Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
830 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 153, 5.5× a quiet Odyssey year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 61k–111k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 Odyssey owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 85,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 138 (17%) | 52k–130k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 134 (16%) | 64k–116k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 99 (12%) | 40k–88k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 106 (13%) | 65k–114k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 90 (11%) | 84k–134k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 54 (7%) | 66k–154k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 41 (5%) | 65k–139k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 27 (3%) | 20k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 27 (3%) | 29k–108k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Speed control | 23 (3%) | 34k–158k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 23 (3%) | 6k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 18 (2%) | 16k–129k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (1%) | 60k–173k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 77 (9%) | 8k–55k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 85,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 830 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 24 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Ac condenser leak caused by "Rock hitting it". Poor design which should have a grill protecting it. Causes freon leak.
I own a 2005 Honda odyssey... I had a full failure in the A/C clutch or compressor system.
After take off from a red light vehicle started to shake and vibrate uncontrollably which caused me to quickly apply the brake and pull off the road.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Honda Odyssey: 9
The affected fuel pump may send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel. The fuel gauge will always read 3/4 full to full regardless of the actual level. A vehicle that runs out of fuel and stalls has an increased risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. 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.
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. Injury may result from a power liftgate closing unexpectedly when a person is within the closing path of the liftgate.
On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start. If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
The frontal air bag system has two external impact sensors. On certain Mini vans,some sensors were insufficiently sealed during manufacturing. If water enters a sensor, corrosion can occur. Corroded sensors could short circuit internally. Front impact sensor failure could cause a delay in, or loss of, frontal air bag deployment, which can increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, a loose terminal in the main fuse box may cause the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start. If the fuel pump loses power while driving the engine could stall without warning which could result in a crash.
On certain minivans and sport utility vehicles, the steering column may be incorrectly assembled, which could result in a loss of steering control. Loss of steering control can cause a vehicle crash without prior notice.
On certain minivans, the anti-lock brake system (ABS) uses a sensor on each wheel to detect wheel speed. Some sensors on the rear wheels were installed incorrectly, which means the sensor may report the wrong wheel speed to the ABS control unit. The driver could experience a loss of brake force and a crash could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Honda: 23
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Honda vehicle: damaged camshaft position sensor (Cmp) causes the MIL to come on with DTC P0344
2005-10 Odyssey Fuel Pump Module Leak Safety Recall Q&A
On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (Ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on GR8 diagnostic battery station
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
Unexpected closing of power liftgate
Neighbouring years
2004 Odyssey: 585 complaints, consider selling · 2006 Odyssey: 703 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every Honda Odyssey year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Odyssey years side by side
Other Honda models: Honda Accord · Honda Accord Hybrid · Honda CR-V · Honda CR-V Hybrid · Honda Civic · Honda Civic Hybrid · Honda Civic Si · Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid · Honda Crosstour · Honda Element · Honda Fit · Honda GL1800 · Honda HR-V · Honda Insight · Honda Passport · Honda Pilot · Honda Prologue · Honda Ridgeline · Honda VTX1300. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2005 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
830 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 153, 5.5× a quiet Odyssey year. At 85,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 61k–111k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (138), engine (134), steering (99), transmission and drivetrain (106), air bags (90). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 61k–111k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Odyssey have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 14E049000), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-112), Brakes (NHTSA 10V-504), Body structure (NHTSA 10V-055) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.