These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Honda Odyssey engine problems
moderate 113 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
113
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 113 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 113 engine 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.
Among the 21 model years of Honda Odyssey in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This SKU is a Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid. The Customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for possible incorrect wiring. Incorrect VVT solenoid wiring may cause an inability of the variable valve timing system to activate. Inability to activate the variable valve timing system may cause reduced engine performance. Incorrect VVT solenoid wiring may also cause the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) to illuminate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER ON, BUT IN ACCESSORY; NEVER USE CONVENTIONAL WHEEL & TIRE ASSEMBLIES ON PAX VEHICLES; MIL ON AFTER THROTTLE BODY CLEANING OR REPLACEMENT; S/M FIX BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING, DIALOGUE FOR DVD SURROUND SOUND FROM FRONT SPEAKERS ONLY. VARIOUS MODELS AND MODEL YEARS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA VEHICLE: DAMAGED CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR (CMP) CAUSES THE MIL TO COME ON WITH DTC P0344. EXCESSIVE CAMSHAFT END PLAY CAUSES THE CAMSHAFT GEAR TO DAMAGE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR. REPLACE THE FRONT CAMSHAFT, THRUST COVER, THE CAM GEAR, AND THE CMP SENSOR. UPDATED 3/27/12. UPDATED 10/11/12.
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 shows a pattern of design and manufacturing defects that owners say Honda either knew about or should have. AC condenser damage tops the list: rocks puncture the exposed condenser at the front bumper, killing the air conditioning in vehicles under warranty. Owners report dropping $700–$960 on condenser replacement while dealerships matter-of-factly claim this is routine—one tech said Honda sees it "every week." Honda added a protective grille to 2008 models, proving awareness, yet declined to retrofit or recall earlier vehicles.
Engine mounts fail at abnormally low mileage—50,000 to 80,000 miles is common—causing heavy clunking, violent shaking at highway speeds, and raising the specter of engine drop. Replacements run $500–$1,900. Owners describe the special-design mounts on EXL/Touring models as prone to fluid leakage. Compounding the issue, some mounts fail again years later. A service manager called it "very common on Odyssey vans" but said Honda never addressed it.
Oil pan drain plug threads strip during routine oil changes—mechanics cite flimsy threads and thin sheet metal as the culprit. Helicoil repairs are temporary; the fundamental flaw persists on replacement pans.
Spark plugs blow out of cylinder heads, radiators develop cracks or fill with road debris, transmission seals fail, and at least one vehicle caught fire. Engine stalling while driving—sometimes multiple times—appears in several complaints, with unknown root causes in most cases. Owners consistently point to internet searches revealing dozens or hundreds of similar failures, yet Honda has issued no recalls and stopped responding once warranty expired.
Same Honda Odyssey engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
AC Condenser Damage from Road Debris
AC condenser punctured or cracked by rocks or road debris, causing refrigerant leaks and AC failure. Owners report the condenser is exposed at the front of the vehicle with no protective grille. Honda added a protective shield on 2008+ models, confirming awareness of the design flaw. Repair involves condenser replacement.
When: Early in ownership; reports range from 4,000 to 61,000 miles, most within first 1–3 years
Symptoms owners cite: Air conditioner blows warm air or stops working; Visible hole or puncture in condenser; Refrigerant leak; Smoke from engine area (rare cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Condenser replacement; costs cited range $700–$960 for parts and labor. Some owners received partial reimbursement ($275–$400) as 'goodwill gesture.' One case involved dealer adding heavy-gauge wire screen as permanent protective fix during repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers classify damage as 'road debris' and exclude it from warranty coverage. Honda representatives acknowledged seeing this issue 'every week' or 'once a month' at dealerships. Honda added protective grille to 2008+ models but offered no recalls or retrofits for affected 2005–2007 vehicles.
Engine Mount Failure (Rear, Front, and Side Mounts)
Engine mounts, particularly rear and special-design fluid-filled mounts on EXL/Touring models, fail prematurely and leak fluid. Occurs at abnormally low mileage. Failure can cause severe vibration, clunking noises, and potential engine drop. Issue correlates with ECO mode cylinder deactivation (3 of 6 cylinders cut) design that these mounts must dampen.
