2013 Honda Odyssey engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 13V382000Aug 27, 2013270 vehicles
  ENGINE

  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.

  Risk: 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).

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 20, 202687,800 miAREngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started driving abnormally rough. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil-fouled spark plugs. The contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under the Technical Service Bulletin: 13-081 but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11751485 · source
2. Filed Apr 22, 2026SCEngine

   Honda has a known defect with the engine of these vehicles. Specifically the 2013 that I own. I contacted them years ago when their first warranty extension expired because I was never contacted and my vehicle exhibited symptoms right after expiration( bulletin 13-061). Now they have done it again with bulletin 25-061. It expired Jan 2026 and they NEVER notified me, if they didn’t tell me they didn’t tell others. This is ridiculous and they should be ashamed and forced to…

   NHTSA complaint #11733136 · source
3. Filed Dec 10, 2025TXEngine

   My 2013 Honda Odyssey showed a Check Engine Light and came to your Dealership. Initially agent said that it will cover by warranty and later he said that it will not cover by warranty. He is saying that it is expired and it would have been fixed if that showed up in that time frame. I called Honda Recall dept [phone removed]) yesterday (12/03/2025) and spoke to one lady (later found that her name is Sandra). She said that it has still warranty on Piston Rings and Spark plugs…

   NHTSA complaint #11704260 · source
4. Filed Dec 5, 2025CAEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH at nighttime, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering while driving at 25 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic and caught another ride to her destination. The contact returned to the vehicle the…

   NHTSA complaint #11703313 · source
5. Filed Nov 7, 202527,000 miCAEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound occasionally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder 3 misfire, DTC: P0843 was retrieved, and there was an oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the spark plugs were replaced at the same local…

   NHTSA complaint #11698241 · source
6. Filed Oct 14, 2025CAEngine

   Honda sent me a recall notice for piston ring deterioration which causes engine misfiring on August 1, 2025. I had the same issue with my Honda Odyssey and had it repaired in July 8, 2024 so I submitted a claim form for reimbursement. Honda denied my reimbursement request stating my work order did not contain a fail code readout. However, my work order stated that the engine misfiring was due to cylinder #1 and oil was found. The work order also states that the piston rings…

   NHTSA complaint #11693459 · source
7. Filed Oct 1, 2025124,126 miMDEngine

   The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle experienced reduced power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an oil leak from the cylinders onto the spark plugs, causing the cylinders to misfire. The dealer cleaned the engine and replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure recurred seven months later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer,…

   NHTSA complaint #11690767 · source
8. Filed Sep 10, 2025IDEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11686221 · source
9. Filed Aug 27, 2025164,000 miPAEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11683475 · source
10. Filed Aug 27, 2025TXEngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11683318 · source
11. Filed Aug 25, 2025170,000 miNJTowedEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11682957 · source
12. Filed Aug 11, 2025AREngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11679980 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology