2005 Honda Odyssey Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the power sliding doors and other body hardware, with doors that bind, unlatch, or come off their tracks or hinges. Steering that becomes heavy at low speed, transmission shudder, and engine mounts are also frequent subjects. Many of these complaints arrive between roughly 50,000 and 150,000 miles, and several reports concern parts covered by a recall on vehicles whose VIN was not included.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Power sliding door binding, unlatching or coming off its

   • 109 complaints (13%)
   • median 99,861 mi at 8.1 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners describe sliding doors that will not open or close from the dash switch, key fob, pillar button or handles, sometimes reopening when they try to shut them. Others report the door coming unlatched while driving, the ajar warning showing on the dash, or the door dropping off its track or hinge and hanging by the cable. Dealers are described as cleaning sensors or replacing fuses without lasting effect, and several owners say they were told the vehicle was not covered by a related campaign. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 55,000 to over 200,000 miles, and often described as getting worse over months or years.

   Recall 10V0550007 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate both sliding doors several times using every switch and handle, and watch for slow travel, popping sounds, or a door that does not sit flush. Ask whether door rollers, cables or latches have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The door was not opeining properly so I whent to open manually anthe heavy door came off the van scrached the hell out of my van and hurt me trying to hold it as not to scrach the van I was alone and there was no one to help me this is very dangerious and ive read it happens often I can no longer use the door as it keeps happining”

   NHTSA complaint #11360665, filed 2020-09, 100,000 miles

   “This is the second time this has happened. My drivers side passenger sliding door fell off and was hanging by the cable used to shut it. Thank god it happened to me on both occasions as the door is very heavy. I have seen other people stating the same thing has happened to them. I am following the advice of one said person to get something done about this dangerous defect. The vehicle was stationary in a parking lot”

   NHTSA complaint #11337465, filed 2020-07, 181,643 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder and torque converter wear

   • 95 complaints (11%)
   • median 81,235 mi at 6.3 yrs old (87 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,200 (median of 19 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2023

   Owners describe a rumble-strip-type vibration or shuddering at around 25 to 45 mph under light acceleration, especially on an incline or in a higher gear. Some report the dealer replaced the torque converter and that the vibration returned later, and others were told the transmission needed replacement. A few mention fluid blowing out and sudden loss of power after the fluid got hot. Usually reported between about 40,000 and 180,000 miles, often starting intermittently and becoming more frequent.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test at steady 40-45 mph on a slight incline and feel for shuddering; check transmission fluid condition and ask for service records. A bulletin describes a software update intended to reduce torque converter clutch judder.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission fluid blew out and had gave me no power . Smells but have rinsed/flushed the lines and tranny through already,plus installed a new transmission cooler radiator no issues and drove awhile then go drive around some more alll good then I go up a hill and boom and it still is happening. We have looked it over cant figure it out. Help please”

   NHTSA complaint #11399581, filed 2021-03, 182,000 miles

   “This is a new car purchased and serviced by the dealer from the date of delivery (12/28/04). The Honda service dept did not discover the transmission problems until it malfunctioned. This is very unusual. I have all the service documents to prove it. The Honda service department would like me to replace the transmission at my own expense. Their negligence caused this auto transmission failure. The consumer stated a malfunction indicator light illuminated on the dashboard. The dealer stated it was a wiring problem and fixed it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10474701, filed 2012-09, 123,593 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Heavy steering at low speed, especially in parking lots

   • 73 complaints (9%)
   • median 50,050 mi at 5.2 yrs old (62 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners report the steering becoming very heavy at low speeds, particularly when parking or turning sharply, and sometimes after a longer drive. Some describe the effort returning to normal after the van cools, while others say replacing the power steering pump or a line did not solve it. Complaints often mention that the dealer could not reproduce the condition. Mostly reported between roughly 20,000 and 130,000 miles, often during low-speed maneuvering after a longer drive.

   Recall 05V0390001 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a highway drive, try tight low-speed turns in a lot and feel for effort that rises sharply. A service bulletin describes a software update for hard steering at low speed; ask whether it was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After approximately a one hour drive on the interstate, the steering got very heavy in the outlet store parking lot. My wife narrowly missed a row of cars at low speed (<5mph) as she pulled in, since she could not turn the wheel as the steering got extremely heavy. Afterward, I tried some low speed manuevers and noticed extremely heavy steering. After it cooled off in a few hours, the steering seemed to be more normal. Note this steering pump was changed about 1.5yrs ago since it was making alot of noise and vibrating.”

