The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the connecting rod bearings. The vehicle was not repaired.…
2018 Honda Odyssey engine problems
moderate 121 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
121
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 121 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Honda Odyssey, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 121 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.
Among the 21 model years of Honda Odyssey in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Honda Odyssey has widespread engine reliability issues that Honda has not fully recalled despite known defects: connecting rod bearing failures causing catastrophic engine seizures (often beyond the narrow recall VIN range), high-pressure fuel pump premature failure, and troublesome Auto Start/Stop stalling. Expect potential $6,000–$12,000 engine replacement costs and safety risks from unexpected power loss, even with regular maintenance.
Owners of 2018 Honda Odysseys report recurring catastrophic engine failures, most commonly connecting rod bearing seizure or spun bearings causing sudden loss of power, loud metallic knocking, and complete engine failure requiring replacement. These failures occur as early as 70,000 miles and as late as 172,750 miles, often without warning. While Honda issued NHTSA Recall 23V-751 for certain VINs (narrowly defined by build date), many owners reporting identical symptoms and failures are excluded from the recall and denied assistance by Honda Corporate.
High-pressure fuel pump failures are reported frequently, particularly within 70,000–100,000 miles, sometimes immediately after the low-pressure fuel pump recall service. The Auto Start/Stop feature intermittently stalls the engine in traffic, leaving vehicles stranded at intersections and unable to restart for several seconds to over a minute, creating serious intersection and highway merge hazards. Owners cannot permanently disable the feature, which resets at each startup.
Additional failure modes include acceleration lag and abrupt surge (throttle hesitation requiring expensive dealer service not covered in Honda's maintenance schedule), fuel pump recall parts unavailability for months, and occasional post-recall stalling linked to ECU or sensor issues. Oil analysis showing metal debris, check engine lights, and loss of power steering/brakes during highway driving are common symptoms. Honda frequently denies Goodwill assistance, citing warranty limits or VIN exclusions from recalls, leaving owners responsible for $6,400–$12,000 engine replacements despite known manufacturing defects.
Same Honda Odyssey engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Connecting Rod Bearing Seizure/Spun Bearing
The connecting rod bearing fails, causing the rod to seize or spin. This results in catastrophic engine damage, often with the engine throwing a rod, seizing, or requiring complete replacement. Owners report loud metallic knocking or tapping noise from the engine, loss of power, stalling, and in several cases, engine smoke or fire risk.
When: Between 70,000–172,750 miles; most failures occur between 70,000–140,000 miles. Several instances reported without prior warning, though some owners heard ticking for weeks or months beforehand.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metallic or rod knock noise, tapping, or thumping sound from engine; Sudden loss of engine power or inability to accelerate; Check engine light flashing or illuminated; Engine stalling or seizing; Limp mode activation; Metal debris or filings in oil; Smoke from engine/exhaust; Engine failure requiring replacement
Codes mentioned: P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire), Connecting rod bearing failure confirmed by borescope, oil analysis, or internal inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required. Owners report costs ranging from $6,400 to $12,000 for new or used replacement engines. Many dealers offer partial goodwill discounts (e.g., Honda covering $4,000 of $14,000 repair, leaving owner to pay $10,000). Honda Corporate has denied coverage for most out-of-recall VINs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 23-097 (Connecting Rod Bearing) and Service Bulletin 24-003 address this issue. NHTSA Recall 23V-751 covers certain 2015–2020 Acura, 2016–2018 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018–2019 Odyssey vehicles, but only a narrow range of build dates (e.g., 4/9/2018–8/28/2018 for some Odysseys). Many complainants' VINs fall outside the recall range despite exhibiting identical symptoms. Honda Corporate has closed cases without assistance, stating the vehicle is out of warranty or not included in the recall.
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The high-pressure fuel pump fails prematurely, causing loud abnormal noise, rough running, loss of power, and drivability issues. In some cases, the failure occurs immediately after the low-pressure fuel pump recall repair, suggesting a possible service-related defect.
