Used 2006 Honda Odyssey Minivan Consumer Reviews
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Awful van
Initial problem started only a few months after purchase! There was a squeaking noise with braking and dealership said it was the brake pads. It had to be replaced twice, then rotors was resurfaced. To this day, I still have problems with the brakes and they cannot find anything wrong with it. It whines at low speeds when I turn, and whines when I slowly release the brakes! After 2 1/2 years, air conditioning failed! Then the axle seal leaked. I took the van several times for vibrations when vcm was on and for a year I was told there was nothing wrong! It turns out the rear engine mount collapsed! Have changed the batteries twice. Called corporate about probs. but nothing.
Dependable
It is dependable if you take care of it.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- EXMSRP: $3,49512 mi away
- EXMSRP: $5,99512 mi away
- EX Passenger MinivanMSRP: $5,99987 mi away
Love our Ody!
Great van - fun to drive, very comfortable. I love the folding rear seats and extra 8th seat in the middle row. We can fit 8 people comfortably! I also love the power doors.
Good car/bad car
We bought this car new in 1/06 and this is officially my last day of ownership! Our family of 5 finds the interior very comfortable and roomy (we've dubbed it the traveling living room). It's been reliable mechanically but is a bit quirky. The steering noise at low speeds (which our Honda dealer "can't hear") has annoyed me from day 1. The braking distance is unsafely long and has not improved with a complete brake job. I feel like I almost have to stomp on them to get the car to stop. The sliding doors have been finicky and the tracks easily get warped with kids coming in/out. When this happens, we have to turn the auto off and the doors are heavy for manual operation.
Love it
This is my 5th Odyssey and we love it. The lease is up next month and I have been searching for something to replace it as we no longer need a vehicle this large. I have test driven so many cross overs and mid size cars that they are becoming a blur. Nothing I've driven meets my expectations after my experiences with my Odysseys. I am seriously considering getting another one even though I wanted to down size a little, because they have been comfortable, reliable and great in the snow and ice.
Should have bought a Suburban
My 2006 Odyssey with cylinder deactivation has yet to get close to 20 MPG, even with 100% highway miles. Nothing like the claimed fuel economy. Also, it is the worst road-noise car I've owned in a decade. I recently rented a Grand Caravan for several weeks which was much quieter and smoother ride (and better mileage).
Fits Our Family of 6
We were not looking for a Honda. We test drove Town & Country & Grand Caravan. They were too small. We have 2 teens, a preteen & a 5 year old. When looking at vans, I happen to see an Odyssey sitting by a Town & Country. We took it for a spin & loved it. With leather,navi,dvd & more it had all we wanted plus extra storage room. The feel of this van is great and it drives like a dream. This is a 4 year old van, however, it rides and looks like a new van. We love it!
Disappointment
This was the first Honda we had bought. I just traded it in after only 11 months. We were very unhappy with the gas mileage, 15 city/22 highway. The A/C did not work the day we picked it up and it took several visits after having to drive in 90+ deg VA weather before the leak was found and correctly fixed. Trouble with run flat tire at 10000 miles. Concerning mileage I was told no one should expect what they advertise.
No longer the "mommy mobile!"
The odyssey is a sporty minivan that helps alleviate the "I'm a typical mom" syndrome! I can fit my three boys and all of their gear comfortably. The DVD system with wireless headphones is wonderful, especially when waiting at rainy baseball practices! Very reliable and comfortable. I like the maintenance reminder and the removable middle seat is a plus!
Van-a-gan
I bought the van new and have had it over four years and put 75000 miles on it. I have had the power steering pump replaced once and it still groans and growls. The brakes grate and make noise, but always work. I've had them checked out, but they say they're alright. The van performs flawlessly otherwise. It really likes to go, and dare I say it is "fun" to drive. My teenager likes to drive it. I have a difficult time keeping it under 90mph. I drove the Sienna and it seemed under powered and soft. Gas mileage is good for a large vehicle at 21 city and 25 highway. Lots of room and with a whole lot of storage space make it a great car for traveling. I would buy it again.
First and Last Honda
Very disappointed in Honda quality, noisy power steering, paint defect, poor quality sound system, too much road noise, vibration in steering or tires when accelerating and most recently an intermittent starting problem. I'm so tired of going to service dept and being told its not happening! This is what $45,000 buys you? never again!
Too Many Issues
I'm the principal driver of our new Honda, my wife has own business. This is certainly not the best new car decision I've made. We've been back to dealer too many times, although dealership has been great. We've had the DVD player replaced twice and we rarely use it! The Steering has been pulling to right since day one with everything being tried. Now the power doors won't open from switches by the driver?
