2018 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Water leaks into the cabin
- 38owner reports
- $1,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
334 of the 992 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 38 of those describe water leak.
Tick what matches of 38 reports
Water leak on other Odyssey years
No other Odyssey model year has enough reports of water leak for a sheet of its own. See every Odyssey year.
What this problem usually is
These owners find water where it shouldn't be: a soaked carpet, a wet footwell, water pooling in the cargo area, and often a musty smell before they find the source. The smell is the most common thread, mentioned in more than four in ten of these complaints.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the module (23 reports), the seal or weatherstrip (12 reports) and the drain tubes (4 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.
Stabilus rear liftgate struts failing. Closed dec 31, 2012.
Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed apr 12, 2010, led to recall 10V-055.
Unexpected closing of power liftgate. Closed aug 8, 2008.
Upexpected opening of sliding door. Closed apr 25, 2002, led to recall 99V-158.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
8 of the 38 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $691 to $1,600.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“The Tailgate Control Module failed due to water getting in to it from normal rain. There seems to be a leak in the seam and caused the failure. I took it to the shop and confirmed the failure, purchased a new control module and replaced the faulty one. I opened up the faulty one and it had water damage inside.”
Filed Dec 19, 2025
“This Honda Odysse 2018 model has leak water on rear corner . You have to find out where is leaking and fix it , if you don't fix water leak after you install new control unit it will happen again . To find out where is leaking is a major problem. Honda DO NOT recall on it”
Filed Oct 14, 2024
“Water leaks into tailgate control module causing tailgate not to work. Replaced module, problem came back after 3 weeks. This is a common issue for the current generation Odyssey.”
Filed Apr 11, 2024
“Water leaking in from roof or driver side windows into rear electronics at the fuse box and the tailgate control module. When control module was removed there was gross evidence of water saturation in the control module and multiple areas of corrosion, rust and fouling of electrical components causing battery to drain dead.”
Filed Jul 9, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 38 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
- 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
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 39 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 25 reports