Is the 2009 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Odyssey years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Honda Odyssey are in line with other Odyssey years. Body structure stands out for this year: see below.
2th quietest of 20 Odyssey years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 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 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 63 (32%) | 39k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 39 (20%) | 64k–124k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 20 (10%) | 42k–123k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (9%) | 19k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | 38k–124k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 8 (4%) | 23k–91k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 7 (4%) | 38k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | 34k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 21 (11%) | 9k–61k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Suspension | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
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 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 198 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving on an interstate at approximately 65-70MPH, the check engine light came on and the car began to ride very rough (Approximate date of 6/1/2012 at ~65,000 miles).
While stopped at a 4 way traffic intersection w/light and with foot on the brake, the engine raced on it's own causing the car to surge ahead unexpectantly.
While my car was parked at a store, my engine caught fire leading to a total loss of the vehicle. I drove my car for a short distance to do two errands (Maybe 15 min.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 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.
The flaw can result in a leak of the pressurized gas, leading to reduced strut performance. Struts with diminished performance can lead to unexpected closure, increasing the risk of personal injury.
During assembly, incorrect front brake hoses were installed. The brake hose can contact the caliper bolt and over time a hole may develop which will allow brake fluid to leak. This would eventually result in reduced brake system performance. Drivers would not be aware of brake system failure and braking capability would not be possible, increasing the risk of a crash.
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: 35
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking
The piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling
MIL comes on with DTCs P0301 thru P0304 - the piston rings on certain cylinders may rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fouling
Vehicles with multimodel VCM2 would experience misfire due to engine misfire of a fouled plug and a warranty extension has been issued to cover repairs
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Unexpected Closing of Power Liftgate
Neighbouring years
2008 Odyssey: 500 complaints, keep it · 2010 Odyssey: 255 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 2009 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Odyssey years. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (63), engine (39), electrical system (20), transmission and drivetrain (18), fuel system (8).
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Odyssey have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 14E049000), Fuel system (NHTSA 14V-112), Body structure (NHTSA 12V-062), Parking brake (NHTSA 09V-057). 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.