Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 829 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Honda Odyssey, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 96 | 12% |
| Steering | 74 | 9% |
| Power train | 74 | 9% |
| Air bags | 67 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 67 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 48 | 6% |
| Engine | 38 | 5% |
| Equipment | 30 | 4% |
| Tires | 28 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I bought the 2005 Odyssey van in 12/2015. It now has 192,426 miles on it. Three or four times every year since I bought it, the engine will suddenly surge when coming to a stop sign or light, with my right foot on the br
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The engine VCM system is burning oil and destroying emissions systems on the vehicle. Catalytic converters are mainly affected as burned oil goes through the exhaust system. The check engine light comes on and the the en
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The transmission was making noise and missing and the vehicle was not picking up speed.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I Purchased Cooper Evolution M+S 235/65 R16 tires that I purchased from Tire kingdom at 220 Linto BLVD Delray Beach FL. 33444. The set of tires have low miles on them and tread wear is great. When I got the tires I felt
NHTSA complaint: Tires
The contact owns a Dorel Disney Baby Car Seat, Model Name: Light ‘N Comfy 35, Manufactured Date: August 06, 2021, installed in a 2005 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while placing the car seat onto the base in the vehi
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
I have a 2005 Honda Odyssey. About 6 months ago the drivers side sliding door fell off the tracks. This happened while we were trying to close the door but it would not slide at all. We were out at a restaurant and it wa
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The sliding doors would not open by any of the control switches and would not open manually to allow persons seated in back two rows to exit in emergency.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Van turns off while driving after front lights is turn on or radio with charging a phone
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2005 Honda Odyssey. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Delphi Automotive Systems, LLC (Delphi) is recalling certain replacement fuel pump modules, part number FG1155-11B1, sold for use in 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The affected fuel pump may send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel. The fu
Risk: A vehicle that runs out of fuel and stalls has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Delphi has begun notifying dealers and distributors, and will replace the fuel pump modules, free of charge. Owners may contact Delphi customer service at 1-877-411-8770. Delphi's number for this re
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2005-2010 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 23, 2004, through September 4, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Parts to permanently repair the affected vehicles are not currently available. Honda will notify owners with an interim letter during May 2014. A second notice was mailed to owners October 6, 2014 w
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ODYSSEY AND ACURA RL VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS A LUBRICANT FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART O
Risk: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 ODYSSEY TOURING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER OPERATED REAR LIFTGATE. THE POWER LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS MAY DETERIORATE UNEXPECTEDLY EARLY. STRUTS THAT HAVE WORN OUT PREMATURELY MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE POWER LIFTGATE IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE POWER
Risk: INJURY MAY RESULT FROM A POWER LIFTGATE CLOSING UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN A PERSON IS WITHIN THE CLOSING PATH OF THE LIFTGATE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GAS LIFTGATE STRUTS AND REPLACE IF WITHIN THE RECALL POPULATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON MARCH 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HO
| Reliability raw | 48 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 68 | good |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 829 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 96 of them (12%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 48/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.