Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the messages "check Systems" and "Check Power" were displayed, and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, after refueling, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was constantly illuminated, and the battery warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that since the failures started, the battery had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The Honda Odyssey engine turns off while driving. My wife was driving with four children in the car and the engine died causing loss of power steering and brakes. This places all family members at serious risk of injury or death. Took the vehicle to three different service garages and none were able to reproduce the incident or determine a reason. One service garage was a certified HONDA Dealer and Service Center. They also were unable to determine the cause after having the vehicle for a significant period of time. They wanted to start replacing parts at a very high cost but indicated that there was no assurance it would fix the problems. Took the vehicle to another service garage where they said the parts the dealer wanted to replace were working fine and it would not solve the problem. Drove the car home and the engine failed again while I was driving on a highway. …
My engine failed on [redacted] after my 2011 Honda Odyssey consumed all the oil in my reservoir. I bought my vehicle in October 2024 and have stayed up-to-date on my oil changes. I was up for my next oil change but did not receive any indicators from the vehicle that my oil was low or needed to be changed. My drive into work that day was fine, but when I went to move my vehicle around lunch time I noticed it was making a strange sound and was shaking a little bit. After work I decided to take my vehicle into AutoZone to have someone take a look a my vehicle and run an engine diagnostic on it. The AutoZone was 12 minutes from my work and I did not even make it to the parking lot. I ended up stranded on the side of the road in an unfavorable part of downtown San Antonio while [redacted]. …
On 3/8/14, I purchased this van as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from an authorized Honda dealership, but wasn't notified of known defects resulting from the Alex Soto v American Honda Motor Co, Inc class action suit. The suit wasn't finalized until 4/10/14, yet Honda NEVER notified me, as REQUIRED by the settlement. Had I been notified prior to purchase, I would NOT have purchased the van. If I'd been notified per the settlement's requirement(s), I could've used Indiana's Lemon Law to nullify the purchase. Honda PURPOSELY withheld the suit's settlement and associated SB 13-081 from me, even though I did receive OTHER SBs and recall notices from them (which is UDAP/fraudulent concealment). …
Engine light came on, then started flashing. Needed repaired according to dealership. Repairs made. Engine started sputtering and shaking the van again. Engine light flashing again. Took the van in again for another repair. The van intermittently speeds up when slowing down or breaking. Took the van back in again to the dealership. They found nothing wrong. However, while at the dealership another customer had the EXACT complaints. Intermittent speeding up of the van. Looked online to find that this is an issue with the Honda Odyssey. ECO light comes on when coming to a stop and the RPMs go up then drastically drop. Need to apply breaks hard. The van continues to ride rough. Also while in a construction zone and slowing down, van started to speed up despite me trying to slow down. The engine has already had three repairs done. Each time something new and problem never fixed. …
Check engine light would pop on for a small amount of time periodically since I purchased it, took it to shop where they stated everything was fine..as check engine light was no longer on. Just started smelling burning when drove for long periods of time. Yesterday, on the way home with my 8 year old daughter, in freezing upstate NY temps, the gears totally went out. Thankfully I was right next to house and able to put in park and back into drive to get it to click into first gear to get us to house. Gears went out in mid drive, going 60 mph.
I seen a recall for a lawsuit agsinst Honda the VCM or engine but it's just starting to make problems. Whoever owned it before me had until April 2014 to submit a claim and therefore I'm out a van and can't claim it.
I was at a stoplight on 11/16/23; when it was my turn to go (green light) I went to accelerate, and my engine seemed to sputter/choke or misfire before accelerating at a slower than normal rate and then the engine light came on -flashing- and then the traction control/VSA system indicator light came on my dashboard. I was able to make it home, but when we googled the symptoms: Rough idling Lack of power Engine vibrating or shaking Decreased fuel efficiency Illuminated check engine light Illuminated traction control/VSA system / VSA indicator light we saw that we could have a traffic safety issue and did not need to drive it as normal- take it to repair as soon as possible. I contacted our local EXPRESS OIL Mechanic to see if he could read the engine codes, advise us, and possibly fix our car. …
On April April the Engine light came on the dash. The vehicle was independently inspected on April [redacted]. The number one cylinder spark plug misfired due to oil leak caused by vehicle cylinder management system never identified in the 711 page owners manual, warning or recall from manufacturer or dealer Honda of Escondido to the serial owner of two 2004 and 2011 Honda Odysseys or notice of NORCAL USDC class actin lawsuit despite twenty years at same address Honda has hidden the problem and chain causation to fool EPA CAFE standards despite the safety danger of engine malfunction and failure. Honda proposes a false solution of piston replacement citing unpublished Technical Bulletin due to repeat later failure at Buyers cost instead of Honda Owners recommendation of proven disconnection of VCM system at a fraction of the cost. [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that when he purchased the vehicle used, there was a recall for the piston ring seat in the engine. The contact took the vehicle to several independent mechanics for what he thought was a simple repair. The repair consisted of replacing the spark plugs, the battery, and ignition coils. The failure recurred with the RPM fluctuating and vehicle would lose power while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to richfield bloomington Honda (501 w 77th st, richfield, mn 55423, [phone]) and was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #1. The contact was informed that cylinders #1 through #3 needed new piston rings. The contact was quoted a repair cost of over $3,000. The manufacturer stated that after investigating the issue, they would not provide any support to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Engine complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Honda Odyssey, 12% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Honda Odyssey engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 Honda Odyssey, though it has 5 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 2011 Honda Odyssey engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
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.