Honda Job Aid - Power Sliding Door Troubleshooting.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Odyssey body problems
severe 85 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
85
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
10injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 85 body complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 85 body complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 body 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.
Do you have an Odyssey in your shop that has a power sliding door that wont open or close by using the following? Power sliding door main switch on the dash Keyless transmitter B-pillar switch (if equipped) Either inside or outside door handle Connect the HDS to the vehicle. Using the information from the power sliding door data list, follow the steps in the flowchart below to troubleshoot the problem.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY EVEN THOUGH WINDOW IS CLOSED. THE WINDOW REGULATOR IS NOT CONTACTING THE LEVER ARMY PROPERLY, MAKING THE SLIDING DOOR CONTROL UNIT THINK THE WINDOW IS OPEN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ONE OR BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS SQUEAKS, CREAKS, RATTLES, CLUNKS, OR POPS WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Odyssey has a documented history of sliding-door and liftgate failures that pose genuine safety hazards. The automatic sliding doors frequently jam, refuse to close, or pop open unexpectedly—sometimes trapping owners, sometimes remaining stuck open for hours. Some doors fall completely off their tracks with no prior warning, striking children and adults. Center roller assemblies use plastic ball-bearing components that deteriorate; one dealership service manager noted that spending $8 more on metal parts would have prevented the failure. Liftgate support struts fail at 40,000 to 81,000 miles, causing the rear hatch to slam down unexpectedly and injure people underneath. Replacement struts have failed again within 18 months. Honda issued recalls for 2005 models but refused to expand them to include 2006–2008 vehicles despite using identical parts.
Door latch mechanisms stick or fail to disengage, trapping passengers. One case involved both sliding doors becoming inoperable, eliminating emergency egress for rear passengers. Sliding doors also open while driving at highway speeds with no warning, and door-open sensors malfunction, causing false alarms. Water intrusion into the cargo and liftgate areas causes mold and rust, creating health hazards and corrosion of seat hardware. Front door hinges are inadequate—doors slam shut from wind or inclines without warning, causing injuries. A few owners report rear subframe corrosion so severe it renders the vehicle unsafe, yet dealers do not stock replacement parts. Paint peels prematurely on hood, roof, and seams, exposing metal to rust and water intrusion.
Most repair costs fall on owners after the factory and extended warranties expire, and Honda has been unwilling to acknowledge design defects or expand recalls.
Same Honda Odyssey body reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic sliding door failure to close/latch
Rear and driver-side automatic sliding doors fail to fully close or latch, sometimes closing partially then popping open again. Doors may refuse to shut at all on manual mode. Some cases involve jamming in the open position. Owners report needing multiple attempts to close doors, and several describe being stranded with open doors.
When: Starts as early as 8,000 miles; one complaint at 29,000 miles; continues through vehicle life; some recurring after dealer repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Door closes partway then reopens; Repeated beeping while attempting to close; Door jams and will not budge manually or electronically; Door remains stuck in open position; Door pops open just enough to prevent full latching
Repairs/costs cited: Center roller assembly replacement cited; one dealership noted replaced center roller plastic ball-bearing rollers should be metal; owners report $230–$1000+ repair costs; some repairs fail and problem recurs
Sliding door hinge/roller failure and door detachment
Hinges and roller assemblies fail, causing doors to fall off tracks or detach completely from hinges. Owners report doors fell while loading groceries, during normal operation, or with no warning. Plastic components in the hinge assembly deteriorate prematurely. Multiple injuries reported from door impact.
When: 40,000–162,000 miles; can occur without warning or prior symptoms
Symptoms owners cite: Door falls off track; Door detaches from hinges entirely; Door falls and strikes owner or child; Squeaking and creaking before failure; Stiff door operation intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Hinge and roller replacement; one owner reports $230 for roller/hinge replacement; exterior damage common; towing required in several cases
Sliding door opens while driving
Automatic sliding doors on both driver and passenger sides unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion at various speeds, even when locked. Doors fail to latch while driving and may pop open on curves or inclines. One complaint mentions door opening on highway on-ramp.
When: Varies; one at 3,000 miles; recurring throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens independently while accelerating; Door pops open during turns or on inclines; Door fails to latch while driving; No warning lights indicating open door
Repairs/costs cited: Automatic door motor and roller replacement cited in one case
Liftgate strut failure
Gas-filled support struts that hold the liftgate/rear hatch open fail, causing the heavy gate to drop unexpectedly. Struts deteriorate and lose pressure. Some replacements fail again within months. Multiple injuries reported, including head and back impacts.
When: 40,000–81,300 miles; replacements fail within 1.5 years
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate closes unexpectedly while open; Gate falls with no warning; Gate becomes extremely heavy and will not stay open; Gate jerks and falls back down after opening slowly; Gate beeps then slams shut
Repairs/costs cited: Strut replacement with OEM Honda parts; one owner reports struts failed again within 1.5 years of replacement; owners cite need for heavier-duty struts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for 2005 models (10V-055000); 2006 models reportedly not included in recall; Honda offered parts reimbursement but not labor on out-of-warranty vehicles
Sliding door latch mechanism failure
Door latch mechanisms fail to disengage or engage, trapping doors in locked or stuck positions. Interior door handles stick and prevent doors from latching properly. Owners describe doors that will not open from inside or outside despite functioning handles and cables.
