Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Odyssey airbags problems
critical 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
9injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 17 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of po
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005?10 Odyssey Fuel Pump Module Leak Safety Recall Q&A
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - On March 13, 2014 American Honda will notify NHTSA of a Stop Sale order and Safety Recall for all 2005-10 Odyssey vehicles. Any used vehicles in dealer stock must be inspected, and if necessary, repaired per S/B 14-015, Safety Recall: Odyssey Fuel Leak or Smell prior to sale.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Seventeen complaints on the 2006 Odyssey airbag system describe critical failures across multiple failure modes. Side curtain airbags failed to deploy in side-impact collisions where substantial vehicle damage occurred, leaving owners questioning why the safety feature was installed. Frontal airbags similarly did not deploy in 25–35 mph front-end crashes; one fatal crash at around 82,000 miles had no airbag deployment. One owner reported front and rear passenger-side airbags deployed but failed to deflate, trapping occupants' heads between the bags and windows.
Early-life warning light issues appeared as soon as 5,000 miles in cold weather, with dealers diagnosing a malfunctioning side impact sensor (part 77970-SHJ-B81). Other owners reported continuous or recurring airbag warning lights at 80,000–120,000 miles; dealers confirmed sensor replacement was needed but many vehicles were never repaired. One dealer found improper wiring in the airbag installation itself. One owner sustained severe second-degree burns on both hands from airbag deployment. Compounding the problems, several owners received recall notices but dealers refused or were unable to confirm coverage. Quality control concerns were raised regarding the vehicle's U.S. manufacturing origin.
Same Honda Odyssey airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Side curtain airbag non-deployment in side-impact crashes
Side curtain airbags failed to deploy when the vehicle sustained significant side-impact damage. Owners reported the vehicle was hit hard and directly on the side, with substantial structural damage that should have triggered deployment, but the airbags never inflated.
When: During side-impact collisions at various speeds and mileages
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment despite significant side-impact damage; Vehicle spun and moved 20+ feet in one incident; Side curtain casings barely cracked but airbags did not deploy fully as designed
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; owners questioned why airbags were installed if they don't deploy in side impacts
Front airbag non-deployment in frontal collisions
Frontal airbags failed to deploy during moderate-speed front-end crashes. Owners reported impacts at 25–35 mph that should have triggered deployment, but the airbags remained inactive.
When: During frontal impacts at 25–35 mph; one incident at approximately 82,000 miles (fatal crash)
Symptoms owners cite: No frontal airbag deployment during front-end collisions; Multiple occupants sustained neck and back injuries due to seat belt alone; Delayed deployment (one case noted airbags took longer than normal to deploy)
Codes mentioned: 77960SHJA02 (Module airbag control, defective)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced airbag control module and related components in one documented repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnosed and replaced airbag control module and seat belts (part numbers 04818SHJA01ZC, 04814SHJA01ZC, 04816SHJA21ZC, 04813SHJA01ZC)
Passenger-side airbags failed to deflate after deployment
Front and rear passenger-side airbags deployed during a low-speed crash but remained inflated, trapping occupants' heads between the airbag and window. Passengers had to open doors to free themselves. Deployment was also reported as slower than normal.
When: 25 mph crash at approximately 85,696 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed but did not deflate; Passengers' heads trapped between airbags and windows; Delayed deployment compared to normal airbag operation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent repair shop; failure was not diagnosed
Airbag warning light illuminated—wiring defect
Check airbag warning light remained illuminated. Dealer diagnosed improper wiring installation of the airbag system, stating the airbags would not deploy properly in a crash. Engine valves, rear brakes, and rear engine mount were also flagged for replacement.
When: Approximately 80,000 miles; light remained on through 113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check airbag warning light stays illuminated continuously
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised that engine valves, rear brakes, and rear engine mount needed replacement; vehicle was not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer identified wiring defect in airbag installation
Intermittent airbag warning light—side impact sensor malfunction
On cold mornings (around 10°F), the check airbag indicator light illuminated after engine start and persisted for ~10 minutes before turning off after engine restart. Dealer diagnosed a malfunctioning side impact sensor.
When: Very early in vehicle life; 5,000 miles, new vehicle with no prior accidents
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator light on during cold engine starts; Light comes on both when vehicle is in motion and parked; Intermittent pattern
Codes mentioned: 77970-SHJ-B81 (side impact sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer ordered replacement side impact sensor(s)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer ordered replacement parts for side impact sensor
Airbag warning light stays on—sensor replacement needed
Airbag warning lights illuminated while driving or at rest. Dealers confirmed airbag sensors needed replacement but the vehicle was not repaired in most cases.
When: Various mileages: 80,000–120,098 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Light remains on continuously or recurs every time vehicle is started
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer confirmed sensor replacement needed; most vehicles were not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed airbag sensors required replacement
Airbag thermal injury from deployment
Airbag deployment caused severe second-degree burns on both hands of the driver during a front-right impact collision at moderate speed.
When: Front-right impact at unknown speed
Symptoms owners cite: Severe second-degree burns on both hands from deploying airbag
Recall confusion—dealer denies or cannot confirm coverage
Owners received recall notifications (including Takata recall EA 15001) but dealers told them no recall exists for their vehicle. One owner reported a 2005 model had an airbag recall and questioned if the 2006 was affected. Another reported Honda is denying a recall that was issued.
When: Various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Conflicting information between selling dealer and service dealer; Dealer unable to confirm or process recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notices issued (EA 15001 for Takata); dealers reported no recall or denied recall applicability
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda odyssey. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The failure recurred every time the vehicle was started without warning. The contact called a dealer who stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 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 airbags problem on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
It's a serious issue. 17 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 58,000 and 133,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 133,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2006/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.