2013 HONDA ODYSSEY Complaints

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.

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the vehicle jerked abnormally with the check engine warning light and the VCM warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0301; was retrieved. The contact was informed that the engine control module (ECM) had detected oil passing the pistons and caused a misfire in cylinder #1. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 25-061. However, the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

Vehicle diagnosed with Code P0303 on 8/18/25. Per the dealer (Big Star Honda, Houston TX), "...Examination found the number three cylinder piston rings on cylinder #3 rotated and aligned, which caused spark plug to foul out." In October 2020, American Honda issued SB 13-081 for this known issue and to settle a class action lawsuit. In July 2025 American Honda issued SB 25-061 extending the warranty for 2013–17 Odysseys through January 31, 2026. Honda is denying covering repairs stating that it does not apply to my specific VIN. The VIN is inconsequential if the new SB simply states "2013-2017". All vehicles, regardless of VIN should be repaired given that the problem has been diagnosed as identified in both the 2020 and 2025 SBs. Absent this and a listing in the SB of all applicable VINs, Honda can always indicate that a VIN isn't covered to avoid covering the repair costs, even though it should be. Repair at Big Star was declined to pursue coverage of the repair costs further with American Honda.

235/65/R17 Bridgestone Dueler Alenza Plus Right Passenger Tire Saturday, [XXX] approx [XXX] with 6 people (4 were children in carseats) in the vehicle traveling North on [XXX] between exits [XXX] and [XXX] in Middle Lane. Traveling at a speed of 65mph. Driver pulled over safely to shoulder because the 2013 Honda Odyssey Minivan made a loud flapping sound on right rear of vehicle. Driver got out to check and returned to car saying tire had a blowout. With hazard lights flashing driving in slow lane we exited freeway and pulled into the Safeway parking lot to access the damage. A large strip of tire on the inside was hanging off the tire as the tread had separated from the main part of the tire. Driver changed the tire to the donut. Damaged tire was placed in a bag in the rear well of the trunk. Photos were taken of faulty damaged tire. The tire had peeled an inner section of tread off the tire with no warning. America's Tire Rep in Turlock, CA today; August 25, 2025 stated the damaged tire should have blown completely causing more damage and possible injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle jerked. The check engine warning light was flashing. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart, but there was thick black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that upon attempting to restart the vehicle a second time, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors and spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

This vehicle began using oil and the mechanic I took it to told me that the piston rings were compromised. This was allowing mixing of oil and gas, overuse of oil, intermittent white plumes of exhaust and causing misfires, fouling of plugs and set off codes pertaining to the piston rings as well as the catalytic converter. He changed the spark plug and told me my options were a rebuilt engine or to replace it. It would continue and it would get worse. Honda issued a warranty extension realted to misfire dondition related to piston ring deterioration (DTCs P0301 - P0304.) The dealer I took it too states that since the above mentioned codes are not present, they cannot perform the warranty work. The dealer did ask and corroborate that changing the spark plugs will "buy time" and is a cheap fix that does not correct the issue but may extend the life of the engine. The mechanic agrees that the issue being warranted is the issue i was experiencing but does not have a copy of the codes to prove it. I am frustrated that this warranty clearly applies to my vehicle, but because I hired a mechanic previously who has prevented the codes from being present, I am out an engine. Please help

The contact's sister owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed an unattended trailer hitch on the road and the vehicle drove over the trailer hitch, which rolled under the vehicle and bumped into the exhaust of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side curtain air bags and seats airbags deployed. There was no warning light illuminated. All the passengers of the vehicle, which include the contact, the contact's husband and niece sustained injuries. The contact's husband sustained a bruised and swollen left elbow due to burns from the front driver's side seat air bag. A fire department agent cleaned the elbow of the contact's husband at the scene. The contact’s niece who was occupying the rear driver's side seat was hit by the driver's side curtain air bag on the head and sustained bruises and hearing loss on the left ear. The contact's niece was taken to the hospital and received medical assistance. The contact sustained lower back pain from the front passenger's side seat air bag impact but did not seek medical assistance. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was driven into a parking lot, where it was inspected. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

I’m reporting a repeat engine misfire on my 2013 Honda Odyssey (P0303 – cylinder 3). Honda repaired this issue in 2018 under Service Bulletin 13-081, which followed the Soto v. Honda settlement. Now in 2025, the exact same failure has returned—same code, same cylinder, same symptoms. Honda issued a new bulletin, 25-061 (June 17, 2025), covering 2013–2016 Odysseys with misfire codes P0301–P0304. It extends powertrain warranty coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles, and includes a grace period through Jan 31, 2026 for any affected vehicle, regardless of mileage or age. My vehicle meets all criteria, yet Honda refuses full coverage, saying my VIN isn’t flagged and they can’t override that due to NHTSA restrictions. This seems inconsistent. The bulletin clearly applies to my make, model, year, and exact engine fault. The misfire affects drivability and long-term engine health. I’ve been a loyal Honda customer, servicing the vehicle at authorized dealerships and covering related repairs myself. In addition to the engine problem, I’ve experienced electrical instability due to a faulty battery cable, which required replacement. I’ve also had to address a damaged transmission drain bolt—caused during prior dealer maintenance—which complicated fluid service and added cost. I’m asking NHTSA to review whether more VINs should be included under this bulletin, and whether Honda is limiting support too narrowly despite formally acknowledging the defect. I’m providing invoices, diagnostics, estimates and service records to support this including the video inspection.

My 2013 Honda Odyssey is experiencing a serious engine malfunction related to excessive oil consumption and spark plug fouling. On [XXX], the Check Engine Light came on and the vehicle began shaking. A diagnostic inspection at a Honda dealership revealed DTC P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire). Three spark plugs in Bank 1 were heavily fouled with oil. The technician recommended piston ring replacement, noting that oil had leaked into the combustion chamber. This issue is consistent with well-known engine problems associated with Honda's VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system. TSBs such as A13-081 and 11-033 have addressed similar issues in the past, but my vehicle is no longer covered under the extended warranty. I am a low-income international student currently living in the U.S. with my family. This defect creates financial hardship and safety concern. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter as a safety-related engine defect and urge the manufacturer to offer proper recall support. - Mileage at most recent diagnosis: 116,520 miles - Current mileage: 117,300 miles INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Dear NHTSA Representative, I am writing to formally express my concern regarding the failure of Honda to notify me of a safety recall related to my vehicle, as required by 49 U.S.C. § 30119. As a current owner of the vehicle in question, I was never informed of the recall despite actively driving the car with my children, unknowingly putting our safety at risk. According to the law, manufacturers are obligated to obtain up-to-date owner information from state DMVs and notify all registered owners of safety defects or noncompliance issues. This lack of notification not only violates the legal requirements but also leaves me deeply concerned about how such an oversight occurred. As a consumer, I expect manufacturers to prioritize safety and follow mandated processes to ensure proper communication. I kindly request that you: Investigate why I was not notified of the recall in accordance with federal law. Take appropriate action to ensure no other current owners face similar risks. Provide a formal response outlining the steps being taken to resolve this issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I trust that you will treat this situation with the seriousness it warrants and look forward to hearing back from you promptly. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)