Honda Odyssey oil consumption problems

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · 50,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact became aware of a burning odor coming from under the hood, and the vehicle needed to be towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the connecting rod bearings had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · TN

I first experienced an engine misfire in February 2025. The vehicle had a P0301 misfire code, and at the time I was unaware of Honda’s extended warranty related to this issue. We had a trusted mechanic friend inspect the vehicle and replace the spark plugs and ignition coils. He noted that there was significant carbon buildup. After those repairs, the vehicle appeared to run normally, and we believed the issue had been resolved. Later, I received Honda’s extended warranty notice and realized that the issue I experienced may have been related to the condition covered by the warranty. I contacted my local Honda dealership in August 2025 and explained the prior misfire, repairs performed, and the warranty notice I had received. However, because the check engine light was not currently illuminated, I was told there was nothing that could be done unless the vehicle was actively displaying the issue. I also contacted Honda Corporate regarding this matter. I was advised that reimbursement for some of the repairs I had already completed might be possible, but that it would need to be reviewed. I chose not to submit those receipts at the time because I was concerned that doing so might impact my ability to use the extended warranty coverage if the problem returned. Unfortunately, the issue appears to be progressing. On June 2, 2026, the vehicle set a P3400 code, which is related to the Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system. At that time, the oil level was low. After adding oil and completing several driving cycles, the check engine light turned off. However, the vehicle continues to consume oil at an alarming rate. I have had to add additional oil again in July. The problem is progressing - it is the issue that should be covered by warranty but holds refuses to do anything because the light isn’t currently on,

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · Engine · NV

About mid-2025, Honda announced a warranty extension campaign (not a formal the federal safety agency recall) for: * 2013–2017 Honda Odyssey (and some Pilots) * Related to VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) What the problem was: * Piston rings wear prematurely * Oil gets past the rings → fouls spark plugs * Leads to: * Misfires (P0301–P0304) * Oil consumption * Rough running Mechanism: * Cylinder deactivation (VCM) → uneven temps → carbon buildup + ring sticking * Sometimes described loosely as a “piston/gasket issue,” even though it’s really piston rings + oil control What Honda did: * Extended powertrain warranty to: * 10 years / 150,000 miles * Covered repairs like: * Piston ring replacement * Spark plugs, etc. In March 2023 I had multiple piston ring failures costing me almost $4k to fix. I submitted a claim with receipts and the work was done at a dealership. Honda said I had all the appropriate paperwork and would get back to me in 6-9 weeks. That was 7 months ago

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · OR

Approximately 7 months ago, my 2015 Honda Odyssey experienced an engine misfire with code P0302 (cylinder 2). All spark plugs were replaced at that time and the issue appeared resolved. However, the misfire has now returned with the check engine light on, again indicating cylinder misfire. The vehicle only has 71,000 miles on it, which makes this recurring issue particularly concerning. Based on my research, this appears to be a known defect related to Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) system causing excessive oil consumption and spark plug fouling — an issue documented across 2013–2017 Odyssey vehicles and addressed under Honda Service Bulletin 25-061. I am requesting this complaint be on record and urge the federal safety agency to investigate this as a safety-related defect.”

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Engine · CA

I have a 2018 Honda Odyssey, with 66,855 miles. I maintain my vehicle with regularity at my Honda dealership. On [XXX], I was driving home from Las Vegas, NV to Pasadena, CA, when near the state line at Primm, NV, I started hear sounds from my engine and it started losing power. I had to pull over and then had my van towed to a dealership in Las Vegas, NV. The van is available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer where i paid for a diagnosis to be performed. The engine light did turn on prior to me noticing the engine problem and a low oil light came on later. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Transmission · MO

Honda installed a VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) in this engine which shuts down the back three cylinders to save fuel when the car warms up. You’ll know when it kicks in when you see ECO on your dash. When the cylinders shut down it starts an abnormal wear and tear on those cylinders. High oil consumption, fouled plugs, the need to repair the back three cylinders and misfiring of the engine are some of the problems. Honda did repair some vehicles if they experienced rough running and misfiring on those cylinders because they knew the issue was the VCM. However, when my 2009 Honda Odyssey started having those problems in 2024 they wouldn’t fix the problem and stated it was too late to fix the engine. The timeline, according to Honda, had passed to repair the damaged engine. I never received a recall for this known safety issue. The engine would cut out and the engine light would come on and it sputtered down the road on three of the six cylinders. Honda knew this was a problem but they wouldn’t fix my engine. If I had brought it in years earlier they would have fixed the known problem with the VCM but they wouldn’t deactivate the VCM to prevent it from destroying the repaired engine. The price to fix the engine was over $4200. I feel they should have repaired the engine and then deactivated the VCM by bypassing the the temperature sensor to prevent it from going into ECO MODE VCM. The safety of the occupants was at risk due to the lack of acceleration and the ability to drive the vehicle in a normal manner. I feel a safety recall is justified and the sensor should be deactivated to prevent further damage to the engine.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine · AR

