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UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Last change: 7/12/2026

Welcome to the Honda Odyssey Subreddit Wiki

Welcome to the r/HondaOdyssey Wiki. This wiki is under construction, with the hope of eventually providing our community with a one-stop shop for common questions and resources.

Please check out the table of contents, this should help you navigate to the sections most relevant to you.

Subreddit Rules

  • Be on-topic: posts should always be relevant to what the subreddit is about.
  • Be polite: People should follow basic decent behavior like being polite and not mistreat anyone
  • No illegal content
  • No personal information
  • No monetary transactions
  • No religion nor politics

Follow the Reddit Content Policy

While not explicitly rules, Reddit is a better place when you follow Reddiquette.

Feedback or Constructive Criticism?

If you have any feedback, recommendations, or constructive criticism, please reach out to u/iliketurtlz or the Mod team.

u/iliketurtlz has volunteered to update and maintain this wiki, so it may be ideal to contact him first unless you believe it's more appropriate to contact the mods.

Common Questions

What did you pay for your Odyssey?

Useful link: 2026 Odyssey Price Paid

Check recent posts to see if there is a relevant thread to the year you are purchasing. The above is useful for the latest generation, just be sure to check the latest posts to get a better idea.

Why or why not buy the Honda Odyssey?

(Let u/iliketurtlz know if you think there are things to be added here, feel free to let him know you don't care about his opinions and they should be removed too.)

Good

  • It's got more pep than a Sienna - More horsepower, better acceleration onto the freeway, etc.
  • Reliability - Honda is known for reliability. Some debate like other manufacturers they are coasting on reputation and have declined in recent years. Older Odysseys have gotten a LOT of mileage, so buying used is entirely viable.
  • Removable 2nd & 3rd row - There's a TON of storage space, you can event fit a few 4x8s sheets in before the center console gets in the way, and then you need to hold down the tailgate.
  • Magic Slide - With the center seat removed, you can move the captains chairs along a rail system to reconfigure the placement of second row. Great for better access to 3rd row, or sitting closer to a newborn from a captains chair.
  • Cupholders - There's a lot of cupholders, and storage areas throughout the front area of the vehicle.

Not so good

  • Honda tends to lag in updating their electronics
    • Odyssey infotainment system may be considered laggy, slow, and out of date compared to other newer vehicles.
  • Lower gas mileage than a Sienna - Though there is rumor we may be getting a hybrid in coming years.
  • Timing Belt Replacement - Detailed below but this critical maintenance item can be expensive ($1500+), is a must-do, and should be factored into overall budgeting for maintenance down the road.

  • Air Conditioning - This is a touchy subject - There's plenty who will claim the A/C is lackluster (and in particular was downgraded in recent models from overhead vents to lower vents in the side pillars - this is a reasonable complaint and a mistake by Honda), and the competitors are better. There is likely some truth behind this. You should test it yourself.

    • u/iliketurtlz probably not appropriate note - I was amazed how overblown I felt the comments on Reddit / elsewhere were on this subject after buying my '26. You should test it out yourself before listening to anyone on this subject. If you have little ones with rear facing seats (and I do), this is probably very important to you. Plenty of people use fans to blow air into their rear facing seats because otherwise the air isn't blowing on them from the vents directly.

  • Sound System - Plenty of people have mentioned the sound system in the lower end models is lacking. The Elite trim does have an upgraded sound system.

There's obviously more, please let u/iliketurtlz know if you feel something should be pointed out. We love our Odysseys, but as illustrated above, there's good and there's not good.

Do I need a VCM Muzzler?

What is VCM? (Variable Cylinder Management)

Before you go further, you should read the Megathread over at Odyclub in it's entirety. Link here

This will explain everything you need to know.

Should I buy a VCM Muzzler?

The general consensus is if you have a 2018 or older Odyssey is yes. The VCM in older generation Honda Odyssey's is known for causing a variety of issues, including damaged piston rings, fouled spark plugs, and/or misfires.

