2018 Honda Odyssey Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 259 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Honda Odyssey, 26% of its 990 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,000 miles. Three related recalls cover instrument panel software, a pinched third-row power outlet harness, and battery/TCU reboot issues.
- Electrical System complaints
- 259
- 26% of 990
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 13,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Instrument panel and speedometer/infotainment screens go dark or cut out unexpectedly while driving.
- Forward-looking camera and related safety systems (collision mitigation, lane keeping, adaptive cruise) fail, sometimes after a battery change or from overheating.
- Power tailgate malfunctions, showing a dashboard warning and refusing to stay latched or open with the remote.
- Vehicle requires frequent jump starts even with no accessories left on or doors left open.
- Owners report the transmission unexpectedly shifting into park while driving at highway speed, accompanied by warning lights.
- One case describes smoke and fire emerging from under the vehicle shortly after parking.
When 2018 Honda Odyssey electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 17, 2017, latest Sep 15, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2018 Honda Odyssey
- NHTSA 20V439000Jul 28, 2020Electrical System607,786 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V066000Feb 6, 2020Electrical System241,339 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V299000Apr 12, 2019Electrical System50,504 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System complaints by Odyssey model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Honda Odyssey?
- NHTSA lists 259 Electrical System complaints for the 2018 Odyssey, which is 26% of the 990 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2018 Honda Odyssey electrical system?
- Yes, three recalls apply: instrument panel control module software (20V439000), a pinched third-row accessory power outlet wire harness (20V066000), and a battery/TCU reboot issue (19V299000).
- At what mileage do 2018 Odyssey electrical problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for Electrical System complaints on the 2018 Odyssey is 13,000 miles.
- Are the 2018 Odyssey electrical issues dangerous?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2018 Odyssey shows 0 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries reported.
- How does the 2018 Odyssey compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2018 model year's electrical complaints made up 26% of its total complaints, higher than most earlier Odyssey years like 2013 (8%) and 2016 (14%), though lower than 2025 (54%).