2009 Honda Odyssey: excessive oil consumption

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 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 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 Jan 11, 2018 · Engine · 90,000 miles · FL

Variable cylinder management switches on and off and causes excessive oil consumption. Oil light comes on and codes p3400 and p3497 show on the reader.

Filed Dec 24, 2017 · Engine · 150,000 miles · FL

Honda odyssey oil consumption-I have a 2009 odyssey that consumes oil. Roughly, every 1,000 miles, I am adding 1 to 2 quarts of oil every 3 to 4 weeks. No spots on the ground. Engine is consuming oil. Have read that this is a known problem with honda.

Filed Aug 21, 2017 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

Losing a quart of oil every 3 to 4 weeks. No spots on the ground. Engine is consuming oil!

Filed Jul 28, 2016 · Engine · 150,000 miles · OH

I just purchased this vehicle on april 19, 2016. I had the oil changed mid june. My wife had a trip to florida near the end of june, so I checked the oil and it was fine. As of today I heard a knocking sound and checked the oil. It was two quarts low. I filled the oil and the knocking sound remains.

Filed Sep 9, 2013 · Engine · 62,600 miles · OR

Van began to stutter on acceleration and check engine light came on. Took to personal mechanic who diagnosed a mis-fire in cylinder #2. Removed spark plug to find it coated with oil and carbon. Says it appears oil is leaking through the engine valve stem seals and coating the plug. He replaced the plug. Have since took it to local honda dealership and performed an oil consumption test. Over 1 quart consumed in 1200 miles of driving. Have asked that stem seals be replaced under good will but honda has denied request because service has not been performed at dealership and thus they cannot guarantee workmanship and parts installed. Vehicle continues to consume oil and after checking #2 cylinder plug recently, continues to contaminate spark plugs.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Engine · 65,000 miles · GA

While driving on an interstate at approximately 65-70mph, the check engine light came on and the car began to ride very rough (approximate date of 6/1/2012 at ~65,000 miles). Pulled off the highway and had the car towed to the nearest honda dealership (as recommended in owners' manual). Service at dealership inspected the car and found the spark plugs to be fouled. Replaced spark plugs (#3 was one), and all seemed fine. The same scenario happened again on january 31, 2013 (at 75,126 miles) - again with no warning the check engine light came on (while driving) and car began to sputter. Had car towed to nearest dealership. Again the spark plugs (#3 specifically) were fouled. Replaced the all spark plugs. Found out that I was two quarts low on oil eventhough the oil had been recently changed (1/7/13 at ~73,000 miles) and no oil was leaking from my car (I.e. No oil spots on driveway, etc...). The same scenario happened again on 5/2/2013 (at 81,320 miles)...check engine light came on (while driving and with no warning), car starts to sputter. I have it towed to nearest dealership, and the spark plug (#3) are found to be fouled again. Again, oil is two quarts low (oil had been changed on 3/21/13 at 78,976 miles). Fix all again and change oil to to an oil consumption test. Test found that my car is consuming at least 1 qt of oil per 1000 miles and that is causing my spark plugs to foul. Honda says my oil consumption is within "normal parameters" and will do nothing to fix the problem. Honda feels that having to add oil every 1000 miles accpetable. I disagree! If I don't check the oil every 1000 miles (and add at least a qt), then I risk driving with no oil which will cause my engine to seize. Also, even adding the oil doesn't resolve frequent spark plug damage causing engine breakdown. This car is unreliable and unsafe!

Filed Jun 2, 2013 · Engine · 33,599 miles · MD

Engine oil service was performed by independent mechanic at 33,599 miles, who informed that the engine oil level was low prior to draining the crank case. I began monitoring engine oil quantity thereafter. Currently with 39,252 miles on the vehicle the engine oil consumption rate is about 1 quart per 2,500 miles, which seems excessive for an engine with low mileage. This rate equates to consumption of half of the entire crank case between engine oil change cycles. If not monitored and filled the engine may be damaged due to low engine oil quantity and pressure. A significant safety impact is present if the owner is not aware of oil consumption and the engine seizes. The engine is the honda sohc vcm, 6-cylinder (v6), gasoline engine.

Filed Jan 19, 2010 · Engine · 6,000 miles · KY

Honda odyssey exl oil consumption-I have a 2009 odyssey that consumes oil. Roughly, every 1,500 miles, I am adding a quart of oil.