2011 Honda Odyssey Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Sep 17, 2026Published Oct 15, 2026

Good

Ranks 2nd of 25 Odyssey years we score.

Owner complaints: 233; 12 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 21.2; 104,150 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.54×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 68; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 5
NHTSA crash rating: 5★; overall, out of 5

← 2010 Odyssey 2012 Odyssey →

Should You Buy the 2011 Honda Odyssey?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2011 Honda Odyssey is 78 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about half as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 2nd of the 25 Odyssey years we score.

The most reported problem is the 12V battery, mostly warning lights (45 of 233 complaints). Owners also complain about the brakes and the sliding doors. 68 of the 233 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 5 recalls. Honda also offers 2 warranty extensions that may still apply, for engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings) and torque converter judder. NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. For comparison, the 2012 scores 80.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done, ask a Honda dealer about warranty extension 13-081 and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 78
About half the problems of the average car its age
Recent complaints at or below average
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

12V battery: warning lights45 complaints
Brakes: vibration or shudder37 complaints
Sliding doors: parts breaking or coming apart12 complaints
First year of a new generation

How the 2011 Odyssey Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems	0.47×	−7
Everyday problems	0.70×	−4
Problems in the last two years	0.42×	−5
Recalls	1.1×	−6
Score		78

What Owners Report

We read all 233 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Honda Odyssey, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

12V battery: warning lights
45 complaints (19%)
Warning lights and a failure that needed a new part. 2 of these 45 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often being stranded. In 21 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 12 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 2,000 miles.
Brakes: vibration or shudder
37 complaints (16%)
Vibration or shudder, loss of braking and early wear. 6 of these 37 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of braking. In 8 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem, and in 17 it came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 29,000 miles.
Sliding doors: parts breaking or coming apart
12 complaints (5%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, not closing or latching and the system acting on its own. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
11 complaints (5%)
Stalling, vibration or shudder and a failure. 6 of these 11 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 4 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 43,000 miles.
Tire pressure monitoring: warning lights
11 complaints (5%)
Warning lights, a feature that stopped working and a failure that needed a new part. In 3 complaints, the problem came back after a repair. Median mileage when it started: about 0 miles.
Transmission: vibration or shudder
10 complaints (4%)
Vibration or shudder, slipping and harsh or delayed shifts. 1 of these 10 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 25,000 miles.
Seats: parts breaking or coming apart
9 complaints (4%)
Parts breaking or coming apart, seat folded or collapsed unexpectedly and second-row seat does not hold a booster seat. 4 of these 9 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 78,000 miles.
Alternator or charging: warning lights
6 complaints (3%)
Warning lights and a failure. 2 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 92,000 miles.
Paint and rust: paint peeling
6 complaints (3%)
Paint peeling, clearcoat fading and peeling and rust or corrosion.
Seat belts: locking up
6 complaints (3%)
Locking up, not releasing and hanging belt wrapped around a child's neck. 5 of these 6 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an injury. Median mileage when it started: about 44,000 miles.
Door latches: not closing or latching
5 complaints (2%)
Not closing or latching, sticking or stiffness and not opening or unlocking. Median mileage when it started: about 2,000 miles.
Engine (misfire codes): rough running or misfires
5 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires and a stored fault code. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 49,000 miles.
Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash
5 complaints (2%)
No deployment in a crash, deployment with no crash and covers blew out without inflating, no collision. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 69,000 miles.
Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
5 complaints (2%)
A failure that needed a new part, hesitation and cylinder 3 plug fouling. 1 of these 5 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Key fob: stopped working
5 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working, problems that come and go and parts breaking or coming apart. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.

