Research · Minivan - 2WD

2013 Honda OdysseyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 210 owner complaints for the 2013 Honda Odyssey. Most complaints involve engine (69) and service brakes (55). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
210
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Seats: mid

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking.

SeatsReported Nov 17, 2017NHTSA 17V725000

Seats: mid

Remedy pending

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2010, to October 1, 2015. The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly.

SeatsReported Dec 27, 2016NHTSA 16V933000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

210 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2013 – Jul 2026
  1. Engine69
  2. Service brakes55
  3. Structure20
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Air bags14
  6. Power train14
  7. Steering14
  8. Vehicle speed control12
  9. Seats9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Odyssey model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199677
199727
199873
1999528
2000685
2001629
2002972
2003940
2004585
2005829
2006703
2007830
2008499
2009198
2010255
2011235
2012245
2013210
2014310
2015207
2016271
201739
20181,012
2019998
2020492
2021147
2022142
2023105
2024126
2025447
202663
20271
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

69 reports1 crash3 fires
“The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started driving abnormally rough. Additionally, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with oil-fouled spark plugs. The contact was informed that the piston rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under the Technical Service Bulletin: 13-081 but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed that a goodwill discount of 60 percent was provided towards the cost of the repair. The contact referenced an unknown Technical Service Bulletin; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was denied the request for reimbursement for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 87,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026EngineODI 11751485

Service brakes

55 reports3 crashes
“We have taken our 2013 Honda Odyssey several times to the shop because the brakes don’t feel safe. They seem to work fine but the brakes pedal is spongy. Keeping the brake pedal slightly pressed with the engine running, the pedal continues to sink almost to the floor. So far we have spent over $1000 for a new brake booster, new master cylinder, brake fluid flush and brake bleeding. The shop bled the brakes several times, manual and computer bleeding but the brakes are still spongy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2025Service brakesODI 11634622

Structure

20 reports1 fire
“Honda Odessey 2013Driving down a highway at 55mph when we heard a loud backfire. Engine light came on, car shook violently. We immediately pulled into a gas station where a mechanic was present. Mechanic scanned for codes and codes p0302 and P0303 came up. The cylinders had rotated and aligned fouling the spark plugs. and damaging the coil. Had we continued to drive we would have ruined the engine. He changed the coil and spark plugs but noted that the oil consumption was extremely high since last change due to the VCM issue. The Honda Service Bulletin 13-081 revealed the VCM system poses risk of ruining the engine. When I returned home, I inquired what could be done to fix it. The local dealership said purchase a new engine and spark plugs. The warranty fix for this ended in 2021 and I did not buy the car until 2022. The same faulty system has been on the Odessey since 2011 and continues to be installed as of this date 2024. This issue along with the peeling paint coming off in large sheets from the roof and rear door make this car a complete failure and safety hazard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2024Structure, EngineODI 11566104
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Odyssey
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Odyssey
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050425
  • Odyssey
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Odyssey
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Honda Odyssey VAN FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
12.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 7255
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Odyssey questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Honda Odyssey have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Honda Odyssey problems?

Owners filed 210 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (69), service brakes (55), structure (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Honda Odyssey get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Honda Odyssey at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Honda Odyssey?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Honda Odyssey 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026