Diagsheet

2019 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet

Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close

  • 25owner reports
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 1, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

61 of the 951 complaints on this car are about the structure. 25 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

6
5
15
4
4

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.

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.
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
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 2019 model year.

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

119
120
121
223
1124
625
326

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.

Other problems on this car