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 ↗2007 Honda Odyssey engine problems
severe 71 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
71
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 71 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 71 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.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 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 ↗DEALER MESSAGE - AMERICAN HONDA (AHM) IS INVESTIGATING CERTAIN 2007-2010 ODYSSEY LXS AND EXS THAT RETURN WITH A REPEAT COMPLAINT OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE DTC CODE OF P0325 (KNOCK SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION) STORED AND/ OR ENGINE KNOCK OR PING AFTER HAVING THE KNOCK SENSOR REPLACED PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM. TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS OCCURRENCE, AHM WOULD LIKE TO COLLECT A SPECIFIC PART FROM THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO YOU ATTEMPTING A REPAIR OF ANY KIND.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗HONDA: ENGINEERING REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH ISSUES OF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND ENGINE KNOCKING OR PINGING AFTER KNOCK SENSOR WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY. MODELS 2007-2010 ODYSSEY LX, EX.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Odyssey engine shows a pattern of serious failures across multiple systems. Misfiring and stalling are the most frequent complaints, with check engine lights appearing at various mileages, sometimes repeatedly after dealership repairs. One owner paid $5,940 for an engine rebuild only to have the same misfire problem resume the next day. Spark plugs are a recurring culprit—they crack, break, or loosen, with fragments falling into cylinders and destroying pistons and cylinder walls so badly that engine replacement becomes necessary. One owner at 56K miles on a clean maintenance record saw a spark plug break into pieces; Honda offered only $600 in goodwill against a $3,900 repair bill.
Engine mounts fail prematurely at 66K to 100K miles, and replacements sometimes fail again within 2 years. Head gaskets blow despite proper fluid maintenance; one catastrophic failure occurred at just 2,666 miles. Owners also report persistent pinging even with premium fuel, stalling only in rainy conditions with loss of power steering, and serpentine belt/AC compressor failures repeating four times in two years on one vehicle. Undiagnosed issues remain common—dealers run diagnostics and find nothing, yet symptoms continue. Two engine fires and one case of a spark plug blowing through the cylinder head at highway speed underscore safety concerns that Honda has consistently refused to address via recall or warranty coverage.
Same Honda Odyssey engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Misfiring and stalling with check engine light
Engine misfires, check engine light illuminates (sometimes flashing), loss of power, jerking, and complete stalling. Occurs during acceleration, at stops, merging, and highway speeds. Often intermittent or worsens in hot months. Diagnostic codes show random multiple-cylinder misfires. In some cases, fuel pump and fuel tank indicator issues were found; in others, spark plugs or coil packs melted and fused to cylinder walls. One rebuilt engine failed with the same symptom the day after completion.
When: Various mileages reported: 48K–133K miles; also at low mileage after rebuild
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (steady or flashing); Engine jerking and hesitation; Power loss (limited to ~10 mph); Rough idle at 800–900 RPM then sudden drop; Engine stall during acceleration, at stops, or while backing; Inability to accelerate above 55 mph; No diagnostic codes found on some dealer visits; Recurrent failure even after repairs
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire), P0301–P0306 (Individual Cylinder Misfire codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid $5,940 for engine rebuild; failed next day. Spark plug replacements, tune-ups, coil pack replacements, fuel pump replacement, fuel tank indicator replacement, head gasket replacement, engine replacement. Repair costs ranged $2,400–$6,000+. In some cases, cylinders scored so badly by fallen metal that engine replacement was necessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers blamed fuel quality, software updates, or gave no explanation. One recall for fuel pump was mentioned but not disclosed upfront. Honda technical line acknowledged awareness of some issues but stated no resolution available. Multiple owners reported Honda refused warranty claims.
Spark plug blowout and cylinder damage
Spark plugs crack, break, or become loose, with pieces and coil packs melting into cylinder walls or fallen metal damaging piston rings and cylinder walls. One case noted the plug itself blew through the aluminum cylinder head. Occurs at low mileage (56K, 90K, 96K, 110K+). Results in severe scoring of cylinders that prevents repair; engine replacement typically required.