Excellent vehicle
I bought this van in July of 07 and it has been a pleasure to drive. We have taken it on two vacations and it was very enjoyable. My wife drives it daily and she tells me this is the best van she has ever had. Wow she is happy, I am happy.
Good car but should've not chosen it!
the driver side seating is very uncomfortable and tight compared to other minivans, especially the Sienna; also the loud vibration i feel beneath the car as i am driving which you can also hear from the engine and the brakes make a weird sound as you're turning; really annoying that there's no coin holder in a car costing close to $30,000;
Heads Up
At 25,000 miles my Michelin pax tires will need replacement in 5-7000 miles. Cost to replace is $225/tire. Cannot subtitute other rims or tires. Keep this in mind when puchasing the touring model.
Gas Guzzler
With all the Honda Odyssey's good points; like features, build quality, resale value,etc. They are quickly forgotten when gas consumption is lousy. This van gets barely over 15 mpg/city. This is dissapointing for a current vehicle.
Too expensive to maintan
I have to admit, I am terribly disappointed with the Honda Odyssey. Every trip to the dealer for BASIC maintenance is dreadful since I always walk out spending hundreds of dollars for some reason or the other. Definitely consider reviewing other vans before you decide to buy this one.
Perfect vehicle for us
This minivan has proved itself to be perfect for our requirements. I cannot think of how it could be improved except for gas mileage. My only comment otherwise is: why does the speedometer show up to 160 mph? Much as I like my Odyssey, I do not plan to drive it at 160 mph. John Quinlan
Hyundai or Honda?
Had Hondas most of my life, very reliable cars!! Until now....I'm grateful I leased her. Engine doesn't run right when cold (not talking freezing!!), dealer says there's nothing wrong? Gas mileage is worse than wife's CRV! Seat belt warning beep keeps going off except when I get close to dealer to show em!
FAMILY OF 6
This is an awesome vehicle for any family. We replaced with a 2014 and love it as well. Will stay with odyssey until all 4 of my children are teens then maybe to something else. The Odyssey is a great height for children and mothers lifting car seats. We purchased Odyssey when we had our first child now we have 4 under 10 and is still the best choice for our family.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
No More Hondas for this Family
This is our second Odyssey (first was an '04) and it will be our last. Main reason for purchase was improved fuel economy from the VCM transmission and it has performed horribly (avg 15 mpg city) which is where most of the driving is done. Dealership says they need to have it for 3 days to simulate fuel economy before they will evaluate to see if problem exists with VCM, but they won't give us a loaner! Have had both the fuel pump belt and the fuel pump replaced already, and it only has 19,000 miles. We are 5 time Honda owners (two Civics, two Odysseys and a Pilot), and this will be our last. Looking at Toyotas next! Someone needs to introduce a hybrid minivan to the US market!
This Ain't Your Daddy's Van!
If you are looking for a van with a sporty ride and handling, sport car like acceleration and the reliability that can only co,e from Honda? Then this is your van. It is extremely roomy (far more than the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler vans) and has every creature comfort available. The NAV and DVD are must haves if you drive any distance with your children to visit family or travel for vacation.
Should have kept old one
Had a 2003 Odyssey and decided to upgrade to latest and greatest. It hasn't been too great yet...nagging problems. Have had back to dealer numerous times for little things that shouldn't happen! Had Key Fob replaced, radio reception poor, 3rd row seat bracket was bent upon delivery, and steering pulls to right (still not fixed to my satisfaction)
Regrets so far
I bought a 1999 Odyssey and had problems but loved it anyways. This isn't starting off good at all! Been back to dealer for wind noise, malfunctioning door, rattles from rear door, and engine running rough. I held off buying a 2005, thinking 2006 would have kinks worked out. I was sadly wrong and now wish I bought the Sienna instead!
Battery is painpoint
To be honest, this is a great van. But battery became a worry not long after I purchased it - it went dead several times, in my garage, in airport parking lot etc. I tried to get dealership to check it when doing maintenances there but I was always told it's normal - till today when doing 15k maintain it's confirmed to better to replace it, which is 2 months after 3-yrs warranty. I don't want to pay $130 for it, even I have the 10% coupon, because I am not that happy with it.
Touring adds up to fun--with one minus
The Touring has all the bells and whistles. I do not look forward to replacing the PAX tires in the future. Car is quiet and solid. Major gripe: hatch does not seal out water at bottom and leaves a horrid rust streak where bumper and hatch meet. This is pathetic!
BEWARE! Road test before buying!
I traded in my 03 Odyssey for 06. 06 has had vibrations in steering wheel at highway cruising speeds since purchase which make vehicle annoying, tiring and perhaps even unsafe to drive. Also excessive steering "kickback" from bumps and imperfections in pavement. Honda has balanced tires twice with no improvement. Suggest you road test Odyssey at highway speed before purchasing.
