2016 Honda Odyssey: check engine light

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine · IA

My 2016 Honda Odyssey has experienced repeated engine misfires associated with oil-fouled spark plugs. In May 2024, while driving, the check-engine light began flashing and the vehicle ran rough. An authorized Honda dealer inspected the vehicle and documented an oil-fouled spark plug. The dealer replaced all six spark plugs, but the underlying cause was not repaired. In November 2025, the check-engine light returned. An independent repair shop documented code P0303, Cylinder 3 Misfire, and replaced all six spark plugs again. In August 2026, the same problem returned. The repair shop again documented a Cylinder 3 misfire and found all three rear-bank spark plugs fouled. They recommended an internal engine inspection because repeated spark-plug replacement was not correcting the underlying problem. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized Honda dealer, which recommended an engine piston-ring/re-ring repair. The recurring misfire causes the vehicle to run rough and the check-engine light to flash, creating concern about loss of engine performance while driving. The vehicle and engine are available for inspection.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

the problem only happens after driving for more than 30 minutes. when I stop at a light, the engine starts shaking and stalls. the starter seems cranking normally, but it takes about 3 attempts and about 40 seconds to restart. One day, the engine stopped while I was driving. There is no Check Engine Light. I took it to Honda dealer. but they keep saying they cannot replicate the problem. It is so dangerous to drive this car.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

After the vehicle is off, and after the smart key fob is removed from the vehicle, the dashboard will flicker, the alarm sometimes goes off and the headlights turn on draining the battery and leading to me having to jump the car to get it started. This makes the car undependable as it could happen after driving somewhere and leave myself or my wife stranded. I have taken this in to the Honda dealership but they noted that it did not occur when they were servicing the vehicle and they weren't sure what the issue could be. Many times the check engine light, FCW and LDW lights will come on and then reset after the car has been driven.

Filed May 7, 2026 · Engine · 100,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle began to experience cylinder misfiring and vibrations and the check engine light had illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer who diagnosed the engine cylinder piston rings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Sep 2, 2025 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that shortly afterwards, the vehicle vibrated abnormally and hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the ignition coils and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. However, the failure returned a year later, with a misfire coming from the engine while driving, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the ignition coils and spark plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred months later. This vehicle was taken to a Honda dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the cylinder rings were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Engine · 94,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine, resulting in damages to cylinders #1 and #3. The contact was informed that a partial rebuild of the engine was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Engine · TN

While driving on the interstate my 2016 Honda Odyssey with 120k miles experienced a blinking check engine light along with strong engine shudder. Luckily I was close to home, and after reviewing numerous complaints of the same VCM issue from others I checked the plugs and coils and found that the 3 rear plugs covered in oil. I replaced the plugs and coils and ran fuel system cleaner for the next few fill-ups. There was no prior warning, and if I would have been further from home or continued driving i assume I would need new rings and that would be a multiple-thousand dollar fix. I still don't know if they're permanently damaged.

Filed Apr 10, 2025 · Engine · WI

Vehicle had a dead misfire on cylinder number one. Initially occurred in May 2024 - all of my dashboard lights went on and car was very shaky - made me nervous because manual said car could overheat or catch fire, so had towed to shop - Girard's Automotive in Franklin, WI. They diagnosed as spark plug needed replacement. Van was at about 98K miles at the time so recommended changing all spark plugs, which I did. Three months later - in August 2025 the same thing occurred - all warning lights on. This time I brought it to my regular mechanic - Import Minded in Greenfield, WI - insisting it was a faulty spark plug replacement. He removed the spark plug and found it to be oil fouled which typically indicates the vehicle was experiencing high levels of oil consumption caused by a known piston ring issue. He changed the spark plugs at the time at recommended checking with Honda as this was a known issue in which they had put out a service bulletin in Oct 2020 and extended warranties for year 2011 to 2013. I went to the Honda dealership. They were familiar with the problem but stated they needed to diagnose the problem and could not do that until the engine lights came on again. So, I could not reliably drive my car any distances for fear all my engine lights would come and the shakiness would come back. This went on until this last month, March 2024 in which the engine lights came on again and I was able to get it back to the dealership where they did diagnose the issue as the piston ring problem. They would not guarantee me any assistance with the repairs but required I have them done there for any chance at getting goodwill assist to pay for the repair- to the tune of $6000. After the work was complete, they let me know they would not be able to help me out - not because they do not acknowledge this to be a known issue, but because I do not spend enough money at Honda dealerships. Safety concern - overheat/fire and shakiness causing difficulty driving.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Engine · CA

Dear Honda Customer Service, I am writing to formally report a serious issue with my 2016 Honda Odyssey and to request a full repair at no cost due to what appears to be a manufacturer defect. In March 2024, my vehicle began experiencing a mild shudder/vibration noise, and the Check Engine Light turned on. I took the vehicle to Vacaville Honda, where a diagnostic was performed. The technicians informed me that the engine has a faulty VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) system, causing misfiring due to oil leakage on the spark plugs and piston rings. The only solution given was to replace the engine at a cost of $6,000, which is an unreasonable expense for a known issue related to Hondas VCM system. I have maintained my vehicle regularly at Honda dealerships and followed all manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedules. This engine failure is not due to negligence or wear and tear, but rather a design defect that has affected many Honda owners. Given these circumstances, I respectfully request that Honda cover the full cost of the engine repair or replacement under a goodwill warranty. I also ask that you investigate whether this issue qualifies for a recall or extended warranty assistance. Please respond as soon as possible, as my vehicle is currently unsafe to drive. Thank you.

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · Engine · GA

Vehicle started showing "check engine" light and some other incidental warning lights. Engine started running roughly. We took this to the dealer and they said that engine needed to have piston rings replaced (along with some other unrelated items.)

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Engine · NC

Local mechanic informed me that there there is a defect in the piston causing oil to leak in and ruin the piston and spark plugs. This is fouling up the spark plugs, which are covered in oil. Temporarily he said to replace the spark plug. If that does work, he recommended a valve cover replacement. And if that still doesn't work to replace the engine. This was on cylinder number 1. This also happened last year with cylinder number 3. The engine light comes on and the vehicle starts shaking and causing engine misfiring. The oil was changed approximately 1 week ago when cylinder 1 was having issues. Yes, this vehicle is currently available for inspection. This could be a safety issue due to engine failure while driving on a busy road. This van was purchased used in 2018 with 1 previous owner. This problem has been confirmed by a repair shop.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Engine · TN

The engine failed while driving on the highway. All lights flashed on dashboard and loss of power to the vehicle. There were no prior check engine lights on before it activated and started flashing. Piston 3 failure that had to be replaced (pistons 1-3). Engine had been burning oil but no low oil indication had been illuminated nor was car due for an oil change. Spark plugs and ignition coil had been replaced approx. a year prior due to similar but less severe incident of check engine light coming on and misfiring engine. Six months after the pistons were replaced, the oil pressure switches were diagnosed as faulty and needed replacement due to a false low oil pressure reading.