SERVICE BULLETIN - OVER TIME, THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY MAY BE EXPOSED TO CERTAIN EXTERNAL CONDITIONS THAT MAY CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL. REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER SET WITH THE IMPROVED PARTS SET TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Honda Odyssey fuel system problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Honda Odyssey in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - Over time, the fuel filter assembly may be exposed to certain external conditions that may cause customers to notice a fuel smell.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - Over time, the fuel filter assembly may be exposed to certain external conditions that may cause customers to notice a fuel smell.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - Over time, the fuel filter assembly may be exposed to certain external conditions that may cause customers to notice a fuel smell.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - For dealers experiencing a strong fuel smell from storing the fuel pump sets replaced under service bulletin 14-032: Safety Recall: Odyssey Fuel Pump, these fuel sets may be disposed of immediately in accordance with local regulations
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2005 Honda Odysseys consistently report two main fuel-system problems: cracked fuel pump housings and fuel pump relay failures.
Cracked fuel pump casing is the more common complaint. Owners smell gasoline strongly—both inside the cabin and outside near the rear of the van—typically after filling the tank. The cracks are found on the top of the fuel pump housing. A private mechanic charged $40 for diagnosis; dealers wanted $120. Full fuel pump replacement runs $563 to $717. Some owners contacted Honda corporate after finding multiple online complaints, and Honda approved free or partial goodwill repairs. Others paid out of pocket or negotiated 50% coverage after warranty expiration. Dealers replaced not just the pump but also the fuel filter, wire harness, o-rings, and sending unit.
Fuel pump relay failure causes sudden engine stalls at highway speeds (25–40 mph). Owners experience multiple stalls before complete failure. The part was reported on national backorder. One vehicle wasn't included in NHTSA recall 07V097000 despite having fuel pump issues. One owner had to replace the fuel pump first, then the relay.
Additional reports: One owner heard bubbling from the fuel tank but the dealer refused diagnosis or a loaner. Another noted hesitation on acceleration from stops, undiagnosed by the dealer. One fuel tank had a two-inch cut (claimed impact damage, replaced by insurance). Stalling was sometimes blamed on "bad gas," but investigation revealed the pump or relay was faulty.
Same Honda Odyssey fuel system reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Cracked fuel pump casing / housing
Fuel pump casing develops cracks on the top or housing, allowing fuel vapors and liquid to escape. Owners report strong gasoline odor both inside and outside the vehicle, often near the rear passenger tire area. The crack causes fuel to spray or seep from the assembly.
When: Between 45,000 and higher mileage; some owners report the issue after several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Strong gasoline smell inside cabin; Strong gasoline smell outside vehicle near rear; Fuel odor after filling tank; Fuel spraying from filter/pump area
Repairs/costs cited: Private mechanic diagnostic: $40–$120 dealer diagnosis. Fuel pump module or assembly replacement: $563–$717. Some owners had Honda approve out-of-warranty repairs as goodwill after contacting corporate; others paid full cost or negotiated partial coverage (50% in one case). Dealer also replaced fuel filter, pump wire harness, three o-rings, and sending unit in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda initially had no recall for this defect; owners were directed to dealers for diagnosis (often at owner cost). When owners contacted Honda corporate and cited multiple complaint reports online, some received goodwill approval for free or partial repairs. Service advisers stated no recall existed.
Fuel pump relay failure
Faulty fuel pump relay causes the vehicle to stall suddenly while driving. Multiple restarts and stalls occur before complete failure. Part reported on national backorder, suggesting a systemic issue. One owner notes the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign 07V097000 despite the fuel pump being the root cause.
When: Failures reported at 90,000–146,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving (25–40 mph); Vehicle dies on highway; Multiple stalls before complete failure; Vehicle will not restart; Engine dies on bridge or country road
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 07V097000 (vehicle not included)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement. Owner reported part was on national backorder with no arrival date available. In one case, owner had to replace fuel pump first, then fuel pump relay, at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall campaign 07V097000 exists for fuel pump/delivery but affected vehicles' VINs were not included in the recall despite having the same failure mode.
Fuel pump electrical failure / no fuel pressure
Fuel pump fails to deliver adequate fuel pressure to the engine, resulting in stalling. In some cases, the pump requires replacement; in others, it is the relay. One owner replaced the pump but still experienced stalls until the relay was also replaced.
When: Failures reported at 90,000–146,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; No fuel pressure at engine; Vehicle will not start; Vehicle fails to restart after stall
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 07V097000
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement (cost not specified in most narratives). One owner had pump replaced, then relay replaced. Parts availability was poor (backorder). Repair attempted at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA 07V097000 recall for fuel pump delivery exists, but affected VINs were not included. Manufacturers stated recalled vehicles were not part of the campaign.
Acceleration hesitation / flat spot
Vehicle hesitates or stumbles when accelerating from a stop (at traffic lights or stop signs). Problem persists even after driver replaced a previous model year with the same issue.
When: Occurred soon after purchase; ongoing issue at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation on acceleration; Flat spot during takeoff from stop; Frequent occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle left at dealer for diagnosis; dealer could not identify the problem despite extended observation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed no other reports of this problem; owner believed it was either fuel-system-related or an undiagnosed defect.
Fuel tank vibration / noise
Bubbling or vibrating noise heard from the rear of the vehicle, attributed to the fuel tank. Dealership claimed it was safe to drive despite the abnormal condition.
When: Early in ownership, shortly after purchase (2005 model year)
Symptoms owners cite: Bubbling noise from rear of vehicle; Vibration from fuel tank area
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership did not provide specific repair timeline or diagnosis; refused to provide loaner vehicle, claiming the issue was safe.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer deferred to dealer's safety assessment and stated there was nothing they could do.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2005 Honda Odyssey?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 40,000 and 102,936 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 102,936. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Honda/Odyssey.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.