
2011 Honda ODYSSEY
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Honda ODYSSEY has 291 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 325. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: the dash indicated "low battery" on a new minivan 6 weeks old. the battery could have gone dead at any time. a letter from honda to dealers indicated they had many tech line contacts regarding this problem. this letter told the service department that the customer should drive for an extended period. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
291
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
66 complaints- • THE DASH INDICATED "LOW BATTERY" ON A NEW MINIVAN 6 WEEKS OLD. THE BATTERY COULD HAVE GONE DEAD AT ANY TIME. A LETTER FROM HONDA TO DEALERS INDICATED THEY HAD MANY TECH LINE CONTACTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS LETTER TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD DRIVE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD
- • I PURCHASED A NEW 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY EX ON 1/21/2011. AFTER ARRIVING HOME MY WIFE OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE 'LOW BATTERY CHECK MANUAL' WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. THE NEXT DAY AND FOR THE NEXT 3 DAYS THE WARNING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. ON PAGE 87 OF T
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH IN EXTREMELY SUNNY WEATHER WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS UNREADABLE DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURER IN THA
“THE DASH INDICATED "LOW BATTERY" ON A NEW MINIVAN 6 WEEKS OLD. THE BATTERY COULD HAVE GONE DEAD AT ANY TIME. A LETTER FROM HONDA TO DEALERS INDICATED THEY HAD MANY TECH LINE CONTACTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS LETTER TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD DRIVE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Honda ODYSSEY
Based on 225 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 27K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
BRAKES
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION
BODY/STRUCTURE
TIRES
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (5)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. 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.
Risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is S0G.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Honda ODYSSEY
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Honda ODYSSEY
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Honda ODYSSEY Service Intervals
Maintenance Minder shows exact intervals based on your driving. CVT-equipped models (Civic, HR-V, Accord Hybrid) need CVT fluid service, not conventional ATF.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Honda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2011 ODYSSEY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Honda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 291 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE DASH INDICATED "LOW BATTERY" ON A NEW MINIVAN 6 WEEKS OLD. THE BATTERY COULD HAVE GONE DEAD AT ANY TIME. A LETTER FROM HONDA TO DEALERS INDICATED THEY HAD MANY TECH LINE CONTACTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS LETTER TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD DRIVE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: MY 2009 HONDA ODYSSEY EX HAS 30,000 MILES AND HAS ONGOING BRAKE ISSUES. THE BRAKES ARE SOFT AND GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VAN DOES NOT STOP UNLESS I PUMP THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES ALSO MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY AND WHEN GOING DOWNHILL:(FREEWAY OFF RAMPS). IT IS NOT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HUMMING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 68 AND 73 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMOVABLE MULITI-FUNCTION SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW DID NOT SUPPORT A BOOSTER SEAT. HER CHILD'S SEAT HAS SLID OUT OF THE SEAT CAUSING THE CHILD TO BE IMPROPERLY SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda ODYSSEY — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 291
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 13
- Segment avg
- 325
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Honda ODYSSEY