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.
2016 Honda Odyssey: misfire or rough idle
47 of the 272 complaints about the 2016 Honda Odyssey describe misfire or rough idle.
- owner complaints
- 47
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,830
- typical mileage
- 99,000
- recalls
- 0
Misfire or rough idle by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, engine, and VSA warning lights were illuminated. While at the stoplight, the vehicle started jerking and sputtering. The contact stated that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletins: 25-060 and 25-061. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there was a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that there was oil in the cylinder head. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed that the warranty had expired months earlier, and the case was closed. The failure mileage was approximately 162,600.
I have needed to replace my spark plugs multiple times because of an issue where, apparently when in eco mode, the pistons in the third cylinder flood with oil that causes the spark plugs to misfire. I was informed this is an issue common to Honda Odysseys on or about May 19th, when I was experiencing a misfiring engine and brought it to AAA Reynoldsburg on E Broad Street in Reynoldsburg, OH. Honda is aware of the issue, and when I brought my car to Honda in July, after the new spark plugs started misfiring, one of the people at Honda told me the issue is because of government regulations that require lowering emissions. I don't know if that's objectively true or not, but if it's an issue Honda is aware of, as they are, they should correct the issue without charging me for the 'engine overhaul' or the new spark plugs. I have an email attachment showing the spark plug issue and other issues with the car. I don't hold Honda at fault for some of the issues, but if they know about the underlying cause that contributes to a misfire, I believe they should correct it. The video will not upload, but I am including a link to the video Honda sent me that shows the issues with the car, including the spark plugs misfiring because of one of the pistons flooding with oil. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Regarding: Reimbursement Request for Warranty Extension Service (Service Bulletin 25-061) I am formally requesting a reimbursement of $1,859.90 for repairs performed on my 2016 Honda Odyssey (VIN: [XXX]). On XXX, I visited Phil Hughes Honda in Athens, GA, due to engine misfire symptoms, specifically P0301. The dealership performed repairs in accordance with Service Bulletin 25-061, which included cylinder head disassembly, replacement of piston rings (cylinders 1-3), replacement of spark plugs, and other related services. I paid a total of $1,859.90 for these repairs. Given that this service addresses a known defect covered under the manufacturer's extended warranty program for this vehicle, I believe I am entitled to a full reimbursement of these costs. I have attached all relevant service invoices and the final payment receipt as documentation of the services performed and the expenses incurred. I request a review of this claim and the processing of my refund at your earliest convenience. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am filing this complaint regarding Honda's reimbursement program associated with the piston ring warranty extension related to engine misfire issues on certain vehicles. Prior to Honda issuing the warranty extension, I paid out of pocket to have the repair completed at an authorized Honda dealership. After Honda announced the warranty extension and reimbursement program, I submitted a reimbursement claim along with all required documentation and proof of payment in August 2025. My reimbursement claim has now been pending for approximately 11 months. Since submitting the claim, I have contacted Honda numerous times seeking an update. On multiple occasions, Honda representatives advised me that the reimbursement had been approved and was simply awaiting issuance of payment. However, no reimbursement has been received. Due to the lack of progress and conflicting information, I filed a complaint with my state's Attorney General's Office. In response to that complaint, Honda stated that the reimbursement claim was still under review, which directly contradicts what I had previously been told by Honda representatives. I have complied with all documentation requirements and have made repeated attempts to obtain a clear answer regarding the status of my claim. Despite this, I have not received reimbursement, a definitive status update, or a reasonable explanation for why a reimbursement claim related to a known warranty extension issue has remained unresolved for nearly a year. I am requesting review of this matter and whether Honda is properly administering and processing reimbursement claims associated with this warranty extension program within a reasonable timeframe.
2016 Honda Odyssey with 76,000 miles. Vehicle experienced recurring cylinder 3 misfire (DTC P0303) caused by Honda's Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system allowing oil to bypass piston rings — a known defect covered under Honda TSB A25-061 and TSB 13-081. Vehicle was brought to Tony Honda (Honolulu, Hawaii) multiple times prior to January 31, 2026 warranty extension deadline but was not diagnosed until after expiration. Honda is now refusing to cover piston ring replacement under warranty despite this being the exact repair specified in their own technical service bulletins. Vehicle has been at Tony Honda since March 10, 2026 — 71 days — with no resolution.
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.
COMPLETE shutdown of the engine while driving. No warnings - no flickering- no stumbling or misfire, just complete engine shutoff - dash and everything just turns off. Reading up on past recalls for this era of vans (mine a 2016) the 2013-2020 recall on the fuel pump sounds identical to this same thing I am experiencing. I was driving along in the city with my family in the vehicle and 2 times already while driving it has done this complete shutdown. If i wasn’t an experienced driver it would be enough for anyone to freak out and possibly cause some serious accidents. After I pull over and can try to restart the vehicle , thankfully it has restarted and allows me to continue forward. This is obviously not normal for a vehicle, Or even a fuel pump.
09/01/2025 - Claim submitted under recall for "2016 Honda Odyssey, the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system can cause premature piston ring wear, leading to oil consumption, spark plug fouling, and misfires (P0301-P0304)" 09/24/2025 - Honda sent email confirming all required documents submitted and reimbursement would be processed in 6-9 weeks. 03/13/2025 (today) - No reimbursement received. Have called Honda claims 3 times over 3 months with no further information. Representatives state that reimbursement department very busy, will "flag for expediting", and to "call back in a week". It has been 24 weeks, way longer than acceptable processing by the OEM.
While driving on I-85 in GA in 2024, my engine started to misfire and I had to pull over. At that point, I turned the engine off. If this had happened in the evening or on a road without a shoulder, I could have been at risk of being hit and/or stranded. After waiting a dew minutes, I restarted the engine and was able to make it home. My husband took it to our mechanic who indicated that the engine had registered a cylinder misfire (DTC P0303). Apparently, this was a serious flaw recognized in earlier (2008-2013) Honda Odysseys with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM). See [XXX] , et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Case No. XXX, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. I received a notice from American Honda concerning a warranty extension related to TSB 25-061, which would seem to indicate that this is a known flaw that should be handled as a safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the DTC: P0301 (Cylinder #1 misfire) was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with spark plug failures due to an oil leak. The six spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a year later, the contact received an extended warranty regarding the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact requested to be reimbursed for the repair. The contact stated that the initial reimbursement request was denied. The contact resubmitted the case and all the requested documentation. The contact submitted all the requested documentation. In addition, the contact stated that the mileage was under the mileage limit. The failure mileage was approximately 89,689.
Repeated misfires despite repairs at a certified Honda dealership. The van has been under service since the end of August 2025. The vehicle is power off and shut down while driving or cause significant engine/transmission shuddering and stalling. I have had my kids in the vehicle when this has happened on a highway. All service records have been done by certified servicers.
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 2016 Honda Odyssey misfire
Is misfire or rough idle a common problem on the 2016 Honda Odyssey?
47 of 272 owner complaints about the 2016 Honda Odyssey (17%) mention misfire or rough idle. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
How much does it cost to fix misfire or rough idle on the 2016 Honda Odyssey?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,830 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 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 2016 Honda Odyssey
Check engine light 51Shudder 18Loss of power 14Engine failure 10Door locks 9Oil consumption 9Jerking 8Stalling 8Warning lights 7Collision warning 6Key fob 6Slipping 6Hesitation 5
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