When: Reported between 70,000–100,000 miles, often shortly after fuel pump recall service or without prior warning.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud abnormal or squealing noise from high-pressure fuel pump; Rough idle and acceleration; Engine rumbling and vibration; Loss of power; Check engine light activation (in some cases); Failure to accelerate normally
Codes mentioned: DCA-8000 (reported by one dealer, but noted as non-standard fuel system code), No standard OBD code in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: High-pressure fuel pump replacement required. Owners report costs of $1,273–$1,942.78 at Honda dealerships. In one case, the failure occurred one day after the recall repair, but the dealer denied any connection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued a low-pressure fuel pump recall (23V858000 for Fuel System, Gasoline), but has not issued a recall for high-pressure pump failures. Honda Corporate has denied warranty coverage, stating the high-pressure pump failure is separate from the recall. Multiple owners report this is a widespread defect, but Honda refuses to acknowledge it.
Auto Start/Stop (Idle Stop) Stalling
The Auto Engine Idle Stop feature causes the engine to stall when the vehicle attempts to restart after being stopped. The engine shuts off during normal stop conditions but fails to restart when the driver releases the brake and applies the accelerator. This leaves the vehicle stranded in traffic with no immediate restart capability.
When: Reported from 99,000 miles onward; issues appear intermittent and random, sometimes occurring multiple times but not reproducible during dealer test drives.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while in Auto Idle Stop mode; Failure to restart when brake is released and accelerator applied; Vehicle stranded in traffic (at intersections, stop lights, merging situations); Multiple warning lights and alarms briefly illuminate/sound upon stall; Loss of power steering and brake assist (reported in one case at 75 mph); Collision warning system temporarily disabled; Stall duration from seconds to over a minute
Codes mentioned: Multiple warning codes reported, but not consistently identified; varies by incident
Repairs/costs cited: No repair available. Owners report dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose the issue. Some report system updates attempted without resolution. Workaround is to manually disable Auto Idle Stop before each drive, but the system resets automatically with each restart and cannot be permanently disabled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda states no service bulletin or known fix exists. Dealers have attempted system updates without success. One complaint noted the feature is enabled by default for EPA fuel economy reasons and cannot be permanently disabled. Honda has not issued a recall.
Cylinder Hydro-Lock and Injector Failure
Fuel injector fails (locked open or stuck), causing fuel to flood the cylinder. When the ECU shuts off the injector signal but the injector does not close properly (suspected debris in fuel system), the cylinder becomes hydro-locked. This causes piston rod breakage and catastrophic engine damage.
When: At 74,000 miles (one case); reported after TSB service to replace injectors.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel injector locked open or failing to close; Spark plug soaked with fuel from cylinder flooding; Engine ping noise and power loss; Steering wheel shaking; Limp mode activation; Multiple error codes on cylinders (codes cleared on 1 & 2 but not 3); Broken piston rod; Dead cylinder (no compression)
Codes mentioned: Fuel injector fault codes on cylinders 1, 2, and 3, No compression in affected cylinder
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required due to broken piston rod. Honda Dealership quoted $6,400 for replacement. Owner's private mechanic confirmed broken piston rod via borescope.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued TSB for fuel injector replacement, but this did not resolve the underlying hydro-lock issue. Honda Corporate closed the claim after one month at regional manager level with no assistance, stating the vehicle was beyond the 60,000-mile warranty. Owner escalated to small claims court.
Acceleration Lag and Abrupt Surge (Throttle Body Calibration)
Chronic intermittent acceleration lag occurs when the driver depresses the accelerator, causing the vehicle to remain stationary or respond very slowly. When power finally engages, it does so suddenly and abruptly, causing jerking and loss of control. The issue is progressive and worsens over time.
When: Reported starting several years before repair; severity progressed over time. One case reported at 68,957 miles; others report at various mileages.
