Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver Capacity resulting in rollover of the internal chip memory; the rollover occurred on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Honda Odyssey electrical problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 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 electrical 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.
ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, once specific triggers are met, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - American Honda is announcing a powertrain warranty extension as a result of a settlement of a class action captioned, Soto et al.v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 3:12-cv-1377-SI (N.D. Cal.). The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling. This can set DTCs P0301 No. 1 cylinder misfire detected, P0302 No. 2 cylinder misfire detected, P0303 No. 3 cylinder misfire detected, P0304 No. 4 cylinder misfire detected, and cause the MIL to come on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE BULLETIN - ALL OF THE LISTED VEHICLES HAVE A TYPE 4 IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM THAT DISABLES THE VEHICLE UNLESS A PROGRAMMED IGNITION KEY IS USED. THE TYPE 4 SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS SYSTEMS IN THAT THE TRANSPONDER ID CODE IN THE KEY IS A ROLLING-TYPE CODE INSTEAD OF A FIXED CODE. IN THIS SERVICE BULLETIN, A PROGRAMMED IGNITION KEY REFERS TO A TRANSPONDER-TYPE KEY THAT HAS BEEN CUT TO FIT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WHOSE TRANSPONDER ID CODE IS RECOGNIZED BY THE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM. IF YOU TRY TO START THE ENGINE WITHOUT A PROGRAMMED IGNITION KEY, THE ENGINE CRANKS, BUT IT DOES NOT START.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Odyssey electrical complaints span critical safety and daily-function failures. One owner experienced complete vehicle fire on the highway after all dashboard lights came on simultaneously and power was lost—fire consumed the entire vehicle within minutes. Multiple owners report battery drain from various sources: A/C control relay failure causing continuous compressor operation in accessory mode; corrosion in the cabin wire harness at 64,000 miles requiring $3,465 in repairs; sliding doors opening while driving and staying stuck open; and daytime running lights staying on with vehicle off.
Accessory electrical failures cluster around doors and windows. Some owners report power windows on the passenger side failing to operate (especially in cold weather), master window switch failure affecting all windows except the driver's, passenger doors not opening from inside without driver-side intervention, and driver-side doors grinding and falling off track. The power liftgate failed on one vehicle, jamming at 90 percent and collapsing onto an occupant.
Two owners separately report their NOX sensor wiring harness damaged, with Honda attributing one case to rodent chewing despite no other rodent evidence—both owners' extended warranties were denied. One owner's ignition switch produced sputtering sounds during starting that dealerships could not replicate or resolve. Another owner's A/C blows inconsistently despite full charge, and a third reports stalling in wet weather despite two dealership visits finding no cause.
Same Honda Odyssey electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Engine fire
Vehicle caught fire while driving on highway after all dashboard warning lights illuminated and vehicle lost acceleration. Fire became severe within minutes.
When: 12/31/13 at major service; fire incident unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights came on simultaneously; Loss of engine power/acceleration; Temperature gauge showed normal reading; White smoke turning black
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss from fire
NOX sensor wiring harness damage
Check engine/emissions light caused by damaged NOX sensor wiring harness. Honda dealership attributed damage to rodent chewing despite no other rodent evidence in vehicle. Same issue occurred on owner's second vehicle (Acura MDX 2009) within one week.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Emissions light; Damaged wiring harness
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring covered with Honda rodent deterrent tape; damaged part discarded by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claimed rare event, not manufacturing defect, no definitive trend identified; refused extended warranty coverage
Multiple electrical systems intermittent failure
Windshield wipers, key fob, sliding doors, and turn signal blinkers all stop working simultaneously without warning. Issue occurred on two separate dates (December 2023 and January 2024) with same symptom pattern.
When: December 8, 2023 and January 29, 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers inoperative; Key fob inoperative; Sliding doors inoperative; Turn signal blinkers inoperative; All systems fail simultaneously without warning
A/C control relay failure
A/C control relay failed in closed position, causing A/C compressor to run continuously even when ignition in accessory position, draining battery and preventing vehicle start. Failure occurred less than 3 years after purchase.
When: Less than 3 years after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent electrical problems; Prevention of car starting; A/C compressor runs continuously in accessory position; Rapid battery drain
Repairs/costs cited: A/C control relay replaced; part number OMRON G8HL-H71, Honda part 39794-SDA-A03
Passenger window electrical failure
Passenger side front and rear windows unable to raise once lowered, primarily in cold weather. Also intermittent inability to open front passenger door from inside, requiring driver-side button or remote control operation. Issue present since vehicle purchase and intermittent nature makes dealership diagnosis difficult.
