Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the battery would intermittently drain overnight while the vehicle was turned off. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers including New Century Honda (1235 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204), AutoNation Honda Valencia (23551 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355) and several independent mechanics who replaced the battery; however, the mechanics were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the battery would last for a three to six-month period before the failure would occur again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Upon his own investigation, the contact stated that the failure may be linked to the rear driver sliding door after the door failed to open electronically, and could only be opened manually. The vehicle was not repaired. …
We have owned out dark blue 2005 Honda Odyssey for approximately 5 years. Recently, I am finding that the paint along the roof and side/front trim panels is chipping away. I have attempted to sand some of the bed spots and paint /protect again, but it is no use. The problem seems to be with the base layer below the blue paint. I have seen where this was identified, but I do not know where to go for more information on this defect the second area of concern is in the wiring for the radio and temperature control. There seems to be a loose wire or connection behind the panels. The back-lights for the radio and temperature control will turn on or off with no warning or indication as to why. The systems themselves work fine, it's only the visible lights that flicker, or turn off and on with no pattern. …
Failure of high beam, running lights, directional signals, power door looks, intemittent wipers. Failed safety inspection. Mechanic worked all day could find the problem. I drove it home. A couple of days later it was working. I brought it back to get a inspection sticker. All good. Worked for about a week then stopped working. I realilized the only difference was that outside temperature. It failed in the cold. I ran the heater in the car for about an hour on max heat. Still no good. A few days later while walking by I pressed the door open button on the key ring and they worked , I jumped in and tried the directionals, high beam, running lights and power door locks. A few days later the outside temperature dropped and it stopped working. Today (milder weather) I tried it wasn't working. I turned on the heat to high and the heated seats and left running for an hour. …
The first incident of the driver side automatic sliding passenger door occurred in June 2010, when vehicle was only about 5 years old. There has never been an accident, dents, or anything that might impact the function of the doors. Since then, both passenger auto sliding doors now have trouble closing, and will often close on a passenger, with the passenger's body being the only thing that makes the door stop closing. Summary: both sliding doors either do not close properly (stop short and have to be restarted several times, often forced to close); or they close back immediately after opening and scare or squish the passenger who is getting into the vehicle. This is a safety hazard, and we fear that soon the doors will not stop and completely crush the person entering the vehicle, or we will have to drive with the door open if it will not close. …
My wife had a doctor's appointment and was waiting in the office. She has parked the car in parking lot. After sometime all of a sudden car's alarm went off. All from doctor's office rushed out to parking lot to see what happened. She noticed some smoke coming out under the hood. And within seconds car caught fire and burnt. Whole front of the car burnt completely. Insurance company has called it a total loss. I'm still puzzled to figure it out why this has happened. Car was parked and engine was off. Car was maintained as per the Honda's guidelines. There were no problems or warning signs what so ever. It was running perfectly fine. Had only 76000 miles on it. And strongly believe many years of driving left in it. We were pleased with the performance of it over the years. …
Driving through a local park with 3 speed tables, after crossing the 3rd table I heard a clunk from the engine on the passenger side, lost the power steering and the check charging system light came on. I had to keep driving as there was no safe place to stop. I drove slowly without power steering, the clunking contunied until something broke free and I noted it's location on the road in the rear view mirror. I was able to get back to the place within 30 mins so the part was still there. It was a metal ring with grooves on the outside, looked like a belt went on it. I got it to a shop and they told me the harmonic balancer was gone and that it would need to be replaced. Driving down the road and loosing steering is a big safety issue, and needs to be looked into by Honda.
Yes when I purchased the vehicle I was missing a few fuses, my back left door won't open or close on my car display it always shows that the back left door is always open. Also the car was missing a break pad on the front left wheel. It's also missing the passenger airbag. The dvd player doesn't work it always says error. And the car is missing all motor mounts so basically my motor is just hanging on top of cables in my car. The GPS display was also missing and my front right window doesn't close all the way up. The major #1 issue is the electrical problems in my car. I have 2 children I'm scared on day everything is fine & then one day it's not with my kids in the car god forbid. Oh yeah and the middle row left seat doesn't lean forward or back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda Odyssey. The stated that the horn failed to function. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that the driver's side frontal air bag needed to be replaced, to remedy the failure of the horn. The technician referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 179,000.
Complaint - air bags & security alarm system Takata recall. My Honda van has the airbag warning light intermittently on. Most days, it is not lit, but for instance, driving today, I got the light. Van has never been in an accident and is still the original factory installed equipment. Airbags don't fail unless it is faulty manufacturer such as part of Takata recall. Honda van recall is limited to 2004 but I think 2005 can also be affected.also anti theft security system is out of control and any time is activated.
Twice in 3 days vehicle refused to start immediately after having turned it off for a few minutes , several tries produced no results , jumping it produced no results , it acted as if there was no battery in the vehicle where the starter was concerned , however all other functions requiring electricity were operating normally ,the next day the vehicle started normally for the repair shop or for myself . Both times the vehicle was stopped on level ground .
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box May cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine May not start.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the entire fuse box free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2005. Owners May contact Honda at 800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Electrical complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Honda Odyssey, 7% of the model year's 830 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Honda Odyssey electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-132 (fuses and circuit breakers, Apr 5, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Honda Odyssey electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.