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2018 Honda Odyssey airbags problems

26 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
80,000
crashes
5
recalls
2

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Honda Odyssey airbags problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Honda Odyssey airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 8

Related recalls

Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passengerReported May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk
Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous the federal safety agency recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning May 29, 2026.

Recall number 26V332000 · Recall details

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module: softwareReported April 9, 2026 · 440,830 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Risk
Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on beginning April 16, 2026. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with the federal safety agency. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

Recall number 26V227000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air BagsOpened October 28, 2025, closed June 25, 2026

On October 28, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE25018 to investigate complaints of inadvertent deployment of the side curtain and/or side thorax air bags. These complaints concern model year (MY) 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured by American Honda Motor Co. (Honda). Honda issued recall 26V227 on April 9, 2026, to address concerns of inadvertent side air bag deployment. In the recall filing, the company stated that “[a]s of April 2, 2026, Honda has had 130 warranty claims, 25 reports of an injury, and no reports of death related to this issue from January 24, 2017 – April 2, 2026.” Honda states that the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) contains incorrect deployment parameters for the side thorax and side curtain air bags, which may cause inadvertent deployment when the vehicle encounters strong road impacts, such as driving over potholes, speed bumps, or road debris. Honda stated that the SRS control logic for the second and third rows of seating contained an insufficient deployment threshold margin, allowing signal inputs to be misinterpreted as side impacts and causing inadvertent deployment of the side thorax and side curtain air bags. Recall 26V227 states that dealers will reprogram or replace the SRS ECU with improved air bag deployment parameters. Consumers received notice of this recall in late May 2026. In view of the recall being conducted by Honda, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE). The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to

PE25018

What 2018 Honda Odyssey owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Airbags · TX

Subject: Airbag Deployment After Recall Repair - 2018 Honda Odyssey My 2018 Honda Odyssey received the Honda airbag recall repair in XXX. After the recall remedy was completed, the driver's side by side curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly while I was driving. At the time of the incident, I struck a curb at approximately 25-30 mph. However, there was no collision involving another vehicle, object, or side-impact event, and there was no contact with the vehicle's bumper or body. The tire was not damaged. Fortunately, I was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and no children were present. Despite the absence of what I believe would be a qualifying side-impact collision, the driver's side curtain and side airbags deployed. I am reporting this incident because it occurred after the manufacturer's recall repair had already been performed. I will also provide the inspection report from Firestone, which indicates that the front passenger-side wheel alignment was affected as a result of the curb impact. I respectfully request that Honda investigate this incident, review any available SRS (airbag system) diagnostic data, and determine whether the airbag deployment was related to the previously recalled condition or another defect. Please advise if any additional information or documentation is needed. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Airbags · 135,000 miles · OH · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle drove over a pothole and the driver's- and passenger's-side curtain airbags deployed. The air bags deployment frightened the contact’s wife, and the steering wheel was jerked, and the vehicle crashed into the concrete median. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire was flat. The contact removed the deployed side curtain air bags and replaced the driver's side front wheel. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the recall notification was received the day after the failure had occurred. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the case was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

COMPONENT THAT FAILED & AVAILABILITY: The vehicle's primary electrical architecture and data communications network (CAN bus) failed during a safety recall service for the SRS ECU and rearview camera. After attempting to complete the recall work, the vehicle is no longer able to start. SAFETY RISK: The manufacturer's federally mandated safety recall remedy compromised the vehicle's critical safety and control infrastructure. This rendered a previously reliable family vehicle entirely inoperable, destroying its ability to communicate, start, or turn on. It poses a systemic safety risk if the corporate recall procedure itself causes severe electronic failures in consumer vehicles. REPRODUCTION & DEALER CONFIRMATION: Yes. The failure was induced directly by Williams Honda ([XXX]) during service on Thursday, XXX. The dealership's Service Manager explicitly confirmed to me that their technicians compromised the electrical architecture while performing the SRS ECU and rearview camera recall work. The vehicle has remained dead at their facility ever since. INSPECTION BY OTHERS: The vehicle has been actively inspected by dealership technicians in coordination with Honda Engineering headquarters. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives, as no crash occurred. I have requested an inspection by a Honda Corporate Field Technical Specialist (FTS). WARNING LAMPS & PRIOR SYMPTOMS:NONE. Prior to this appointment, the vehicle was in perfect electrical and mechanical working order. There were absolutely no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any starting or electrical problems. The vehicle had just safely completed a seven-hour road trip immediately prior to being dropped off for the recall work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Airbags · FL · 2 injuries