When: Since purchase; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger side windows won't raise in cold weather; Front passenger door won't open from inside intermittently; Door lock/unlock issues
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to locate problem; issue resolves by time vehicle reaches dealership
Spark plug failure and engine damage
Spark plug blew out completely while driving at highway speed, with portion entering cylinder and damaging engine. Entire spark plug threading damaged and melted into engine, requiring complete engine replacement.
When: Mileage unknown; occurred at highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shaking on acceleration; Engine light illuminated; Loss of engine power requiring manual steering; Burning smell from engine
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; vehicle towed 79 miles
Stalling in wet conditions with battery light
Vehicle stalls while driving in rain or after rain with battery light illuminating. Stalling occurs at traffic stops and low-speed maneuvers despite two dealership visits finding no diagnostic issue.
When: September 2014, November 2014, specific wet weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Battery light illuminates; Engine stalls in wet conditions; Stalling at traffic stops and low-speed turns
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to find cause on two separate visits
Cabin wiring harness corrosion
Daytime running lights illuminate with vehicle off, draining battery. Dashboard lights illuminate with vehicle off. Corrosion found in cabin wire harness due to roof or windshield leak and corrosion in under-dash fuse box, both requiring replacement.
When: At 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Daytime running lights on with vehicle off; Battery drain; Dashboard lights illuminating with vehicle off; VSA light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Cabin wire harness replacement and under-dash fuse box replacement quoted at $3,465
A/C temperature control malfunction
A/C blows cold and warm air intermittently even at lowest temperature setting. Sometimes blows hot air on driver side while blowing cold on passenger side simultaneously. Two non-Honda shops confirmed unit fully charged but unable to identify cause.
When: Mileage unknown; ongoing intermittent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent cold and warm air blowing; Temperature inconsistency between driver and passenger sides; Malfunction despite full charge
Repairs/costs cited: Two non-Honda shops unable to diagnose or repair; A/C unit confirmed fully charged
Starter sputtering noise
Sputtering noise heard when turning key halfway to start position. Failure could not be replicated at dealership so no repair attempted. Issue worsened approximately two weeks later.
When: At approximately 15,797 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sputtering noise when key turned halfway
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; could not be replicated at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance
Power liftgate failure and collapse
Power liftgate would not open via handle. Remote opening only worked to approximately 90 percent, then motor jammed and gate fell unexpectedly on occupant. Issue appears related to NHTSA Campaign ID PE11034.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Handle release non-functional; Remote opening only partial; Motor jam at 90 percent opening; Unexpected closing onto occupant
Repairs/costs cited: Open NHTSA investigation campaign PE11034 exists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign PE11034 open on this issue
Master window switch failure
All windows except driver's side stopped functioning. Issue occurs with engine on or off, stationary or moving. Windows make clicking sound indicating master switch engagement but motors do not respond. Multiple owners report same issue.
When: Mileage unknown; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Windows non-functional except driver; Clicking sound without motor engagement; Issue independent of engine status or vehicle motion
Repairs/costs cited: Appears to be faulty master switch; multiple owners report same issue
Front passenger door opening difficulty
Front passenger door does not open from inside unless lock/unlock sequence performed from driver side. Issue ongoing since 2010. Dealership unable to locate problem and required failure to be active and persistent to investigate.
When: Since 2010; ongoing intermittent issue
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger door won't open from inside; Requires driver-side lock/unlock sequence to operate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to find problem; intermittent nature prevents diagnosis
Sliding door opening while driving
Right rear sliding door opened while vehicle was moving. Door now will not open electronically and must be forced open manually. Suspected cause of battery drain (died twice in 48-hour periods when vehicle not driven).
When: Mileage unknown; door now non-functional electronically
Symptoms owners cite: Door opened while vehicle moving; Battery drain with door issue; Electronic door function failure
Repairs/costs cited: Door must be manually forced open; electronic operation non-functional
Battery drain and door lock failure
Battery died at idle with A/C on. Upon restart attempt, abnormal sound occurred during engine cranking and A/C freon leaked. Doors would not open after shutdown and vehicle would not restart.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Battery drain at idle with A/C; Abnormal cranking sound; A/C refrigerant leak; Door lock failure after shutdown; No-start condition
Repairs/costs cited: A/C freon loss; multiple system failures
Driver side door track failure
Driver side door began making grinding noise and fell off track when closing, nearly trapping occupant and causing significant body damage.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from driver door; Door fell off track during closing
Repairs/costs cited: Significant body damage from door off-track failure
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The air conditioning (a/c) control relay on my 2009 Honda odyssey failed less than 3 years after purchase, causing intermittent electrical problems that would prevent the car from starting. When the car's ignition switch is placed in the "accessory I" position, only the audio system and accessory power sockets should be engaged and able to operate. My a/c control relay failed in the closed…
Had electrical trouble with your 2009 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Honda Odyssey?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 46,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2009/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.