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Honda

2020 Honda ODYSSEY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Honda ODYSSEY has 820 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.5x the segment average of 325. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (37% of all complaints), specifically: major safety concern (brake fail during driving) with new 2020 honda odyssey with 2618 miles driven. brake made loud squeak noise right after purchase and took it to local honda dealership where car was purchased 4 times. honda dealership resurfaced rotor 2 different times. about 12-14 days ago, hon. There are 14 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 3 crash reports 18 injuries

820

Total Complaints

14

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

304 complaints
37%
  • MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN (BRAKE FAIL DURING DRIVING) WITH NEW 2020 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 2618 MILES DRIVEN. BRAKE MADE LOUD SQUEAK NOISE RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE AND TOOK IT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED 4 TIMES. HONDA DEALERSHIP RESURFACED ROTOR 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. ABOUT 12-14 DAYS AGO, HON
  • RECALL # 20V-438 INCOMPLETE. PARTS ORDERED 12/16/2020 . PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED AS OF 4/3/2021.
  • RECALL # 20V-438 INCOMPLETE. PARTS ORDERED 12/16/2020 . PARTS HAVE NOT ARRIVED AS OF 4/3/2021.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN (BRAKE FAIL DURING DRIVING) WITH NEW 2020 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 2618 MILES DRIVEN. BRAKE MADE LOUD SQUEAK NOISE RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE AND TOOK IT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED 4 TIMES. HONDA DEALERSHIP RESURFACED ROTOR 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. ABOUT 12-14 DAYS AGO, HON

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Honda ODYSSEY

Based on 70 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 10K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
46
30-60K
12
60-100K
7
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
17
30-60K
1
60-100K
1
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 13 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
4
60-100K
0
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 59K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
3
30-60K
2
60-100K
3
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
7
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (14)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA28/07/2020

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Odyssey vehicles. Water may get into the rearview camera mounting holes and enter the camera lens and cause a distorted image, or no image at all. Additionally, if the rearview camera view mode is set to top-down view, or switched from that view to another mode in a bright environment, the image may not display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: A distorted or inoperative rearview camera display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is W83.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Honda ODYSSEY

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,182
Per month
$182
Per mile
18.2¢
MPG
22
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based 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 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Honda ODYSSEY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,432
Full coverage / month
$119
Liability only / year
$559
vs US avg
-14%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1432

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Honda ODYSSEY Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Honda. If you're buying a used 2020 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

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 820 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN (BRAKE FAIL DURING DRIVING) WITH NEW 2020 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH 2618 MILES DRIVEN. BRAKE MADE LOUD SQUEAK NOISE RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE AND TOOK IT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED 4 TIMES. HONDA DEALERSHIP RESURFACED ROTOR 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. ABOUT 12-14 DAYS AGO, HON

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: FREQUENT LOUD CRACKLING NOISES COME FROM THE SPEAKERS, FOLLOWED BY A NETWORK CONNECTION LOST ERROR MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN, AND THEN THE SCREEN WILL GO BLACK AND EVENTUALLY THE SYSTEM WILL REBOOT. THIS WILL HAPPEN REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE STATE OR USE OF THE INFOTAINMENT SYS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: I went to park at a curb, and when I went to stop the van jumped over the curb and almost into a building. I had to almost push the brakes into the floorboard. It was like the car accelerated on its own. I was lucky there was only a flower bed it went through and nobody was on the sidewalk. I h

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN REPEATEDLY FREEZES UP. IT CAN HAPPEN WHILE PARKED AS WELL AS WHEN DRIVING OR USING THE REAR VIEW CAMERA TO BACK UP - WHICH IS THE BIGGEST SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS VERY MUCH A DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF, OPEN THE DRIVER'S

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 14 recalls have been completed — free at any Honda dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
820
Recalls
14
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
3
Injury reports
18
Segment avg
325

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2020 Honda ODYSSEY