Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Honda Odyssey owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the passenger's and driver's side sliding doors were frequently not opening or closing as designed or intended. The contact had noticed the failure approximately 2 years prior; however, the failure was intermittent but had since gradually become more frequent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the pinch sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was no longer using the sliding doors out of concerns that the doors would remain open. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the warning message "Lift Gate Open" illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lift gate was fractured. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the striker plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking water from the roof seam near the driver's side rear of the vehicle. The leak caused water to form a puddle in the trunk tray compartment of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who resealed the roof seam. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,900.
The power tailgate system on my Honda Odyssey failed. The dashboard displays a "Power Tailgate Problem" warning message and the tailgate will not open automatically using the key fob, interior button, or rear handle. When attempting to open it electronically, the vehicle beeps but the tailgate does not move. The tailgate can only be opened manually. The vehicle and tailgate system are available for inspection upon request. The failure creates a safety risk because the tailgate cannot be opened electronically in situations where quick access to the rear cargo area may be needed. Additionally, if the power tailgate system fails unexpectedly, it could malfunction while opening or closing, potentially striking someone or failing during loading/unloading. …
I own a 2020 Honda Odyssey and I am currently having a safety issue with the power tailgate. Upon inspection by my Honda dealership, my vehicle requires a new power tailgate control unit and floor harness and my roof rail and clips need to be re-sealed and replaced. It was discovered that due to the break in seal the connectors corroded due to a water leak.In April of 2026 I received multiple warning messages on my dashboard. The first was Power tailgate problem and the second was keyless remote problem. At first I noticed my car continuously beeping while driving along with the warning on my dashboard. I attempted to turn the vehicle off to see if it would reset, but it did not. I attempted to open and close my tailgate. I could only open my tailgate with the push button on my dashboard. I had to manually close my tailgate due to my buttons on my car and my key fab failing to work. …
This is now the second time that we are having a rear hatch failure. with about 37,000 miles on this van, the control module shorted out due to water getting into it due to a bad seam (according to other Odyssey owners who are suing Honda for this). We could not get the hatch to open or close, so I paid the dealer to fix it. Honda did give us a check after the fact to cover some of the bill. Now, with less than 51,000 miles, it has happened again. The hatch will not open or close. In the event of an emergency, this is a major safety issue, to be potentially stuck inside the cabin. The hatch started going up and down randomly, and we could not control it. Now, it won't go up or down. This van is is a mess. …
The power liftgate opens, but then closes unexpectedly. It will open fully, dip down a couple inches, open back up fully and then close quickly. It does not stop closing when it meets moderate resistance, only stops when the button is pressed. I was unloading groceries into the back and it came down on me. Luckily, I was able to reach and press the button. Had it been my children I'm afraid it would have crushed them. This has now happened numerous times and through research I have found a Honda service bulletin about this known issue. I feel it should be a recall since it poses a safety hazard. As I said, it could really harm someone not able to move quickly or a child could lose a limb or be crushed. I shouldn't have to pay for a very expensive repair to maintain safety when Honda knows this is an issue caused by a defect in the spring assembly. Service bulletin 22-018. …
The power tailgate on my 2020 Honda Odyssey EX-L will not stay open sometimes. After it is raised it sags and soemtimes closes on its own, with a beep. This happened mutltiples times over the past year and a few times in [redacted] where it has closed on my young children while they were near or loading into the vehicle, and it hit me on the head. Nobody was seriously injured, but a heavy tailgate closing on a child's head or neck could cause serious harm. Honda service bulletin 22-018 ([redacted]) describes this condition and says to replace the right tailgate spring (74981-THR-A01) and clips. Honda has not issued a recall. I opened Honda Customer Care case [redacted]. The dealer told me Honda needs a paid $250 diagnosis before it will consider goodwill, which I declined. I am concerned this is a safety defect affecting other Odysseys and ask NHTSA to review it.
While traveling from Florida to our home in Pennsylvania in December 2022, we were on [redacted] and after going over a pothole, the side curtain airbag, and the driver seat side airbag inadvertently deployed. It was very traumatic and we are fortunate that we were able to pull off the side of the highway without getting hit by vehicles., The repair, which totaled over$16,000 was done by GERBER COLLISION AND GLASS Easton, PA. we personally are trying to recoup our out of pocket expenses of $781.08 from HONDA. And now, a month ago, May 2026,(almost 4 years after our incident) we received a SAFETY RECALL notification from explaining the exact issue we had.NHTSA Recall number26V227. we can provide photos and documentation, invoices, out of pocket expenses, etc if necessary but we have no idea how to include them on this form.
Sliding doors sometimes do not close all the way and then reopen automatically. You cannot press the sliding doors to close and walk away. You have to stay to make sure they close because often times it will kick back and reopen. You have to manually help push the sliding door to close. Elite trim has no way to make the doors be able to be closed manually, if needed. Took it to Honda, they said they have never heard of doors not closing and reopening so they could not help me, but I have spoken to quite a few Honda Odyssey owners in parking lots and they all stated that the doors do sometimes not close all the way and return to being fully open. Maybe the motor for the doors isn't strong enough and depends on vehicle tilt or the temperature outside, but for whatever reason the automatic doors are randomly not fully closing.
Body complaints in other Odyssey years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2020 Honda Odyssey?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the body & structure of the 2020 Honda Odyssey, 7% of the model year's 486 complaints. The component named most often is body (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Honda Odyssey body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2020 Honda Odyssey, though it has 14 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 2020 Honda Odyssey body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 13,000 miles, and 80% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure 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.