Is the 2006 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
703 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 145, 5.2× a quiet Odyssey year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 55k–105k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 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 77,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 127 (18%) | 33k–79k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 125 (18%) | 63k–111k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 101 (14%) | 45k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 87 (12%) | 69k–135k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 44 (6%) | 38k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 29 (4%) | 76k–147k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 27 (4%) | 35k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 20 (3%) | 67k–136k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 14 (2%) | 42k–147k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (2%) | 33k–100k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (2%) | 7k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (1%) | 30k–121k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (1%) | 61k–145k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (1%) | 38k–138k miles · around this mileage | Wheel bearing / hub assembly replacement (one wheel) $230–$750 |
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 77,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 703 complaints: 27 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 32 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in May 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Blown engine. No events leading up to the failure except for immediately before, when we noticed the engine over heating.
I own a 2006 odyssey and air conditioning condenser failed " Due small rock puncturing hole". Internet search showed just how common this problem is with the odyssey.
The rear lower motor mounts wear out prematurely and cause unwanted vibrations and steering play. This is a known issue and has not been rectified.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 77,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Honda Odyssey: 4
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.
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline. The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
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: 22
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies on pax vehicles; MIL on after throttle body cleaning or replacement…
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: 1
Air in brake system
Neighbouring years
2005 Odyssey: 830 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2007 Odyssey: 830 complaints, keep it.
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 2006 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
703 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 145, 5.2× a quiet Odyssey year. At 77,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 55k–105k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (127), engine (125), body structure (101), transmission and drivetrain (87), electrical system (44). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 55k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Odyssey have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 14E049000), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-112), Brakes (NHTSA 10V-504), Equipment (NHTSA 06V-270). 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.