Diagsheet

2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet

Doors, latches or locks fail

  • 39owner reports
  • 33,000median miles
  • $331median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

111 of the 979 complaints on this car are about the structure. 39 of those describe door latch.

Tick what matches of 39 reports

2
6
37
11
11

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (31 reports), the handle (3 reports) and the sensor (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the structure cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-437Jul 28, 2020
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may enter the outer door handle cables for the sliding doors. If this occurs, the outer door handle cables may freeze in cold temperatures, preventing the front and rear sliding door latches from securely latching.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power sliding door outer handle cables, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is A88.
19V-213Mar 20, 2019
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Wheel Speed Sensor

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Honda Odyessy vehicles modified to be equipped with an in-floor wheelchair ramp conversion. The rear wheel speed sensor harnesses may have been routed to the incorrect rear wheels, resulting in the possibility that the anti-lock brake system will not recognize each rear wheel speed properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake System" and 404, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the rear wheel speeds cannot be correctly monitored, the anti-lock brake system may not engage properly to prevent the wheels from locking up, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the rear wheel speed sensor harnesses, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
18V-795Nov 9, 2018
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2018 and 2019 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The latch assemblies for the power sliding doors may stick and not properly latch to the door strikers.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the power sliding doors fails to latch, the doors may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right power sliding door rear latch assemblies, free of charge. The recall began January 3, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Z33 and O36.

NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Odyssey

EQ12-010opened Sep 28, 2012
Structure · model years 2005 to 2009

Stabilus rear liftgate struts failing. Closed dec 31, 2012.

NHTSA summary
Please see the attached closing resume summary.It has been attached to this document as a PDF.
PE11-034opened Sep 23, 2011
Latches/Locks/Linkages · model years 2008 to 2009

Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-062.

NHTSA summary
The investigation found that the liftgate struts were failing prematurely and at an abnormal rate in certain model year (MY) 2008 Honda Odyssey Touring and 2009 Honda Odyssey Touring and EX-L model vehicles equipped with power-operated rear liftgates (note: MY 2008 Odyssey EX-L was not equipped with a power liftgate).Unlike vehicles with non-powered (manual) liftgates, the subject vehicle's liftgate can be opened automatically (via the power liftgate motor) even when the struts are in a degraded condition and can no longer support it in the open position.Consumers standing or accessing the rear cargo area under the liftgate and expecting the liftgate will stay open, can be struck when the liftgate unexpectedly drops, or can be trapped under the liftgate as it power closes, both of which can occur when the system detects and reacts to degraded struts.By contrast, users of a manual liftgate assist in lifting it, and thus notice the lack of support as the struts degrade.Honda is conducting a recall to replace the liftgate struts in approximately 45,747 MY 2008 and early MY 2009 Odyssey vehicles equipped with power liftgates built before a manufacturing change of the liftgate strut assembly that occurred on January 13, 2009 (see NHTSA Safety Recall No. 12V-062 for further details).The vehicles subject to the recall account for 101 complaints, 12 injuries, and 5,630 of the warranty claims shown above (i.e., the MY 2009 and 2010 vehicles built after the manufacturing change experie
EA09-014opened Oct 19, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2007 to 2008

Air in brake system. Closed may 11, 2010, led to recall 10V-098.

NHTSA summary
By letter dated March 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Corp. (HMC) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-098) to address a defect in approximately 412,000 model year (MY) 2007 and 2008 Honda Odyssey and Element vehicles equipped with an ABS/VSA/TCS modulator. The recalled Odyssey vehicles were built from August 2006 August 2008.The recalled Element vehicles were built from July 2006 to July 2008. According to Honda, during an initial self-check process that occurs shortly after each engine ignition cycle, the self-diagnostic software for the VSA modulator allows a vacuum condition that can exist for several hours, allowing air to enter the VSA modulator pump.Over time, and thousands of engine ignition cycles, it is possible for enough air to enter the system to result in a brake pedal that feels soft or lower to the floor.If the customer does not have any brake service or maintenance performed over a period of months or years, the system can continue to accumulate enough air to affect braking performance.To correct the safety defect, Honda dealers will remove existing air in the brake system then apply sealant and caps to the VSA modulator to prevent air from entering the brake system, free of charge. The action taken by Honda is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. The agency will continue to monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warr
PE09-024opened May 13, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2006 to 2008

Air in brake system. Closed oct 19, 2009, led to recall 10V-098.