When: 48,000–80,000 miles most commonly reported; some failures as early as 50,000 miles and recurrence at 170,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Deep rumbling or loud clunking noise from engine area; Excessive vibration during acceleration, deceleration, or highway driving; Vibration especially pronounced in ECO mode; Rearview mirror or loose objects rattling or falling; Loss of stability or shaking at speeds 55+ mph
Codes mentioned: TSB 06-083 (Honda service bulletin referenced in complaints)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of 1–5 mounts depending on extent of failure; costs range $500–$1,900. Some owners report multiple failures requiring repeated repairs. Parts are described as expensive 'special design' units compared to mounts on other vehicle brands.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda service bulletins (TSB 06-083) acknowledge the issue. No recalls issued. Warranty denial once owner exceeds 5 years / 60,000 miles. One dealer stated this is 'very common' on 2005–2009 Odysseys but claimed no authority to cover repair cost. Owners report Honda calling this a 'known issue' but refusing remedies.
Spark Plug Thread Failure in Cylinder Head
Spark plug threads in aluminum cylinder head fail, causing spark plug to be pulled out during coil-pack removal or operation. Owners report the failure may stem from material weakness in the cylinder head. Potential fire hazard from atomized fuel escaping through spark plug hole while engine running.
When: Failure mode not tied to specific mileage in narratives; one case at approximately highway driving distance
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent clicking noise from engine compartment; Loss of acceleration and engine power; Check engine light blinks, then stays solid; Temperature gauge spikes to red; Complete engine failure within ~1 minute of first symptom
Repairs/costs cited: Options cited: machinist repair of cylinder head while on engine ($730) or cylinder head replacement with monetary assistance ($1,500 total). One case involved cracked engine block and melted radiator requiring full short-block replacement (covered by dealership + extended warranty).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer (Honda North American) offered monetary assistance for cylinder replacement but did not acknowledge material defect. No recall or design review mentioned in narratives.
Engine Overheating and Radiator Damage
Radiator overheats due to rocks lodging inside radiator or condenser exposed design allowing debris impact. One case involved cracked engine block leading to complete engine failure. AC condenser and radiator both vulnerable to road debris due to exposed front-bumper placement.
When: Early in ownership; 6,000–61,000 miles reported; one case at 84,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Temperature gauge pegged to hot; AC not putting out cold air; Burning rubbery smell; Engine fan continues running after shutdown; Engine loses coolant, coolant and oil levels drop to zero
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement; cost over $700. One case of cracked engine block required engine replacement (short block). In one case, dealer found three rocks inside radiator after removal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships initially denied warranty coverage, citing rock damage as external. One dealership later acknowledged Honda 'sees this a lot.' No recall or protective retrofit offered.
Oil Pan Drain Plug Thread Stripping
Oil pan threads strip and drain plug sealing area distorts during routine oil changes. Thin steel oil pan and flimsy threads cannot withstand torque spec. Aluminum sealing washer fails to maintain seal. Recurring issue after repeated oil changes; no permanent fix from Honda.
When: First evident during routine oil change maintenance; issue persists with repeated changes
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from engine/drain plug area; Leaking oil visible on driveway
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary fix: Helicoil installation. Permanent fix: full oil pan replacement (costs several hundred dollars). Problem recurs because Honda has not corrected flawed design on replacement pans.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No action. Mechanics note this has been a Honda/Acura problem since 1984. No recall or design revision mentioned.
Cracked Engine Block
Engine block cracks, causing catastrophic coolant loss and complete engine failure. One case involved no visible source of failure even after complete teardown; no oil leak present, head gasket not the cause.
When: Approximately 61,000 miles at time of failure during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent clicking noise from engine compartment; Loss of acceleration at highway speed (70 mph); Check engine light blinks then stays solid; Temperature gauge spikes to red; No coolant or oil in engine; Complete engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement with new short block and radiator (cost not specified in narrative, but covered by dealership selling vehicle as used; warranty company denied claim due to no identifiable root cause).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda was notified and stated 'not concerned.' Warranty company denied claim. Used-car dealership (seller) paid for replacement engine and radiator and sought reimbursement from warranty company.
Transmission Fluid Leak and Broken Seal
Transmission loses fluid due to broken seal. Initial repair misdiagnoses the actual problem. Leaking transmission fluid damages serpentine belt, leading to loss of power steering. Vehicle loses power steering while on highway at 55 mph, creating hazardous driving condition.
When: Early in ownership; steering issue noticed almost immediately upon purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid leak visible during service; Dashboard warning lights come on; Loss of power steering while driving; Continued fluid leak after 'repair'
Repairs/costs cited: Initial 'broken seal' repair ($1,500) ineffective. Later diagnosis: transmission replacement required. Fluid leak damaged belt, necessitating belt replacement as well.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified in narrative.
Exhaust System Heat Shield Corrosion and Loss
Exhaust heat shields loosen and fall off due to corrosion, creating fire hazard. Shields made of non-stainless steel corrode and fail to stay in place. Loss of shields exposes electrical wiring to heat, risking melting and fire.
