2019 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet
Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close
- 25owner reports
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
62 of the 974 complaints on this car are about the structure. 25 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.
Tick what matches of 25 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 (11 reports), the latch (5 reports) and the lift struts or motor (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the structure cover the 2019 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 20 recalls on the 2019 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 2019 model year.
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 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 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.
Engineering request for investigation - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2018-2019 Odysseys with customer complaint of power tailgate inop.
What owners wrote
“Power Tailgate Problem is going off repeatedly while car is on. Power tailgate does not open with remote or button inside car. There seems to be water leaking in tailgate seams. The constant beeping of problem popping up is startling and distracting to driver.”
Filed Nov 12, 2025
“Leak in roof rail seam causes interior water leak and fried liftgate opener. Known issue manufacturer is not willing to address. Recent class action: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Dec 30, 2024
“Rear power tailgate module fried due to moisture intrusion. Trunk will not close. Lock stuck in closed position.”
Filed Dec 15, 2024
“The power tailgate would open, then after opening, the tailgate may slowly sag down. Then it automatically closes within seconds. When going down to close, it beeps loudly.”
Filed Jul 18, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 130 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 129 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 126 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 117 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 109 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 55 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 52 reports
- Fuel pump failure 50 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 49 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 46 reports
- Sliding door won't open, close or latch 46 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 40 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 35 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 31 reports