Show 24 more problems

Piston rings: rough running or misfires
5 complaints (2%)
Rough running or misfires, damage and burning or using oil. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 109,000 miles.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
5 complaints (2%)
Sudden acceleration and surging. 2 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often sudden acceleration or braking. Median mileage when it started: about 102,000 miles.
Engine oil consumption: burning or using oil
4 complaints (2%)
Burning or using oil.
Phone and navigation: works on and off
4 complaints (2%)
Problems that come and go and wrong readings. Median mileage when it started: about 3,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
4 complaints (2%)
Stalling. 3 of these 4 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. In 3 complaints, the dealer could not find or fix the problem. Median mileage when it started: about 47,000 miles.
Poor acceleration (cause not stated)
3 complaints (1%)
Hesitation. Median mileage when it started: about 1,000 miles.
Shifter or park: the car rolling away
3 complaints (1%)
The car rolling away and gear letters not visible at night. 2 of these 3 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a crash. Median mileage when it started: about 40,000 miles.
Windshield wipers: stopped working
3 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working, scratched the windshield and parts breaking or coming apart.
A/C condenser failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure that needed a new part and a leak.
Battery drain: draining the battery
2 complaints (under 1%)
Draining the battery. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Check engine light (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights.
Headlights: beam too short, poor reach down the road
2 complaints (under 1%)
Beam too short, poor reach down the road and low beams too low, poor reach.
Instrument cluster: unreadable in sunlight
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unreadable in sunlight and wrong readings.
Noise (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises.
Battery sensor: wrong readings
2 complaints (under 1%)
Wrong readings and a failure that needed a new part.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2 complaints (under 1%)
Deployment with no crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an airbag problem.
Stability control (VSA) failure
2 complaints (under 1%)
A failure and hard braking with nothing ahead. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden braking.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own and the car not starting. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Steering: stopped working
2 complaints (under 1%)
A feature that stopped working and unusual noises.
Struts or shocks: unusual noises
2 complaints (under 1%)
Unusual noises and a leak.
Torque converter: overheating
2 complaints (under 1%)
Overheating and vibration or shudder.
Variable cylinder management (VCM): fault code
2 complaints (under 1%)
A stored fault code and a leak.
Windows or locks or sunroof (operate by themselves): the system acting on its own
2 complaints (under 1%)
The system acting on its own.
Wiring, fuses or body control module: warning lights
2 complaints (under 1%)
Warning lights and damage.

Reported Once (35)

Show the 35 problems reported once

A/C: stopped working
ABS: hard braking with nothing ahead
EVAP system: canister full of water
Airbag warning light
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
Body seals (water leak): water leaking in
Brake calipers failure
Cooling system: unusual noises
Several warning lights at once
CV axles: unusual noises
Engine oil leak
Exterior trim: early wear
Heater: stopped working
Ignition or push-button start: overheating
Loss of power (cause not stated)
Mirrors: distorted image
Oil drain plug: a leak
A/C O-rings failure
Burning smell (cause not stated)
Charging system sensor: warning lights
Driver side small window: unusual noises
Rear window glass: shattering or cracking
Running board: slippery when wet
Van door
Vehicle creeps with brake applied (cause not stated)
Vehicle fire (cause not stated)
Oxygen sensor: fault code
Power liftgate: will not stay up
Rearview camera: stopped working
Sunroof glass (shattered): shattering or cracking
Timing belt: unusual noises
Tires: parts breaking or coming apart
Transmission computer failure
Vibration (cause not stated)
Windshield: shattering or cracking

How the 2011 Honda Odyssey Compares With Other Years

The other Odyssey years of the 4th generation, 2011 to 2017, and the years just before and after it. When two scores are less than 3.5 points apart, treat them as about the same.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2018	Avoid	54	3.1×	85.3	16	Driver-assist camera and radar failure
2017	Good	77	0.57×	13.6	2	Ignition coils or spark plugs failure
2016	Good	74	0.57×	17.8	6	Piston rings failure
2015	Good	77	0.44×	15.2	6	Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2014	Good	76	0.53×	20.7	5	Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
2013	Good	73	0.59×	21.9	6	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2012	Excellent	80	0.43×	16.4	5	Brakes: vibration or shudder
2011 This year	Good	78	0.54×	21.2	5	12V battery: warning lights
2010	Good	78	0.54×	21.2	1	Sliding doors: parts breaking or coming apart

See every Odyssey year

2011 Honda Odyssey Recalls

A recall can cover some or all cars of this model year. Look up a specific car by its VIN at NHTSA to see which recalls are still open on it.

