2016 Honda Odyssey: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · TN

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.

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 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 Dec 19, 2024 · Transmission · HI

Vehicle shudders on acceleration

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Engine · 68,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and was running rough. The check engine warning light and the traction control warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was oil intrusion on the spark plugs, which caused a misfire. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs and added a fuel additive to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Engine · NE

Per Honda dealership technician: oil seeping into cylinders 1-3 when VCM system is on. Spark plugs are fouled up and causing misfires on engine. Scoring on cylinder 2 also likely due to VCM issues requires engine block replacement. The above engine issues are the reason for blinking check engine light, traction control disabled light, and forward collision warning disabled light to all be on. These ultimately are occasionally causing stuttering/shuddering of the engine during acceleration. While trying to accelerate on an freeway on-ramp the engine appeared to hit a rev limiter at ~4,000 RPMs and wouldn't up-shift to the next gear while doing ~45 MPH with other vehicles behind us also trying to accelerate. Had to let off the gas and gently accelerate over a longer distance/time keeping RPMs low and was able to accelerate to 75 MPH speed limit after merging onto freeway. Vehicle is otherwise in good condition and has maintenance attended to regularly.

Filed Sep 19, 2023 · Brakes, Transmission · TX

The van has approx 83,000 miles and always maintained by Allen Honda in College Station Texas, and all scheduled maintenace has been implemented. For sometime now the van judders/vibrates during acceleration from a full stop condition till about above 30-35 MPH. The condition has gotten progressively more noticeable. There are no caution / advisory lights on the instrument panel. I took the van to Auto Zone to see what fault codes be read. The Auto Zone scanner revealed codes 83-1 and 61-1 related to Anti-Lock Brake System. But after reading 26 pages of this site I'm inclined to believe that the cause is related to the power train.

Filed Mar 3, 2023 · Engine · OH

At highway speed (70mph), our van suddenly lost acceleration while the engine began to shudder while the check engine light came on. I had to maneuver to the shoulder of the highway and turn off the vehicle. Upon trying to restart the vehicle, both the check engine and Forward Collision Warning failure messages appeared. The vehicle required towing by AAA to a repair garage. The garage reported that the malfunction code was "Misfire Cylinder #3". Cylinder #3 and spark plug were removed and cleaned due to deposits from oil entering the engine.

Filed Mar 3, 2023 · Transmission · OH

At highway speeds (50-65mph), the transmission would jutter/shudder when trying to either accelerate or decelerate from constant speed. The issue incrementally got worse and got to the point where the van was undrivable on the highway. I found the service bulletin 14-043 and brought the van into my Honda Dealer with a copy of the service bulletin. They test drove my vehicle and agreed this was the issue. The software was updated and ATF was flushed at no cost.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Transmission · GA

While accelerating, especially up an incline, the vehicle (2016 Honda Odyssey) shudders as if the transmission is repeatedly slipping. Instead of rising smoothly, the tachometer bounces up and down as it is increasing. If you plotted the rpms as a function of time, it would look something like a "sawtooth" pattern. The issue seems to go away once a cruising speed is reached. This jerking makes me worried that the transmission could fail at any time and result in an emergency situation and/or accident. The vehicle is currently at the dealership but they seem uncertain as to what will fix the issue. They want to start with a $600 transmission flush. Then if that doesn't fix it, they want an additional transmission flush. And if that still doesn't fix the issue, then they want to try replacing the torque converter. This appears to be an issue known to Honda but of which owners have not been made aware. It appears to be a flaw in Honda's software resulting in an inability to maintain the transmission fluid in an safe and appropriate range. Honda should be required to notify all owners and issue a recall to fix this issue.

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Transmission · IN

2016 Honda Odyssey developed torque converter judder as shown in Honda TSB 17-043 dated 2/27/2018. This lead to problems accelerating and maintaining speed which is a safety issue. No warning lamps or messages appeared. The problem was confirmed by a local transmission repair service. We are awaiting warranty information for the repair as there has been no campaign or recall for this well known issue.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Driver assistance · 117,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the check engine warning light started to blink and the vehicle started to shudder. The contact pulled off the highway and safely stopped and turned off the vehicle. When the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle was still shaking. The contact did not take the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.