2008 Honda Odyssey: check engine light

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 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 Apr 7, 2017 · Engine · 121,500 miles · FL

Check engine light on, error code p3497. Engine burns more oil than normal. Honda issued service bulletin 11-033, yet refuse to fix the car at their expense. I get the usual run around of "add more oil every now and again."

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Engine · 70,000 miles · MD

Excessive engine oil burning. My car burns engine oil such a way that I have to check the engine oil level frequently. Once I had to fill more than 4qts to get the oil level to normal. More over the indicator never shows that the oil level is low. I went on speed bump at that time the indicator just flashed once thats how I got a doubt and checked oil level. It was almost empty that time and I had to fill more than 4qts of oil. The check engine light comes frequently.

Filed Apr 21, 2016 · Engine · 121,868 miles · LA

I never had any major problems with my van up until this point. The check engine light would come on and go off from time to time and I took it in for a diagnostic check each time and it was the same code for catalytic converter. My car ran well and then suddenly, while taking my kids to school on a city street, the muffler began smoking when I would either idle or drive. It only did this the night before I brought it into the shop and the day of. It would hesitate also. I felt like it was going to die at any minute, so I took my kids to school and brought it to the shop immediately. The mechanic then told me I did not have a drop of oil. This seemed strange because I had never seen a leak (I park in the same place at my house). He tested my car for a leak and did not detect any. Some people suggested that the oil change place forgot to put oil in my car. That is highly unlikely since I had just gone to have my oil topped off about a month before. I had also driven it for about 2500 miles since then. Because of the lack of warning, I have to replace my engine...it is shot.

Filed Dec 21, 2015 · Engine · 88,406 miles · TN

My engine is using oil. It used 1 quart of oil in 2,826 miles of driving and 1/2 quart in the next 580 miles. The rate of oil use is increasing. Honda says these engines are passing oil thru the rings on 4 of the 6 cylinders. Honda will not do anything until engine light comes on or engine starts missing. I have to constantly check the oil level to make sure it is not to low. On the internet I found there are many odysseys doing this. Honda sold this van to me without being told of this problem until after I bought this van. There needs to be a recall on these engines to fix this problem.

Filed Sep 20, 2015 · Engine · 102,000 miles · VA

Check engine light came on. Dtcs p3400 and p3497 read. No oil on the dipstick. Took it to sussman honda where they stated that the fix is to replace the rear rocker. I pointed them to tsb 11-033 but they said it didn't apply to my car. Called american honda co. And they said the same thing. I filed a complaint. Only later did I discover tsb 13-031, which sussman followed but did not read the diagnosis section since the oil level was below the dipstick. Almost exactly 3 months and 4,000 miles later cel light comes on with dtcs p3400 and p3497 and oil level is below the dipstick, this time the car is starting to vibrate. Ahc still claims this is not a design flaw and offered no assistance. We are now being told by another dealer that burning oil is normal for the "pre-08 hondas with vcm" and that we should check it regularly. While I appreciate the honesty, I wish that honda would admit the engineering issue and fix it once for all. Using this much oil can't be good for the environment!

Filed Sep 17, 2015 · Body, Engine · 89,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 honda odyssey. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started to vibrate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition coil and spark plugs were replaced but the failure recurred within 73 miles. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where the front cylinder head, the head gasket, water pump, and spark plugs were replaced. The contact also stated that the lift gate on the rear of the vehicle was opened, but failed to remain open. The failure recurred multiple times. The VIN was not includedin the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v060000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. Updated 01/21/16*lj

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Engine · 50,000 miles · OH

The engine light came on while driving the vehicle. Took the vehicle to a mechanic who said the vehicle had an error code of p3400 and to immediately fill it with oil and take it to honda dealer. Did that and discovered class action lawsuit covered repair. Jeff wyler honda claims to have fixed the problem. Vehicle's engine light goes on again 6 months later with same error code p3400. Told by jeff wyler honda on colerain avenue that vehicle is fine despite having lost 2 quarts of oil in less than 1000 miles. Dealer tells us that it is "perfectly normal" for honda vehicles to use 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles, and that this is true of their entire fleet including 2014 and 2015 vehicles. Honda USA and honda dealer are unwilling to look at vehicle any further and tell us that we will just have to put oil in it each time we fill the vehicle with gas, and that this is not an unusual occurrence. So now, we have a minivan meant to transport our family about town that we will have to fill with oil each and every time we go to use it. Dealer admits that there are no leaks, and that the van has been kept in fine running condition by us.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 109,000 miles · MD

On approximately 7/1, I was driving home. The car wouldn't switch gears and lost a bit of power. I was able to drive down an interstate during rush hour at approx. 40 miles per hour. I had the van towed to a friends house. The next day, I drove it to hondaman, a certified honda repair shop, they did a valve adjustment. The valve adjustment didn't work. There was a clicking, vibrating, knocking noise at 2800rpms while the car was in park (metal on metal noise) and then when driving. Replaced the timing belt and tensioner as recommended, this did not solve the problem. Did another valve adjustment (according to the tsb) and that did not work. Recommendations was that the engine be replaced or rebuilt. At no point ever did the car have a check engine light, low oil light, or any other signs of problems. I took the car to brown's honda, they recommended a cylinder head replacement, valve replacement and camshaft replacement. The items had shown metal on metal wear. The shops and based on research, this a sign of no lubrication. They shop told me that this happens and it is a fluke. I also notified them that there are numerous tsbs on my car and if I move forward with the front cam replacement, I am worried that since the issue could not be identified, that the rear cam and pistons' or camshaft would need to be replaced. I did have my oil pan and oil plug replaced 2 years ago and after researching more about my car, found that this was a defect in the model I purchased. I also called the misfire settlement and was notified that since no diagnostic codes showed up, there was nothing they can do to extend my warranty. Since the notifications only occur due to emission issues, the car engine would have blown up while I was driving with no warning. I had all maintenance with honda and truly scared that this will effect other buyers.

Filed Aug 29, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

Early 2011 after having some recall repairs done in the past like the brakes, leaking from the moon roof and the power steering problems, started noticing the engine light coming out for 1-2 days and then the oil light, checked oil level and refill was done but didn't notice any leaking. Subsequent services to the dealer told them about the events but didn't provided any clear report as to what is causing that. Lift gate shocks gave up after a few months and have them replaced from the dealer, again no clear explanations why the it's too soon for unexpected possible wear and tear, also in addition to telling them about the power steering seems to be causing a problem again because it's becoming heavy to turn the vehicle. This has been causing a huge problem and safety concern especially coming off from a parallel parking because it takes a lot of manuevering before I can get off from the spot and involves a great effort especially in an incline position. Recently about a couple of weeks ago, the same issue came in about the engine and the oil light showing up, oil level was low again but doesn't noticed any leaking. I did some search and I have seen a video on youtube about the error code p3400 and p3497 which is very scary and very significant to the life span of the engine. Also, recalling all these issues, I also noticed that there was a recall about the previously replaced lift gate shocks that I paid for last year. I just hope that the dealer will be responsible enough to acknowledge the vehicle flaws and prioritize the safety of the public consumer especially the mini van as it normally has children as it's daily passenger - being the family van.