2021 Honda Odyssey: sudden loss of power

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Body, Electrical · NJ

In mid-March 2026, the power tailgate on my [year] Honda Odyssey lost power entirely. It does not respond to the key fob, the tailgate button, or the dashboard button — it will not open or close by any control. I personally inspected the tailgate area and found corrosion and rust present, consistent with prior water intrusion. I have since learned that this is a widely reported issue among 2018–2021 Honda Odyssey owners, and that a class action lawsuit ([XXX] v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California) alleges a defect in rear body seam seals that lets water leak into the power tailgate control module, causing it to fail. The symptoms and physical evidence I found match those described by other owners and in the litigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 16, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · WI

After driving for 2 hrs in single digit temperatures I entered the on ramp to interstate freeway. I lost power, couldn’t accelerate further and the Check engine light was flashing. I pulled over on the 4 lane interstate, turned off my car and restarted. CEL went away. This is the 2nd time in 2 Winters this has occurred during cold weather. Both on exit/entrance ramps when trying to accelerate after turning with traffic behind me. This can only be reproduced in specific situations and diagnostics are not stored. Honda has a service bulletin on this issue 24-085. I feel it should be covered on all vehicles, regardless of warranty status due to the safety risk.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · TX

Vehicle lost power resulting in the vehicle automatically going into park and powering off while driving. This has happened multiple times. In addition, we will get strange electronic codes. Tested battery and systems successfully, but problem persists.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

1. Incident: I was driving and stopped at a red light, took my foot off of the brake and the car completely died, leaving me stranded at the intersection. The car started back up after 4 minutes. Note: This incident happened after 2 months of weird electrical things happening to the car, such as the radio turning on after the car had been turned off, car not starting, sliding doors losing power when they are halfway closed, coming to a stop and putting the car in park then the car completely loses all power/interior lights, and more... 2. My safety was put at risk by having a non-functioning car in the middle of the road. Someone could have rear-ended me. Also, it was over 100 degrees outside which added to the panic I was feeling. 3. The car has been inspected by Spreen Honda multiple times and by an independent Honda mechanic. Spreen Honda has not been able to reproduce the problem. They won't do anything besides hook it up to the computer, and since there are no codes present "there is nothing they can do". The independent mechanic said they'd never seen anything like this. 4. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. When I reported this to Honda America they encouraged me to continue working with the dealer. This is completely unacceptable. 5. Right before the power went out the dash lit up with every warning lamp for maybe 5 seconds.

Filed Jul 25, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

1. While I was driving on the freeway, my radio turned off and my car put itself into NEUTRAL! I was able to safely pull over and put it back in drive. Note: This incident happened after 2 months of weird electrical things happening to the car, such as the radio turning on after the car had been turned off, car not starting, sliding doors losing power when they are halfway closed, coming to a stop and putting the car in park then the car completely loses all power/interior lights, the car turning off while stopped at a light and more... 2. Had there been more traffic I would have been in major danger. I could have easily been rear-ended or hit someone in the process of trying to get off of the freeway. It could have caused a multiple car collision. Grateful my children were not in the car at the time of the incident. 3. The car has been inspected by Spreen Honda multiple times and by an independent Honda mechanic. Spreen Honda has not been able to reproduce the problem. They won't do anything besides hook it up to the computer, and since there are no codes present "there is nothing they can do". The independent mechanic said they'd never seen anything like this. When I reported the incident to Honda America, they recommended I should continue taking the car to the dealership, which makes no sense as the dealership does not actually attempt to diagnose the problem if there is no code. 4. The manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. When I reported this to Honda America they encouraged me to continue working with the dealership service department only. They don't take information from 3rd party service providers. This is completely unacceptable. 5. Right before the car shifted to neutral, the radio turned off and the dash lit up orange.

Filed Sep 16, 2023 · Transmission · TX

While driving the car suddenly lost power and display warning indicated that you should steer to a safe location and turn off the vehicle. Turned the vehicle on to put it into neutral (would not go into neutral unless the engine was running) to get it on the wrecker. Smoke started coming from the engine compartment. Called Honda dealership to ask how to put the vehicle in neutral without turning on the engine and was told there was no bypass. Vehicle was taken into dealership for repairs and was told the air conditioning compressor and compressor clutch had failed. Drive belt was also damaged due to failure. Compressor, clutch, condenser, and drive belt all require replacement.

Filed Apr 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 200 miles · IL

2021 honda odessey lost power while driving 6 times. I ended up taking it to get service and the dealer couldn't replicate the issue in 3 different occasions. Ended up trading the odessey on thursday for a new one. However the the new 2021 honda odessey that I bought thursday 4/8/21 lost power on me today as I was driving.