Vehicle Information:Year/Make/Model: 2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 45, 200 miles Component / Defect: Engine Oil Leak leading to Alternator Failure (Front Spool Valve / Valve Cover Gasket Leak onto Alternator) Summary of Incident and Service History: My car overheated and would not start on several occasions over the last year and a half starting in July 2025, leaving me stranded and requiring it to be towed. My car has been in service at the dealer multiple times for approximately 2 weeks each time. Oil Leak and Alternator Hazard: The vehicle experienced engine oil leaking directly onto/into the alternator. According to communications from Honda service personnel ([XXX]), oil leaking from the front spool valve and valve cover gaskets penetrates the alternator, causing component failure. The dealership explicitly warned that failure to complete these repairs would result in repeated alternator failure. XXX Service: The vehicle was brought in for diagnostic work and repairs at Brickell Honda Performed services included diagnostic procedures, engine oil & filter replacement, radiator fan motor replacement, A/C condenser fan motor replacement, and tire rotation. Total Paid: $2,443.60 Additional Repair Estimates Provided: Valve cover gaskets & spark plug replacement: $1,901.18 plus tax Front spool valve replacement: $1,641.70 plus tax Prior Related Invoices: An earlier invoice was issued on XXX for $2,096.29 by Brickell Honda for alternator replacement and other maintenance services. Safety Risk Statement: An unaddressed oil leak dripping onto the alternator poses a serious electrical component failure hazard while operating the vehicle. Sudden loss of electrical power while driving can cause engine stalling, loss of power steering, loss of headlights/lighting, and disablement in traffic, presenting a significant risk of collision and vehicle safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2015 Honda Odyssey: sudden loss of power
7 of the 208 complaints about the 2015 Honda Odyssey describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
On December 31 at approximately 300 p.m., our 2015 Honda Odyssey experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power while traveling eastbound on the Sam Houston Parkway South just after crossing the Buffalo Bayou Toll Bridge at highway speed. While driving normally, the Check ABS warning light illuminated. Immediately afterward, multiple dashboard warning lights began flashing and the engine abruptly shut down with no warning. The vehicle lost all ability to accelerate and became disabled in active traffic lanes. Steering and braking were severely affected due to the sudden loss of power. Hazard lights were activated while the driver attempted to move the vehicle from the middle lane to the shoulder. We narrowly avoided a collision and were able to stop near the Pine Avenue on-ramp. Once stopped, the vehicle completely shut off and would not restart. All vehicle systems appeared inoperative except for the hazard lights, indicating a possible electrical system failure. Emergency services were required due to the dangerous location. The vehicle was occupied by five people, including three children. The sudden loss of motive power at highway speed created an extreme safety hazard and could have resulted in serious injury or fatality.
I am reporting an engine defect covered under Honda’s recent warranty extension for 2013–2017 Odyssey / 2013–2015 Pilot vehicles when the MIL comes on with DTCs P0301–P0304. On November 1, 2022, I was stranded on the road when the check-engine light came on. At Honda Muller of Gurnee, the dealer diagnosed misfires consistent with P0301–P0304, explaining the underlying cause as piston ring function deterioration with sludge causing oil to foul the spark plugs. I was told my original warranty had expired only about six weeks earlier (on August 29, 2022). Coverage was denied and I was quoted over $6,000. Because I couldn’t afford the repair, the dealer recommended replacing the spark plugs as a temporary measure only, stating this would not fix the underlying defect. I proceeded with that temporary measure. On November 11, 2022, American Honda formally acknowledged my concern in writing, confirming that Case #13455791 had been opened and escalated to a case manager in direct response to my diagnosis from November 1, 2022. Despite this acknowledgment, my repair request was denied. In 2025 I received Honda’s warranty extension letter acknowledging coverage for this exact defect (including coverage through January 31, 2026). I returned to the dealer seeking repair based on my documented diagnosis, but repair was refused again because the codes were not present that day (the condition is intermittent). This defect affects drivability and safety (loss of power/hesitation and reduced ability to merge or cross traffic). I am asking the federal safety agency to record this complaint and consider action so that owners with documented prior diagnoses — especially those recognized by Honda corporate — are not refused repairs simply because an intermittent defect isn’t active at the exact moment of inspection. I am reporting an engine defect covered under Honda’s recent warranty extension for 2013–2017 Odyssey / 2013–2015 Pilot vehicles when the MIL comes on with DTCs P0301–P0304.
