Honda Odyssey VIN Number Check

Decode a Honda Odyssey VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix5FN2HKJHM

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Honda Odyssey

About the Honda Odyssey

Honda has sold the Odyssey in the US since the 1995 model year, and there have been five generations. The Gen 1 came first (1995–1998); Gen 2 (1999–2004), Gen 3 (2005–2010), Gen 4 (2011–2017) followed, and the Gen 5 took over for 2018–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 82 vehicle recall campaigns and 12,716 owner complaints. The 2018 has the most complaints of any model year (993). EPA rates the Gen 1 at 19–21 mpg combined, while the Gen 5 gets 22 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1995–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3 · Gen 4 · Gen 5

NHTSA recall campaigns82

Owner complaints12,716 at NHTSA

Honda Odyssey photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Honda Odyssey generations

Five generations since the 1995 model year. The Gen 2 (1999–2004) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (28).

5 / 5

Gen 5

2018–20265th generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1995200020052010201520202025

2018–2026· Generation 5 of 5

Gen 5 · 5th generation

EPA classMinivan

EPA combined mpg22

NHTSA recalls27

Engines (EPA)

3.5 L 6-cyl · 2018–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
automatic (2018–2026)

Known issues to check

Forward collision avoidance (1,190)Electrical system (1,031)Engine and cooling (712)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 3,360 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 55FNRL6H7?KB······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Honda Odyssey EXL / EXL-NR, built in Lincoln, Alabama

Check an Odyssey VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Odyssey model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 82 campaigns on file for Odyssey model years 1995–2026, and the 2019 shows up in more of them than any other year (20), ahead of the 2018 (16). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Honda Odyssey owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2018 (993 of 12,716). Tap any bar or generation.

12,716NHTSA complaints, 1995–2026

449mention a crash

137mention a fire

685injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 5: 3,360 complaints · most for the 2018 (993)

Top complaint areas · Gen 5

Mentions in 3,360 complaints, 2018–2026.

Forward collision avoidance1,190

Electrical system1,031

Engine and cooling712

Lane departure583

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)382

Fuel system349

Crashes 46Fires 17Injuries 121

2018–2026 (Gen 5)

NHTSA data summary

The 2018 is the outlier. On its own it has 993 of the ’s 3,360 complaints (30%), more than any other Odyssey model year, and owners across the generation name forward collision avoidance most often (1,190 mentions), then electrical system (1,031).

What Odyssey owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2018–present (5th generation)

On the 2018, NHTSA owners describe false collision and lane warnings, camera and electrical faults, sliding door trouble and rough shifting. CarComplaints ranks transmission failure first for 2018, followed by jerky shifts and a water leak. Recalls cover 2018–2019 vans whose transmission control unit can reboot and shift into Park, sliding door latches that may not latch on 2018–2019 vans and door handle cables that can freeze on 2018–2020 vans. On the 2025, many owners report the engine failing to restart after auto idle stop. [1] [2] [3]

2011–2017 (4th generation)

On the 2014, NHTSA complaints mention brakes, jerky transmission shifts and door problems. CarComplaints notes an early trend of clunking or jerking when shifting on the 2014 and 2015. A recall covers 2011–2017 vans whose second-row outboard seats may not latch properly if reinstalled between their two side positions. [4] [5]

2005–2010 (3rd generation)

Brakes lead NHTSA complaints for the 2007, including pedals that sink or feel soft, along with power steering problems. CarComplaints ranks an A/C condenser easily damaged by road debris first for 2005, followed by transmission failure and a spark plug that blew out. Recalls cover air entering the stability system pump on 2007–2008 vans, which can soften the brake pedal, unexpected braking by that system on 2007–2008 vans and a fuel pump strainer cover that may leak on 2005–2010 vans. [6] [7]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the brake system and fuel pump recalls on 2005–2010 vans, the second-row seat recall on 2011–2017 vans and the transmission control and sliding door recalls on 2018–2020 vans.
Ask for transmission service records.
On the drive, feel for jerky shifts, test both sliding doors and watch for false collision warnings or a failed restart after idle stop.