The passenger side curtain airbags deployed while driving with no prior warning.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Airbags · 120,657 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH over a pothole in the roadway, the passenger’s side air bags deployed unintendedly. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the failure reoccurred because the vehicle was not taken in for the reprogramming stated in the recall remedy. The manufacturer informed the contact that the air bag replacement was not covered under the recall. The contact had not received the recall notification before the failure. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 120,657.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Airbags · 79,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle hit a pothole, and an unknown airbag unexpectedly deployed. The contact stated there was no injury sustained. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V227000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Airbags, Seat belts · VA · 1 injury

I was travelling on a two lane surface road with a speed of 45 mph, travelling at or below posted speed and just starting to slow to make a right hand turn when I encountered / wandered over the solid white line into a pothole at the edge of the road where there is no shoulder. Airbags on the passenger side including the sidecurtain and airbag inside the passenger seat deployed instantly. There was no collision and no deployment of the front passenger airbag or any other bags in the vehicle. There was an immediate call from Honda regarding the airbag deployment along with an automated notification to local police. Police in [XXX] responded and made a report and created a case number: #[XXX] I had a passenger in the front seat at the time who received a facial laceration, bruises to the right arm and hip. This is part of a known recall for this model and year of vehicle. Police and local dealership ( Casey Honda of XXX [XXX] ) have both confirmed visually that the airbags have deployed. No warnings, lights preceded the event. I just received the letter in the last few days regarding the recall. Honda has issued a case number for the incident: #[XXX]. I will be following up Honda for an inspection of other accident sensor and systems for safety which can be affected by the deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Airbags · 80,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2018 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 mph, the rear passenger side airbags unexpectedly deployed deployed without any impact. The vehicle warning that a collision occurred illuminated after the airbag deployed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Airbags, Driver assistance · CT

On April 20, 2026, at approximately 12:00 pm. I was driving my 2018 Honda Odyssey (VIN [XXX] ) southbound on [XXX] , approximately 3 miles north of the junction of [XXX] and [XXX] . I was traveling at approximately 30 mph. The vehicle struck a pothole in the road. Immediately upon impact, the passenger-side curtain airbag deployed with a loud report that I described as sounding like a gunshot next to my right ear. There was no collision with another vehicle or object, and no warning of any kind preceded the deployment. I was startled by the sudden deployment and noise, and the vehicle briefly swerved before I regained control. The deployed passenger-side curtain airbag completely obstructed my visibility through the passenger-side and right-rear windows. The road at that location runs along a narrow embankment with no shoulder, so I was unable to safely pull over. I had to continue driving approximately 3 to 4 miles with severely compromised visibility until I reached a safe location to park near the 9W and 340 junction. I was the sole occupant at the time of the incident. The curtain airbag deployed directly adjacent to my child’s car seat, which was installed in the rear passenger-side seat. My child was not in the vehicle at the time. Given the force and location of the deployment, a child seated in that position could have been seriously injured. Following the deployment, I experienced ringing in my right ear and ear pain that persisted for several hours. I was also significantly shaken by the incident. Component that failed: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which caused inadvertent deployment of the passenger-side curtain airbag. The vehicle and deployed airbag are available for inspection. Safety risk: The inadvertent deployment created multiple safety hazards. First, the deployment itself startled me and caused the vehicle to swerve at 30 mph on INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Airbags · SC

In the afternoon hours of [XXX]; my wife, 2 children and I were traveling away from Pageland, SC on [XXX] . My wife was driving the vehicle and hit a pothole on right side of our lane. This caused both driver and passenger side curtain airbags to deploy. Upon exiting the vehicle no visible damage was found other than a leaky passenger side front tire. This incident jeopardized the safety of everyone in our vehicle due to the powder or smoke that comes out causing a visual obstruction of the road, and the sudden unexpected deployment that scared my wife at the exit of a curve. Thankfully, she kept control of the vehicle and did not collide or wreck in to anything. I still called for the North Carolina Highway Patrol due to the incident that happened. The Trooper explained to us that he could not do a wreck report because, there was no collision. He did however do something different and provided us with a copy of it. Due to this, the insurance company totaled the vehicle and forced us to find a different vehicle. I am unsure if this vehicle was inspected afterwards by anyone other than the insurance company. Prior to this incident there were no warning lights or messages stating there was a problem. After the incident, several messages popped on the screen referencing several safety systems on the vehicle and the tire pressure system on the passenger side front tire. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Questions about the 2018 Honda Odyssey airbags

Does the 2018 Honda Odyssey have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Honda Odyssey, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Honda Odyssey airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Honda Odyssey airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 26V332000, 26V227000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Honda Odyssey have bad airbags?

The Honda Odyssey model years with the most airbags complaints are 2003 (131 complaints), 2004 (111 complaints) and 2002 (99 complaints).

Other 2018 Honda Odyssey problems

Electrical 265Driver assistance 251Engine 205Transmission 166Fuel system 107Body 100Acceleration 54Brakes 41Locks 16Visibility 15Steering 13Seat belts 10Suspension 10Seats 6Lights 5Tires 1Wheels 1

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