During low temperature driving after vehicle is warm, the power steering whines loudly. We noticed this condition in the early fall as temperatures fell and the noise has gotten progressively worse. The steering pump was previously replaced at approximately 9200 miles. The vehicle is at the local dealership now having the power steering system flushed, reservoir replaced and new synthetic…
2006 Honda Odyssey steering problems
severe 127 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
127
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1fire
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 127 steering 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
Of the 17 model years of Honda Odyssey we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 127.
Owners have filed 127 steering 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2006 Odyssey steering system is a real gamble—owners consistently report power steering pump failures at low mileage, persistent whining in cold weather, and occasional complete loss of steering assist, with Honda refusing to cover out-of-warranty repairs despite widespread acknowledgment of the defect. Budget several hundred dollars for pump or reservoir replacement, or avoid this model year entirely if steering reliability matters to you.
The 2006 Odyssey's steering system is rife with problems that surface early and often. The most common complaint is stiff, difficult steering at low speeds—especially in parking lots and at traffic lights—where the power steering pump simply doesn't deliver enough fluid pressure. Owners describe the wheel locking or requiring muscular force to turn; some report the van getting stuck in one position until they accelerate or yank hard on the wheel.
Cold weather brings a different nightmare: loud whining, squealing, or groaning from the power steering pump below 40–55°F, sometimes persisting even after pump replacement. A few owners report complete power steering loss—either intermittently or during rain—forcing manual steering at highway speeds. One owner lost steering assist on a two-lane highway at 55 mph; another lost it entering a parking space during a downpour. Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds above 62 mph troubles others, surviving wheel balancing, tire swaps, and pump replacement. Some cars pull hard to one side or drift between lanes without input, with dealership alignments unable to cure it.
Honda issued service bulletins acknowledging the pump and reservoir design are defective and extended warranty to 7 years/100,000 miles—but only after many owners were out of coverage. Out-of-warranty repairs cost $600–$1,200+. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problems during shop visits, and some have dismissed complaints as "normal" for the model year.
Same Honda Odyssey steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering pump low-speed malfunction and stiffness
Steering wheel becomes very difficult or impossible to turn at low speeds, especially in parking lots, when making turns at traffic lights, or during slow maneuvers. Owners report the wheel locks or becomes extremely tight, requiring excessive force to turn or acceleration to move the vehicle. Dealerships diagnosed this as insufficient pump fluid delivery at low speeds.
When: Low speeds under 30 mph; often occurs years into ownership but reported from early use; mileage ranges from 4,000 to 165,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very stiff or locks at low speeds; Excessive force required to turn steering wheel; Vehicle gets stuck in one position in parking lots; Difficulty making turns at traffic lights; Problem most pronounced during parking maneuvers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis: power steering pump replacement needed ($600–$800 typical cost). Honda issued warranty extension to 7 years/100,000 miles for pump replacement, but many owners exceeded mileage by time diagnosis was made. Some owners paid $700 out-of-pocket after warranty expired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued warranty extension (7 years/100,000 miles) for power steering pump replacement. TSBs issued: TSB 07-005 (01/26/07, 06/17/08, 08/21/09); TSB 11-039. Honda acknowledged this as manufacturing defect but refused coverage for out-of-warranty vehicles. Service bulletins issued but no recall initiated.
Power steering pump cold-weather whining and noise
Power steering pump produces loud, intermittent whining, squealing, or groaning noise when outside temperatures drop below 40–55°F. Noise occurs at idle, during acceleration, and especially when turning. Noise may persist even after pump replacement in some cases.
When: Cold weather conditions (below 40–55°F); occurs intermittently; mileage varies widely from early ownership to 80,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud whining or squealing noise from engine compartment in cold weather; Groaning sound when making turns; Noise at idle and during acceleration; Noise especially pronounced when turning steering wheel left to right; Noise absent or reduced in warm weather; Noise persists or returns after pump replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement ($700) and reservoir replacement attempted; in some cases multiple pump replacements (up to 6 on a single vehicle) failed to resolve noise. Fluid reservoir flushing, synthetic fluid installation, and new reservoir installation also attempted with mixed results.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda TSBs issued (TSB 07-005 multiple revisions, including bulletin acknowledging defective pump reservoir design). One service director confirmed it is a known problem; another stated Honda had installed 6 new pumps on a similar vehicle without success. Offered partial reimbursement ($250 of $750) in one case.
Power steering pump failure and complete loss of power steering
Total power steering assist loss during driving, forcing manual steering efforts. Failures occur at various speeds and under various conditions, some triggered by water/wet conditions. One instance of crankshaft pulley failure causing accessory belt loosening and power steering pump drive failure.
When: Occurs at various mileages (4,000 to 111,000+); some failures occur after prolonged driving or in wet conditions; crankshaft pulley failure at 111,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist while driving; Steering wheel becomes difficult or impossible to turn manually; Loss of power steering triggered by heavy rain or water crossing puddles; Battery warning light illumination coinciding with steering loss; Loud noise or grinding when steering fails; In one case: crankshaft pulley outer ring missing, causing accessory belt loosening
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement ($600–$700); crankshaft pulley and drive belt replacement ($349.56); some failures required towing (e.g., $153.40). Honda prorated reimbursement in one case (50% of service cost). Pump failure at 70,000 miles with Honda-stated life expectancy of 120–140 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda North America offered 50% reimbursement in one case based on stated pump life expectancy. Service director acknowledged known issue and willingness to provide parts if owner paid labor. No recall issued despite multiple reports.
