2014 Honda Odyssey Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
The piston ring function has deteriorated causing ring low wear toughness such to the point that sludge has been created fowling the spark plug. This leads to carbon fowling and misfiring of the engine. There have been two incident's one in March of 2025 and the second in Late July of 2025. Both times we after my wife freak out because the car was falling apart she had it towed to a mechanic and both times they said it was caused by what I identified above. A few weeks later a notice of a warrantee exception was sent out and we thought great we will take it in and they will fix it. If we had know about the warrantee extension prior we would have brought it to Honda. Honda told us that unless the lights are on we won't fix it. So they said we needed to wait to it breaks down somewhere and then have it towed to the nearest Honda by Jan. 31st, 2026 and they will fix it. After that tough luck. We are looking for an exception to this rule and I have sent in the necessary information proving that the problem exists as evidenced by two licensed mechanics. If and exception is not granted I will have no other choice but to bring it to the better business bureau and 7 on your side a local consumer advocate from KGO TV and get them to come after you to make this right. We have been a loyal advocate for Honda for over 12 years and just want this to be made right. Please don't make us have to expose this miscarriage of good faith. Please respond to this quickly as there are only two days left in the extended warrantee. I talked to a case worker today and they told me I was out of luck. I am not happy as you can imagine [XXX] & [XXX] , [XXX] . 1-29-2026 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On 10/03/2021 I was driving on the road and they car started acting up and the lights on the dashboard all start light up, so I drove to the dealer did a diagnosis on the car came out To be misfire and piston ring 4 fault. So I did the repair that are required for me to operate my vehicle safely. So four years later Honda did the recall. I submitted my documentation and repair receipt. Honda at first denied my claim saying I don’t have a proof of payment ( which clearly shows on my receipt it’s been paid with a Visa card), so I replied back with the Honda dealer’s billing personal contact info so the can verify that it’s been paid. So that takes care that. Then they move on to denying me again saying I don’t have the correct code on my invoice. So I attached the dealer repair managers contact info for them to verify the repair ( which the manager said American Honda should honor the repair since they issue the recall) and after all whose work Honda is still denying it. I did some searching on the net. I am not alone on this. A lot of honda owners are having the same issues did the repair with their hard earned money and when it comes to recall. American Honda motors are trying everything they can to dishonor it. I thing there must be something that we can do to stop this.
Vehicle: 2014 Honda Odyssey, VIN [XXX] , approximately 88,000 miles. In October 2025, the vehicle developed a strong burning-like odor from the HVAC vents, the temperature gauge rose, and an “Engine Hot” warning message appeared. At the same time, engine performance deteriorated and the engine began misfiring. Due to the overheating warning and drivability issues, I stopped using the vehicle and brought it to Pit Stop Auto Center (203 Clinton Place, Long Branch, NJ 07740) for inspection. Component/system that failed or malfunctioned: The engine head gasket failed (engine/cooling system). The failure resulted in internal oil-to-coolant cross-contamination, with a milky/frothy oil–coolant mixture visible in the coolant reservoir and additional visible oil contamination when removing the coolant cap. The mechanic also stated in a message dated October 29, 2025 that after removing the water pump, they discovered that engine oil was mixed with coolant inside the cooling system. How safety was put at risk: The head gasket failure caused an engine overheating condition (“Engine Hot” warning) and misfiring/reduced performance, creating a risk of loss of power and breakdown while driving. The burning odor from the vents also raised safety concerns. I brought the vehicle in to prevent further damage and unsafe operation. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center: The problem was confirmed by an independent service center (Pit Stop Auto Center) based on inspection and documented evidence of oil mixed with coolant. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, or others: by DCH Kay Honda/Pit Stop Auto Center Warning lamps/messages/symptoms prior to failure: Burning odor from vents, elevated temperature gauge, and “Engine Hot” warning message, with noticeable engine performance deterioration and misfiring beginning in October 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Had a Honda fixed for a well known piston ring problem that did not have a recall, but should have at the time repaired. In July, Honda sent us an extended warranty for the very problem we had repaired. I sent in all documentation and claim was denied twice. My dealer has sent me a voice mail confirming the repair is the exact one mentioned in the warranty extension. American Honda is claiming certain error codes must be mentioned in the work order in order to pay the claim. This is at best a bad faith move on Honda's part.
