YearToAvoid

2005 Honda Odyssey Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2005 Honda Odyssey has a complaint index of 65, ranks 8th worst of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 830 complaints, 8 recalls, and its top problem area is the Engine at 21% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
65/100
#8 of 21 Odyssey years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
830
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
19
reported in complaints
Fires
9
Injuries
32
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17 city / 24.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
32 / 0

Top 2005 Honda Odyssey problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine172 (21%)
  2. Structure & Body160 (19%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain106 (13%)
  4. Steering99 (12%)
  5. Airbags90 (11%)
  6. Brakes86 (10%)
  7. Other86 (10%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires64 (8%)
  9. Electrical System62 (7%)
  10. Fuel System41 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Unexpected rollaway while parked or idling, with the vehicle in park and no brake applied, sometimes striking objects or people nearby.
  • Engine compartment fires reported after the vehicle was shut off, with smoke turning to flames under the hood within a short time.
  • Loss of steering control at highway speed, tied to the steering column assembly recall, leading some drivers into ditches.
  • Sudden loss of braking and steering together while driving downhill, described by one owner as a mechanical failure.
  • Brake pedal sinking to the floor with reduced stopping power, resulting in a low-speed collision.
  • Electrical fires linked to smoke coming from air vents, unrelated to normal radiator temperature readings.
2005 Honda Odyssey complaints: complaints filed per quarter292005 Q12007 Q32010 Q12012 Q32015 Q12017 Q32020 Q12023 Q2
830 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q1 to 2024 Q2; peak 2010 Q1 (29).

2005 Honda Odyssey recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V112000Mar 14, 2014Fuel System886,815 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 23, 2004, through September 4, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Parts to permanently repair the affected vehicles are not currently available. Honda will notify owners with an interim letter during May 2014. A second notice was mailed to owners October 6, 2014 when the remedy became available. Any vehicles that are currently leaking from the fuel pump cover will get a replacement, original cover. All vehicles, including those receiving the interim repair, will get an improved cover when they are available. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. The recall numbers associated with this campaign are JD9 (inspection and/or preliminary part replacement) and JE0 (final parts replacement).

  2. NHTSA 10V504000Oct 22, 2010Brakes471,820 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 odyssey and acura rl vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.

    Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during december 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.

  3. NHTSA 10V055000Feb 23, 2010Structure & Body21,776 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 odyssey touring vehicles equipped with power operated rear liftgate. The power liftgate gas struts may deteriorate unexpectedly early. Struts that have worn out prematurely may fail to hold the power liftgate in the fully open position, causing the power liftgate to close unexpectedly.

    Risk: Injury may result from a power liftgate closing unexpectedly when a person is within the closing path of the liftgate.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the gas liftgate struts and replace if within the recall population. This service will be performed free of charge. The campaign began on march 26, 2010. Owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

See all 8 recalls for the 2005 Honda Odyssey →

2005 Honda Odyssey fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2005 compared with other Odyssey years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution65830819.5
2006Caution70703319.5
2007Avoid85830418.5

All Honda Odyssey years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2005 Odyssey a complaint index of 65 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst out of 21 model years for this model. It has 830 complaints and 8 recalls, with the Engine being the top problem area.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
Owner complaints center on the Engine (21% of complaints), Structure & Body (19%), Transmission & Powertrain (13%), and Steering (12%). Median mileage at failure ranges from about 26,000 for brakes to about 109,000 for airbags.
Does the 2005 Honda Odyssey have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2005 Odyssey covering Fuel System, Brakes, Structure & Body, Airbags, Electrical System, and Steering.
Is the 2005 Odyssey better or worse than other Odyssey years?
It ranks 8th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 65. Years like 2015 (index 5, Best) and 2013 (index 10, Best) rank far better, while 2019 (index 95, Avoid) ranks worse.
What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
EPA rates the 2005 Odyssey at 19.5 MPG combined (17 city / 24.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.