2013 Honda Odyssey Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 71,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started driving abnormally rough. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil-fouled spark plugs. The contact was informed that the piston…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 87,800 miles

Honda has a known defect with the engine of these vehicles. Specifically the 2013 that I own. I contacted them years ago when their first warranty extension expired because I was never contacted and my vehicle exhibited symptoms right after expiration( bulletin 13-061). Now they have done it again with bulletin 25-061. It expired Jan…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

We have taken our 2013 Honda Odyssey several times to the shop because the brakes don’t feel safe. They seem to work fine but the brakes pedal is spongy. Keeping the brake pedal slightly pressed with the engine running, the pedal continues to sink almost to the floor. So far we have spent over $1000 for a new brake booster, new master…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Front brake rotors warp causing steering wheel vibration and brake pedal thumping. Rotors have been resurfaced 3 times only to happen again after a few thousand miles. At higher speeds almost lost control of steering. Honda won't upgrade to better performing rotors. Need a safety recall. Long time issue.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 1,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (17).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Van has the braun conversion package (wheelchair accessible van). While parked the passenger sliding door fell completely off of the van as if was closing. No prior issues with the door. The motor to the wheelchair ramp has needed to be replaced twice. The first [VIN] ramp motor did not last 18 months and cost over $1800 to replace. When…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 125,000 miles

Paint is peeling from the top of the roof between the drivers window and the sunroof. The vehicle has only been stored in virginia and indiana.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 155,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that they discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,000. It was later discovered upon registering the vehicle with the local DMV, that the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 280,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat heater was malfunctioning. The contact stated that upon engaging the seat heater, the seat heater was intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact noticed a strong burning odor inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 87,900 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 43,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 13-081 (MIL Comes On with DTCs P0301 thru…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 175,000 miles

1. Car would not stop, while backing out of parking space and almost backed into parked car, transmission put into drive and moved forward hit curb, hopped curb and slammed into embankment. 4/12/23 2. Car would not stop driving down steep driveway and drove onto MLK JR BLVD fortunately avoided any other cars. Proceeded uphill slowly and…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I have owned six honda odyssey's and the last three starting with the 2007 model all needed to have a new power steering pump because it starts to whine and not pump well. Previous models have all failed under warranty. I currently have a 2013 odyssey that has 41000 miles on it and once again the pump started e steering has given out…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 41,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the front driver's side emitted a loud noise as the steering wheel moved abruptly to the left. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 10,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact's sister owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed an unattended trailer hitch on the road and the vehicle drove over the trailer hitch, which rolled under the vehicle and bumped into the exhaust of the vehicle. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 200,000 miles

I was in a motor vehicle accident, and when the airbags deployed. A woman, who leaned into the passenger side of my vehicle to see if I was hurt, said she could smell something burning and saw the sleeve of sweatshirt jacket on fire. Had she not checked on me, the sleeve of my sweatshirt may have burned all the way up my arm. As I only…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driving down the highway at 55 MPH when the accelerator stopped working and vehicle came to a complete stop without braking. Engine was still running but there was no acceleration possible. Shut engine off and restarted. Held accelerator pedal all the way to the floor with no acceleration for 10-15 seconds. Then, all of a sudden, the van…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 33,000 miles

While parking into a spot in a parking lot, the vehicle surged forward on its own at an alarming speed and crashed into a parked car. Driver airbag was deployed. No injuries. Police report was filed.Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 13,300 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V933000 (Seats) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues, and a case was filed.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Folsom lake honda has not repaired our seat for the two safety recalls that we have repeatedly called them about. They never seem to have the part or may just be unwilling to perform the repair. At this point we are afraid to seat our kids in the outer 2nd row seats.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 25,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that when the check engine warning light illuminated, the code indicated a possible emissions failure. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 165,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the…Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

My wife was driving the car back home, and she heard what sounded like an explosion. The windshield spontaneously shattered raining glass down on her and several of my children. This caused her to be distracted and could have blinded my children with broken glass or caused an accident.Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2013 honda odyssey. While driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud booming noise suddenly occurred. After stopping the vehicle, it was discovered that the glass sun roof had exploded. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer (mike whatley honda in brookhaven, mississippi) and the…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 50,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

235/65/R17 Bridgestone Dueler Alenza Plus Right Passenger Tire Saturday, [XXX] approx [XXX] with 6 people (4 were children in carseats) in the vehicle traveling North on [XXX] between exits [XXX] and [XXX] in Middle Lane. Traveling at a speed of 65mph. Driver pulled over safely to shoulder because the 2013 Honda Odyssey Minivan made a…Owner complaint, filed 2025

A tire suddendly deflated and disentigrated at highway speed. This was a continental true contact tour 104t. The tires were mounted new dec 5, 2020 and had low mileage.Owner complaint, filed 2021

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The car pulls to left at speeds above 60 MPH and get worse the higher the speed. I am familiar with honda odyssey as I have owned this one since 2003 and it has 180000 miles. This new one drives fine in town and at speeds 60 or below. I have taken it back to dealer and they did re alignment and lowered tire pressure to 30 psi but I like…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 1 miles