Piston failure - vehicle has always been properly maintained by Honda dealer and we have adhered to their suggestions for maintenance/repair. It has been driven in a safe and legal manner. There is no reason why this should have happened under the conditions without a defect. Vehicles currently at Regal Honda, Lakeland FL incurring $6000 worth of repairs.
I just went to a professional auto mechanics and they have confirmed that my 2014 Honda Odessey engine has the same symtoms and noise of a connecting rod bearings failure. The engine is making a lot of engine knocking noise. and recently, the connecting rod has failed. The safety issue is that with a stall engine on freeway, it can cause serious accident. I have the car here. I wonder if NHTSA would be interested to investigate this vehicle as it would help the public to be aware that the current Honda engine recall extends to the 2014 Honda Odessey model as well.
Repair required piston rings replacements. The vehicle was only 10 years old, 61,000 miles. This is coincidental with the ECO mode shutting down 3 cylinders. As you know, the 2014 model does not have (unlike current models) a special button for the ECO mode, as such, the driver has no control over the feature. While this is a hypothesis, this might have damaged the engine from overuse of remaining cylinders or malfunction of the ones that did not engage in the ECO mode. Research online indicated that other customers reported similar issues. I do not feel it's fair for a vehicle with 61K (sixty one thousand) mileage and 9.5 years old to break down considering the use and the care I have provided for the vehicle throughout its life. I am the original owner and serviced all needed maintenance at Honda or Acura dealerships (can be evident by records on CarFax), and used only Shell or Costco gasoline, never a cheap non-branded gas. The premium that Honda commands for its brand and its recognition failed with this major over $5,000 repair. Thank you!
Back three (3) cylinders, namely #3 cylinder, constantly fouls out. Vehicle has less than 100k miles on it and has been regularly serviced.
I have now had a flashing check engine twice on my van. The first time it happened next to a well known national mechanic chain while in a car wash. 4 other lights came on all the sudden along with a flashing check engine light. You could feel the engine rumbling. I took it straight to the mechanic next to us and they told me I had a misfire and needed spark plugs and a ignition coil. They did that work and it did temporarily fix the problem. 6 months later the same thing happens. So I took it to a Honda dealer this time. They informed me this is actually a much larger known issue with this engine. The ring on the cylinder shifts/brakes allowing oil to come up and it ruins the spark plug, causing a misfire. They have to do a complete engine rebuild. The mechanic advised Honda knows about this issue and they see it all the time. They also warned me it is dangerous to drive the vehicle when this occurs as the engine could fail and there is a fire risk from the unburned fuel in the exhaust.
VCM causing overflow of oil in cylinders 3 and 6 ruining internal components. Vehicle would not accelerate on expressway had to idle to gas station. Lawsuit and extended warranty place on 07-13 odysseys for same issue .
My vehicle had check engine line was blinking and I took to the Honda. They immediately diagnosed the code as Cylinder 3 Misfire. Upon checking they identified the root cause is Piston ring needs to replace as oil was leaking in the cylinder. I was told that this can cause severe dame to vehicle and passenger as time engine can stop and cause the fire also. I was told that this issue is well known to Honda. When I reached out to Honda they said that your vehicle is not part of the recall and we cannot reimburse the repair expense. I had maintained my car up to date. There was no maintenances service to replace the piston ring at certain mileage. I am single owner. I am baffled on how this was not the manufacturer issue? How was the scope of the investigation on which vehicle impacted determined? Why was my vin number excluded from recall as certainly it is impacted? This issue put me at the risk with safety. Additionally, why do I need to pay for this Manufactuing defects? Is vehicle manufacturer responsibility not applicable when Car is outside of the warranty due to mileage and years?
My engine needs to be re-ringed after 50000 miles after a repair of the same. Honda settled a class action suit of this issue and the repair was done by an authorized dealer. The pistons rings on certain cylinders my rotate and align which can lead to spark plug fowling. The code is P0301-P0304. This is caused by the VCM that is put on the vehicle to increase gas mileage. Thousands of Honda engines are affected by this problem. Honda needs to do more about this problem. The engines are failing and not lasting as they should.
Its a defective torque converter
The contact owns a 2014 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact initially had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where an oil leak was discovered behind the spark plugs. After the initial failure, the contact had the spark plugs replaced four separate times. The vehicle was also taken to a dealer where it was determined that the cause of the failure was the piston rings, and the contact was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,315.