Sources (7) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Honda Odyssey owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

SummaryPros & consThreads

Honda Odyssey owners on Reddit describe a van that keeps going when it is maintained, with older vans at 245,000, 289,000 and even 301,000 miles, and a 2015 at 215,000 still judged worth a new timing belt. Families say it beats three-row SUVs for space and power, and many owners muzzle the VCM to stop misfires. Owners of 2018 and newer vans complain about weak air conditioning, lazy adaptive cruise, buggy infotainment, slow sliding doors and some transmission or electrical failures near 100,000 miles.

Pros

More room and practicality than three-row SUVs, according to many families
Older vans often pass 200,000 miles with routine care and timing belt service
Strong V6 and a ride that feels like a car

Cons

Weak air conditioning and hesitant adaptive cruise on newer vans
Infotainment glitches and trouble pairing more than one phone
VCM-related misfires on older engines, often fixed with a muzzler
Some transmission and electrical failures on 2018 and newer vans

Does anyone regret their '20-'26 purchase? Hate list? r/HondaOdyssey · 2025-11-11
How reliable is your Odyssey long-term? r/HondaOdyssey · 2025-09-17
Anyone ever regret buying one? Why? r/HondaOdyssey · 2025-08-31
Odyssey with 215k miles r/HondaOdyssey · 2026-06-15

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Odyssey complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Odyssey version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

12,716complaints, 1995–2026

449mention a crash

137mention a fire

685injuries reported

6complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2018 (993), 2019 (976), 2002 (960)

2018 · 993 complaints

Crashes 14 · fires 3 · injuries 30 · complaints reporting a death 1

Electrical system258

Forward collision avoidance201

Engine189

Power train165

Unknown or other147

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Odyssey CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 43 Odyssey versions for model years 1995–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 394 g/mi (2024). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 11995–1998

19–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–468 g/mi

Gen 21999–2004

18–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–494 g/mi

Gen 32005–2010

18–20 mpg · CO₂ 444–494 g/mi

Gen 42011–2017

21–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–425 g/mi

Gen 52018–2026

22 mpg · CO₂ 394–406 g/mi

Model year2025

22combined MPG

395CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost

4/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Odyssey · Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L — 22 MPG · 395 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Odyssey vs Toyota Sienna vs Dodge Grand Caravan

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2018–2026. NHTSA lists 27 recall campaigns for the Odyssey, against 17 for the Toyota Sienna and 5 for the Dodge Grand Caravan. Pick a range to compare.

Honda OdysseyGen 5

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 27
NHTSA owner complaints: 3,360
EPA combined mpg: 22–22
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 1,190
Electrical system 1,031
Engine and cooling 712

Toyota Sienna

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 17
NHTSA owner complaints: 635
EPA combined mpg: 20–36
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.5 L · 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Seats 235
Brakes 57
Structure and body 51

Dodge Grand Caravan

Model years 2018–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 534
EPA combined mpg: 20–20
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.6 L
Drive (EPA): FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 152
Structure and body 88
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 80

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Honda Odyssey VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an Odyssey

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Grey Honda Odyssey (fifth generation) minivan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Odyssey's VIN through the driver's side windshield on the dashboard plate. The door jamb sticker and the B-pillar between the sliding door and front door carry secondary labels. The Gen 5 generation starts with the 2018 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (J for 2018) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Honda Odyssey VIN questions

Which Honda Odyssey model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2018 leads with 993, ahead of the 2019 (976) and 2002 (960). Those first two alone make up 15% of the 12,716 Odyssey complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Honda Odyssey had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 82 vehicle campaigns for model years 1995–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 28. Then come the Gen 5 (27), Gen 4 (14), Gen 3 (13) and Gen 1 (3), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Honda Odyssey recalls are high risk?

20V-026, 20V-027, 15V-320, 15V-370 and 16V-344 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-268, 19V-182, 19V-499, 19V-501 and 15V-563 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-014, 14V-112, 16V-417, 20V-066, 21V-010 and 23V-751. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Odyssey generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1995–1998 and the Gen 2 1999–2004. Gen 3 spans 2005–2010, Gen 4 2011–2017 and Gen 5 2018–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (J is 2018).

What fuel economy does the Honda Odyssey get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2018–2026 Gen 5 at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 19–21 mpg for the 1995–1998 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Honda Odyssey compare with the Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan on recalls?

For 2018–2026 models the Odyssey has 27 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Sienna has 17, the Dodge Grand Caravan 5. Complaints run 3,360, 635 and 534 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Honda Odyssey have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Odyssey 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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About the Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey generations