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 ↗2016 Honda Odyssey engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Honda Odyssey have filed 76 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 85,000 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
76
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Odyssey | 24 |
| 2013 Odyssey | 56 |
| 2014 Odyssey | 39 |
| 2015 Odyssey | 29 |
| 2016 Odyssey (this page) | 76 |
| 2017 Odyssey | 6 |
| 2018 Odyssey | 122 |
| 2019 Odyssey | 64 |
| 2020 Odyssey | 26 |
When does it fail?
Of the 76 engine complaints filed for the 2016 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
Owners have filed 76 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.
Engine accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
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
The dominant complaint across these narratives is premature piston ring failure tied to Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system. Owners describe oil leaking past the rings into cylinders, fouling spark plugs and triggering engine misfires starting as early as 50k miles but more commonly between 80k–120k. Typical sequence: check engine light comes on (or flashes), accompanied by FCW and LDW system warnings; engine shakes, loses power, and stumbles during acceleration or highway merges. Oil-soaked spark plugs are consistently observed.
One owner lost power while stopped at a red light; another during highway acceleration at 70 mph, forcing emergency pullover. Multiple owners cite manual language warning that overheating or fire could occur—a safety concern that appears credible given oil accumulation in cylinders.
Repair costs run $3,000–$7,000 for piston ring or engine rebuild. Spark plug replacement alone ($100–500) is a temporary fix; the problem recurs within weeks or months. Owners also report buying aftermarket "VCM Muzzler" software to disable eco mode, treating Honda's design defect as a user problem.
Honda settled an identical defect in 2008–2013 Odysseys (Case 3:12-CV-1377-SI) with extended warranty coverage but refuses recall status for 2016 models. Dealers uniformly acknowledge the issue but deny warranty assistance or demand detailed documentation that invoices rarely provide. One reimbursement claim sat unprocessed for 24 weeks.
Same Honda Odyssey engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Piston Ring Deterioration & Oil Consumption
Piston rings fail prematurely, allowing oil to bypass into combustion chambers and accumulate on spark plugs. Occurs in conjunction with Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system, which deactivates cylinders during eco mode. Oil buildup fouls spark plugs and triggers misfires. Owners report oil-soaked plugs and cylinders filling with oil despite proper maintenance.
When: Typically 50k–120k miles; some as early as 52k, others at 100k+
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire (single or multiple cylinders); Flashing check engine light; Loss of engine power, rough idle, shuddering/vibration; Oil-fouled spark plugs visible upon inspection; Burning oil smell; Sluggish acceleration or inability to merge/accelerate on highway; Check engine light accompanied by FCW (Forward Collision Warning) and LDW (Lane Departure Warning) disabled messages; Engine rattling or knocking sounds
Codes mentioned: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P3400, P3497, P0848
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite spark plug replacement ($100–500 range for interim fix) followed by piston ring/cylinder head/engine block replacement. Full piston ring or engine rebuild costs reported at $3,000–$7,000. One owner paid $5,670.52 for ring/piston replacement at 135,946 miles. Honda dealerships quote $3,500–$6,000 for piston ring replacement; some refuse to guarantee repair will resolve issue permanently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued TSB 13-081 for earlier model years (2008–2013 Odysseys); class action lawsuit Case No. 3:12-CV-1377-SI resulted in extended 8-year/unlimited-mileage driveline warranty for 2008–2013 models settled in 2014. Honda has not issued recall for 2016 model year despite owner complaints and dealer acknowledgment of known defect. Owners report Honda claims insufficient VIN coverage and cite lack of detailed DTC documentation on repair invoices as reason to deny reimbursement requests. Honda states reimbursement requires both a qualifying DTC (P0301–P0304) and technician notes identifying root cause. Some owners approved for partial goodwill assistance (e.g., 50% cost share); others denied entirely. One owner reported reimbursement claim submitted 09/01/2025, confirmed complete 09/24/2025, but no payment received as of 03/13/2026 after 24 weeks despite three follow-up calls.