I am deeply concerned about the sudden breakdown of my vehicle due to the spool valve leaking onto the alternator and caused the loss of power and stalling of the vehicle while driving out of town and on an Interstate. This was an extremely scary time for me and my family being stranded on an expressway for over an hour and trying to figure out how to get my kids and family to safety. I have heard of others having the same issue with the same make and model vehicle and their repairs was covered by Honda. I don't understand why my issue would be any different and why my repairs are not currently covered by the Honda service bulletin. I would extremely hope honda take a deeper look at including my Vin in the service bulletin. I now understand this to be a well known issue as published in Honda Technical Service Bulletin TSB [XXX] However, no information was sent to owners even though Honda has known about the issue since at least March 2020. This puts unnecessary safety risks for those driving with oil leaking onto the alternator resulting in electrical system shutdowns and issues driving. I believe a recall and safety notice should be issued. Yes, the component was inspected by Honda and replaced. The first indicator was the ABS system warning light along with many other systems shutting down. This occurred at a high-rate of speed on the freeway. I am frustrated Honda has known abut this issue for many years, but has not informed owners nor offered to correct the issue leading to safety issues and costly repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Look forward to hearing better news from Honda and my repair coverage along with Honda standing by its product reliability.
The contact owns a 2015 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. A warning message appeared on the instrument panel that instructed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for service. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer but due to a high volume of customers, the dealer could not service the vehicle. The next day, the vehicle was taken to a second dealer where a diagnostic test was performed that showed a piston ring failure had caused the engine oil to contaminate the spark plugs which led to an engine misfire. The dealer replaced the spark plugs, piston rings, and cylinder rings in cylinders number 1, 2, and 3. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 133,597.
Occasionally when driving at slow speeds the car struggles and lurches forward and loses power. It is very scary when it happens. It feels like it is stuck in neutral and you lose power. Problem is it doesn't happen consistently, and have not been able to take it directly to the dealer while it happens. I think it is dangerous, because I believe it could cause an accident one day. I've googled it and have found many other people with my age honda odyssey have the same problem, and many say that honda cannot fix it. I think it usually happens when the weather is cold.
As I was driving slowly apreaching a stop sign, I placed my foot on the brake pedal, was totally off the gas pedal, and the brake pedal went straight to the floor. This was scary, luckily there was no one I from the of me and I hadn't yet hit the stop sign mark, I had to pump the brake many times, swiftly,it finally came back up before reaching the stop sign. Two days before this I drove off from home and the van lost power and was bucking as if the fuel pump was blocked. These vans need to be checked thoroughly, honda needs to pay more attention to their customers complaints. I have children and I pray this van doesn't lead me in to an accident or fatality.
Service bulletins that may apply
- The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge
- Owner Notification Letter
- The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring wear and sticking from sludge
- The piston ring function deteriorates due to ring low wear toughness and sticking from sludge
- Dealer Message
- Dealer Message
- The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking.
- Dealer message
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2015 Honda Odyssey loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2015 Honda Odyssey?
7 of 208 owner complaints about the 2015 Honda Odyssey (3%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Honda Odyssey?
There are 0 recalls and 19 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Honda Odyssey
Check engine light 23Misfire 22Sunroof shattered 15Jerking 14Harsh shifting 10No deployment 5Headlights 5Oil consumption 5Won't start 5
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