Honda Odyssey transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
402 of the 3,662 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda Odyssey 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (165), 2019 (127), 2016 (38). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Honda Odyssey transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 36 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 15 | 14% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 14 | 10% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 127 | 13% | 8k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 165 | 17% | 30k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2017 | 7 | 18% | — | 13 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 38 | 14% | 28k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 30 · 2020: 23 · 2021: 37 · 2022: 40 · 2023: 48 · 2024: 58 · 2025: 60 · 2026: 86
Across the model years, half of the 109 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 6,000 and 41,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Tried to pull out of parking lot across 2 busy lanes to make my turn and car went into idle while driving, hit the gas pedal since cars were coming at high speed at me and it woke up.
While driving on a 50 MPH, two lane road, the vehicle abruptly shifted into neutral autonomously after experiencing a transmission failure and prohibited the driver from retaking control of the vehicle. With no power available, the driver was ultimately forced to coast to a stop on the shoulder of the road.
The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the gear shifted into park, there was a shrieking noise, and the vehicle stopped without warning. The contact called an unknown Honda dealer in deland, florida and was informed that the general manager would call back. The contact was not called back.
Iwas driving about 10 MPH coming out of a parking garage when the vehicle suddenly shifted itself into park and came to an abrupt stop. Myself as well as my passengers where thrown forward by the suddenness of the stop. If this had happened on the highway or in heavy traffic it could have been catastrophic
After puchasing my car, the transmission started slipping on a regular basis. Between 5-40 MPH it's like the car doesn't know how to shift gears automatically and jolts every additional 5mph or so. Seems very unstable. It has been a problem since about 28k miles. We're at 51k and it still does it every time we drive.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 19V299000 HighApr 12, 2019 · 50,504 vehicles
- 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.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Jun 4, 2025
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and sets DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.
- Jun 4, 2025
- Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and sets DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Honda Odyssey
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Honda Odyssey problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Honda Odyssey years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 165; 2019, 127; 2016, 38. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (18%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Honda Odyssey?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 19V299000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Honda Odyssey?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 20,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 41,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.