Honda Odyssey power steering loss problems

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Engine · FL

Vehicle Information:Year/Make/Model: 2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 45, 200 miles Component / Defect: Engine Oil Leak leading to Alternator Failure (Front Spool Valve / Valve Cover Gasket Leak onto Alternator) Summary of Incident and Service History: My car overheated and would not start on several occasions over the last year and a half starting in July 2025, leaving me stranded and requiring it to be towed. My car has been in service at the dealer multiple times for approximately 2 weeks each time. Oil Leak and Alternator Hazard: The vehicle experienced engine oil leaking directly onto/into the alternator. According to communications from Honda service personnel ([XXX]), oil leaking from the front spool valve and valve cover gaskets penetrates the alternator, causing component failure. The dealership explicitly warned that failure to complete these repairs would result in repeated alternator failure. XXX Service: The vehicle was brought in for diagnostic work and repairs at Brickell Honda Performed services included diagnostic procedures, engine oil & filter replacement, radiator fan motor replacement, A/C condenser fan motor replacement, and tire rotation. Total Paid: $2,443.60 Additional Repair Estimates Provided: Valve cover gaskets & spark plug replacement: $1,901.18 plus tax Front spool valve replacement: $1,641.70 plus tax Prior Related Invoices: An earlier invoice was issued on XXX for $2,096.29 by Brickell Honda for alternator replacement and other maintenance services. Safety Risk Statement: An unaddressed oil leak dripping onto the alternator poses a serious electrical component failure hazard while operating the vehicle. Sudden loss of electrical power while driving can cause engine stalling, loss of power steering, loss of headlights/lighting, and disablement in traffic, presenting a significant risk of collision and vehicle safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · FL

I purchased a 2018 Honda Odyssey and reported during my 7-day inspection window that the transmission was acting sluggish. The Carvana-authorized inspection service (Pep Boys) claimed the transmission was fine. Over time it showed more and more signs of failure until it completely failed. On the directive of the seller (Carvana) and warranty administrator (SilverRock), the vehicle was taken to an authorized Pep Boys facility for a complete transmission replacement. Less than two days after picking up the vehicle, the replacement transmission suffered a complete failure on a public roadway. The vehicle suddenly lost all acceleration and forced itself into 'limp mode' on a highway, and loss of steering control, nearly causing a severe collision. The vehicle is inherently unsafe, and the authorized repair network has failed to provide a merchantable or safe repair, creating an immediate life-threatening hazard.

Filed Mar 4, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

What happened? While driving my 2025 Honda Odyssey, the engine failed to restart during an Auto Idle Stop event at a 4-way stop/intersection. When releasing the brake to take my right-of-way, the engine stalled completely. The vehicle became immobilized, the power steering went heavy/stiff, and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. I had to manually cycle the ignition by shifting to "Park" and pressing the "Start" button multiple times to regain power while traffic was waiting. This has occurred twice. What component or system failed or malfunctioned? The Auto Idle Stop (AIS) system and the Starter/Charging System. A service technician recently documented a "slow crank" during routine maintenance, suggesting the battery is unable to handle the restart load. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle stalled during a right-of-way transition (green light/4-way stop). This created an immediate risk. The loss of power steering and the stiffened brake pedal could have made the vehicle nearly impossible to maneuver manually on an incline during the failure. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? A dealership technician confirmed a "slow crank" symptom during a multi-point inspection, though they could not reproduce an issue. The battery tested good. Were there any warning lamps or symptoms before failure? Yes. A "slow crank" was noted by a technician when attempting to start my vehicle to check my vehicle mileage. During the stall itself, a red exclamation point warning appeared on the dashboard.

Filed May 22, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Emissions system Failure", "Brake System Failure", "Brake Hose System Failure", "Power Steering Failure", "EPS Failure, "Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) Failure", "Hill Start Assist Failure" and "Road Departure Mitigation System Failure" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a vehicle safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Engine · AR