   NHTSA complaint #10318303, filed 2010-03, 22,200 miles

   “2005 Honda Odyssey ex-l - around 50k miles, the power steering was intermittently hard, especially in parking lots. Very little assist. Around 64k, our mechanic purged the p/s pump of fluid and the problem remained. Mechanic replaced our p/s pump which seemed to work initially, but perhaps because the issue was intermittent. Problem returned. We now have 104k on the car and live with the issue of hard steering, especially when parking. Hard steering means that I need to use both hands to turn the wheel in the parking lot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10373516, filed 2010-12, 50,100 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine mounts cracking or separating

   • 90 complaints (11%)
   • median 94,896 mi at 7.8 yrs old (83 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 24 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners report vibration that leads to a diagnosis of broken or cracked front and rear engine mounts, sometimes at relatively low mileage and again after replacement. Several say the dealer described it as common wear from normal driving, and one complaint notes the mounts were replaced twice within a few years. Repair quotes mentioned in complaints range widely. Reported from roughly 44,000 to 148,000 miles, sometimes recurring within a few years of replacement.

   What to check: Feel for vibration at idle and during reverse-to-drive shifts, and ask whether the mounts have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Front and rear engine mounts are cracked. Dealer quoted me $1200 to fix. Outside car repair said about $900 but I can still drive it and it would not be considered dangerous. The problem is the Honda engine mount is double the price of other engine mounts and we cannot substitute with generic engine mounts! I even had my brother who is a part-time mechanic in another state check if he can get better prices for the Honda part ... But nope. Of course if Honda does a re-call it would cost them $$$. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10485241, filed 2012-11, 95,000 miles

   “I've this Honda Odyssey since dec 2010 when the mileage was around 42000 miles. At the time of purchase from another person(1st owner), I knew I had to fix the all the motor mounts. The vehicle had just 44000 miles and I had changed all the motor mounts at 45412 miles on 03/17/2011. Now, as of 05/19/2015, the vehicle has only 96000 miles. I have to change side and rear engine mounts again on 05/19/2015. This definitely is a problem with Honda parts and how they are working when the van is in motion. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10717307, filed 2015-05, 96,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Fuel smell or leak from the fuel pump area

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a strong fuel smell near the rear of the van or around the rear passenger tire, and in some cases fuel spray from a cracked fuel filter unit or a split at the top of the tank. Repairs described include the fuel filter, pump wire harness, sending unit and seals. Some owners question why their vehicle was not included in a fuel pump recall for the same model. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 200,000 miles, typically noticed at startup or while parked.

   Recall 14V112000Recall 07V097000Recall 05V1320002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Smell around the rear wheel area after the van has sat, and check whether the fuel pump module recall was performed for the VIN. Fuel pump module leaks were the subject of a recall and related dealer bulletin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought this van and it had a simple problem that we fixed.. It still wouldn't stay running.. I dead on the interstate 3 times.. I dead on a main hwy 5 times.. Had to leave the van in a parking lot 5 times.. Ive had to have it towed to the house bc we cant get it to stay running 3 tims....I believe its one of the recall sincerer .. Maybe.. Or mayb the fuel pump.. But I would love to have what needs to be.. Replaced so I can enjoy my van again...”

   NHTSA complaint #11341839, filed 2020-07, 150,000 miles

   “Subaru/Honda dealership refused to acknowledge secondary safety recall for fuel pump module, possible fire and explosion. ($710.31 repair estimate) dealership inspection showed additional safety issues/repairs needed to steering and axles that exceeded $6,000.00 in repairs. Vehicle purchased and sold with no concern for safety or dependability. All trust violated, we can not trust this dealership with repair or service of our vehicles. Dealership refused to acknowledge even after investigation by the ohio attorney general. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315559, filed 2020-03, 203,144 miles

Buying note. Inspect the power sliding doors thoroughly and confirm which recalls have actually been completed for the specific VIN, since several complaints describe symptoms matching recalls the vehicle was not included in. A test drive that includes low-speed turns, a steady 40-45 mph cruise and a cold start can surface the steering, transmission and fuel smell concerns owners report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.