Problems · by component

2018 Honda Odyssey electrical system problems

263 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Honda Odyssey cite electrical system, 26% of all 1,012 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
263
26% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“It started back in July 2026; I had a warning pop up that some functions aren’t available and to clean front windshield camera. We did. Still received the warning. Sometimes it’s there and sometimes it’s not. I can go down the highway and it will come up and then a few miles later it’ll turn off and the functions work. Even driving around town it does it. I have noticed there are a lot of drivers of the 2018 models having this same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11772836
“On October 14/15, 2026 it rained. At approximately 12:25pm on October 15, 2026 my power lift gate stopped working. It wouldn’t open with any of the controls. Upon further inspection we noticed the control module had water damage. We replaced the module on October 21,2026. It is still having issues. It opens with the controls but won’t close using the same controls. You have to manually close it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11772840
“In XXX, the power tailgate on my 2018 Honda Odyssey stopped working. I took the vehicle to authorized Honda dealer Fred Beans Honda of [XXX]. The technician documented in writing on repair order #XXX (XXX): "There is water leaking onto the power tailgate control unit. Technician found the water leak going into from the back of roof on the left side. Needs a new power tailgate control unit." Water entered through the rear body seam seals and dripped onto the power tailgate control module (P/N 74970-THR-A12). The removed module showed severe blue-green corrosion -- it does not fail on its own at 31,500 miles. Safety concern: A tailgate whose control module is destroyed by water intrusion cannot be relied on to latch or stay closed; an unlatched or unexpectedly opening tailgate while driving endangers occupants and surrounding traffic. Known defect, not isolated failure: Honda issued a TSB on rear body seam-seal water intrusion on 2018-2019 Odysseys; federal class action Case No.XXX (XXX.) covers 2018-2021 Odysseys with defective polyurethane seam seals destroying the power tailgate control module; numerous owner reports in the NHTSA database describe identical…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Electrical system, StructureODI 11772553
“I own a 2018 Honda Odyssey Touring. On May 29, 2026, I started the engine on my Odyssey and several dashboard system warnings appeared. The internet suggested having the battery tested and it was getting low, so I replaced the battery. The warning signs remained and caused several Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistance systems to become unavailable, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Road Departure Mitigation, and Auto High Beams. Additionally, a Brake System warning appears on the dashboard. I have video recording of these warnings from when they first appeared in May. On September 2, 2026, the lights disappeared out of nowhere and all components worked. Later that same date, the lights were back and the components stopped working again. This happened again on October 13, 2026 - lights went off, then returned later in the day. The recurrent temporary reprieve from the lights makes me wonder if there is an electrical short in the rearview camera that controls those safety features. The diagnostics cost of this alone was going to be nearly $200. As numerous other similar…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11771387
“Front radar/camera failure.All yellow ADAS warning lights turn on simultaneously (Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, and Road Departure Mitigation). Problem has been confirmed by dealer. Safety is at risk by not having this crash prevention features on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11771063
“1. Component failed: The low-pressure fuel pump failed. The vehicle is currently sitting at my residence and is available for inspection upon request.2. Safety risk: The vehicle stalled completely while driving, causing an immediate loss of propulsion on a public road, creating a severe collision risk.3. Confirmation: The problem has been pulled and confirmed by an independent service center (AutoZone diagnostic scan tool), which pulled a code to replace the fuel pump.4. Inspection: The component has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives, as the manufacturer is currently refusing to authorize an inspection due to a salvage title.5. Warning lamps/Symptoms: Immediately prior to the stall, a complete cascade of warning lights appeared on the dashboard simultaneously, and the vehicle sputtered aggressively upon attempting to crank and restart.Assessment: This is the identical, textbook physical failure condition of NHTSA Campaign 23V-858 regarding defective factory-installed Denso fuel pumps in 2018 Honda Odysseys. American Honda Corporate is using an automated salvage title database filter as a pretext to deny mandatory…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11764328

Showing 6 of 263 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. The wire harness for the third row seat accessory power outlet may get pinched between the unibody and rear trim panel, possibly damaging the wires and causing an electrical short.

Electrical systemReported Feb 6, 2020NHTSA 20V066000
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.