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rod bearing failure lead to engine seizing How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? We started hearing the ticking in October, I visited the dealership and contacted Honda multiple times and either told to take no action or wait for the recall. Case #[XXX] We expressed our concern to both the dealership and Honda about not addressing the issue because we had a big trip for Christmas coming up. My mother-in-law has terminal cancer and the entire family was getting together for Christmas with her. To get there we drive 20 hours from Arkansas to Utah. We followed the advice of the dealership and Honda and waited. Unfortunately about 50 miles out of Amarillo the van started to make loud engine noise and stalled. While going 75 miles an hour down the interstate I lost power steering and my brakes were very unresponsive. Luckily, we were in the farthest right lane and I was able to get us safely to the shoulder. We feel blessed to have made it off the road, it was a very dangerous situation. Now my van with 70K mile has a seized engine and is stuck 12 hours away in Amarillo Texas. I am requesting that Honda reimburse my rental, ship my van back home to Bentonville, and send a new engine for the dealership to fix the now seized engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes the issue has been diagnosed by Brown Honda in Amarillo TX by Todd Burkham the Fixed Operations Director Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Only by Brown Honda in Amarillo TX Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Only the ticking sound that we took the vehicle in for starting in late October. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 17, 2023 · TX

I was driving the vehicle as normal and stopped at a Red Traffic Light. I attempted to drive when the light changed to green. The car stuttered, the dashboard lights flashed and the car shut down. - Multiple attempts to re-start failed. No prior warning lights etc. Car just return from Dealer to address Recall Issues etc. Dealer made comments on Brake Maintenance etc which was then serviced. No Mention of Auto Stop/Start issues. - FULL failure: No brake, no steering, no radio, dashboard went blank. No lights. - FAILURE OF HAZARD LIGHTS TO WORK. - This is a SHUT down in the middle of a busy street with 2 kids in the car. NO Hazard lights working. - Mulitple near accidents from incoming traffic. No lights working??? -Spoke to mechanic over the phone. He thought it was NOT likely the battery and I needed to get a tow truck. -Tow truck not available for several hours. - Mechanic was able to send someone to me. He worked on it and eventually got it to start. - Immediately took it to the Mechanic Shop. They Tested the Battery, alternator, starter and connections. Stated No Problem detected. - Mechanic thought it could be related to the computer/Auto Stop/Start system and suggested I get it checked at the Dealership. -Spoke to the Dealership the following day and base on the description of events they also mention the Auto Stop/Start system???? -This seems to be a problem they are aware of but????? The Dealership recognize this problem base on the conversation???? It is thus well known???? - Car left at Dealership - This is EXTEMELY DANGEROUS. The car Shuts Down/Freezes in the middle of Traffic. - NO HAZARD LIGHTS WORKING?????? - This is an Accident/Deaths waiting to happen. - Why is the computer even controlling the HAZARD lights. That is a HORRENDOUS Design Error. Hazard Lights should be HARD WIRED to switch.

Filed Jan 30, 2023 · Engine, Steering · NC

Twice during the last year, the bolt securing the drive belt tensioner has broken while driving the vehicle. This results in loss of steering, electrical, and cooling of the engine. The first time the incident occurred on a stretch of rural highway where the lone occupant had to wait for help to arrive. The first date was on May 12, 2022. The second incident took place in an urban area on January 25, 2023. But, with only 8 months in between the incidents, it is apparent there is a problem in this. The original repair in May was accomplished by a Honda dealer.

Filed Apr 12, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · 190,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering and braking functionality before the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast into a parking lot. The contact did not notice any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had become difficult to turn with the occasional recurring loss of power steering functionality. The contact related the steering failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 05V039000 (Steering). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed May 19, 2021 · Engine · OH

The Honda Odyssey engine turns off while driving. My wife was driving with four children in the car and the engine died causing loss of power steering and brakes. This places all family members at serious risk of injury or death. Took the vehicle to three different service garages and none were able to reproduce the incident or determine a reason. One service garage was a certified HONDA Dealer and Service Center. They also were unable to determine the cause after having the vehicle for a significant period of time. They wanted to start replacing parts at a very high cost but indicated that there was no assurance it would fix the problems. Took the vehicle to another service garage where they said the parts the dealer wanted to replace were working fine and it would not solve the problem. Drove the car home and the engine failed again while I was driving on a highway. I also lost all power to the steering and brakes. The vehicle is available for inspection. I will not let my wife or children ride in the vehicle. It is not safe. There were no warnings prior to the failure. All service garages indicate there are no codes that are generated when they run the computer scans.

Filed Feb 16, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 17,780 miles · NY

The power steering stopped working while I was driveing. The lights for power steering, break problem, lane keeping assistant system and lane departure migration lights are all on in the dashboard. The power steering was hard to turn.