2018 Honda Odyssey Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 260 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2018 Honda Odyssey, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 13,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “control module” (12% of reports).
- 260electrical system complaints
- 13,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,350typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Control module: mentioned in 31 of 260 complaints (12%)
- Power tailgate: mentioned in 30 of 260 complaints (12%)
- Adaptive cruise: mentioned in 17 of 260 complaints (7%)
- Road departure: mentioned in 13 of 260 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical electrical system repair on the 2018 Honda Odyssey at $2,350, and half of them between $1,100 and $6,450.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2018–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 74 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 260 complaints, 1 a fire, 3 an injury.
Honda Odyssey electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Odyssey | 16 | 33% | 10,503 |
| 2025 Odyssey | 220 | 52% | 16,000 |
| 2024 Odyssey | 53 | 45% | 30,000 |
| 2023 Odyssey | 30 | 29% | — |
| 2022 Odyssey | 37 | 27% | 40,000 |
| 2021 Odyssey | 55 | 38% | 33,050 |
| 2020 Odyssey | 172 | 36% | 4,750 |
| 2019 Odyssey | 223 | 23% | 11,244 |
| 2018 Odyssey | 260 | 26% | 13,000 |
| 2017 Odyssey | 6 | 15% | 85,000 |
| 2016 Odyssey | 39 | 14% | 22,350 |
| 2015 Odyssey | 28 | 14% | 56,500 |
| 2014 Odyssey | 31 | 10% | 12,950 |
| 2013 Odyssey | 15 | 7% | 35,500 |
| 2012 Odyssey | 37 | 15% | 66,650 |
| 2011 Odyssey | 66 | 28% | 2,200 |
| 2010 Odyssey | 31 | 12% | 70,000 |
| 2009 Odyssey | 20 | 10% | 67,000 |
| 2008 Odyssey | 33 | 7% | 99,500 |
| 2007 Odyssey | 63 | 8% | 104,000 |
| 2006 Odyssey | 44 | 6% | 85,500 |
| 2005 Odyssey | 54 | 7% | 108,000 |
| 2004 Odyssey | 53 | 9% | 108,000 |
| 2003 Odyssey | 81 | 9% | 122,000 |
| 2002 Odyssey | 35 | 4% | 99,300 |
| 2001 Odyssey | 23 | 4% | 94,000 |
| 2000 Odyssey | 38 | 6% | 108,734 |
| 1999 Odyssey | 110 | 21% | 125,000 |
| 1998 Odyssey | 34 | 47% | 164,000 |
| 1997 Odyssey | 9 | 45% | 119,000 |
| 1996 Odyssey | 17 | 24% | 145,000 |
| 1995 Odyssey | 25 | 26% | 128,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera; electrical system:software
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot vehicles. Incorrect instrument panel control module software can cause the instrument panel to not display critical information, such as engine oil pressure, speedometer, and gear selector position until the next ignition cycle. Additionally, it can prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: Operating a vehicle without a functioning instrument panel or rearview camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel control module software, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T89.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: 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.
Risk: An intermittent electrical short could overheat the wire harness, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row seat accessory power outlet wire harness for damage, replacing it as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and re-route the harness. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is T6U.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery; power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles. Loose battery terminal connections or a degraded battery may cause the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) to unexpectedly reboot. Upon rebooting, the TCU may shift the transmission to the "Park" position, possibly damaging the parking rod.
Risk: A damaged parking rod can allow the vehicle to roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will ensure the battery terminal connections are secure and will update the TCU software, free of charge. Additionally, the parking rod effectiveness will be checked. The recall began May 31, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Z4J, Y4K.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Honda Odysseys have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 260 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2018 Honda Odyssey (26% of the 1,004 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Honda Odyssey electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 13,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix electrical system problems on the 2018 Honda Odyssey?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,350 (half paid between $1,100 and $6,450), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2018 Honda Odyssey?
The most frequent phrase is “control module”, in 31 of 260 complaints, followed by “power tailgate” (30).
Other 2018 Honda Odyssey problems
See all 2018 Honda Odyssey problems or electrical system problems across all Odyssey years.