Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact parked the vehicle, turned the engine off, and removed the ignition key from the ignition but failed to switch the shifter from the drive position. While attempting to exit, the vehicle rolled backward down the driveway and crashed into the mailbox. During the incident, the contact attempted to reenter the vehicle to prevent the rollaway and was pushed to the ground and dragged down the driveway causing multiple injuries which included a back injury, leg contusions, ankle injuries, and a lacerated left leg which required medical treatment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The contact was also concerned that the ignition key was able to be removed from the ignition switch although the shifter was still in the drive position. …
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal to pass another vehicle, the vehicle hesitated to respond and the engine sputtered. Additionally, the contact stated while driving from a complete stop the failure recurred. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
I was traveling on a local street around 35mph and braking for a red light. The braking felt funny in that it didn't slow the car down like normal, but it felt like the car's accelerator was still engaged. I managed to come to a stop, but the car seemed to want to move forward and I had to really stomp on the brake to keep it from moving forward. I put the car into park and the engine started revving and the car started shaking. I then turned the car off. When I turned the car back on, I was not able to shift back into drive from park. I turned the car off again. Waited about 10 seconds and started the car again. I was able to put it into drive and was able to drive home. This was normal braking for a red light, not a panic brake when I might have hit the accelerator. …
While accelerating, especially up an incline, the vehicle (2016 Honda Odyssey) shudders as if the transmission is repeatedly slipping. Instead of rising smoothly, the tachometer bounces up and down as it is increasing. If you plotted the rpms as a function of time, it would look something like a "sawtooth" pattern. The issue seems to go away once a cruising speed is reached. This jerking makes me worried that the transmission could fail at any time and result in an emergency situation and/or accident. The vehicle is currently at the dealership but they seem uncertain as to what will fix the issue. They want to start with a $600 transmission flush. Then if that doesn't fix it, they want an additional transmission flush. And if that still doesn't fix the issue, then they want to try replacing the torque converter. …
The engine failed, at 90,238 Piston misfire it was replaced 1-3, This happened a second time at 143,000 miles- while the car was moving and same thing engine failed a second time- had it towed in due to the engine not working it doesn't accelerate on a highway to merge has been dangerous- Brought to Honda a few times, because the engine was not working right you cannot accelerate properly on a on ramp and will not accelerate how it should, this is the same issue that was known by Honda. Called Honda they will not do anything more - it was "fixed" according to honda , but still not running how it should it feels like a bad transmission wont accelerate property when- so the car is not safe to drive in any distance misfire ALL WORK VAN WAS DONE AT HONDA DEALER ONLY
The transmission shifts hard in first and second gear, It happens at different time sometimes when it is cold and a lot of times when it is at driving temp. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. This has been happening for over a year. We could be rear ended because it happens after a stop at a red light or stop sign, which could cause someone to hit me in the rear and could injure both us and them. It bucks so bad that it hurts me as a driver and my passengers. There is a class action law suit in California for this problem. No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms of problem prior to the failure. It just happens and every service center says it just happens which is not right.
The torque converter is failing. When accelerating, the van will shudder and shake, usually between 25-30 mph and sometimes at 45mph. My vehicle is available for inspection. When merging onto the highway, this problem occurred, slowing my acceration which almost caused me to be hit from behind. I reported the problem to Honda. They are aware of the problem. Said I needed to bring my van in to have conputer reflashed and transmission flushed three times. The price to have complete is $481. I have 64k miles on my vehicle. Honda's warranty was to 50k, and there are no recalls. No warning lights or messages came on prior to this happening. It began around 60k miles.
The van has approx 83,000 miles and always maintained by Allen Honda in College Station Texas, and all scheduled maintenace has been implemented. For sometime now the van judders/vibrates during acceleration from a full stop condition till about above 30-35 MPH. The condition has gotten progressively more noticeable. There are no caution / advisory lights on the instrument panel. I took the van to Auto Zone to see what fault codes be read. The Auto Zone scanner revealed codes 83-1 and 61-1 related to Anti-Lock Brake System. But after reading 26 pages of this site I'm inclined to believe that the cause is related to the power train.
Van is stuttering at a low rate of speed 25 mph. Car shakes and rattles. Disappears with higher acceleration. Took it to local car repair shop who suggested Honda as it should be under warranty or recall. Spoke with Honda dealer who states no recall, but there was a TSB 17-044 service bulletin extending the warranty to 8 years or 80,000 miles whichever comes first. We were never notified of this extension and are now at 82,000 miles. Honda Customer Care said there is nothing they can do, but will assign a case manager who should contact us in a week. In the meantime I am adding more miles to the car.
The engine. I have a 2016 Honda Odyssey. All scheduled maintenance has always been done on this vehicle. I have all the documentation. And I mean it has been babied. It has 110,000 miles. Driving one morning last week and the car just seized up. No warning. No previous warning light. Had it towed to the dealership. The Variable Cylinder Management system had allowed a build up of gunk in the engine. Need an engine rebuild.$5600. Honda just had a recall for cars of the same model manufactured before 2014 for the same issue. As for safety having your engine seize up on the highway is dangerous.
Transmission complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2016 Honda Odyssey, 14% of the model year's 271 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Honda Odyssey transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2016 Honda Odyssey, though it has 6 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 2016 Honda Odyssey transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.