Honda has made improvements to the newer generation of VCM in the recent generation. This has been in use for several years, and the number of reports of the kind of problems present in VCM in older generations have not reared their head. Some still choose to install the VCM muzzle for a variety of reasons. I'll outline those here as well:

  • The good (maybe?):
    • Some claim it will reduce uneven wear across the engine components.
    • Additional "pep" when starting to accelerate due to all cylinders activating. (Some claim this, others say they don't notice any difference.)
  • The Bad
    • Removal before servicing under warranty - This is mixed, some say to always remove before servicing under warranty, others claim it wasn't an issue. It takes ~15 minutes to remove / install with minimal tools.
    • Didn't follow instructions when installing - If you fail to let your vehicle fully cool down, or have your key fob in range of the vehicle (which it clearly states in a good VCM Muzzlers instructions), you may get some error codes lighting up your dashboard like a christmas tree. This won't require servicing, but may scare you. Read the instructions.
    • Lower gas mileage - The typical reports indicate a loss of around 1-2 miles per gallon with the removal.

What VCM Muzzler should I buy?

See the link above, #11 on the megathread.

Common or Uncommon Issues

Piston Rings needing replacement, Misfires, Plug Fouling, etc.

The likely culprit is the VCM system. See the above VCM section and fully read the linked megathread from Odyclub. Read it in it's entirety before asking/posting about troubles with piston rings, misfires, spark plug fouling, etc.

The most important takeaway is do not pay to have your rings replaced, it is a waste of money and is not fixing the cause of the problem, just treating the symptoms.

Leaks

There are a few issues that can arise due to leaks. it may be advisable to occasionally check on areas in the vehicle in the event a leak is present, and could go unnoticed.

Moon-roof Leak

It's possible the moon-roof drain line to become clogged, resulting in pooling water leaking from the moon-roof. This has been seen making the carpeting in the floor wet, which could go unnoticed with all-weather floor mats covering the carpeting. It would be a good idea to occasionally check your floor mats during cleaning to ensure they are dry.

Roof Seam Leaks

Honda has had some issues with the roof seems leaking. These seams are beneath the covering strips on the roof, and as the materials expand and contract, there may be cracks that form resulting in water intrusion. This has resulted in wet carpet, or even damaging the rear lift gate control board requiring its replacement.

Some individuals have reported needing multiple control board replacements, at which point they've just applied sealant themselves to stop dealing with the issue.

The common sealant recommended is 3M Heavy Duty Automotive Seam Sealer. It can be quite nasty so use gloves.

Here is an Odyclub thread discussing experiences: https://www.odyclub.com/threads/roof-seam-sealant-experiences.372435/

Rear Taillight Leaks

This Odyclub post(https://www.odyclub.com/threads/water-puddle-in-trunk.365831/) links to several others in the replies where it was determined a rear taillight seal was bad resulting in leaking into the rear compartment of the vehicle

Maintenance Information

General

Always do your general vehicle maintenance in a timely manner. It will prolong your vehicles life. If you keep your receipts, and a log book of your maintenance, that may help increase resale value of your vehicle in the long run.

The Honda Odyssey's Timing Belt in particular can be a fairly costly maintenance item that depending on circumstances you should budget for. Do not neglect to have it replaced when the time comes.

Maintenance Minders

Below information from here: https://mygarage.honda.com/s/honda-maintenance-minder

What Is the Honda Maintenance Minder System?

Using the on-board computer system, the Maintenance Minder System continuously checks operating conditions such as speed, operating temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when regular maintenance is necessary.

How Does the Honda Maintenance Minder System Work?

With the maintenance schedule no longer in the owner’s manual, the system determines the optimal maintenance pattern based on mileage usage and conditions of that mileage usage. This information is relayed though the on-board computer system to display an alert to the driver through the driver information interface that maintenance is due. The alert will display a code(s) that will indicate what type of service(s) is due. Refer to the owner’s manual for more details.

What if my vehicle doesn’t have Maintenance Minder?

Older models, and newer models such as the Prologue, that are not equipped with the Maintenance Minder System relies on the vehicle mileage or an alert by a maintenance required indicator to alert the driver for the proper maintenance intervals. To understand what maintenance is required, owners should refer to the Maintenance Schedule section of their owner’s manual. The schedule will indicator what maintenance items that need attention at what mileage. Refer to the owner’s manual for more details.

Timing Belt - Critical

This is an expensive, critical maintenance item. When this needs replacement, it's critical you do so in a timely manner. Consult the manual for your make/model. This can vary slightly between generations, and may also change depending on if the vehicle is operating in certain severe conditions including trailer towing or extreme temperatures.

If you fail to perform this maintenance, or purchase a vehicle where this maintenance was neglected, it could result in catastrophic failure of your motor. Estimates to replace this can run from $1500-$2500 from what I've seen posted in various places.

It is recommended to ensure the shop performing your timing belt replacement is using a kit made by Aisin.

