Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2006 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and shuddered. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact restarted and parked the vehicle at the residence. An independent mechanic went to the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with a failed transmission. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I drove my Honda minivan for 10 years and one day I was pulling into a parking space at work and when I stepped on the brake to slow down the car, it suddenly accelerated so fast that it hit the wall and set off the air bag. The car was totaled and I had burns from the the airbag on my neck and arm.
Our 2006 Honda Odyssey minivan has been taken for repairs numerous times to address front end shudder that increases with speed, becoming noticeable at ~25mph and most pronounced at 60-65mph. The steering wheel vibrates left-right at a high frequency and increasing intensity while this shudder is happening. Braking effectiveness is measurable hampered and one can feel the shudder through the brake pedal as this occurs. We have had the tires replaced much more frequently than their scheduled life would suggest necessary, we have had the alignment and balancing checked, and we have asked Honda to repair the vibration problem, all without success. There are online forums where Odyssey owners discuss similar problems (for example, see the edmunds site: townhall.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1085e1) and lack of resolution by Honda. …
I bought my 06 Odyssey touring edition in 2015. I am the second owner and it only had 115,000 miles on it. I had no problems at first and then soon after started having a shuttering problem around 45 MPH. I had a Saturn vue with the same problem and had the same motor and transmission as my Honda. Chevrolet did a recall on it I brought it in the reprogrammed and recalibrated it no problems after that. So when my Honda started I brought it to the dealer to see if there was a recall and they said not on my VIN. So I asked how much to reprogram and recalibrate and the told me that if it does not have a new update then they could not do it (which I know is bull since we own a mechanic shop and deal with things like this all the time). I do not have the $3000 plus to fix the torque converter and feel if other vehicle with same transmissions have been recalled then this one should be too!!!
Based on a report today that Honda is recalling 2003/2004 Honda Odyssey where the issue involves the ignition interlock, a device intended to ensure that the key can only be removed when a vehicle is firmly shifted into park. I have a 2006 Honda Odyssey and had a similar issue in 2010 where after parking and removing my keys and I got down, the van moved backwards and the my front door hit another car in the parking lot damaging both cars, and I had to file a claim with unitrin direct. The result being I have a fault accident record on my license and my insurance went up for no fault of mine. I think Honda should recall even the 2006 model and pay me back from my repairs and extra insurance payments that I have paid and work with dmv/unitrin to remove the fault accident record that I have on my license.
I was backing up in my Honda when I stopped to see if I was going to hit something. I am sure I put my vehicle in park, started to exit the van on the drivers side, I was the driver, and realized that the van was moving backwards. I had my left foot on the ground before I knew I was moving. The drivers door hit me and I was on the black top hitting my face and knees, my right leg was under the van and the left front tire tore up my right leg. My drivers door closed and I yelled for help which several people came to my aid. The people was able to shut off my van and they lifted the van off my leg. I was taken to the hospital where they stitched up my leg and took several x rays, I had no broken bones. It took 3 months for my wounds to heal and my knee still has a lot of pain.
Vehicle has a approximately 140,000 mi. While driving on freeway at 65 MPH.transmission torque converter lockup malfunctioned and went into neutral. Had to coast across 4 lanes of traffic to exit. When speed permitted shift down to wnd and qstacks gear and was able to limp into a parkin* lot. Had to have car towed to a transmission facility. Pulled the transmission dip stick and smelled the fluid which emitted a very pungent smell. The fluid was not black. The fluid had been changed 15- 20,000 mi earlier. When talking to mechanic he told me almost exactly how many m8les he thought the car had because he had seen so many Honda's with exactly this same problem. I believe that Honda did not design this transmission properly to last with proper maintenance and fluid changes.
While driving down the road and once the engine reaches operating temperature the vehicle fails to accelerate and shift gears. I mash the gas pedal and the RPM gauge goes up but the vehicle doesn't move. I let the engine and transmission cool down and sometimes it will operate properly again until everything warms up. It doesn't matter if im sitting at a light or in actual motion going down the road, the vehicle ceases to continue moving. I have been going 60 MPH and all of a sudden my car loses all movement but the car is still reving up and I can change gears but it stops me dead in my tracks. I called the transmission shop and they tell me its a very common issue but nothing has been able to be pinpointed
I am having a problem with the power steering freezing up on slow turns and the transmission torque converter clutch is stuck making the car transmission heat up and quit until it cools down, I was stuck on the side of the road 4x for this. Once with my 97 yr old brother in law and 79 yr old sister.they want $4000 to fix this. The driver side sliding door cable broke also.I had the run flat pax tires on it when it was purchased, I was not told that I would have to drive at least 100 to 200 miles to get them changed out as they need a special machine to fix them. I had to buy new rims and tires for $1500. I have 125,000 miles on the car. I will never buy or recommend a Honda to anyone.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda Odyssey. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front brakes. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate and the rpms increased. The vsc and ABS warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the front brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,400.
Transmission complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Honda Odyssey, 12% of the model year's 703 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Honda Odyssey transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Honda Odyssey, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.