Steering wheel shimmy and vibration at highway speeds
Vibration in steering wheel, especially at speeds above 62 mph, occurring after 70–100 miles of highway driving. Vibration may be severe or intermittent. Problem persists after wheel balancing, tire replacement, and power steering pump replacement. Owners report similarity to bent wheel or out-of-balance tire symptoms.
When: Highway speeds above 62 mph; develops after 70–100 miles of continuous driving; mileage at onset varies
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration (shimmy) at speeds above ~62 mph; Vibration worse after extended highway driving; Vibration severity fluctuates, sometimes disappearing temporarily; Vibration absent at speeds below 55 mph; Discomfort and driver fatigue from sustained vibration
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel balancing performed multiple times; tire replacement (different tires tested); power steering pump replacement—all failed to resolve shimmy. No repair solution identified or completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. Owner notes this problem may be generic to vehicle design and calls for Honda to provide economical solution.
Vehicle pulling to one side and unintended lane drift
Vehicle pulls to the left or veers unpredictably during freeway and highway driving; exhibits autopilot-like behavior with unintended lane changes. Repeated dealer front-end alignments failed to correct the issue. One case involved complex adjustments to engine cradle, tire pressure, and camber bolts that worsened the condition.
When: Present from early ownership; occurred on expressway and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Van pulls strongly to the left on expressway; Vehicle changes lanes on its own without driver input; Autopilot-like steering behavior; Unintended veering after front-end alignment attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple front-end alignments performed without resolution. Dealership then adjusted engine cradle (heavier on one side), tire pressure (−2 psi on one side), and installed long camber bolts. These adjustments worsened the problem. Factory representative test drove and stated handling is normal for 2006 Odyssey model.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Factory representative drove vehicle and stated the pulling/veering behavior is normal for 2006 Honda Odyssey; indicated no further repairs could be attempted. Owner pursued BBB complaint for refund.
Steering wheel vibration present from new (design characteristic)
Persistent vibration in steering wheel since vehicle purchase, deemed by Honda to be a normal design characteristic rather than defect. Honda refused warranty repair and stated buyer responsibility to detect during test drive.
When: Present at purchase; vehicle purchased May 2006
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration present continuously since purchase
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel balancing performed twice without solving vibration. Dealer work order stated Honda found vibration to be 'normal at this time as per DPSM 999.' No repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda representative claimed vibration is a vehicle characteristic, not a defect, and stated owner should have identified during test drive. Honda refused warranty coverage, shifting responsibility to consumer.
Power steering loss in wet conditions (rain/puddles)
Power steering assist loss occurs during rain or when driving through puddles; battery warning light illuminates at the same time. Problem reproduces consistently during wet driving but cannot be duplicated in dealer shop. Recommended fix (pump and reservoir replacement) did not resolve the underlying issue in at least one case.
When: During rainfall or wet road conditions; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss during heavy rain; Battery warning light illuminates during steering loss; Loss occurs 5–7 times in a 20-minute drive during rain; Problem intermittent at dealership (no rain present)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership suggested power steering pump and reservoir replacement; was described as a possible fix but not guaranteed. At least one owner reported the fix did not resolve the problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to reproduce problem and offered component replacement as a potential (not confirmed) solution. One Honda International representative reportedly advised owner not to drive when roads are wet, rather than offering repair.
Steering rack hardness and rack-related steering resistance
Steering wheel becomes hard to turn, particularly at low speeds. Dealership diagnosis indicated problem is in steering rack (not pump) requiring replacement; cost approximately $1,200+. This failure occurred despite extended warranty on power steering pump only.
When: At 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes hard to turn at low speeds; Groaning sound from power steering system
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack replacement needed; estimated cost $1,200+. Owner forced to pay out-of-pocket as extended warranty covered pump only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None. Extended warranty (7 years/100,000 miles) covered power steering pump only, not steering rack. No assistance offered for rack failure.
Power steering reservoir design insufficiency
Power steering fluid reservoir is undersized and unable to maintain adequate fluid level during operation, causing steering difficulty and requiring replacement with larger reservoir. Multiple TSBs issued (at least 3) addressing reservoir design flaws and redesigns.
When: Varies; diagnosed during warranty period in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very difficult to turn after ~30 minutes of vehicle operation; Requires excessive force to make turns; Loud whining/screeching noise indicating fluid starvation
Repairs/costs cited: Reservoir replacement with larger design ($700 vs. ~$85 pump-only fix). Replacement resolved whining noise and steering difficulty in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued at least 3 TSBs and 3 design revisions to address reservoir problem. No recall issued despite TSBs. Warranty coverage applied only if vehicle still within coverage period.
Synthesized from 127 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving 2006 Honda odyssey at highway speed noticeable steering wheel shimmy while accelerating and coasting. Changed wheels tires powersteering pump rotation of tires brake rotors and nothing has changed. All tires were balanced. *kb
A 1500 RPM, a vibration is felt on the steering wheel when moving under load (not coasting). This occurs every time at the engine speed (not at 1200 RPM or 1700 RPM). The dealer service department said that no problem was shown in the computer. I also complained that I was getting very poor mileage in town (less than 15 MPH which I consider not acceptable). The vibration is my main concern…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 127 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 104 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 34,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 51,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.