Is the 2016 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 97, 3.5× a quiet Odyssey year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 68k–100k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 97 (36%) | 68k–100k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 41 (15%) | 14k–76k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 38 (14%) | 10k–64k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 26 (10%) | 9k–40k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 25 (9%) | 23k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 19 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (2%) | 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 85,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 272 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
31 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
We have been getting multiple warning lights (FCW, LDW, check engine) which occur with sluggish engine performance.
Sudden loss of engine power while attempting to merge on a highway. Fortunately I had a shoulder to escape onto as I could not make it up to highway speed and could not merge.
Initially noticed starting problem where car wont start. Then got a P060A code and VSA light noticed low battery and hooked up a battery charger.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 85,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Honda Odyssey: 6
The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The second row outboard seats have a lever to fold the seatback and slide the seat forward to access the third row seats. An unlocked second row left outboard seatback increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to the seat striker, allowing the seat to tip forward unexpectedly during braking. If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
The affected vehicles have second row outboard seats that have a release lever that allows the seats to move for easier access to the third row of seats. This release lever may remain in the unlocked position allowing the seats to move unexpectedly. An unlocked second row outboard seat increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant during a crash.
The affected vehicles have a second row center seat with a horizontal adjuster bar that may stick in the unlocked position, allowing the seat to unexpectedly slide. An unlocked second row center seat may increase the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
The affected vehicles have fuel tanks that were manufactured with insufficient welds which may separate and allow fuel to leak out. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
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: 109
Repair instructions Honda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Honda Odyssey. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge
Piston ring effectiveness may be reduced due to excessive wear and oil sludge build-up, which can cause oil to adhere to the spark plug…
Vehicle Check Engine Light (CEL) on with one or more of the DTC(s) listed below (in Qualifiers) stored
The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Inadvertent Deployment of Air Bags
Neighbouring years
2015 Odyssey: 207 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2017 Odyssey: 39 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 2016 Honda Odyssey a bad year?
272 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 97, 3.5× 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 68k–100k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Honda Odyssey?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (97), electrical system (41), transmission and drivetrain (38), seats (26), body structure (25). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 68k–100k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Honda Odyssey have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 23V-858), Seats (NHTSA 18V-170), Seats (NHTSA 17V-725), Seats (NHTSA 16V-933) 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.