Symptoms owners cite: Delay in acceleration response from a stop (red light, stop sign, merging); Vehicle remains stationary despite accelerator input; Abrupt and sudden acceleration surge when power finally engages; Jerking motion and loss of control risk; Increased collision risk when merging or crossing traffic; No check engine light or warning codes in some cases
Codes mentioned: No standard codes reported; issue diagnosed by throttle body and transmission behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaning and transmission 'teach-in' procedure recommended by dealers and owner forums. Cost approximately $500–$550 out of pocket. Procedures are not listed in Honda's factory maintenance schedule despite appearing necessary for this recurring drivability issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin issued. Honda's factory maintenance schedule does not include throttle body cleaning or transmission teach-in, despite these procedures being the commonly recommended fix among owner forums.
Engine Knocking/Rod Knock (Without Confirmed Bearing Failure)
Engine produces a loud metallic knocking sound resembling a rod knock or crankshaft/connecting rod problem. The sound is most noticeable at low RPM and on cold starts, and worsens with engine warmth. In some cases, the knock becomes severe during highway driving, causing limp mode and loss of power. However, internal inspection (borescope, oil analysis) was not always performed to confirm bearing failure.
When: Reported at various mileages from 115,000 miles onward; several cases show progressive worsening over weeks or months.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud metallic knocking sound, worst at low RPM or cold start; Knocking becomes severe and loud after engine warms up; Severity increases during highway acceleration; Check engine light flashing during severe episodes; Limp mode activation on highway; Unable to accelerate or climb inclines; Prevailing traffic risk (vehicles unable to maintain speed)
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (flashing in severe cases), No specific OBD codes confirmed by some independent shops
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in most of these cases. Independent shops recommended Honda Service Bulletin 23-097 but did not perform internal inspection. Owners referred to the bulletin and recall but were denied coverage based on VIN exclusion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 23-097 referenced, but vehicles are excluded from NHTSA Recall 23V-751 by VIN. Honda has refused to provide assistance or expand the recall despite independent shops confirming the knocking sounds consistent with connecting rod bearing issues.
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power (Post-Recall or Post-Service)
Vehicle stalls or loses power unexpectedly during driving, particularly after fuel pump recall service or system updates. Some cases involve an oil pressure sensor fault triggering catastrophic power loss and disabling all automatic safety systems.
When: Reported at various mileages; several cases occurred immediately after recall or recall-related service (e.g., two days after PGM-FI fuel pump recall update).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Engine stalling on interstate at highway speeds (65–75 mph); Loss of power steering and brakes; Reduction to three cylinders (from six); All automatic safety systems disabled; Check engine light and warning lights illuminated; Severe hesitation when starting from a stop; Abnormal fuel pump noise preceding stall
Codes mentioned: P2652 Rocker Arm Oil Pressure Switch B (Bank 1), Oil pressure sensor faults, Intermittent fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pressure sensor replaced at owner cost (no diagnosis charge in one case). Battery replacement attempted and performed in one case (under warranty). After repairs, power returned to normal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Honda performed a PGM-FI update for idle stop issues (recall-related), but the update appears to have triggered the oil pressure sensor fault. Dealer replaced the sensor but did not investigate root cause. No recall issued for the post-update sensor fault.
Catalytic Converter Failure (Secondary to Spark Plug Issue)
Front and rear catalytic converters fail, causing check engine light and emissions test failure. The failure is attributed by the owner to repeated spark plug issues (which Honda replaced under a known recall/extended warranty). The dealer confirmed the spark plug replacement but denied that it caused the catalytic converter failure.
When: Approximately six months after spark plug replacement; check engine light intermittent before spark plugs were replaced, then returned after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination (intermittent, then permanent); Check engine light repeatedly reset by dealer without diagnosis; Vehicle fails emissions test; Catalytic converter failure in both front and rear converters
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific code not provided in narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement cost $5,200. Owner brought vehicle in multiple times under warranty for check engine light issue before it remained on. Honda's Goodwill Assistance offered to cover only 20% of replacement cost, citing the vehicle exceeding 100,000 miles, despite the owner addressing the issue in-warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda issued a recall/extended warranty for spark plug replacement. Honda Goodwill program offered 20% coverage ($1,040), with owner responsible for $4,160. Honda refused to acknowledge that the spark plug replacement caused the catalytic converter failure.
