2008 Honda Odyssey engine problems

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · WA

Incident: In Mar 2019, while driving down a highway with my family, the vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction while driving, characterized by a flashing Check Engine Light, severe engine shaking, and a dangerous, immediate loss of acceleration/engine power. We had to get the vehicle towed to the dealership. A diagnostic scan revealed fault code P0302, indicating a misfire in Cylinder 2. Upon mechanical inspection, the spark plug in Cylinder 2 was completely fouled and covered in engine oil. At this time, only the fouled spark plugs were replaced, and the PCM software updated. This essentially is a temporary band-aid pushing the problem further down the road. The vehicle only had around 87,481 miles, and was a little over 10 years old. The same thing happened again in Dec 2025, at around 147,979 miles. This time, we had to do an extensive and really expensive repair. The root cause was determined to be premature failure of the engine's piston rings. This is a direct result of Honda's VCM system, which shuts down cylinders during operation, creating a vacuum that forces oil past the piston rings, fouling the plugs, and causing unexpected power loss during transit. I wasn't aware of this known issue until I had to do the major repair, and have now realized that Honda is very well aware of this well known and widespread issue. Request: This mechanical failure represents a severe, documented safety hazard that puts occupants at risk of being rear-ended due to sudden deceleration on active roadways. Honda is aware of this exact VCM defect for certain model years. A manufacturing design defect that causes unexpected highway engine failure does not cease to be a safety risk or a corporate responsibility due to age. Honda should have taken proactive steps to mitigate and prevent this issue. I am requesting that Honda reimburse the cost of the engine teardown and piston ring replacement required to make the vehicle safe to operate again.

Filed May 22, 2026 · Engine · IL

I believe that I was sold a car with an unsafe engine. I bought the van from Libertyville Honda in Libertyville on [XXX]. The car had 107K miles on it. A liile over a mounth later the check engine light came on and the van started running bad. When I did some reasearch I found out that a safty report to an iscident dated [XXX] when the car had 107k miles on it. This means that the car was not driven much from the date of the incedent before it was sold to me. The car was sold to me with the same amount of miles as the day of the incent. I believe the issue with the engine was not permently repaired before the car was sold to me. this is the report [XXX]. "Slowing turning into driveway car would not stop RPM at 2k." " Then shifted to neutral where rpm climed to 4k" My safty was at risk because I was driving a car that could have sped up without warning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine · IL

The engine malfunctioned, and the car is available for inspection upon request? My safety was put at risk because the car was backfiring in traffic due to the spark plugs filling up with oil. I reported the problem to the Libertyville Honda because they sold me the vehicle about 35 days before the issue started, but I have not heard back from them. I had the Odyssey inspected at Napleton Honda in Oak Lawn. They informed me that piston rings 1-3 needed to be replaced . They also informed me that due to malfunctioning piston rings at least one of the spark plugs was full of oil. The car also needs a new oxygen sensor and this could also be caused by the engine malfunction. No warning lights came on prior to the failure.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Engine · NY

Incident #1: 1/18/2024, 102k miles. Engine surged to 2k while braking coming to a light. Close to hitting stopped car. Shifted to neutral rpm speed up to 4k. Incident #2: 1/31/2025: 107k miles. Slowing turning into driveway car would not stop rpm at 2k. Then shifted to neutral where rpm climbed to 4k.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Engine · OH

2008 Honda Odyssey with issue with piston rings confirmed by mechanic. There are known issues with the piston rings in certain cylinders may rotate and align, leading to engine oil consumption and spark plug fouling. Honda has agreed to settle a massive class-action lawsuit brought against it for engine trouble potentially affecting nearly 1.6 million vehicles. The lawsuit includes Accord (2008-12), Odyssey (2008-13), Pilot (2009-13) and Crosstour (2010-13) models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 with Variable Cylinder Management, which might experience engine misfire, excessive oil burning and premature spark plug fouling issues.

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · Body, Engine · 244,567 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

My car was stationary, and someone hit it on the driver side and sped off. They backed into me hard though and messed up the back driver side door off won't open

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine · 196,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced eight days prior at the local dealer. The contact stated that while driving a burning odor occurred inside the cabin. The contact pulled over to the side of the road as smoke was seen coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact and her family was able to exit the vehicle safely. After, exiting the vehicle she noticed fire and liquid was dripping under the chassis. The front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact mentioned that several explosions were heard and pieces of the vehicle flew off. The contact called the park ranger and then the fire department extinguished the fire. The fire department filed a report. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and where the insurance company deemed the vehicle as total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 196,000. *ln the consumer stated the vehicle was serviced on 8/11 for a leaking power steering hose.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 132,734 miles · CT

Takata recall . On the highway I noticed a burning smell with no other indication that anything was wrong. Then check engine light and reving of engine and shifting issues.

Filed Sep 6, 2018 · Engine · 155,000 miles · OR

Engine has excessive oil consumption. Our mechanic has looked multiple times for an oil leak and can't find one. The engine has been observed to burn 3 quarts of oil between oil changes every 3,000 miles.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NY

15may2018. In a slow traffic, I felt a slight vibration on the engine and the engine stopped. While turning on again, the engine starts up, but dies again. A red warning flashes showing battery and oil symbols. The same repeated . Vehicle towed to a mechanic. When the mechanic started, engine runs fine. Mechanic's diagnostics did not find anything wrong. I drove back home 60 miles away. No issues. Fearing for my life, if this happens again on highway.