When: 56K, 90K, 96K miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Bad smell from engine area; Violent shuddering and vibration at low speeds (20–35 mph); Check engine warning light illuminates; Power reduction; Misfire codes; Engine requires cylinder head removal to access stuck/melted coil and plug
Codes mentioned: Multiple misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: One shop charged $2,411 to remove cylinder head and extract melted coil; another quoted $3,900 for engine replacement. Honda dealers could not remove parts and stated inability to repair. Owner noted this matched a class action lawsuit pattern for 2008 Odyssey engines.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers and Honda North America refused responsibility. One owner received $600 as goodwill against $3,900 engine replacement cost; Honda refused to cover full cost. Owner stated Honda acknowledged defective spark plugs as the cause but took no corrective action.
Engine head gasket and casting failures
Head gaskets blow despite proper fluid maintenance; one case involved frozen front camshaft in cylinder head with suspected casting head defect and debris inside valve assembly. Engine failure at very low mileage (2,666 miles).
When: 2,666 miles (new vehicle); also at higher mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls or shuts down; Check engine light; Loss of power; Engine seizure
Repairs/costs cited: Repair at 2,666 miles required front and rear head gasket replacement, timing belt, tensioner, drive belt idler, coolant system gasket, front engine seals, and outer head assembly replacement. No cost provided by owner.
Broken spark plugs with debris in engine
Broken spark plug pieces migrate into engine cylinders and damage pistons and walls. Owner with 56K miles had spark plug break into pieces; debris fell into engine and damaged cylinders. Dealer confirmed defect but owner had to appeal multiple times for coverage.
When: 56K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Bad smell from engine; Loss of power on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Honda dealer diagnostic: $3,900 engine repair cost. Honda North America offered $600 goodwill payment; owner requested full coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda North America refused full coverage, offered $600 goodwill. Owner states Honda needs to prevent broken plug pieces from entering engine and should cover full repair cost to ensure customer safety.
Tensioner bolt shearing (belt tensioner failure)
Large bolt through belt tensioner roller into bracket sheared off twice within 3 months after dealer replaced timing belt and serpentine belt. First failure within 500 miles of timing belt service; second failure after another 5,000 miles on replacement bolt.
When: Within 500 miles after service, then 5,000 miles later
Symptoms owners cite: Serpentine belt failure; AC compressor damage; Tensioner roller damage; Loss of belt drive function
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced timing belt, tensioner, and serpentine belt initially. Second failure required replacement of bolt, tensioner roller, and serpentine belt again. Owner states parts were installed by Honda dealers.
AC compressor failures (road debris)
AC compressor develops hole from road debris (small rocks) puncturing condenser or compressor. Common complaint pattern across many owners despite low mileage and city driving. Multiple owners noted 2008 Odyssey and later models include protective mesh covering to prevent this; older models unprotected. Dealers claim damage not covered by warranty as road hazard.
When: Low mileage: 1 year service, 40K miles, under 56K miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: AC stops working suddenly; Hissing noise from compressor area; Loss of refrigerant
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs ranged $725–$1,000 including compressor and condenser replacement. Owners note this is not covered under warranty despite being a design flaw. One owner paid $850 for condenser fin repair at less than 1 year of service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim damage is road hazard and not warranty-covered. Honda has not issued recall. One owner noted that 2008+ models received protective mesh grill as design fix; no retrofit program for 2007 and earlier.
Engine pinging (knock) and detonation
Persistent engine pinging or knocking sound from engine area during acceleration, uphill driving, and at idle. Occurs even with premium 93-octane fuel. Some owners report this started immediately after purchase; others developed it during ownership. Dealers find nothing wrong on diagnostic; Honda technical line acknowledges awareness but states no known resolution.
