2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 38owner reports
- 48,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
38 of the 68 reports of transmission shudder on the 2018 Odyssey describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (68 reports) · also: hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 38 reports
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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 and remedy
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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,000 and 59,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“When driving the transmission is slipping meaning it jerks forward when accelerating on the road.”
Filed Apr 5, 2026
“The transmission is very jerky and has completely lost power before. It has refused to shift and stalled in the middle of the road. It is very scary.”
Filed Aug 19, 2025
“As reported previously to Honda the vehicle jerks when accelerating at high speeds.It was recommended to die a transmission flush which was performed and did not resolve the issue.slow acceleration at times is also a safety issue especially on highways.”
Filed Jul 7, 2025
“At around 25 miles per hour the vehicle has a transmission issue where the vehicle seems to hesitate, then downshift causing the vehicle to lurch forward. This happens regularly and started sometime before I acquired the vehicle with 48k miles. Honda dealer had no fix to the problem.”
Filed May 23, 2024 · 48,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 38 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.
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 134 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 132 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 120 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 113 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 103 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 84 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 51 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 44 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 41 reports
- Fuel pump failure 40 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 39 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 39 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 37 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 25 reports