When: Throughout vehicle life; one case at 172,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door latch will not disengage; Interior handle sticks; Door will not open from interior or exterior; Door will not fully latch even after repair attempts; Door pops open after latching
Repairs/costs cited: Latch replacement; one owner reports $296 for latch and roller arm replacement; lubrication attempts unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attempted lubrication during warranty; refused further assistance after warranty expired
Door sensor/switch failure—false open-door alert
Door sensors or switches malfunction, causing the vehicle to show doors as open when they are actually closed. Interior lights blink on and off, and door-open buzzers sound continuously despite doors being shut.
When: 48,000 miles onward
Symptoms owners cite: Buzzer sounds indicating door open; Interior light blinks on and off; Dash display shows door open; Problem recurs at random times
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite suggestion to replace electrical components at 'great cost'; dealer suggested disabling buzzer rather than fixing root cause
Water intrusion into cargo/liftgate area
Water enters the cargo area through the liftgate seal or frame, causing the rear seats to become water-logged, moldy, and rusted. Tailgate hatch sloshing and spilling water noted after heavy rain or hurricanes. Mold contamination poses health risks.
When: After 2009–2011; discovered at 101,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Foul odor in vehicle interior; Rear seats covered in mold and rust; Cargo area carpeting saturated with water; Tailgate hatch sloshing water when opened; Interior light coming on; Rust on seat hardware
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced carpet and cleaned heater vents; mold removal attempted multiple times (4 times in one case) without resolution
Child pinching/entrapment in sliding door
Children's hands caught in automatic sliding doors on multiple occasions. Auto-reverse sensor only on latching front side; no sensor on rear side, which is adjacent to middle and rear passenger seats.
When: Separate incidents on same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Child hand caught in door rear edge; Bruising from door pressure; No sensor-triggered auto-reverse on rear edge
Motor mount failure
Motor mounts require replacement on vehicles under 60,000 miles and just over 5 years old, outside warranty coverage. Dealership service manager stated this is a common issue with Odysseys, not regular maintenance.
When: Under 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine vibration or movement
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of 2 motor mounts; one owner cited $1,350 repair cost
Front door hinge inadequacy—doors slam shut unexpectedly
Front door hinges do not hold doors securely in detent position. Doors slam shut on their own from wind gusts or vehicle inclines, with no warning. Multiple injuries reported including broken bone and shin strikes.
When: Ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Door slams shut despite being in detent position; Slight wind gust or incline causes closure; No warning before closure
Rear subframe corrosion and cracking
Rear subframe corrodes severely, developing cracks, fractures, and holes that render the vehicle unsafe to drive. Dealers do not stock replacement parts. Repair cost exceeds 50% of vehicle value.
When: Not specified in complaint; discovered during routine service
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks and fractures in subframe; Small hole in subframe; Severe corrosion of metal
Codes mentioned: 50300-SHJ-A01
Repairs/costs cited: Subframe replacement part 50300-SHJ-A01; dealers do not stock part; repair cost exceeds 50% of vehicle value
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda refused to accept third-party mechanic diagnosis; demanded vehicle be towed to dealer for diagnosis at owner expense
Paint chipping, peeling, and corrosion
Paint on hood, roof, fenders, and seams chips and peels prematurely, exposing metal to rust. Corrosion progresses to other seams and joints. Paint failure can lead to water intrusion and structural damage.
When: A couple of years into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Paint chipping on hood and roof; Paint peeling from fender seams; Paint peeling from roof seams and joints; Metal exposure and rust formation
Liftgate spoiler attachment failure
Rear spoiler hooks fail, causing spoiler to hang from vehicle during operation. Detected by owner hearing rattling and thumping at highway speeds.
When: 12,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise intensifying to thumping; Spoiler hanging from vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated hooks failed but spoiler could not be defective
Low ground clearance—plastic shroud damage
Plastic engine compartment shroud has only 5.5 inches ground clearance, easily damaged by minor road debris or uneven road surfaces. Continuous with front bumper assembly.
When: Early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic shroud ripped loose from minor driveway incline; Front bumper assembly cracked
Repairs/costs cited: Repair requires replacement of shroud and front bumper assembly
Heater pipe contamination—mice and bacteria
Heater pipes contain mice droppings and are made with material that attracts rodents. Airborne bacteria contamination resulted in illness in family members.
When: 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Heater malfunction; Mice droppings in heater pipes; Airborne bacterial contamination; Family illness requiring medical treatment
Repairs/costs cited: Heater pipes cleaned multiple times (4 times) without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated issue was environmental and nothing could be done to remedy it
Rusted third-row seat frame
Third-row seat frame rusts and bends, requiring seat replacement. Discovered at high mileage.
When: 171,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rust on seat frame; Frame bending
Repairs/costs cited: Seat replacement needed
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
In the summer of 2009, my 2006 Honda odyssey developed a strong, foul odor for which no source could be found. I vacuumed the carpet, left containers of baking soda inside, and even threw away the rubber floor mats, thinking they had deteriorated in the summer heat. The odor did not go away. (the car had been garage-kept until around that time.) in 2010, when taking the car for a routine service…
Had body 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 body problem on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 85 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 70 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 45,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.