What is the problem with the airbags?

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Honda’s recall concerns the algorithm that controls the side-impact and rollover sensors in the Odyssey’s supplemental restraint system (SRS). These electronics monitor vehicle stability and are engineered to deploy airbags to protect occupants if they sense a crash or rollover. Under specific driving conditions, the software may misinterpret inputs from the vehicle’s yaw and acceleration sensors (two specialized electronic systems that provide vehicle dynamics data to the vehicle’s various safety systems) and trigger an unintended airbag deployment. In a worst-case scenario, the faulty software would delay a needed deployment.

Is the defect dangerous?

According to Honda, as of April 2, 2026, there have been 25 reports of injury and no reports of death related to this issue from January 24, 2017- April 2, 2026

What vehicles are affected?

The recall affects approximately 440,000 Honda Odyssey minivans from model years 2018 to 2023. Honda’s NHTSA and internal service‑bulletin language list “Odyssey – ALL,” meaning the recall applies to all trim levels within the affected year range. That said, individual vehicle status depends on production date and equipment, so not all vehicles will require the software update. To check if your vehicle is subject to a recall, visit the Honda recall portal or the NHTSA portal, enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), and the database will be searched.

Is this recall unique?

No. Several other automakers have issued airbag-related recalls that involve software or control-module issues. While the exact nature of the problem varied, General Motors (GM) recalled nearly 4.3 million vehicles worldwide due to a software defect that could sometimes deactivate the front airbags (and seatbelt pretensioners) under rare conditions—updated software fixed the issue. And Mazda recalled about 171,000 CX-30 SUVs and Mazda3 sedans/hatchbacks last year for an airbag software issue that could cause the airbags to be deactivated if the battery was inadvertently drained—updated software fixed that issue, too.

Should consumers avoid the Honda Odyssey?

Absolutely not. The Honda Odyssey is one of the most popular minivans on the market. U.S. News & World Report gave it the “Best Minivan for the Money” award (2024–2026), and Kelley Blue Book named it the “Minivan Best Buy Winner” (2018-2020) and “Best Resale Value” (2020). Families note its spacious, comfortable interior, strong driving dynamics, and award-winning safety scores from the IIHS and NHTSA. Note that all late-model Odyssey models come with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features for additional peace of mind.

What should owners of the Honda Odyssey do?

Owners of 2018 through 2023 Honda Odyssey minivans will be notified by Honda beginning in early May 2026. They will be invited to visit their dealers to update the software at no cost (owners who have already paid for related repairs are eligible for reimbursement under Honda’s recall program). Owners of these vehicles can also determine if their vehicles require repair by visiting www.recalls.honda.com, or by calling (888) 234-2138.