Fuel Pump Recall Parts Unavailability
Fuel pump recall (23V858000) parts are unavailable for extended periods, leaving vehicles unsafe to drive. Owners are unable to complete the recall repair due to parts shortage, and Honda refuses to provide loaner vehicles or alternative solutions.
When: Reported from late 2023 onward; parts delays lasted months in some cases.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling or hesitation while driving; Engine cutting out; Check engine light illumination; Loud or abnormal fuel pump noise
Codes mentioned: Fuel system-related codes (specific codes not detailed in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible until parts arrive. One dealer quoted $600 for oil pan drop diagnostic if the recall issue could not be confirmed before repair. Owners report repeated delays and being told to return when parts are available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda recalls issued (23V858000), but parts distribution was severely delayed. Dealers informed owners that parts were 'not yet available' and advised waiting. Honda did not provide compensation, loaner vehicles, or expedited solutions. One case reported a claim closed with no resolution after extended wait.
Timing Belt Chirp (Idler Pulley Too Close to Crankshaft)
Timing belt makes a chirping noise due to contact with the crankshaft pulley. The service bulletin (16-054) indicates the idler pulley is positioned too close to the crankshaft pulley, causing the belt to contact the back edge of the crankshaft pulley. This is a known design flaw that will cause premature belt failure.
When: Reported on a 2018 model with less than 14,000 miles, indicating the defect is present from manufacture.
Symptoms owners cite: Chirping noise heard from within the cabin; Distraction to driver
Codes mentioned: No diagnostic codes; verified by dealer service via Honda Service Bulletin 16-054
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; no cost cited. Service bulletin identifies the problem but does not provide a repair solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda Service Bulletin 16-054 acknowledges the timing belt idler pulley is too close to the crankshaft pulley. No recall or repair procedure issued; problem noted as common and well-known to Honda.
Synthesized from 121 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Car has acceleration issues when making left turns, merging onto freeway, or passing cars on freeway. Transmission and blind spot light went on and we took car to Honda dealer. They could not find anything wrong, no codes were stored and they were not able to duplicate the issue. Scanned vehicle and unable to trace root cause. Updated TCM software which helped for about a month but acceleration…
There’s currently a recall on the 2018 2019 Honda odysseys. The recall is for the same as exact issue that I had with my 2018 Honda Odyssey there’s a problem with the connecting rod bearings recall campaign number 23V751000. I’m being told from Honda that my van does not fall into the production date range for the recall. I’m being told that any repairs I’m going to have to cover myself even…
The engine failed without prior indication. The dealer says the engine is destroyed and needs to be replaced. Once the engine stopped working the vehicle would not go into neutral and was immovable preventing the vehicle from being moved to a safe location. The dash had a message that said the engine must be running to shift to neutral but the engine was blown. The owners manual has no solution…
Around October 29th my vehicle developed a faint to loud noise within 24 hours. There was no engine light, no leaking of fluids and no other warning. As we drove the vehicle to a repair shop I could tell there was some hesitation or lack of normal power. The shop we took my vehicle too was not able to do any repair or diagnosis so it was towed to Honda of Olathe, then New Concept Auto and…
Manufacturing Engine damage/failure. Synthetic oil was used at all oil changes every 5K miles. However, after only 3K miles after last oil change the oil level was low and dirty. Engine light started flashing and failed to accelerate. Engine also started making a knocking noise.
Engine damage from connecting rod bearing wear. The dealer inspected the vehicle. The dealer confirmed that the damage was caused by a connecting rod bearing. The engine had to be replaced. I was told by the dealer that the VIN did not fall within the recall range. Therefore, I had to pay for the engine replacement myself. The engine damage was the same as the NHTSA ID Number: 23V751000 recall.
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Honda Odyssey?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 121 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 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 90,000 and 126,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 90,000; a quarter make it past 126,000. 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/2018/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.