Research · Minivan - 2WD

2020 Honda OdysseyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 492 owner complaints for the 2020 Honda Odyssey. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (187) and electrical system (173). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
14campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
492
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may enter into the rearview camera, which can cause the rearview camera image to fail to display when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Jul 2, 2026NHTSA 26V423000

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 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

492 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance187
  2. Electrical system173
  3. Lane departure128
  4. Engine71
  5. Structure32
  6. Fuel/propulsion system24
  7. Back over prevention23
  8. Service brakes21
  9. Air bags20

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
20
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

187 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the driveway, the automatic braking system, adaptive cruise control, auto hi-beams, and Lane Keep Assist warning lights illuminated, followed by a beeping sound, and the systems became inoperable. In addition, the multi-point camera was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an internal failure of the multi-point camera was diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11774422

Electrical system

173 reports
“My 2020 Honda Odyssey EX-L intermittently fails to restart after the Auto Idle Stop feature shuts the engine off at a red light or stop. This has happened probably 10 times in the past 6 months. In order to start the engine, I must recognize that the engine isn't starting, turn off the vehicle, and turn it back on, often 2-3 times before it actually starts. This leaves the vehicle stopped in a traffic lane at an intersection with traffic trying to pass, which creates a risk of rear-end collision or cars trying to pass me. Cars have gotten into near misses trying to pass me while my vehicle is inoperable. I have no warning lamps or messages before it happens. History: The dealer performed Honda’s idle-stop software update (service bulletin 23-008) in November 2024 at about 63,100 miles. The problem continues. The battery was replaced in December 2022, and the dealer’s October 2026 inspection rated the battery “Good.” (as did a second independent auto shop). At 93,331 miles in October 2026 the dealer documented the complaint, charged a diagnosis fee, and recommended replacing the starter motor at a cost of $954.53 plus a diagnostic fee of $184.95. I contacted…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11773287

Lane departure

128 reports
“Over the course of 3 days, cruise control and lane assist systems would shut off and messages would display about adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and collision avoidance system not working. Sometimes a transmission problem message would also become active. Sometimes the messages would be present at startup but other times the systems would show up green on the display and then the systems would shut off while driving causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down in highway traffic. The root issue seems to be a broken or malfunctioning multipurpose camera for the driver assist system. The camera has not been replaced yet to verify but related codes are active based on a code scanner and symptoms match what is expected for the camera failure. The vehicle is 6 years old with 99,400 miles at the first occurrence of the issue and does not have any windshield damage or signs of water leaking that would contribute to a failure. My primary concern is that the software completely disables cruise control when the camera for adaptive cruise and lane keep assist fails causing the vehicle to suddenly slow down rather than allow normal cruise…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11773838
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 10-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 3, 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 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,900394
  • Odyssey
    Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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
13.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14486
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

2020 Odyssey questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Honda Odyssey have?

14 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2020 Honda Odyssey problems?

Owners filed 492 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (187), electrical system (173), lane departure (128). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Honda Odyssey get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Honda Odyssey at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2020 Honda Odyssey?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Honda Odyssey 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026