2023 Honda Odyssey

Forward Collision System

Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2023 Honda Odyssey has 10 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “This is regarding the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) I will be driving on side streets around town (driving kids to school and daycare) and there will be no vehicle/obstacle near me/ in front of me and my van will flash on the dashboard “brake” and then it slams on the brake. This has happened at least 5-6 times as of todays date 5/20/25. There is no warning or reason for the car to brake like this. I have brought this to the Honda dealer two times now once I realized how serious this was. I was informed that since it isn’t throwing a code there is nothing they can do. This is a serious safety risk not only to myself but to my children- this is a van so most people who drive this have small children. The last two incidents i was inches from being rear ended with my children in the car. The time before that I had my family from out of town in my car, that could have been eight people seriously injured or killed for no reason.” (NHTSA Complaint #11662074)

Body & Structure

The 2023 Honda Odyssey has generated 5 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Rear lift gate randomly opens and closes automatically while driving and when parked. My kids were in the back seat and there were groceries in the trunk that could have fallen out. Dealership said it’s not a recall, and that it is due to a bad weather stripping around the rear window allowing water into the lift gate and damage the controls.” (NHTSA Complaint #11720628)

Electrical System

Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2023 Honda Odyssey include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 5 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Around Dec 2024, the central control screen started blacking out. At first, it would black out and then the screen will come back on randomly. We took the car to Tempe Honda service center, and the technician was able to reproduce the problem, and it’s covered under warranty. However, they had to order, but they didn’t anticipate that it would be in back order. A couple months later, we checked on the status and found out that it was on back order and there is only one manufacturer, so it could take a few more months. We kept on calling to check on the status, and the anticipated back-fill date kept on pushing out. Finally, the screen went completed black and wouldn’t come back around Aug 2025. We called Tempe Honda, and the service manager suggested us to call American Honda Motor. We did, and a case was open with American Honda Motor around 10/17/2025. American Honda Motor has been providing weekly update to us, however the update has been the same, which is that they are waiting for ETA on the release date for the part. We wrote an email back on 11/20/2025 with our concerns around safety due to this defect. They called on 11/26/2025 and suggest us to file a complaint with NHTSA. Our concerns in the email include: 1) it’s the central control for a lot of the functions including navigation (which we can’t update because the screen is broken, and the warranty period to do so will soon be at an end); 2) It’s being used when we back up our car. With the defect screen, the back-up camera is useless. This poses potential danger as we pull out of a busy parking lot, such as at school when we drop off and pick up kids. it’s very difficult to back up without the screen especially when there are large vehicles parked next to us; 3) To have customers with an essential part of the car being defective for a year is unacceptable. This problem needs to be fixed ASAP. Thank you!” (NHTSA Complaint #11701692)

Engine

Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2023 Honda Odyssey have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “I have a 2023 Honda Odyssey. The engine is making a knocking noise. The oil has just been changed with 5.7 quarts, following the factory specifications, but the knocking is still there. The timing belt tensioner has also been replaced, as well as the high-pressure fuel pump. However, the knocking noise is still present, especially at low speeds.” (NHTSA Complaint #11721259)

Other Systems

The 2023 Honda Odyssey has generated 4 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “Not sure about what component could have triggered but I started seeing smoke and fire from the front hood. I managed to stop and exit the call to call emergency services. The fire aggravated that the whole car was burned. The dealer was notified as well as the Honda but yet to hear back. The claim is also filed with insurance company that they indicated to be getting custody of the vehicle to inspect.” (NHTSA Complaint #11653902)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Honda Odyssey

The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Honda Odyssey by the NHTSA or Honda. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2023 Honda Odyssey:

• 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
• 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
• 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Honda to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.

What You Can Recover

If your 2023 Honda Odyssey qualifies as a lemon under California law, Honda may be legally required to:

• Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
• Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
• Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Honda pays all legal fees if you prevail
• Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Honda willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2023 Honda Odyssey Claim

Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.

Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Honda a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Honda dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.

Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Honda pays your fees if you win.

Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Honda a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.

2023 Honda Odyssey Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2023 Honda Odyssey as a lemon?

Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.

Does Honda pay my attorney fees?

Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Honda is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2023 Honda Odyssey?

California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.