MORNING WHEN WE START OUT DAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND CAR BEGIN MISFIRING. THE CAR DOESNT RAN FINE AFTER THAT.. I TOOK CAR TO HONDA DEALERSHIP AND SAID THE O-RINGS NEED REPLACED. THEY TRIED TO GET HONDA TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY SAID IT'S THE SAME ISSUE THAT LED TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR 2011-2013 HONDA ODYSSEYS. IN THAT CASE THE "PISTON RINGS IN CERTAIN CYLINDERS MAY ROTATE AND ALIGN, LEADING TO ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND SPARK PLUG FOULING." HONDA OF AMERICA SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME ISSUE.
One day I went to turn my car on and the check engine light came on with another light. Not sure what the other light was. My car was shaking to the point where I knew I shouldn't drive it. I called the dealership to see if it was drivable. They said it was not since the check engine light was flashing. I had it towed into the dealership. After an inspection they said it was an engine misfire and that cylinders 1-3 needed new piston rings. The spark plug was oil fouled as well. I had very low mileage on the vehicle. I had only 68,400 miles on the car. The repair was a little over $3200 to fix.
I purchased new Honda Odyssey Van in Oct. 2013 (Model 2014) from Auto Nation Honda, Lewisville, TX. I have done services ever since. On 12/14/2021; I was driving on the highway. The check engine light came on along with other lights. The car was vibrating. I pulled the van on the side of 635 Hwy turned the van off, back on, and it persisted. Eventually van was taken to a workshop. I was told nearly a $6,000 repair bill due to piston rings and oil getting into the spark plugs. The van only has 67,980 miles on it. Upon further review, it appears that this is a known Honda issue with this engine (V6, automatic). There are service bulletins covering the 2011-13 model years. I am reading online that now newer model years are experiencing the same issue. It also reads like this issue will come back... I guess starting on the 2014 model years, Honda changed the piston rings. I don't believe this helped as I am seeing the same issue on my van. I contacted Auto Nation Honda dealer, and I was told I must pay out of my pocket. I think Honda has not fixed this issue for model 2014 Odyssey, manufactured in 09/2013.
I purchased this car used in 2018 from CarMax. I have done Honda dealer services ever since. Most recently in December 2021. On 4/6/22; I want to back out of my garage. The check engine light came on along with other lights. The car was vibrating. We turned the car off, back on, and it persisted. We eventually had it towed to a dealer. Yesterday, we were hit with nearly a $6,000 repair bill due to piston rings and oil getting into the spark plugs. The car only (approx) has 78,XXX miles on it. Upon further review, it appears that this is a known Honda issue with this engine (V6, automatic). There are service bulletins covering the 2011-13 model years. I am reading online that now newer model years are experiencing the same issue. It also reads like this issue will come back... I guess starting on the 2014 model years, Honda changed the piston rings. I don't believe this helped as I am seeing the same issue on my car. People have done the repair and it comes back. I contacted Honda corporate and I am waiting for a call back on a 'good will' case. I believe Honda is still using this engine.
I had this honda Odyssey and It has an issue with the engine which Honda Dealership confirm after I spend 700 USD. Honda Manufacturing is declining to fix the issue or pay attention to this issue.
I’m writing about a concerning experience I had with our 2014 Honda Odyssey EX-L vehicle. We’ve had this vehicle for about 5 years and haven’t had any issues until recently. On Monday, June 14th approximately at 5:30pm PDT we were starting to accelerate on the freeway onramp when our Honda vehicle stayed in a low gear. I was unable to accelerate and eventually the dashboard lights started to flash and the HondaLink system restarted while this was occurring. The instrument panel then displayed the words “Failure” and I proceed to the emergency shoulder of the freeway. Prior to this incident there were no indicators that there was an issue with the vehicle. After turning off the vehicle, I was no longer able to get the vehicle started and it had to be towed to our long-time auto repair shop. After they ran a diagnostic test and checked the vehicle, they said everything passed except for the battery which was still good prior to the incident. For safety, the battery was replaced and we drove the vehicle home on Tuesday, June 15th. The next day, June 16th, while my wife was running an errand and after returning to the car it turned over very “sluggishly”, the HondaLink system restarted again, and then it began losing electrical power as well. My wife didn’t want to take any chances with having the vehicle shut down again while driving and ended up having it towed again to our mechanic. The auto shop ran another diagnostic and thoroughly checked the vehicle and couldn’t find anything wrong right away. They had to do some additional troubleshooting and found that the alternator was defective even though the Honda diagnostics didn’t report any issues with the alternator. The alternator was replaced and we haven’t experienced any additional issues to date. This incident is extremally concerning as the outcome could have been worse or tragic if this would have occurred while driving at a higher rate of speed on the road or freeway. Dashcam - https://youtu.be/5-Za-Mf5BdI
