2020 Honda Odyssey · symptom sheet

Battery dies or the car will not start

32owner reports
52,000median miles
$2,000median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 31, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

162 of the 458 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 32 of those describe dead battery.

Tick what matches of 32 reports

dead after sitting a day or two

needed a jump start

battery replaced more than once

warning lights or messages

the dealer found a drain

the dealer found nothing

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (28 reports), the starter (3 reports) and the module (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-440Jul 28, 2020

Electrical System:Software

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Pilot, 2019-2020 Odyssey and 2019-2020 Passport vehicles. Incorrect central network software programming may cause several errors to occur that can delay or prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk and remedy

Risk: A delayed or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners that updated software is available. Owners have the option to either follow the mailed instructions to download and update the software for free, or visit a dealer to have the software update performed, 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 Y7Y.

20V-066Feb 6, 2020

Electrical System:Wiring

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. 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.

Risk and remedy

Risk: An intermittent electrical short could overheat the wire harness, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row seat accessory power outlet wire harness for damage, replacing it as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and re-route the harness. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T6U.

NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Odyssey

PE12-026opened Oct 2, 2012

Electrical · model years 2003 to 2004

Ignition interlock failure - rollaway. Closed jan 14, 2013, led to recall 12V-573.

NHTSA summary

On December 10, 2012, Honda Motor Company submitted a defect information report to NHTSA regarding ignition interlocks in approximately 576,117 model year MY) 2003 through 2004 Honda Pilot and Odyssey vehicles that are the subject of this investigation and 231,044 MY 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX vehicles (Recall No. 12V-573).Honda's report states that a design change to the ignition switch used in the recalled vehicles reduced the range of rotation for the ignition switch from 160 degrees in earlier designs to 125 degrees without a corresponding change to the ignition interlock blocking mechanism.The result was that excessive rotational force could damage a lever that would allow the driver to remove the ignition key that was in a position other than the Park position, which may allow the vehicle to roll away.ODI identified 176 complaints related to the alleged defect, including 48 roll away crashes.Threeof the incidents resulted in the following injuries to pedestrians:1) a broken foot and torn Achilles tendon; 2) a fractured fibula and crush injuries to a shin area; and 3) an incident requiring unspecified treatment at a hospital emergency room.This investigation is closed.The VOQs associated with this investigation are: 10486515, 10486393, 10486100, 10485010, 10482229, 10482091, 10481169, 10481105, 10481079, 10481027, 10480804, 10480648, 10480099, 10480009, 10479934, 10479695, 10479561, 10479517, 10479494, 10479484, 10479437, 10479421, 10479409, 10479343, 10478916, 10478876

None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.

What owners paid

7 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,400 to $7,000.

$1,400$2,000$7,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

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

220

222

423

124

1425

926

What owners wrote

“My car went completely dead while stopped in traffic on a busy street. My kids were in the car and thankfully I was able to crank it by pressing the start button. This issue has already been âfixedâ and the dealership âcannot replicateâ”
Filed Aug 25, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 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.