2006 Honda Odyssey: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Engine · 53,000 miles · NE

Engine started chugging and lost power, sputtering. Then died and couldn't restart. Was towed to local mechanic who could not diagnosis. Towed to closest honda dealer, 3 hours away. #5 coil damaged due to spark plug blown out of cylinder head, threads damaged in cylinder head. Also vsa warning lights came on and faulty vtec control valve was discovered. Van sat at dealer for 4 weeks while waiting on back ordered vtec control valve part. Cost of parts, mechanic, etc. $1496.57 not to mention the towing. Now.... Van being driven last week, vsa light came on, steering wheel seized up and a terrible noise occurred in engine. We are again towing it 3 hours to the dealer tomorrow. Will post the 'new' diagnosis. Van has 53,000 miles on it.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Engine · 141,000 miles · NC

We purchased honda odyssey new in 2006. I noticed steering issues almost immediately and reported it during routine service. Even after recall, issue continues. Noticed a fluid leak & mentioned it during service- was told there was a broken seal that was causing van to leak transmission fluid & "fixed" for $1500. After this fluid continued to leak, made an appointment to take van back. While driving on highway 2 days before scheduled appointment, lights on dash came on and van lost power steering while on the highway going 55 MPH. Able to get off the highway without power steering. Towed to the honda dealer and told the broken seal was actually not the problem for the transmission fluid leak - I need a new transmission. Lost steering due to a belt that had broken due to constant leaking fluid on it. So disappointed with honda. Husband had made me brand loyal now I'm anti-honda. Sounds like my issues are very common in this model.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 honda odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle battery warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power for 15 seconds before functioning normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was advised that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 139,000 miles · CA

My odyssey lost power/wouldn't accelerate/wouldn't shift as we approached the top of a 7% grade. We pulled over, shut the car off and checked fluids etc.. Everything was fine. We tried to get going again and the van wouldn't go. We sat for about an hour and tried again, and the van got going again perfectly fine. We were able to get to honda when it broke down again. Honda diagnosed it with a bad transmission/torque converter. The atf fluid was burnt (my odyssey has the atf fluid cooler too). The tech said the vcm (eco mode, variable cylinder management) increases the load/stress on the vehicle and is a contributing factor of the break down. My odyssey has been meticulously maintained at honda y honda specs/recommendations. I had no previous indication my trans was going out (no gear slipping anything. It drove fine up until it broke down) I called american honda for assistance in the repair, and they failed to even offer any sort of help. From what I've googled, honda odysseys have common trans/torque converter issues and american honda is well aware of the problems on the odysseys. After this, I will not buy another honda.

Filed Feb 24, 2012 · Steering · 70,000 miles · ND

Engine whines and shakes steering wheel. First at 70000 miles. Checked and added ps fluid. Worked for a while. 73k started again. Added more fluid. 75k replaced drive belt. 80k noticed increased noise (whining), but no shaking of the wheel. Brought into dealer and they said there are many issues with others and honda extended warranty to 7 years, but no recall. Mechanic stated that at high speeds (hwy), ps pump seal could fail, leak and cause loss of power steering and possible safety issue. Called honda USA and they said yes to warranty, but no to safety campaign- how can they be so irresponsible!

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Engine, Steering · 111,418 miles · OK

Driving on 2 lane highway with my 3 kids in the van. The battery light comes on and I hear a few brief clunks from engine area. Then I realize I have no power steering so I stop quickly at a safe spot. I look at the engine and see the accessory belt that drives power steering pump, alternator, and A/C is loose. I see that the outer ring on the crankshaft pulley is missing and only see rubber on its outside. It's over 100 deg.f outside and we're 10 miles from anything. I call a few towing companies and find one that can show up within an hour. We wait and also get a hold of a friend to pick us up after the tow truck shows up. They tow it to our local honda dealer. The dealer replaces the crankshaft pulley and drive belt. Towing was $153.40 and repair at dealer was $349.56. Losing power steering on narrow two lane highway going 55 MPH is unsafe and the crankshaft pulley should not fail even at 111k miles. I have owned the van since new and have all proper maintenance done (preventively replaced accessory belt before and timing belt and water pump).

Filed Nov 9, 2010 · Engine · 75,000 miles · WI

Our 2006 honda odyssey experienced a loss of engine power while my wife was driving home from work. She managed to make it home, but between the power loss and the noise starting to come from under the hood, she was nervous. We had the vehicle towed to a gentile honda in racine wi. They reported that the spark plug was pulled out of the cylinder head when the coil-pack "popped". I believe the cause of the problem was a material failure in the cylinder head which caused the spark plug threads to fail, which resulted in the coil-pack shorting to ground on the head, and causing an over-current condition through the coil which caused the coil-pack to explode. Gentile honda wants to do a machinist repair on the cylinder head while it's still on the engine ($730.42). North american honda wants to replace the cylinder with some monetary assistance for a total of $1500. No action has been taken at this time to correct the issue. I feel this is a material defect caused by honda's part vendor. Gentile honda claims the coil-pack pulled the plug out of the aluminum head. I cannot understand how this could happen as the tensile/shear strength of the plastic coil-pack is far less than the tensile/shear strength of the aluminum alloy head. The atomized fuel being added to the cylinder while the engine was running could have resulted in an engine compartment fire by being ignited as it was blown out of the combustion chamber through the spark plug hole.

Filed Jun 10, 2010 · Steering · 83,000 miles · 00

Loss of power steering at low speeds especially when trying to park. Was intermittent and progressed over two weeks. Brought to independent mechanic told nothing wrong with power steering fluid or components. One week later brought to honda dealer told needs new power steering pump -car has 85,000 km. The pump should not give out so soon. $700.00 repair. Asked about technical bulletins about power steering and mechanic said it only concerns the reservoir and that is not my issue. Will have to have it fixed but feel there is a known problem and I should not bear all the cost.

Filed Jan 9, 2010 · Steering · 41,000 miles · NJ

Loss of power steering at low speeds or while standing, making it extremely difficult to maneuver, particularly in and out of parking spaces. Very dangerous when attempting to parallel park on a busy street, or merge into busy traffic from a parking place.

Filed Jun 29, 2009 · Steering · 62,000 miles · NH

Power steering pump failure for 2nd time in 2 years. Beyond warranty. Honda will not replace under warranty. Power steering reservoir has been re-designed due to known issue. Honda should fix this at no charge due to loss of power steering at low speeds.

Filed Dec 17, 2008 · Steering · 56,000 miles · PA

Power steering flywheel fell off and the car completely died draining the battery. This resulted in loss of power steering at approx 35mph. When tried to pull to the side of the street, the car power system failed. The battery was drained completely and lost all electrical functions of the car. The car had to be pushed to the side in busy street. It required the assistance from good samaritans. Safety hazard if in remote area and or busy street.

Filed Aug 22, 2008 · Electrical, Steering · 33,000 miles · FL

Loss of power steering and altenator due to belt slipping when driving on rain covered roads. This auto only has 33,000 miles.