2018 Honda Odyssey transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 19V299000Apr 12, 201950,504 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Risk: A damaged parking rod can allow the vehicle to roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  Remedy: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are Z4J, Y4K.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 19, 2026UTTransmission & Drivetrain

   2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L, The vehicle consistently has a significant delay in acceleration. This is especially noticeable when starting from a stop or low speed and attempting to make a left turn across traffic. The accelerator pedal is pressed, but the vehicle sometimes provides little or no acceleration for 1 to 2 seconds. The vehicle will then begin accelerating, sometimes abruptly. This has created a safety concern because the vehicle can begin entering an intersection…

   NHTSA complaint #11765551 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   My vehicle intermittently shifts from normal automatic Drive (D) into S mode without any intentional driver input. I do not touch or activate the steering-wheel paddle shifter when this occurs. Searching on reddit and other forums I see many other drivers have the same issue. The problem appears to happen primarily after coming to a complete stop, such as at a traffic light or stop sign. When I then press the accelerator to proceed, the vehicle may have very little…

   NHTSA complaint #11763173 · source
3. Filed Sep 1, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle would not accelerate over 40MPH, we took the vehicle into the dealership for what we thought was a failed fuel injector, upon inspection they found metal shavings in the oil and mentioned the engine is not repairable and would need a whole new replacement. We had this vehicle 9 months. Upon investigation there was a known recall that is identical to the issues we are experiencing. The whole engine is failed and we cannot utilize it. It was inspected by the…

   NHTSA complaint #11761430 · source
4. Filed Aug 27, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain

   The car on a weekly basis or almost every time it is driven. The car jerks when driving at low speeds. This is a safety risk when driving for vehicles in front or behind me, as the car jerks forward. This has been mentioned to the dealer, but they stated a charge of 180 USD will be incurred for diagnoses. If you look at the NHTSA complaints database there are numerous complaints similar to what I am experiencing from other owners stating the same issue of jerkiness on the…

   NHTSA complaint #11760061 · source
5. Filed Aug 9, 2026TNElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Wife was going to the store engine lost power and died prior to that steering got loose like trying to turn itself, towed to dealer inspected dealer cleaned throttle returned vehicle after cost of 807.00 and drove van to church tailgate would not open without vehicle running, got home turned off windshield washers operated brittle with key off, remote key system problem displayed also hill hold, brake failure and steering message on dash prior, dealer picked up van inspected…

   NHTSA complaint #11755762 · source
6. Filed Aug 6, 2026OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   While driving the car lurches as it shifts gears. This had gone on for quite some time but no codes have been thrown. This last time the car lurched so badly at the beginning of acceleration that I thought it was going to stall. It did not, but lights began flashing on the dash and when codes were (finally) thrown I was told I needed a new transmission altogether.

   NHTSA complaint #11755352 · source
7. Filed Jul 13, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain

   My Honda Odyssey has always had continuous issues when sometimes driving the car at low speeds it randomly jerks, which can become an issue when driving. I believe this is related to the manufacturers reference to service bulletins #19-014 and 20-016 stating a software upgrade is required. However my local dealer is stating this software can only be carried out if it is diagnosed first and a fee will be charged and only if jerkiness is found then another fee will be charged…

   NHTSA complaint #11750005 · source
8. Filed Jun 18, 2026FLSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   I purchased a 2018 Honda Odyssey and reported during my 7-day inspection window that the transmission was acting sluggish. The Carvana-authorized inspection service (Pep Boys) claimed the transmission was fine. Over time it showed more and more signs of failure until it completely failed. On the directive of the seller (Carvana) and warranty administrator (SilverRock), the vehicle was taken to an authorized Pep Boys facility for a complete transmission replacement. Less than…

   NHTSA complaint #11745146 · source
9. Filed Jun 1, 202680,000 miVATowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine and several other various warning messages appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for service; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose or duplicate the failure. The contact then stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly downshifted and failed to…

   NHTSA complaint #11741245 · source
10. Filed May 14, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

    When driving at speed, the car will lose power, and you cannot go anywhere until the transmission reengages Also when starting out there is a hesitation sometimes very dangerous at intersections

    NHTSA complaint #11737900 · source
11. Filed May 12, 2026MAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

    Vehicle driving at highway speeds and put itself into park while at speed without operator intervention. Vehicle became uncontrollable and an extreme hazard.

    NHTSA complaint #11737217 · source
12. Filed Apr 8, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain

    Car shifts out of drive and reverse to Park randomly. It also doesnt shift out of first gear on a cold start. I have to stop the vehicle, shift back into park and turn the car off then on again before it will shift out of first gear.

    NHTSA complaint #11729960 · 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