2009 Honda Odyssey.

The 2009 Honda Odyssey is better than average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 82, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 20 mpg combined. The best Honda Odyssey year is 2017.

82Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.2× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2017 · Worst year 2018

Photo shows a 2018 Honda Odyssey. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemBody structure32% of owner complaints Recalls4Free fix at any dealer Better year to buy20178.3× fewer complaints than average Repair notes from Honda58Ask a seller if they were done

Owner complaints69first 3 years

Fuel economy18–20 mpgcombined, EPA

Front crash★★★★★NHTSA, driver

How serious. Out of 198 owner complaints, owners reported:

6crashes

13injuries

6fires

1tows

58 repair notes from Honda

Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

body structure32%

brakes23%

transmission & drivetrain12%

engine7%

speed control7%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Honda Odyssey year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 64K

0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 109K miles on the car (160 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

body structure complaints mostly came at 38K–99K miles
engine complaints mostly came at 85K–137K miles
electrical complaints mostly came at 43K–110K miles

Recalls 4

fuel system, gasoline 2014
The affected fuel pump may send an incorrect fuel reading to the fuel gauge possibly causing the vehicle to run out of fuel.
fuel system, gasoline 2014
In the affected vehicles, the fuel pump strainer cover may deteriorate allowing fuel to leak out.
body structure 2012
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 DU…

Show all 4 recalls

parking brake 2009
HONDA IS RECALLING 421 MY 2009 ODYSSEY VEHICLES.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Honda told dealers about

Honda sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

Sliding door does not open all the way even though window is closed
Power doors continually lock, multiple times, while driving
The engine shuts off, power on, but in accessory; never use conventional wheel & tire assemblies

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

ClosedStabilus rear liftgate struts failing2012
ClosedUnexpected closing of power liftgate2011–2012

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningNot offered

Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2009 Honda Odyssey — Front crash test · NHTSA

Fuel cost and engines

About $3200–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

While opening my tailgate on my Honda Odyssey van yesterday at around 6:00 p.m. It fell down on my head. What would cause that to happen? I did not do anything to try and fix it. The dealership was closed.
2009 Honda Odyssey owner · NHTSA complaint 10463861

More owner reports

Drive over 65 mph, steering vibration brake over 40mph, noise.
NHTSA complaint 10294267

My 2009 Honda Odyssey manually operated rear liftgate will not hold open. Given the weight of the liftgate, it could cause serious injury if the strut failed when the liftgate is open with people under it.
NHTSA complaint 10400978

Quick answers

Is the 2009 Honda Odyssey reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 82; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Honda Odyssey year by this measure is 2017.

What are the most common 2009 Honda Odyssey problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (32%), brakes (23%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Odyssey have?

4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Honda Odyssey get?

18 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2009 Honda Odyssey problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 109,800 miles. The middle report was at 64,500 miles, from 160 complaints.

Does the 2009 Honda Odyssey have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2009 Honda Odyssey cost in fuel a year?

About $3200 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2009 Honda Odyssey have?

3.5L 6-cyl.

What Honda Odyssey year is better than the 2009?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2013 and 2010.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works