This vehicle began using oil and the mechanic I took it to told me that the piston rings were compromised. This was allowing mixing of oil and gas, overuse of oil, intermittent white plumes of exhaust and causing misfires, fouling of plugs and set off codes pertaining to the piston rings as well as the catalytic converter. He changed the spark plug and told me my options were a rebuilt engine or to replace it. It would continue and it would get worse. Honda issued a warranty extension realted to misfire dondition related to piston ring deterioration (DTCs P0301 - P0304.) The dealer I took it too states that since the above mentioned codes are not present, they cannot perform the warranty work. The dealer did ask and corroborate that changing the spark plugs will "buy time" and is a cheap fix that does not correct the issue but may extend the life of the engine. The mechanic agrees that the issue being warranted is the issue i was experiencing but does not have a copy of the codes to prove it. I am frustrated that this warranty clearly applies to my vehicle, but because I hired a mechanic previously who has prevented the codes from being present, I am out an engine. Please help

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL

I am reporting an engine defect covered under Honda’s recent warranty extension for 2013–2017 Odyssey / 2013–2015 Pilot vehicles when the MIL comes on with DTCs P0301–P0304. On November 1, 2022, I was stranded on the road when the check-engine light came on. At Honda Muller of Gurnee, the dealer diagnosed misfires consistent with P0301–P0304, explaining the underlying cause as piston ring function deterioration with sludge causing oil to foul the spark plugs. I was told my original warranty had expired only about six weeks earlier (on August 29, 2022). Coverage was denied and I was quoted over $6,000. Because I couldn’t afford the repair, the dealer recommended replacing the spark plugs as a temporary measure only, stating this would not fix the underlying defect. I proceeded with that temporary measure. On November 11, 2022, American Honda formally acknowledged my concern in writing, confirming that Case #13455791 had been opened and escalated to a case manager in direct response to my diagnosis from November 1, 2022. Despite this acknowledgment, my repair request was denied. In 2025 I received Honda’s warranty extension letter acknowledging coverage for this exact defect (including coverage through January 31, 2026). I returned to the dealer seeking repair based on my documented diagnosis, but repair was refused again because the codes were not present that day (the condition is intermittent). This defect affects drivability and safety (loss of power/hesitation and reduced ability to merge or cross traffic). I am asking the federal safety agency to record this complaint and consider action so that owners with documented prior diagnoses — especially those recognized by Honda corporate — are not refused repairs simply because an intermittent defect isn’t active at the exact moment of inspection. I am reporting an engine defect covered under Honda’s recent warranty extension for 2013–2017 Odyssey / 2013–2015 Pilot vehicles when the MIL comes on with DTCs P0301–P0304.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · MD

A poorly designed engine leads to misfires even after proper maintenance, increasing the chances of a crash. On Monday, May 12th, 2025, the MIL indicator came on and began flashing while I was driving. The engine began to misfire so violently that the vehicle was nearly undriveable; acceleration was dangerously poor. After I got home, I used a OBD-II code scanner and pulled a "P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire" DTC. Then, I did some research, and found that a poorly designed engine causes oil to burn inside the cylinders and foul the spark plugs. I inspected the spark plugs and found multiple fouled plugs, specifically on the cylinders on which Honda's Variable Cylinder Management activates on, cylinders 1-4. I replaced all six spark plugs, and the issue went away, as expected. Photos of the fouled plugs are attached. Honda is aware of this problem, as it recently extended the warranty of the engine in this vehicle. I received a letter on July 31, 2025, titled, "Warranty Extension: 2013-15 Pilot & 2013-17 Odyssey MIL Comes on with DTCs P0301 thru P0304." (See uploaded file.) Spark plug inspection and replacement is part of the repair, in addition to a partial engine rebuild and software update. However, the warranty extension only applies *after* the misfiring has started, which is no help to the safety of this vehicle, as the issue can start at any moment while driving. Furthermore, the warranty extension only adds an extra six months to many of the affected vehicles. Therefore, any vehicle this extension applies to is an unsafe vehicle unless the safety issue already occurred and was repaired. If the issue presents itself after this time period, the owner is left with an unremedied vehicle and with an expensive repair bill.