Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. 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 ↗2014 Honda Odyssey engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Honda Odyssey have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 82,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Odyssey | 39 |
| 2011 Odyssey | 17 |
| 2012 Odyssey | 24 |
| 2013 Odyssey | 56 |
| 2014 Odyssey (this page) | 39 |
| 2015 Odyssey | 29 |
| 2016 Odyssey | 76 |
| 2017 Odyssey | 6 |
| 2018 Odyssey | 122 |
When does it fail?
Of the 39 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 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 39 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 6 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.
Service Bulletin - The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. 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 ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge. Oil from the crankcase adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire. 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 ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge. Oil adheres to the spark plug leading to carbon fouling and misfire.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2014-2017 Odysseys and 2014-2015 Pilots with a customer complaint of the vehicle Check Engine Light (CEL) on with one or more of the DTC(s) listed below (in Qualifiers) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific Information from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Piston ring degradation is the dominant complaint across these 39 narratives. Owners describe the same sequence: misfiring (typically cylinders 1–4), flashing check engine light, violent engine shudder or bucking, especially from stops. When they inspect, spark plugs are coated with oil. Repair estimates hit $3,200 to $6,000, most often for full piston ring replacement and spark plug service. Many mechanics and dealers confirmed the problem is tied to Honda's VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system—cylinder deactivation for fuel economy creates uneven heat and carbon buildup that sticks the rings.
Honda announced a warranty extension in mid-2025 for 2013–2017 Odysseys covering piston ring repairs, but it requires the MIL to be on with codes P0301–P0304 and limits coverage to 10 years/150,000 miles. Owners who paid out-of-pocket before the extension was announced report Honda denying retroactive claims, often citing missing error codes on repair invoices or lack of proof of payment—even when dealerships verify the repair matches the extension criteria.
A separate head gasket failure was reported at 88,000 miles, with oil-coolant cross-contamination causing overheating and misfiring. One owner reported an alternator that failed silently, bypassing Honda's OBD diagnostics entirely. Engine racing at idle, oil burning in new vehicles, and one connecting rod bearing failure round out the reports. Across the board, owners emphasize these are safety issues—misfiring on the highway leaves them unable to accelerate, stranded, and at risk.
Same Honda Odyssey engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Piston ring wear and oil passage into cylinders
Piston rings wear prematurely or rotate out of alignment, allowing engine oil to pass by the rings into the combustion chamber. Oil fouls spark plugs, causing misfires. Associated with the VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system, which deactivates cylinders for fuel economy. Owners report this as a known design defect; Honda issued a warranty extension for 2013–2017 Odysseys mid-2025, but limited it to 10 years/150,000 miles and declined coverage for vehicles already repaired or outside the window.
When: Typically 50,000–103,000 miles; can occur as early as 40,000 miles. Some owners experience recurrence after initial piston ring repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Misfiring (cylinders 1–4 most common); Flashing check engine light (MIL); Engine shudder, rough idle, violent bucking at lower speeds; Oil-fouled spark plugs (oil coating visible); Excessive oil consumption; Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration; Engine vibration; Burning smell from engine or exhaust
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P3400
Repairs/costs cited: Piston ring replacement, spark plug replacement, complete engine rebuild in severe cases. Owners report repair costs ranging from $3,200 to $6,000+. Some owners have had repairs done at independent shops or dealers before Honda's warranty extension was announced; Honda has repeatedly denied retroactive coverage even when the same diagnostic codes match the extension criteria. A few owners report the problem recurring after the initial repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued a warranty extension in mid-2025 covering 2013–2017 Odysseys for piston ring failures and related spark plug fouling, extending powertrain warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles. However, the extension requires the MIL to be on with codes P0301–P0304; it does not cover vehicles that have already been repaired out-of-warranty. Honda has denied multiple claims from owners who had the same repair done before the extension was announced, citing incomplete paperwork, missing error codes on invoices, or lack of proof of payment, despite owner documentation and dealer verification. A class action lawsuit covered 2011–2013 models; 2014 and newer owners are excluded.
Head gasket failure with oil-coolant cross-contamination
Engine head gasket failed, allowing internal oil-to-coolant cross-contamination. Milky or frothy oil–coolant mixture visible in the coolant reservoir. Oil was found mixed with coolant inside the cooling system after water pump removal.
When: At approximately 88,000 miles; October 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning odor from HVAC vents; Elevated temperature gauge reading; 'Engine Hot' warning message on dashboard; Engine performance deterioration; Engine misfiring
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis confirmed by independent service center (Pit Stop Auto Center). Specific repair cost not stated in complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narrative.
Alternator failure not detected by OBD diagnostics
Alternator failed without triggering manufacturer diagnostic codes. Vehicle exhibited sluggish starting, loss of electrical power, and HondaLink system restarting. Independent shop had to perform additional troubleshooting to identify the defect, as Honda's OBD scanner reported everything passed except battery.
When: June 2025 (incident on June 14–16)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to accelerate properly (stayed in low gear); Dashboard lights flashing; HondaLink system restarting; 'Failure' message on instrument panel; Engine stall and no-start condition after initial incident; Sluggish engine turnover after restart; Loss of electrical power
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement performed. No cost stated in complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None; defect not caught by Honda diagnostics.
Engine racing at idle
Engine RPM racing at 2000 or higher while driver applies brake. Occurs during parking maneuvers. Second incident reported. Dealer unable to replicate problem during inspection and did not identify root cause.
When: Reported as second incident; exact mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Engine racing (2000+ RPM) while braking; Unable to control idle speed by modulating brake pressure; Condition resolves briefly when foot position on brake changes
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer could not diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer implied a regional evaluation would be done but owner was not contacted.
Connecting rod bearing failure
Owner reports engine knocking noise consistent with connecting rod bearing failure. Mechanics confirmed symptoms. Unrepaired at time of complaint.
When: Not explicitly stated; owner suspects it is related to broader engine defect affecting 2014 Odysseys
Symptoms owners cite: Loud engine knocking noise; Connecting rod failure
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner querying whether NHTSA should investigate.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Oil burning and excessive oil consumption
Engine burning oil excessively within first 2 years and 31,000 miles (new vehicle). Check engine light illuminated. Dealership told owner to monitor oil level and top off until diagnostic code appeared.
When: New vehicle; issue appeared within 2 years, at 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Visible oil burning; Excessive oil consumption requiring frequent top-offs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership monitoring protocol; no repair completed at time of complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership instructed owner to wait for diagnostic code to appear before performing full diagnostic.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Honda odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated while driving and the engine warning indicator illuminated, which meant that the fcw and ldw systems failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and who diagnosed that the spark plug needed to be replaced and the cylinder was leaking oil, which caused the spark plug failure. The vehicle was…
I just went to a professional auto mechanics and they have confirmed that my 2014 Honda Odessey engine has the same symtoms and noise of a connecting rod bearings failure. The engine is making a lot of engine knocking noise. and recently, the connecting rod has failed. The safety issue is that with a stall engine on freeway, it can cause serious accident. I have the car here. I wonder…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,500 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,500; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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/2014/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.