2009 Honda Odyssey: check engine light

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Transmission · MO

Honda installed a VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) in this engine which shuts down the back three cylinders to save fuel when the car warms up. You’ll know when it kicks in when you see ECO on your dash. When the cylinders shut down it starts an abnormal wear and tear on those cylinders. High oil consumption, fouled plugs, the need to repair the back three cylinders and misfiring of the engine are some of the problems. Honda did repair some vehicles if they experienced rough running and misfiring on those cylinders because they knew the issue was the VCM. However, when my 2009 Honda Odyssey started having those problems in 2024 they wouldn’t fix the problem and stated it was too late to fix the engine. The timeline, according to Honda, had passed to repair the damaged engine. I never received a recall for this known safety issue. The engine would cut out and the engine light would come on and it sputtered down the road on three of the six cylinders. Honda knew this was a problem but they wouldn’t fix my engine. If I had brought it in years earlier they would have fixed the known problem with the VCM but they wouldn’t deactivate the VCM to prevent it from destroying the repaired engine. The price to fix the engine was over $4200. I feel they should have repaired the engine and then deactivated the VCM by bypassing the the temperature sensor to prevent it from going into ECO MODE VCM. The safety of the occupants was at risk due to the lack of acceleration and the ability to drive the vehicle in a normal manner. I feel a safety recall is justified and the sensor should be deactivated to prevent further damage to the engine.

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Engine · CA · fire

Van was driven at approximately 7:50pm a short distance. After parking vehicle, 10 minutes later the alarm went off. Upon disarming the alarm, the entire engine was engulfed in flames. Van is maintained regularly, no check engine light indicating any issues with vehicle. Entire engine caught fire. Fire dept extinguished fire. No comprehensive insurance so no inspection to cause of actual fire. Neighbors Ring camera shows alarm going off and as soon as it was disarmed, engine completely engulfed in flames. This video was sent to fire dept for their report. Vehicle still sitting where it caught fire, in front of my residence. I have yet to get it towed or inspected.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 237,300 miles · TX

I purchased a 2009 honda odyssey from west auto sales located at 6145 e. Lancaster rd. Fort worth, tx 76112 on 03/27/2021. I have had nothing but problems with it. The first two days of driving it the check engine light came on due to the catalytic convertor needing to be replaced. The dealership managed to get the check engine light off without replacing it. A few days after getting the car back the serpentine belt broke off. I notified the dealer and brought it back to them. They informed me that there was a bolt broken inside the tensioner and it would take four days in order to get the tools and supplies needed in order to fix it. The next day I received a phone call from the dealer and told that they got the bolt out with no problem and put a new tensioner in and replaced the belt. Not even a week after that the belt came off again and I had to have it towed to firestone complete auto care and they told me that the same broken bolt was still there holding together the tensioner. All the dealership did was put jb weld on the broken bolt to hold it together. I have notified the seller and got no help. Now my van isn't drive able and it will cost another $800 to get it fixed the right way. I did a carfax report on the vehicle and found out that it has even been in a wreck that wasn't disclosed. I have been told by two different mechanics that I was sold a lemon.

Filed Nov 18, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · WY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that while driving and exceeding 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light, vehicle stability assist warning, and TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the drive indicator light was also flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2020 · Engine · 89,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was that while driving at various speeds, the check engine and low oil pressure warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while idling the vehicle vibrated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice and the spark plugs and ignition coil were replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to pensacola honda (6675 pensacola blvd, pensacola, fl 32505) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rings in the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the warranty on the vehicle was expired. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA

Burns excessive oil under normal driving conditions and constantly adding oil. In addition the check oil and/or check engine warning lights do not come. Several occasions have found it bone dry.

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 honda odyssey. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the entire vehicle began rattling and then smoking. The contact immediately pulled over and the vehicle burst into flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the vehicle; no injuries were sustained. No reports were filed; the vehicle was totaled on the scene and towed to a tow yard. The dealer ( open road honda 50 us-1, edison, nj 08817 (732) 839-4800) was contacted and informed of the fire; they are awaiting a report from the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There are no recalls associated with the vehicle and the failure mileage was 102,000. *as

Filed Mar 22, 2019 · Engine · 118,000 miles · IL

While driving the check engine light comes on and the vehicle loses power and shakes. The vehicle consumes excessive oil which causes the plugs to foul and fail. The known issue is caused by a defective vehicle cylinder management (vcm). When this occurs, the vehicle exhibits a burning oil smell and gas smell in the cabin. This has almost caused a major high speed accident because of the inability of the vehicle to maintain highways speeds and the reduced power to the engine makes the vehicle hard to steer due to loss of power assisted steering cause by the reduced engine power. There should be a recall of the honda vcm system before a fatality occurs.

Filed Apr 22, 2018 · Engine · 129,000 miles · FL

Engine is burning excessive amounts of oil resulting in a p3497 obd ii fault code. Low oil pressure light does not turn on, even though the engine burned over 2 quarts of oil. Became aware of issue when check engine light turned on. Added 2 quarts of oil, then obtained an oil change the next day. This has happened multiple times. There is a very high risk of engine seizing. Honda has not issued a recall. Honda did issue a service bulletin 11-033 to reprogram the computer at a cost of $125. I only became aware of the service bulletin after searching the internet...no notification from honda.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · GA

My 2009 odyssey 06/05/15 it currently has 115,000 miles on it. This is the second engine light dealing with the transmission. When I first got the car I had it routinely serviced at the dealership. The first time it was the clutch this time it is the torque converter, so all internal. The gears are fine until 5th or overdrive.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · MA

While driving on the highway at approximately 70 MPH my wife's 2009 honda odyssey began to shake as I stepped on the gas the engine light came on and the vehicle lost engine power and I had to manually steer to the side of the highway.. Upon opening the hood I could smell that something was burning. The vehicle was towed 79 miles to my mechanic. I was informed that a spark plug blew out completely and a portion of that plug entered the cylinder and damaged the engine. The entire threading of the spark plug was damaged and melted into the engine. I was informed that the entire engine needs to be replaced.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 44,000 miles · IL

Engine light came up. Drive light flashes. Moving into drive is very noisy. Car hesitates to move and changes gear late.