NHTSA summary
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 69 COMPLAINTS, AND HONDA HAS RECEIVED 613 COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS, ALLEGING LOW/SOFT/SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2006 THROUGH 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY MINIVANS.TWENTY-SIX ODI COMPLAINTS WERE ALSO REPORTED TO HONDA, RESULTING IN A TOTAL COMPLAINT COUNT OF 656.SOME COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE CONDITION RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, INCLUDING SOME REPORTS OF ROLLING PAST STOP SIGNS OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS.THERE ARE 14 ALLEGED CRASHES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION RELATED TO LOW/SOFT PEDALS. IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY EVALUATION PE09-024, HONDA INDICATED THAT SMALL AMOUNTS OF AIR MAY ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS OF THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VSA) MODULATOR WHILE THE PUMP IS BRIEFLY ACTUATED FOR SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED.THE AMOUNT OF AIR GRADUALLY INCREASES WITH EACH SUCCESSIVE ENGINE START CYCLE, RESULTING IN PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING BRAKE PEDAL STROKE.ACCORDING TO HONDA, THE CONDITION DOES NOT PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY BECAUSE THE PEDAL STROKE GRADUALLY INCREASES, PROVIDING THE DRIVER WITH INFORMATION THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HEIGHT IS CHANGING AND REQUIRES ATTENTION.HONDA HAS FURTHER INDICATED THAT THERE IS NO DETERIORATION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE CAUSED BY THE SUBJECT CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH THE PEDAL HEIGHT AND FEEL ARE DIFFERENT, UNTIL PEDAL STROKE HAS REACHED THE END OF TRAVEL AND THE DRIVER CANNOT PROD
EA08-015opened Aug 8, 2008
Structure · model years 2005

Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed apr 12, 2010, led to recall 10V-055.

NHTSA summary
Honda will replace the liftgate struts in approximately 21,776 model year 2005 Honda Odyssey Touring vehicles equipped with power liftgates that were built before a manufacturing change of the liftgate strut assembly on July 16, 2005 (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-055).Vehicles built after the change experience significantly lower failure rates.The recall will inform consumers of the dangers of the existing struts and provide the opportunity for vehicle owners to obtain new struts that are more robust.Based on Honda's action, the agency has decided to close the investigation.While Honda has not made a decision that the recalled vehicles contain a safety-related defect, in view of the recall, further use of the agency's resources does not appear to be warranted.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.Additional information can be found in the attached Engineering Analysis Report.
PE08-026opened Apr 10, 2008
Structure · model years 2005

Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed aug 8, 2008.

NHTSA summary
THE LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE DAMAGED GAS SEALS THAT ALLOW THE LIFTGATE TO CLOSE UNEXPECTEDLY.AT THE COMPLETION OF A POWER-OPEN COMMAND, THE POWER LIFTGATE MAY EITHER CLOSE WITHOUT POWER ACTUATION (I.E., DESCEND UNASSISTED UNDER THE FORCE OF GRAVITY) OR AUTOMATICALLY POWER-CLOSE WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE OPERATOR.SOME OWNERS ARE CAUGHT UNAWARE OF THE UNINTENDED CLOSING OF THE LIFTGATE WHILE UNDER THE REAR LIFTGATE DOOR.THERE HAVE BEEN TEN REPORTED INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED PROBLEM ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-015).

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 39 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $800.

$200$331$800
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 5,456 and 134,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.

818
119
320
121
322
623
624
625
526

What owners wrote

“Rear sliding door failure, doors wouldn't latch properly resulting in opening when driving down the road. Took to dealership for repair. Paid $1633.78 they replaced rear latches 3/31/2026. Rear latches failed to open resulting in one Rear door cable breaking and one that will not open at all 9/1/2026. Neither door opens at this point.”

Filed Sep 6, 2026

“The rear lift gate is not opening. The lift gate motor and latch have been replaced. The lift gate module seems to have water/moisture after a rain storm causing the gate to not open. Their is an error on the display saying there is a lift gate error and the car is beeping while driving.”

Filed Feb 14, 2024

“After having the odyssey repaired for the recall rear passenger door latches, the rear passenger door still continues to open randomly, it has happened on multiple occasions while the vehicle is parked (at a park) with no one near the vehicle, at least twice since the repair while the vehicle is going between the speeds of 35-45 mph the rear passenger door on the driver side slides open.”

Filed Oct 3, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 39 reports involved a crash. 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.

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