Seats: mid/rear assembly
If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA 17V725000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Nov 17, 2017. By the third quarter of 2019, 79% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
NHTSA 16V933000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Dec 27, 2016. By the third quarter of 2018, 80% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Air bags
The absence of more than one rivet could alter the performance of the driver's airbag during deployment. This could potentially increase the risk of injury during a crash.
NHTSA 13V016000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 18, 2013.
Visibility
The window may shatter into the passenger cabin causing a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
NHTSA 11V181000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 21, 2011.
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
The windshield wipers may fail to operate, decreasing the driver's visibility in adverse weather conditions increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA 11V180000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 15, 2011.

Honda Warranty Extensions and Programs

Repairs Honda agreed to cover or update outside a recall. Whether one applies depends on the VIN and the conditions listed. A Honda dealer can confirm.

Warranty extensionHonda 13-081
Engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings)
The problem:
Piston rings can turn and line up, which can foul the spark plugs. The engine then misfires and the check engine light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the engine misfire caused by this problem for free.
Who qualifies:
A cylinder misfire fault must be stored and the spark plugs of the affected cylinders must be fouled. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered.
Coverage:
8 years from the original purchase date, with no mileage limit for these misfire repairs.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 16-052
Torque converter judder
The problem:
The torque converter can be damaged and make the car shudder at 20 to 45 mph.
The fix:
A Honda dealer repairs the torque converter for free.
Who qualifies:
The shudder must come back after the earlier software update 16-046. A Honda dealer test must show the torque converter is damaged. Cars with a salvage or branded title are not covered.
Coverage:
8 years or 105,000 miles from the original purchase date, whichever comes first.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Service campaignHonda 16-046
Torque converter lock-up software update
The problem:
The torque converter lock-up clutch can make the car shudder at 20 to 45 mph.
The fix:
A Honda dealer installs a transmission software update and replaces the transmission fluid.
Who qualifies:
No symptom is needed. Every car the VIN check lists gets the update. Honda dealers must complete it before selling an affected used car.
Coverage:
No time limit and no mileage limit for the software update.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Warranty extensionHonda 19-056Ended
White paint peeling (roof and tailgate)
The problem:
The factory Taffeta White paint on the roof or tailgate can peel off. The paint is too thin in some places.
The fix:
While the program ran, a Honda dealer had a certified body shop repair the peeling roof or tailgate paint for free.
Who qualifies:
The roof or tailgate paint had to be peeling. Honda had to approve each paint repair first. Rock chips, scratches, dents and crash damage were not covered. Salvage or branded titles were not covered.
Coverage:
A 6 month grace period for cars already past the 7 year paint coverage. It has ended. The end date is not given.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)

NHTSA Investigations

Defect investigations by NHTSA that cover this model year, with what they found.

Petition on Odyssey air bags deploying without a crash
Still open
A petition from May 2026 asks NHTSA to investigate air bags deploying by mistake in 2011-2017 Odysseys. It says they can deploy without an impact or rollover, and that fault codes and recorded data conflict. It cites 10 complaints. NHTSA opened a defect petition in July 2026 to decide whether to grant or deny it. It is still open.
NHTSA DP26005 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Open since Jul 13, 2026

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for this model year. See the 2011 Odyssey ratings on NHTSA.gov.

Van FWD

Overall5/5

Frontal crash5/5

Side crash5/5

Rollover4/5

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2011 Odyssey, from its recalls, Honda's programs and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Seats: mid/rear assembly NHTSA 17V725000
Seats: mid/rear assembly NHTSA 16V933000
Air bags NHTSA 13V016000
Visibility NHTSA 11V181000
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer NHTSA 11V180000

Ask a Honda Dealer

Ask whether each of these warranty extensions applies to this VIN, and whether the work was done.

13-081: engine misfire from fouled spark plugs (piston rings)
16-052: torque converter judder

On the Test Drive

Ask about battery and starter replacements. A slow start after the car sits is a warning sign.
Brake firmly from a moderate speed. A soft, hard or pulsing pedal, or a brake warning light, is a warning sign.
Open and close each sliding door several times, by button and by hand, and check that it latches.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

12V battery
Brakes
Sliding doors
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Odyssey Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.