master cylinder, brake fluid flush and brake bleeding. The shop bled the brakes several times, manual and computer bleeding but the brakes are still spongy.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“âJuly 2022 - 6 spark plugs, 3 rear ignition coils, gasket set ânew/fixed (lots of various smaller fixes between these times) August 2023 - Check Emissions Light came on - replaced and switched the VV timing oil press switch and that quick fix had the light go away (lots of various smaller fixes between these timesâ, including the alternator - battery already replaced) November 2024 - Check Emissions Light came on - cylinder 2 is dead and 1 & 3 are misfiring. Need new cylinders and spark plugs, etc. Honda should do something about this as this is a common issue with these years of Odyssey vans.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2024
“While driving vehicle check engine light illuminates from time to time and there is a stall in the engine. Also the VSA warning light comes on and goes off with engine light.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2024
“The headrest failed and collapsed in a 60mph side impact collision. Causing the 8 year old child in the seat to have her shoulder injured. Contacted Diono waiting on a response back. Pictures attached show 2 identical seats at the same proper height. Upon impact you can see the child on the impact side has the headrest collapse and come crashing down on her shoulder. She was evaluated by paramedics on sight.”Owner report · Carry Handle, Shell, Base · Aug 2024
“Engine misfire causing vehicle loss of speed. This vehicle problem was recalled per Soto et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). However, it was limited to 8 years after purchase. I feel this recall should be covered longer as my vehicle has only 125K miles and requires engine rebuild costing approximately $3000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
“Last year in 2024 we had to take our Honda Odyssey into the Honda dealership because something was going wrong with the engine. It ended up being a few of the cylinders and they went bad. They had to rebuild part of the engine.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2024
“I was in a motor vehicle accident, and when the airbags deployed. A woman, who leaned into the passenger side of my vehicle to see if I was hurt, said she could smell something burning and saw the sleeve of sweatshirt jacket on fire. Had she not checked on me, the sleeve of my sweatshirt may have burned all the way up my arm. As I only have use of the arm that caught fire The vehicle is at a body shop, waiting for insurance issues to be worked out. I'd never had an opportunity/reason for the airbags to ever be looked at.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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."
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Odyssey by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Honda Odyssey reliable?
NHTSA has 210 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Honda Odyssey. The most complained-about area is engine (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 Honda Odyssey problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,600 miles or less.
Does the 2013 Honda Odyssey have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:mid/rear assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.