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 198 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Honda Odyssey, and it carries 4 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 | 49 | 25% |
| Engine | 25 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 7% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 5% |
| Air bags | 7 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Honda installed a VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) in this engine which shuts down the back three cylinders to save fuel when the car warms up. You’ll know when it kicks in when you see ECO on your dash. When the cylin
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Passenger side slider won’t shut, Driver’s side slider won’t latch. Driver side door suddenly opens when driving!!!! Honda dealer Tech found worn bushing on passenger side center rollers, faulty, driver side, sliding do
NHTSA complaint: Structure
White paint is peeling, chipping and of inferior quality to a black Chevy Trailblazer I own that is 8 years older.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while underneath the vehicle, he became aware that there was severe rust on the muffler. The contact stated that there were flakes on the ground. The contact touc
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Windshield wipers and also the key fob and the sliding doors as well as the blinkers do not work all at the same time first time it’s ever happened. It was December 8, 2023 and now it happened again in January 29 of 2024
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door failed to open. The contact’s handicapped wife was trapped in the vehicle. The contact had to remove the door handle to unloc
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Transmission gears, while driving gears don't engage properly. It struggles to change gears specifically between 3rd to 4th gear. Also when parked and change to Drive makes a stump noise.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 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 2008-2009 ODYSSEY VEHICLES, THE GAS-FILLED STRUTS THAT HELP TO RAISE AND SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A POWER LIFTGATE SYSTEM MAY BE PRONE TO EARLY LIFE FAILURES DUE TO A MANUFACTURING FLAW. THE FLAW CAN RESULT IN A LEAK OF THE PRESSURIZED GAS
Risk: STRUTS WITH DIMINISHED PERFORMANCE CAN LEAD TO UNEXPECTED CLOSURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH POWER LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-10
HONDA IS RECALLING 421 MY 2009 ODYSSEY VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY, INCORRECT FRONT BRAKE HOSES WERE INSTALLED. THE BRAKE HOSE CAN CONTACT THE CALIPER BOLT AND OVER TIME A HOLE MAY DEVELOP WHICH WILL ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.
Risk: DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE AND BRAKING CAPABILITY WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES AND REPLACE WITH THE CORRECT BRAKE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 12, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | 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 198 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 49 of them (25%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 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 65/100. 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.