2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close
- 39owner reports
- $331median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
112 of the 992 complaints on this car are about the structure. 39 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.
Tick what matches of 39 reports
Tailgate or liftgate failure 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, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Two different problems share this sheet. Pickup owners report tailgates that drop open on their own, sometimes at speed with cargo in the bed. SUV and minivan owners report liftgates that won't latch, won't stay up, or come down on someone.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the control module (20 reports), the latch (8 reports) and the lift struts or motor (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 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.
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.
The latch assemblies for the power sliding doors may stick and not properly latch to the door strikers.
All 16 recalls on the 2018 Honda Odyssey, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the Odyssey
Stabilus rear liftgate struts failing. Closed dec 31, 2012.
Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed feb 29, 2012, led to recall 12V-062.
Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed apr 12, 2010, led to recall 10V-055.
Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed aug 8, 2008.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
7 of the 39 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $2,000.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 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.
After powering open, the tailgate either slowly sags down or the power tailgate control unit sounds a warning tone before powering the tailgate closed.
American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 Odysseys with customer complaint of power tailgate inop. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
Servicenews Article - Is the hands-free access power tailgate not working or not working like it should? Before you start any heavy troubleshooting, make sure you're using the right motion to activate the hands-free access power tailgate control unit/sensor;
Engineering request for investigation - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 Odysseys with customer complaint of power tailgate inop.
What owners wrote
“Tailgate door is not functioning. Tailgate problem message on dash. Cannot open door with remote nor manually.”
Filed Mar 26, 2026
“There is water leaking in the body which damages the power tailgate control module located at the rear driver side. the tailgate doesnât open and endanger people inside in case there is any accident.”
Filed Feb 24, 2025
“Leakage through the top driver's side pinch weld near the rear of the vehicle has allowed water to infiltrate the power tailgate control module and render it sporadically operable. This has affected the vehicle main computer, causing unreliable operation of powered vehicle exit doors.”
Filed Feb 5, 2025
“Tailgate warning beeps. Tailgare Will NOT open or Close. Dashboard lites flash. Vehicle will NOT START ! CANNOT START or move Vehicle!”
Filed Jan 7, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 39 reports involved a crash and 3 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
- Battery dies or the car will not start 51 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
- Water leaks into the cabin 38 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 25 reports