Learn what year model of the Honda Odyssey is the most popular and reliable through my guide.
Even though not Honda’s most popular product, the Honda Odyssey has many loyal customers, some of whom even say it is the best minivan ever made.
And judging by the fact that it has constantly been in production since 1995 and has had five generations, they might not be wrong.
However, there have been pits and crests throughout the 27 years of the Honda Odyssey’s history.
Here I will list down the best years for Honda Odyssey, starting with the bad ones. There have been many great models in the Honda Odyssey series, starting all the way from its first generation.
1995 Honda Odyssey
The very first year for Honda Odyssey. Its debut model made quite an impact. Even though it had quite some problems, it made great sales and to this day has received very few complaints.
Transmission issues were in the Odyssey series since the beginning, as evidenced by their presence here in the very first model. However, it was not that bothersome back then, and neither were the transmission problems as serious as in the later models.
Mainly this model of the Honda Odyssey has the fact that it is incredibly reliable and cheap. It can be bought nowadays for as low as $2000. If it has been well-maintained, it is a sturdy vehicle even after 20 years.
2016 Honda Odyssey
One of the first models of the Honda Odyssey fixed the majority of the problems this series had. It has a 4 out of 5 reliability rating according to Consumer Reports, compared to scores as low as 1 for some previous models of this minivan.
If you want to buy a budget vehicle with a powerful engine, good reliability, and a high owner satisfaction rate, look no further than this minivan. It has a powerful engine, V6 that can produce 248 horsepower.
This 2016 model of the Honda Odyssey experienced the fewest transmission problems of any Odyssey series minivan that had come out till it.
Of the few complaints regarding this vehicle, the majority of them are regarding minor issues like CEL problems, etc.
2017 Honda Odyssey
An unprecedented miracle happened this time around for the Honda Odyssey minivan; there were exactly zero transmission issues reported.
It took them a while, but Honda finally resolved this problem not only that, but this model came with a significantly increased life expectancy, as it is rated to last up to at least 250,000 miles without any major problems.
And with regular maintenance, 300,000 miles can be expected to be crossed easily without any big hiccups.
Gas mileage also drastically shot up. With the improved transmission along with the latest engine, that was to be expected. Mileage on the highway was around 28.
2018 Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey series made a huge comeback in 2016, as evident by the fact that three years straight models are on the best years list.
Not everything was perfect, though. This 2018 year model was not as good as the previous 2017 one. Transmission issues reared their ugly heads again.
Some of the cars were recalled because they had crossed 250,000 miles. That was due to a combination of transmission problems and a wire in the third row that would spark and cause a fire in the back seat.
It has a pretty good gas mileage average, at around 23. This is great for long trips, made even better by the comfortable seating, especially its rear seats. All in all great vehicle to buy for a family.
2021 Honda Odyssey
Safety became a top priority here. The IIHS awarded this 2021 model of the Honda Odyssey a Top Safety Pick+.
Furthermore, it also gave this model a ‘Superior’ ranking. Many factors contribute to this, including the latest LATCH child seat system.
After fixing the transmission, issues bought back in the 2018 and 2019 models of the minivan that the 2017 model had put a halt to, the 2021 model is making a major comeback for the series.
There have not been any major complaints or issues reported. It has standard LED headlights; however, they provide a bright illumination that drivers deem acceptable, which was also a breakthrough for the Honda Odyssey series.
3 Most Honda Odyssey Common Problems You Should Know
There are numerous issues with the Honda Odyssey, but there are a few that have haunted this series since its inception 25 years ago.
Let’s take a look at a few such problems:
- Transmission Issues
Having plagued the Honda Odyssey series since its debut, this is undoubtedly the biggest problem this series has faced.
It was so bad that it caused a class-action lawsuit filed against Honda in 2019. Drivers faced problems like rough shifting, losing complete power suddenly, and much more.
- Braking Issues
Many owners reported this problem across various models of the Honda Odyssey series.
It only worked if the brakes were fully pumped. That is not only faulty but a risk to human life as it can directly lead to an accident.
- Windows And Sliding Door Issues
Owners complained that the windows would not fully close.
This is problematic as there could be harsh weather outside that the driver and passengers would want to avoid. Sliding doors were hard to operate due to their sticking door seals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honda Odyssey A Good Car?
Do Honda Odysseys Hold Their Value?
A Honda Odyssey’s value depreciates about 27% after five years, meaning you can still sell the minivan at 73% of its current price after five years.
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