When: Timing not specified; present when discovered during service
Symptoms owners cite: Loose or missing heat shields visible under vehicle; Risk of electrical wire insulation melting from exhaust heat
Repairs/costs cited: Heat shield replacement; cost $615. Dealer indicated stainless steel would prevent recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda customer service told owner it was the owner's responsibility to maintain safe operating condition, despite owner not being made aware of the hazard.
Engine Stalling While Driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly and without warning while vehicle is in motion at various speeds (20–65 mph). Vehicle may restart after stalling or require shifting to neutral to restart. Intermittent nature creates serious accident risk. One case involved fuel pump relay failure; another involved possible spool valve issue (unconfirmed).
When: Reported at 29,000–84,000 miles and across multiple years of operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving at 20–65 mph; Dashboard lights come on before shutdown; Vehicle loses all power; Difficulty restarting or restarts only after shifting to neutral; Stalling recurs multiple times (5+ incidents in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One case: fuel pump relay replaced (resolved issue). One case: spool valve replacement recommended but part was on backorder and vehicle was not repaired. One case: no repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance in cases where diagnosis was unclear. Referred owners to dealership.
AC Control Switch Failure in Cold Weather
AC switch becomes stuck or extremely hard to press in winter/fall driving conditions, rendering it inoperable when needed for windshield defog function. Creates safety hazard when windshield fogs over during night driving and defog (which requires AC on) cannot be activated.
When: Winter and fall driving conditions; summer operation normal
Symptoms owners cite: AC switch becomes rock-hard and cannot be pressed; No resistance or movement in switch button; Summer operation normal; winter operation fails; Windshield fogging with no way to clear via defog
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No action reported; issue only raised as complaint to NHTSA.
Blown Head Gasket and Engine Performance Loss
Head gasket failure causes deceleration and loss of engine power. In one case, failure recurred after initial repair. Another case involved misdiagnosis as blown head gasket when actual cause was YAW rate sensor failure.
When: 46,000 miles reported for one case; another case at different mileage with recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Engine warning light illuminates; Vehicle decelerates from highway speed to 20 mph involuntarily; Recurrent failure after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement; failure recurred in one case, suggesting underlying issue not addressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no assistance offered.
VTEC Control Valve Failure
VTEC (variable valve timing) control valve fails, requiring replacement. Part was on backorder for 4 weeks, causing extended downtime. Later, VSA (vehicle stability assist) warning light illuminated and steering wheel seized, accompanied by severe engine noise, requiring additional towing.
When: 53,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spark plug blown out of cylinder head; Coil pack damaged; VSA warning light comes on; Steering wheel seizes; Severe noise from engine
Repairs/costs cited: VTEC control valve replacement (part on backorder 4 weeks); total repair cost $1,496.57 plus towing. Subsequent failure: VSA sensor issue and engine noise (diagnosis pending).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance offered for backorder delays or repeated failures.
Vehicle Fire
Vehicle caught fire while being driven home from work, with fire originating in the rear of the vehicle near the rear AC unit and PCB (printed circuit board). Fire department responded and determined source of ignition. Vehicle was a total loss.
When: Approximately one month after oil change and tire service
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke observed coming from rear of vehicle; Vehicle fully engulfed in fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was total loss; fire department investigated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda customer service stated 'If your insurance company does not subrogate, there is nothing they can do.' No investigation or remedial action offered.
Fuel Leak
Fuel leaks from underneath vehicle and odor of fuel emerges from second-row seats while driving at various speeds and when parked on incline. Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired at dealership.
When: 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel odor in second-row seats; Visible fuel leaking from underneath vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; vehicle was not diagnosed by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not contacted by owner.
Synthesized from 113 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I am the original owner of 2006 Honda odyssey. The vehicle was always serviced by Honda dealer every few months for oil change and other scheduled maintenance. Right after my extended warranty expired last august 2013, santan Honda in chandler had told me that I had two cracked engine mounts. The vehicle was never raced nor towed anything. It was purely used by wife to haul my dogs to the park…
2006 Honda odyssey. Air conditioning condenser damaged by road debris and required replacing the condenser. Dealer stated damage was caused by road hazard/debris and so was not covered by warranty. The condenser is very exposed on front bottom of vehicle with no protection from flying debris. Similar event has occurred to many owners of 2006 odysseys. Honda should be held liable/responsible to…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 113 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 99 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 47,959 and 91,903 miles, with the median around 72,548. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,959; a quarter make it past 91,903. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.