When: Occurs during normal driving, uphill, and at idle; one case 32K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Audible pinging or knocking from engine; Occurs even on premium fuel; More pronounced going uphill; May occur at all RPM ranges
Repairs/costs cited: Honda attempted fix 5 times in one case with no resolution. No repair costs provided as issue remains unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda technical line states awareness of problem but no known resolution. Dealer says pinging is not normal but cannot fix it. Honda later told owner nothing is wrong despite dealer confirming it is not normal.
Engine stalling in wet/rainy conditions
Engine stalls only during heavy rain or when driving through water pools and splash on roadway. Occurs at highway speeds (70+ mph) and lower speeds (25–30 mph). Power steering is lost when stall occurs. Vehicle restarts within 3–5 seconds and resumes operation. Multiple occurrences over 2-year period.
When: During rainy conditions; one case 48K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall in rain or water splash; Complete power loss for 3–5 seconds; Loss of power steering during event; Vehicle restarts and runs normally after stall; No check engine light or diagnostic codes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce issue even when hosing engine compartment with water. Technician stated many customers have reported this during rainy conditions but dealership offers no repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated many customers reported this but has no fix. Manufacturer was notified (case outside warranty at 48K miles) and provided no assistance.
Engine mounts cracking and fracturing
Front and rear engine mounts crack, fracture, or break at relatively low mileage (66K–100K+ miles). Mounts replaced in some cases only to fail again within 1–2 years (less than 5,000 miles after replacement). This appears to be a common pattern recognized by mechanics who identify it within minutes of inspection. Mounts failing again so quickly raises question of possible underlying cause (vibration, ECO mode cycling).
When: 66K–100K+ miles; some replaced mounts fail again within 1–2 years or 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or vibration during acceleration; Engine movement visible under hood; Vehicle 'jumps' when accelerating from stop; Visible damage/cracking on mount inspections
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost approximately $500–$1,001 per repair. One owner had both front and rear replaced in Feb 2014 at 67K miles; mounts failed again within 2 years. State inspection failed due to broken mounts at 66K miles (6K miles out of extended warranty).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite commonality. Manufacturer takes no responsibility per owner reports. Mechanics acknowledge seeing multiple Odysseys with this issue but Honda does not recognize it as a recall item.
Timing belt and water pump premature wear
Timing belt, tensioner, and water pump require replacement again within 2 years of previous replacement. One owner replaced all three in Feb 2014, then all three needed replacement again. Owner speculates bad engine mounts may be causing secondary damage to belt and pump.
When: Replaced Feb 2014, failed again within 2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Timing belt wear requiring replacement; Water pump failure; Tensioner wear
Repairs/costs cited: Initial replacement cost not specified; second replacement would be approximately same cost as first.
Serpentine belt and AC compressor failures (repeat)
AC compressor stops working, serpentine belt breaks, and tensioner fails. This sequence occurred four times in 2 years of ownership on a used 2007 with ~75K miles at purchase. Each failure required tow. All covered under warranty but high inconvenience factor.
When: Occurred four times in 2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: AC compressor failure; Serpentine belt breakage; Tensioner failure; No acceleration when belt fails
Repairs/costs cited: All repairs covered under warranty on used-car purchase. Owner notes similar complaints from other 2007 Odyssey owners.
Lower engine block fracture
Lower end of engine fractured at 110K miles, causing stalling, rattling noise, and illumination of warning indicator. Engine required replacement.
When: 110K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from engine; Engine stall; Warning light illumination; Engine restart initially successful, then failure recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; vehicle not repaired by owner. Catalytic converter was also damaged per update.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no resolution offered.
Engine knock/detonation with fuel issues
Engine pinging and transmission juddering reported by owner. Dealer blamed high-octane fuel requirement (93 octane) for pinging. Owner reports both issues are common on Honda forums but dealership denied fixing them despite multiple visits over 2 months.
When: Recent model year complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Engine pinging; Transmission juddering/jerking intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; owner spent money on vehicle without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer blamed fuel octane and stated cannot find transmission issue. Denied repairs.
