2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 51owner reports
- 30,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
259 of the 992 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 51 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 51 reports
Dead battery on other Odyssey years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (48 reports), the module (9 reports) and the alternator (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the electrical system covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The wire harness for the third row seat accessory power outlet may get pinched between the unibody and rear trim panel, possibly damaging the wires and causing an electrical short.
All 16 recalls on the 2018 Honda Odyssey, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Odyssey
Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
5 of the 51 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,600 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,077 and 40,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Honda Odyssey that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Auto idle stop does not work. The PCM incorrectly calculates battery current, which prevents auto idle stop from working.
Servicenews article - There are two types of 12-volt batteries used in Honda vehicles today: the conventional flooded lead acid (FLA) battery and the absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery.
What owners wrote
“Power Tailgate Failure/Dead Battery from Body Leak. currently power tailgate is not functioning.”
Filed Apr 1, 2026
“Crack in body seam above driver and passenger side of the tailgate AND underneath the roof rail cover caused water leakage. This resulted in a short of the power tailgate control module which draws down my battery and causes unexpected trunk closing during normal use. Family members have been hit in the head by the trunk due to the unexpected automatic emergency closing.”
Filed Jun 24, 2025
“The power tailgate opened by itself while I was driving on high way at around 60mph. Later it stopped working/won't open and the car battery died as well. Went to Honda dealership for a Diagnosis and found a water leakage on the roof of the back, causing the tailgate control module to be burned out by water damage.”
Filed Mar 16, 2025
“My car has stalled on multiple occasions when the auto-idle feature is engaged. A message on the dashboard flashes stating âcollision mitigation systemâ and then the car just stalls and the battery light comes on. Typically this requires turning the car off and turning back on to begin driving. Very scary and dangerous when in the middle of a busy road/traffic light/stop.”
Filed Jul 29, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 51 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 136 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 134 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 121 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 115 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 104 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 85 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 68 reports
- Sliding door won't open, close or latch 61 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 45 reports
- Fuel pump failure 41 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 41 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 40 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 39 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 38 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 25 reports