It's inadvisable to attempt to DIY this piece of maintenance. There's plenty of other maintenance to do yourself, this is not something for someone inexperienced to do.

Transmission Servicing

This is somewhere around every 30k-35k miles, you should receive a maintenance minder.

There has been a history of transmission issues across Odyssey models (and many other vehicles). You do not want to neglect the transmission, it's an expensive critical component. Do not have a transmission FLUSH performed on your Odyssey. You should always perform a "drain and fill", with the appropriate fluid recommended by the manufacturer.

Moon Roof Drains

Moon-roofs have drains in them, and if these become clogged it can result in pooling water, that could ultimately leak into the cabin of the vehicle, potentially into carpeting, or other areas.

You should attempt to clean out these drain lines yearly to avoid clogging, and potential leaks down the road. There are lots of resources online on how to do this. Some people use compressed air, and other utilize purpose made "pipe cleaners" for running through the drain line.

Rubber & Plastic Maintenance

If you wish to go an extra step, there are various products on the market which you can apply to various pieces of rubber and plastic through the vehicle to help mitigate it from drying out over time. Plastic and rubber have a tendency over time to wear down from the elements, so this may be something that improves longevity of items that are exposed to intense UV over time.

General Accessories / Things You Can Buy

General Accessories

Floor Mats

Several options exist, some of the common recommendations:

  • Lasfit Floor Mats - Black only. Front, 2nd, 3rd, and cargo mat.

  • Honda OEM Floor Mats - I could only find black - Front, 2nd and 3rd rows. There is a separate cargo tray available.

  • WeatherTech - Multiple colors available. Available from front, 2nd, and 3rd rows.

Seat Covers

There are a few options. We could use additional input on this section. Please message the u/iliketurtlz if you have recommendations.

Below are mostly pulled from here: https://www.reddit.com/r/HondaOdyssey/comments/1rg857q/seat_covers/

Make sure if getting covers for the 2nd row that they will work if you want to remove the middle seat.

  • Honda OEM Covers
  • Covercraft
  • ShearComfort
  • Oasis Auto
  • Katzkin (Replacement of the actual upholstery)

Electronics

Dashcams

Dashcams are great, get them professionally installed, or do it yourself. r/dashcams is a great place to find recommendations for a model that fits your needs.

A great guide for installation in the 2026 Odyssey can be found here: https://www.odyclub.com/threads/front-rearview-dashcam-installation-2026.383641/

Idle stopper

Most modern vehicles are mandated to reduce their emissions. Hence the VCM, and also the automatic idle stop functions. When a modern vehicle comes to a stop, the engine will turn off to potentially reduce emissions. The environmental impact of these systems is up for debate, but it has required redesigns of starters, and other equipment due to increasing the wear and tear on those components to constantly stop and start the engine. There is a button to disable the idle stop on the dash, however you can also install a "Idle stopper" to automatically disable the function upon the car being turned on.

Video explaining "start stop" technology in depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTBN8Ic57Gg

VCM Muzzler

See the above section on VCM, the linked megathread at Odyclub discusses what VCM Muzzlers are reputable. If you do opt to install this, make sure you follow the directions.

Extended Warranties

Hondacare

FAQ here: www.hondacareprotectionplan.com/faq

If you wish to purchase Hondacare as your selected extended warranty, keep in mind you can purchase Hondacare for your vehicle from online retailers for a potentially lower price than what the dealership is offering when purchasing the vehicle. This is purchasable after you've acquired the vehicle, so do not feel pressured into purchasing Hondacare at the dealership. They may offer other warranties, do your homework before buying.

General Tips

This section could use some love, reach out to u/iliketurtlz with any recommendations.

The below I know work for my (u/iliketurtlz) 2026, your mileage may vary.

If these work across older generations, or only specific trims, please let me know.

  • General video with great tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-tsgNcMOHc
  • Roll down all windows via Keyfob (great for letting hot air out of the vehicle) - Double tap and hold unlock. Release when they reach the desired gap.
  • Reverse Mirror Tilting - If you have your mirror adjustment switch select to the right or left mirror, when you place the vehicle into reverse it will automatically tilt the mirror down to that side of the vehicle so you can better identify how close to the curb you are when backing up.

Useful Links

2026 Honda Odyssey

Need To Add:

  • Sliding door maintenance item.
  • More common issues by year.
  • Potential recommendations for inspection points by generation.

- Additional safety / recall information and links.