Oil drain plug defect (leaking)
Oil drain plug is defective and causes permanent leakage upon removal during oil changes. Honda acknowledges this defect and requires consumers to purchase replacement drain plugs at each oil change, shifting burden to customer. This causes environmental oil leak and potential vehicle damage if plug fails between services.
When: Ongoing issue with each oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leakage after oil change; Need to replace drain plug each service
Repairs/costs cited: Consumer must purchase replacement drain plug each oil change (cost not specified).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda acknowledges defect but requires consumer to purchase replacement parts each time.
Engine fire and combustion hazard
Engine fire erupted from engine compartment while vehicle was stationary in school parking lot. Owner noticed smoke, attempted to extinguish with fire extinguisher but failed. Fire department responded and destroyed front end of vehicle. This represents serious safety hazard.
When: While stationary in parking lot
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from engine compartment; Fire in right-hand side of engine compartment; Uncontrollable fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; fire destroyed engine compartment and front end.
Engine stalling at low speeds during acceleration
Vehicle stalls when attempting to accelerate from stops at low speeds. Also fails to gain speed during acceleration from a stop. Failure is intermittent. Vehicle starts then shuts off before attempting to drive. Dealer diagnosis unsuccessful in resolving issue.
When: Low mileage: 11K–13K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling during low-speed acceleration; Failure to gain speed from stop; Vehicle starts then shuts off; Intermittent failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis performed but failure persists.
Engine oil pressure switch defect
Engine oil pressure assembly switch is defective, causing vehicle deceleration at various speeds. Engine must be restarted to regain acceleration power.
When: 68,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle decelerates while driving; Loss of acceleration power; Requires engine restart to restore acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Local mechanic diagnosed defective oil pressure switch; vehicle not repaired by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; no information on response provided.
Engine harmonic balancer and belt failure
Belt failed at very low mileage (3,200 miles) due to harmonic balancer defect. Loss of power steering occurred due to belt failure.
When: 3,200 miles (extremely early failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from engine compartment; Belt failure; Loss of power steering
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repaired by replacing belt; harmonic balancer identified as cause.
Coil pack and spark plug melting (cylinder 5)
Coil pack and spark plug in cylinder 5 completely melted and fused to cylinder wall. Mechanic performed online research with Honda technician and determined issue was faulty VCM (valve control module). Symptoms match class action lawsuit pattern for 2008 Odyssey engines.
When: 94,482 miles at first check engine light; Feb 7 during second incident
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (initially steady, then flashing); Sluggish driving performance; Melted coil pack and spark plug fused to cylinder wall
Codes mentioned: Random multiple cylinder misfires, Codes indicating spark plug and coil pack issues
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic recommended engine replacement; Honda technician advised VCM was faulty and engine replacement was only solution. Owner notes exact same symptoms as class action lawsuit for 2008 Odyssey.
Spark plug and coil pack failure with fuel leak
Spark plug loosened, causing fuel to leak into cylinder head chamber. Coil pack melted into cylinder. Repair shop had to remove cylinder head. Shop stated this was third such failure they had seen and it was caused by loose spark plug and fuel leak.
When: 90,108 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering and vibration at ~20 mph; Check engine light illumination; Power reduction; Misfire codes; Loose spark plug
Codes mentioned: Multiple misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: $2,411 repair cost; required cylinder head removal to extract melted coil and spark plug.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer were alerted; neither offered resolution. Dealer was described as rude about failure.
Synthesized from 71 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving vehicle check engine light came on and car was running very poorly. Took car to local auto parts store, employee hooked car to diagnostic computer and misfire codes came up and car was only running on 2 cylinders. Drove car to mechanic. After diagnosing problem was explained I would need a full tune up and head replacing. After further exploring mechanic noticed metal filings in…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 71 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 65 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 28,323 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,323; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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 $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/2007/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.