Problems · by component

2018 Honda Odyssey air bags problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Odyssey cite air bags, 3% of all 1,012 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
26
3% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Subject: Airbag Deployment After Recall Repair - 2018 Honda Odyssey My 2018 Honda Odyssey received the Honda airbag recall repair in XXX. After the recall remedy was completed, the driver's side by side curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly while I was driving. At the time of the incident, I struck a curb at approximately 25-30 mph. However, there was no collision involving another vehicle, object, or side-impact event, and there was no contact with the vehicle's bumper or body. The tire was not damaged. Fortunately, I was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no children were present. Despite the absence of what I believe would be a qualifying side-impact collision, the driver's side curtain and side airbags deployed. I am reporting this incident because it occurred after the manufacturer's recall repair had already been performed. I will also provide the inspection report from Firestone, which indicates that the front passenger-side wheel alignment was affected as a result of the curb impact. I respectfully request that Honda investigate this incident, review any available SRS (airbag system) diagnostic data, and determine whether the airbag deployment was…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Air bagsODI 11771174
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole and the driver's- and passenger's-side curtain airbags deployed. The air bags deployment frightened the contact’s wife, and the steering wheel was jerked, and the vehicle crashed into the concrete median. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire was flat. The contact removed the deployed side curtain air bags and replaced the driver's side front wheel. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the recall notification was received the day after the failure had occurred. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the case was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11762174
“COMPONENT THAT FAILED & AVAILABILITY: The vehicle's primary electrical architecture and data communications network (CAN bus) failed during a safety recall service for the SRS ECU and rearview camera. After attempting to complete the recall work, the vehicle is no longer able to start. SAFETY RISK: The manufacturer's federally mandated safety recall remedy compromised the vehicle's critical safety and control infrastructure. This rendered a previously reliable family vehicle entirely inoperable, destroying its ability to communicate, start, or turn on. It poses a systemic safety risk if the corporate recall procedure itself causes severe electronic failures in consumer vehicles. REPRODUCTION & DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. The failure was induced directly by Williams Honda ([XXX]) during service on Thursday, XXX. The dealership's Service Manager explicitly confirmed to me that their technicians compromised the electrical architecture while performing the SRS ECU and rearview camera recall work. The vehicle has remained dead at their facility ever since. INSPECTION BY OTHERS: The vehicle has been actively inspected by dealership technicians in coordination with…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11760347
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH over a pothole in the roadway, the passenger’s side air bags deployed unintendedly. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the failure reoccurred because the vehicle was not taken in for the reprogramming stated in the recall remedy. The manufacturer informed the contact that the air bag replacement was not covered under the recall. The contact had not received the recall notification before the failure. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 120,657.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Air bagsODI 11744399
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle hit a pothole, and an unknown airbag unexpectedly deployed. The contact stated there was no injury sustained. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2026Air bagsODI 11743685
“The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 mph, the rear passenger side airbags unexpectedly deployed deployed without any impact. The vehicle warning that a collision occurred illuminated after the airbag deployed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2026Air bagsODI 11741373

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.

Air bagsReported Apr 10, 2026NHTSA 26V227000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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