Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% | 40,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 26 | 10% | 12,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 19 | 6% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 14 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% | 21,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 110,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% | 130,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 0% | 88,000 miles |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% | 94,000 miles |
| 2004 | 22 | 4% | 160,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 1% | 132,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% | 81,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 1% | 154,000 miles |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% | 118,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% | 101,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% | 126,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While child was seated in the rear right second-row seat of a 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring, the seat belt became stuck and jammed, trapping the child in the car seat. Multiple attempts were made to release the child but the seat belt mechanism would not release. The child became distressed and complained of difficulty breathing. As an emergency measure, the child car seat had to be physically cut and destroyed to free the child. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the rear right second-row seat belt was found cut in half and that the seat frame had to be replaced. Dealer stated the belt mechanism tested normal during post-incident inspection but was unable to reproduce the entrapment condition. The seat belt tensioner is suspected of having gotten stuck, causing the entrapment. …
While breaking, rear driver's side passenger seat disengaged. Our 8 year old son was in seat with seat belt on. Upon breaking the seat propelled him forward. His face hit drivers seat and he was lacerated and concussed. Not only did the seat locking mechanism fail, but seat belt lock did not engage or prevent him from being flung. Brought vehicle to dealership same day as incident. They claim to have attempted to recreate incident, but used an adult male (instead of a 50lb "dummy"). Because they couldn't recreate the unlocking of seat or explain failure of seatbelt to restrain, was told nothing is wrong and they attempted to "close the case" with nothing fixed, replaced or explained.
2020 Honda Odyssey EX-L, 49k miles, no prior collisions. 1. Faulty system: SRS airbag module, defective factory aluminum clip (official Honda recall defect). EDR data verified this component failure by dealer technicians. 2. Safety risk: Driver airbag spontaneously deployed at 41MPH with zero impact. Seven occupants suffered soft tissue injuries and PTSD; sudden deployment created severe risk of secondary crash. 3. Dealer confirmation: Bay Ridge Honda (Brooklyn NY) diagnosed and confirmed the airbag clip defect via EDR readout and physical teardown, filed service records for this issue. 4. Inspectors reviewed vehicle: Honda dealer techs, EDR forensic specialists, and GEICO adjuster all inspected the car and confirmed no pre-crash damage. 5. Pre-fault warnings: No SRS warning lights, error codes or abnormal electrical symptoms appeared before the airbag deployed unexpectedly.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a faulty Multi-Model Seat Weight Sensor (SWS) in my 2020 Honda Odyssey. I understand that NHTSA Recall 24V-064 covers this issue for certain vehicles; however, my VIN is not included, even though my vehicle is exhibiting the same malfunction described in the recall notice. Multiple independent mechanics and certified airbag technicians have inspected my vehicle and confirmed that the SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) circuit is open, indicating that the front passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. This represents a serious safety hazard consistent with the defect outlined in the official recall documentation (NHTSA Recall 24V-064 Report: [redacted] ) The warning light for this malfunction was present when I purchased the vehicle in August 2025.
Struck a 100lb dog going between 45-48 mph. Knee airbags deployed but steering wheel and dash did not. Driver and front passenger buckles locked in wreck. Driver side back and middle row seatbelts did not lock with passengers.
Vehicle bought certified pre owned in April 2024 with Honda 182-Point checklist completed. In November 2025 owner experienced the second row driver side sear shifting forward and back approximately an inch easily while seemingly locked into place. Took vehicle to local Honda dealership for diagnosis. They said the LEFT MIDDLE SEAT FRAME has failed and the estimate for replacement is $2350.93. Could not get a definite straight answer as to the safety of this seat for our children.
The seam seals on the rear driver's quarter panel of the vehicle are faulty and allowed water to flow into the cabin of the vehicle. The resulting damage was loss of function to the rear power lift gate, front seats, remote start and other key fob functions, as well as a dead battery(assumedly due to arcing on wet circuitry). The damage rendered the lift gate inoperable as I it initially closed but came open during operation. We continued to receive a power lift gae problem on the "Heads Up Display" but the power gate would not open or close, electrically or manually. After a few days the gate opened but would not close, rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. Furthermore, the battery was dead and would not start. Had this incicdent not occurred in our driveway we could have been susceptible to being stranded in sub-freezing temperatures with kids. …
I was attempting to move the passenger side 2nd row seat forward so that my children could extricate themselves from the third row while we were stopped. The mechanism locked, and subsequently the seat back was unable to lock. This was a safety issue, and so I move my child to another seat. We took the vehicle to a dealership and we're informed that it was an issue with the lock for the recliner function and that it was damaged. Upon reviewing recall information, it was noted that there were recalls for 2016 Honda Odysseys with a reported similar issue of second row seats being unable to lock after releasing to allow access to the third row.(Recall Numbers 18V170000 and 16V933000). I was informed that my vehicle was not covered as the end of the recall ended with vehicles made two months prior to mine despite being the same year model. …
Related recalls (5)
Seats
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2022 Odyssey vehicles. The second-row outboard seats may have deformed seat rail locking mechanisms, which could prevent the seat rails from locking into place.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both second-row outboard seat frames, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats have a lever to fold the seatback and slide the seat forward to access the third row seats.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will confirm proper operation of the second row left outboard seatback, and install a support bracket to the seat recliner.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional bracket and spring to both second row outboard seats, free of charge. Interim letter has been mailed, and a second notification will be sent .
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured September 23, 2016, to October 24, 2016. The affected vehicles have a second row center seat with a horizontal adjuster bar that may stick in the unlocked position, allowing the seat to unexpectedly slide.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the slide function and replace the horizontal position adjustment bar, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Odyssey years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (26), 2004 (22), 2014 (19), 2000 (16) and 2015 (16) model years. Seat complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Honda Odyssey seat problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 21V-432 (seats, Jun 7, 2021); 18V-170 (mid/rear assembly, Mar 13, 2018); 17V-725 (mid/rear assembly, Nov 17, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Odyssey seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (13 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (12).
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.