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Honda Odyssey shudder problems

177 of the 12,943 owner complaints about the Honda Odyssey describe shudder or vibration when accelerating, most of them for the 2005 model year.

owner complaints
177
worst model year
2005
typical repair cost reported
$2,200
typical mileage
67,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 23Jerking 22Transmission failure 19Misfire 13Hesitation 12Slipping 11Harsh shifting 7Loss of power 5

Trouble codes mentioned

P0303 4P0301 4P0740 2P0304 2P0848 1P0796 1P0430 1P0420 1P0306 1P0302 1

What owners say

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

My Odyssey began to shudder and misfire. Luckily, I was in a parking lot when it happened. It stopped running. Several attempts to restart were unsuccessful. Once when it did start, it was missing and would barely move. After about 15 minutes, I was able to get it started and get home (a little over 2 miles). I installed my code checker to find the problem. I initially had 22 codes - including P0301-P0306, P0300 and P0087. I waited a while and re-ran the test. The P0087 continued to show. I did not attempt to drive it anymore until the next day, when I took it to Canady & Branch (Auto Repair). They checked for codes and also had the P0087 code. They called and informed me of the issue and indicated that it involves the fuel pump. They also indicated that there were recalls for the Honda Odyssey for the fuel system:fuel pump. I contacted Priority Honda to determine if this would be covered under a recall. I was told that the recall did not involve my Odyssey. I needed my vehicle, so I had Canady & Branch make the necessary repair ($874.42 - the diagnostic was an additional $77). I spoke to Honda USA today and was informed that they do not cover 3rd party work and reiterated that my vehicle was not on the recall list. I was told that IT HAD BEEN on the list but was removed in March of 2024.

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Life-Threatening Acceleration Lag: The vehicle is experiencing severe power loss during critical driving moments, for example, while entering intersections or attempting to re-accelerate into moving traffic. When I attempt to speed up, the engine fails to respond initially, leaving the vehicle stranded in the path of cross-traffic. The engine finally engages only because I am forced to floor the accelerator pedal out of necessity, which then causes the tires to squeal when power eventually returns. Intermittent Starting Issues: The vehicle frequently fails to start smoothly on the first attempt; a known symptom associated with the fuel pump impeller deformation described in Recall 23V‑858. VCM Shudder and Hesitation: I am experiencing the distinct vibration and rhythmic shudder associated with the Variable Cylinder Management system. This symptom is most prominent during deceleration or coasting; specifically, when I lift my foot off the accelerator without applying the brakes, the system triggers a noticeable shudder as it incorrectly manages cylinder engagement/deactivation. Suspected Catalytic Failure (Codes P0420/P0430): Both catalytic converters are exhibiting inefficiency codes simultaneously, which are highly atypical and occur well before the expected component lifespan. This clearly points to upstream defects. Specifically, the catalytic substrate has been poisoned by carbon and phosphorus deposits from the documented oil-burning defect and has suffered thermal damage due to the improper fuel mixtures caused by the defective high-pressure fuel pump (Recall 23V‑858).

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 Dec 5, 2025 · Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH at nighttime, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering while driving at 25 MPH. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic and caught another ride to her destination. The contact returned to the vehicle the following morning and drove the vehicle to the mechanic's parking lot. The independent mechanic retrieved DTC: P0303. The contact was informed of an engine cylinder misfire and that the failure was related to an unknown Extended Warranty Coverage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the same assessment was made. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and advised that the VIN was not included in the Extended Warranty Coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 7, 2025 · Transmission · GA

-Torque convertor/transmission. We do currently have it and it could be inspected. -A sudden transmission failure could pose a safety risk to us and others. -Yes, see story below. Technician drove and did report feeling the shuddering. -Yes, by honda and now a third party mechanic. -No lights. We received a recall/extension warranty for the torque converter/transmission. My van is currently having shuddering issues. When we took it to Milton Martin Honda in Gainesville, GA, they reported the issue is present, but not at a certain "threshold" for them to be required to fix it. They then proceeded to charge me $175 for diagnostics because the issue did not reach said "threshold." They then proceeded to tell me that a torque convertor will cost me $5200 and that the reason it is so expensive is because they just raised their prices on torque convertors. Definitely appears that they are weaseling out of fixing these recall/warranty extensions and then up-charging when people do have to pay cash for the vehicle to get fixed. Also I have researched and torque convertors with labor are not that expensive and thus things seems a bit nefarious. Currently we are getting a third party mechanic involved to assess the vehicle further.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

Vehicle applied brakes for no reason. Lost ability to see reverse camera during backing up. Half of the instrument cluster went dim to become barely visible. Radio screen freezes randomly. Engine cuts out or shudders intermittently.

Filed Aug 24, 2025 · Suspension · OH

Approximately May 2023, while pulling away from stop light, heard loud pop (like gunshot inside vehicle) and vehicle shuddered/jolted. It feels almost like someone hit vehicle with sledgehammer. I looked underneath but no issues found. No bump in road was hit at the time. December 24th 2024, while moving at less then 5 mph, heard another loud pop and shudder/jolt. Someone sitting in the back thought that something fell on the vehicle. This time noticed that left rear tire was into wheel well with vehicle unloaded. After pulling wheel, found left rear coil spring broken in 2 places. Believe broke first in 23 and again in 24. At time, we were 1200 miles from home and needed to delay trip so Honda in Killeen TX could repair. Dealer service advisor stated they had never seen anything like that except from crash. June 19th 2025. On highway doing 70-75 mph when heard another loud pop and shudder. No pot hole or any significant bump hit. Stopped, pulled wheel, and found right rear spring broken. Honda dealership in Marysville OH unable to find new spring either through OEM or aftermarket. We have also been unable to find aftermarket or junkyards. Being told that there is a nationwide backorder and no eta for when replacment parts are going to start being available. So being forced to continue driving a vehicle that is unsafe. First this does not seem normal for springs just to randomly break. Second for a critical suspension component on a relatively new vehicle, why is manufacturer unable to proved parts. We are now 2 months into it being broken and can't even order replacment parts yet because Honda is not allowing orders to be placed.

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

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 15, 2013 · 204,169 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

Recall number 13V143000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 15, 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic transmission, eventually leading to gear tooth chipping or gear breakage.
Risk
Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more than 15,000 miles, the dealer will inspect the transmission to identify gears that have already experienced discoloration due to overheating. If discoloration exists, the transmission will be replaced if discoloration is not present, the dealer will perform the revision to the oil cooler return line. The recall began on april 21, 2004, for pilot, odyssey, and mdx owners. Owners of the accord vehicles will start receiving letters on june 28, 2004, and on june 29, 2004, for owners of the tl and cl vehicles. Owners should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.

Recall number 04V176000 · Recall details

Questions about the Honda Odyssey shudder

Which Honda Odyssey years have shudder or vibration when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2005 (24 complaints), 2007 (24 complaints) and 2016 (18 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix shudder or vibration when accelerating on the Honda Odyssey?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 27 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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