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Is the Odyssey the Least Reliable Honda?

The Honda Odyssey is a family vehicle that has seen decades of loyalty. Families buy one as the family grows, then send first-time drivers off in them when they turn 16. With the amount of 10-, 15-, or even 20-year-old Odysseys out there on the road you’d think it must be one of the most …

The Honda Odyssey is a family vehicle that has seen decades of loyalty. Families buy one as the family grows, then send first-time drivers off in them when they turn 16. With the amount of 10-, 15-, or even 20-year-old Odysseys out there on the road you’d think it must be one of the most reliable Hondas. Could it actually be the least reliable Honda?

2020 Honda Odyssey
2020 Honda Odyssey | Honda

According to Consumer Reports, the 2020 Honda Odyssey earned one of the lowest reliability ratings out of every other Honda model. The Odyssey may not be as reliable as we thought. Let’s look into the reliability rating from CR to see how they came up with this surprising verdict.

The 2020 Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey is a minivan that enjoys a cushy reputation. It’s a vehicle for the whole crew that offers loads of features, loads of cupholders, and Honda reliability. Or does it? The Honda Odyssey earned a terrible reliability score from CR.

Starting at $30,790 – $47,420, the 2020 Honda Odyssey is a popular choice for families. But CR only gave it a 2 out of 5 for predicted reliability. Why? The 2020 Odyssey earned a 5 out of 5 predicted reliability score for everything mechanical. It’s with the power equipment and in-car electronics that this modern minivan has problems.

Since its redesign year in 2018, the 2020 Honda Odyssey has seen trouble with electronics. The electrical systems of these minivans have such bad issues that ––though this is the only negative side to the Odyssey’s reliability scores –– the scored drops down that much. As far as getting you from A to B, however, the 2020 Odyssey is looking just fine. Maybe it’s not the least reliable Honda, after all.

2020 Odyssey recalls

This minivan has been recalled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The problem is with –– you guessed it –– the electrical system. And it’s actually pretty scary. According to the NHTSA, there is a short in the wiring which “could overheat the wire harness, increasing the risk of a fire.”

A 2005 Honda Odyssey on display
The Honda Odyssey | John B. Carnett/Bonnier Corporation via Getty Images

The real least reliable Honda vehicle

Although the Honda Odyssey minivan earned a sad score of 2 out of 5 for reliability, it isn’t the worst. Turns out, one Honda vehicle actually scored even lower. The 2020 Honda Odyssey may have scored second lowest for Honda reliability, but it isn’t dead last.

The Honda Passport is the least reliable Honda, according to Consumer Reports. There are major problems with the climate system. This includes the A/C compressor, lower (fan) motor, condenser, heater system, evaporator, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, and electrical failure. There are also problems with electronics and the body integrity of this Honda SUV.

In addition to earning the lowest Honda reliability score, the 2020 Honda Passport was also recalled. Apparently, the labels may peel off, rendering them unreadable. This may cause the 2020 Passport to be overloaded, which increases the risk of a crash.

Not the Honda Odyssey

Lovers and fans of the Honda Odyssey, don’t worry. The Odyssey eeked by in terms of reliability and beat out the far newer Honda Passport. Rest assured, the 2020 Honda Odyssey is not the least reliable Honda. CR reliability ratings say it’s actually the 2020 Honda Passport.

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