Unexpected Engine Surge or Unintended Acceleration at Idle/Stop
Engine RPMs spike or vehicle lurches forward despite driver's foot on brake pedal while at traffic light or coming to a stop. Engine races and accelerates despite brake application. Dealership attributes to driver error; no mechanical fault found upon inspection. Floor mats confirmed to not be the cause.
When: While braking at traffic lights or during downhill deceleration; isolated occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM surge while braking; Vehicle lurches or accelerates forward despite brake pedal pressed; Engine roaring sound; No warning lights illuminated prior to event
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed floor mat check; Honda engineer inspected vehicle and found no mechanical defect. No repairs made.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denied mechanical fault and attributed to driver error (e.g., both feet on pedals). Honda engineer found no defect.
Engine Rod Bearing Failure (Low-End Rod Nut Failure)
Low-end rod nut failed, requiring complete engine replacement. Reported once at 110k miles; appears unrelated to piston ring/VCM issue but contemporaneous with other engine failures in cluster.
When: 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine rattling sounds; No warning light prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; repair cost not specified. Owner believed failure related to NHTSA Campaign 23V751000 but VIN not included in recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle VIN not covered by recall 23V751000.
Ignition Coil Failure (Secondary to Spark Plug Fouling)
Ignition coils fail or are destroyed, typically due to oil-fouled spark plugs from piston ring deterioration. Coil on piston 3 destroyed in one case; coils replaced alongside spark plugs in others.
When: Concurrent with spark plug fouling; mileage varies (60k–120k+)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Engine misfire; Rough running
Repairs/costs cited: Coils and spark plugs replaced; cost typically bundled with spark plug service ($150–500). One owner replaced coils and all spark plugs; another found coil on cylinder 3 destroyed.
Recurring Spark Plug Failure and Fouling
Spark plugs become oil-fouled and require repeated replacement within months of prior replacement. One owner replaced plugs twice within weeks; another replaced them three times in 2023. Root cause is oil intrusion from failing piston rings, but dealers sometimes treat only the symptom (plug replacement) without addressing underlying piston ring defect.
When: Typically recurs 3–12 months after initial spark plug replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (often flashing); Engine misfire and rough running; Loss of power; Oil-soaked spark plugs visible upon removal
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced multiple times ($150–500 per visit). One owner replaced plugs twice in 2022–2023 and underwent piston ring replacement for $5,000+ in 2024 only to face recurrence.
Synthesized from 76 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
While driving the engine started to run rough and the vehicle started to decelerate. The check engine light and the traction control light came on. I let up on the gas pedal, the van continued to run rough. I made it home and the next day took the van to a mechanic, he told me that he observed oil fouling on the #3 spark plug, consistent with worn piston rings. The van is a 2016 Honda Odyssey…
Connecting rod failure. This could have been a serious issue as it happened on the highway. I was in the middle lane when it locked up. Luckily I was able to safely get to the shoulder. There was no warning before it happened. ( No engine light, no noises at all). This has been inspected by my local Honda dealer and confirmed.
I have had the same issue now twice with my vehicle. The first repair was done in 2020 and covered by Honda under warranty. They repaired Cylinder Block-Piston Rings misfiring. It was I believe about a $3,500 repair when covered under warranty. I now have the same thing happening again. I took it in to Honda for diagnostic test and and i have the need for immediate attention to repair-end of…
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was later informed that the piston ring on cylinder #3 was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
My wife experienced a sudden loss of power and a very rough running engine at interstate speeds. The check engine light as well as the FSW lights indicated problems with the engine. We brought the vehicle into a Honda dealership for diagnosis. The technician observed an oil soaked spark plug in the #3 cylinder which caused the issue. There were no lights associated with the issue until the…
The engine misfired which caused the vehicle to lose power in traffic endangering the people in my vehicle and in the other vehicles on the road around me. The check engine light began flashing and I had the vehicle towed to the dealership to be inspected. Upon inspection I was informed by the dealership that this was a known problem in Honda Odysseys and that the VCM system causes the piston…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 76 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 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 68,000 and 99,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 68,000; a quarter make it past 99,000. 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/2016/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.