(2014 HONDA ODYSSEY EX-L). ON FRI, 02-21-2020, 3:47PM, I WAS SLOWING TO STOP AT INTERSECTION. BEFORE COMING TO COMPLETE STOP, ENGINE BEGAN TO SHUDDER, BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY STALL/STOP, AND THE MIL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ENGINE CONTINUED TO SHUDDER WHILE IDLING AT COMPLETE STOP. I GENTLY APPLIED ACCELERATION TO 10-MPH. ENGINE CONTINUED TO SHUDDER AS I CONTINUED AND STOPPED AT ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT. AGAIN I GENTLY APPLIED ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SHUDDER UNTIL I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PARK AND SWITCHED IT OFF. THE ENGINE SHUDDERED AT A CONSISTENT LEVEL FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT 8-MINUTES. I CALLED MY LOCAL HONDA SERVICE DEPT TO ASK ABOUT POSSIBLE CAUSES AND IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE REP ASKED ME ABOUT A PREVIOUS REPAIR NOTED ON HIS COMPUTER FOR AN ISSUE THE VAN HAD REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF AN OIL SENSOR IN OCTOBER 2019, AND IF IT WAS RELATED. I TOLD HIM I DIDN'T KNOW. SINCE HE COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, HE ADVISED ME NOT TO START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE BECAUSE IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE MORE DAMAGE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEN I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND MY VAN WAS TAKEN TO MY HONDA SERVICE DEPT. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, A SERVICE REP CALLED ME WITH THE DIAGNOSIS CODE P0303, WHICH HE SAID INDICATES THAT A MISFIRE WAS DETECTED IN THE #3 CYLINDER. THE REP SAID THAT THIS ISSUE ALLOWED OIL TO PASS BY THE MULTIPLE OIL RINGS ON THE PISTON INTO THE CHAMBER AND FOULED THE SPARK PLUG. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS ISSUE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE SERVICE REP QUOTED $4,420.00 TO REPAIR OBDII CODE P0303. I ASKED HIM IF THE MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A RESULT OF ANY DRIVER ACTION OR LACK OF MAINTENANCE. HE SAID THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I SHOULD CALL AMERICAN HONDA AUTOMOBILES (800-999-1009).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA ODYSSEY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH MEANT THAT THE FCW AND LDW SYSTEMS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE SPARK PLUG FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE 2013 MODELS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 216,000.
2014 HONDA ODYSSEY WHICH IS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2013 HONDA ODYSSEY WHERE PISTON RING 1 -4 WITH LEAK OIL AND FOUL THE SPARK PLUGS. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ENGINE MISFIRES AND VIBRATES SIGNIFICANTLY AND REDUCES DRIVABILITY. DUE TO THE WARRANTY EXTENSION ON PRIOR YEARS THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL AND ENGINE BUT NOT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. WHEN THE ISSUE HAS MANIFESTED IT HAS BEEN WHEN DRIVING BOTH TIMES HAS BEEN ON A CITY STREET. ESTIMATES FOR REPAIR ARE $4,200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA ODYSSEY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG WAS COVERED WITH OIL AND CHANGED, THE OIL WAS REFILLED TO THE PROPER LEVEL, AND ANOTHER SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SCOTT HONDA OF WEST CHESTER (706 AUTOPARK BLVD, WEST CHESTER, PA 19382) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $3,000 TO REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS AND CLEAN THE PISTONS. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERED EARLIER MODELS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
CHECK EMISSION MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ON CHECKING THE CODES VIA OBD - IT SHOWS P3400 BANK 1 VALVE STUCK ERROR CODE POINTING TO A FAULTY OIL PRESSURE SWITCH. I CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL USING THE DIPSTICK WHICH SHOWS THE OIL LEVELS ARE WITHIN THE LIMITS ON THE STICK. THE DASHBOARD MESSAGE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT + CHECK EMISSIONS MSG) SUDDENLY APPEARED WHILE DRIVING ON A WARM AFTERNOON AT 45MPH (ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE RIDE).
Trend Over Time
Complaints by year
Other Issues
Common problems reported
Quick Summary
The 2014 Honda Odyssey has 34 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.