Biggest Bang for the $$$$
I'm a certified Master technician. My wife and I researched for months and finally purchased the honda. The toyota was a close runner-up. Quality and resale are my biggest concerns and Honda has an excellent track record. I agree with many of the posts, Honda should consider focusing more on the convenience issues.
Pretty Good
We bought this car in Febuary and it had 71,000 miles on it. It has only needed new engine mounts, a new starter, new tire, and a power steering pump.
Disappointed so far
Traded in my beloved WRX wagon for a van. Went with the loaded Odyssey Touring based on prior experience with an 98 Accord EX and favorable press. Bad move. Less than 90 days old it needed a complete tranny replacement and new molding on the windshield to eliminated horrible wind noise. Oh yeah, the mileage is awful regularly posting sub- 20mpg on road trips. The dealership said the tranny issue was attributable to a run of bad units from a particular vendor. The most offensive thing being they sell the van knowing the tranny will fail make you bring it in instead of proactively replacing it. Awful CS and negative goodwill. I would never buy this vehicle again.
Warning on the run flat tires
This is an OK van to drive. Do not expect more than 18 MPG on average forget the manufacturers quote. Also do not get this van with the run flat tires. If you get a flat it can only be fixed at a Honda dealer. If you get a flat in a rural area on a friday night your only option is to drive it to a dealer to find that he is closed. You wait until Monday morning and he may tell you that he does not have a spare but will order you one. That can be a few days. It happened to me.
really dissatisfied
The heater is slow to warm up and then is not very warm, the air conditioner is slow to cool and not very cool. The brakes grab. The CD player does not play on rough roads or during cool temperatures. The visibility is poor through the side view mirrors. The driver seat is uncomfortable for shorter people.
Worst purchase ever
All features are slow to react. Voice response never responses correctly. No storage for the driver-side very frustrating car to drive. Gas mileage is awful. Highest I've seen is 17mpg. The feature that shuts down three cylinders slams hard when its on and you have to brake. You could change seasons waiting for the "automatic electronic" doors to open or close. Just an overpriced piece of junk!
Dissapointing qualitites
I like the van but, yes, there's a big fat Honda "but". My cheaper 2002 Volkswagen Jetta has higher quality safety and practical features than the Honda. I have only 1, yes one complaint with the Jetta - placement of the cup holder. With Honda I have dozen minor annoying issues. Made and built in Alabama. When you call the dealership and Honda Customer Service - Amazing how they have a list of excuses Are they Psychic?! It's easier to deal with a Cell phone complaint, Timeshare or the IRS than Honda. "It's the winter snow", "You drove on dirt", "You drove on gravel" "You drove the Car", "Warantee? Nope, not covered! "NOT our Fault cause we monitored your poor driving skills." GPS Spyware?
Great!!
We bought this car used in February 2011 with 71,000 miles in it and love it. We like to sliding doors. There is a lot of cargo space. Plenty of leg room in the 3rd row. The only problem we've had is a new starter and the power-steering pump recall. We now have 88,000 miles on it and plan to drive it till it drops.
Unsafe windows
The main drawbacks are a safety issue and Honda's response. The driver's side window has an auto- up feature. This feature lets you put up your window with a flick of a switch. The only way to stop it is with the switch. There is no sensor stopping the upward motion and even if you press down on the window it will not stop. This works even when the window lock is on and the keys are out of the ignition. Honda's response was that "this is how it was designed, it is not a problem and we don't see a need to change it". Honda also stated "If we had any issues/concerns they needed to be settled when vehicle was purchased". other eg:XM,HVAC.check everything closely b4 u buy!
An Odyssey indeed
We've actually owned two 2006 Odys in three months. We returned the first after four days due to the abysmal fit, finish and performance. Our second has proven to be not quite as bad but still not deserving of the Honda name. The MPG is terrible. 15 city with a light foot. The interior fit and finish is poor. The leather is cheap, the plastics even cheaper. It handles well, but plan on checking your tires' pressure every week, because two pounds high or low turns it into a ill-handling beast. Avoid gravel roads and high curbs at all costs, due to where Honda mounted the AC. The sliding doors get confused easily. Plenty of cup holders, airbags and fellow owners to commiserate with, though.
What happened???
I bought Honda based on reputation and it's turning into a nightmare!!! Where to begin? Poor gas mileage, Brake shimmy and now new pads!!! Power doors closing, then opening, then closing again! Next time (in 2 years when lease is up), a Sienna!!!
Happy Odyssey Owner
My wife and I put over 60,000 miles on our Odyssey (and raised 3 kids "in it") before trading it in for a 2010 last month. It was extremely reliable, and we never had a problem with it that stranded us anywhere. We had the VERY COMMON problem of the power steering pump and reservoir on our van (both were replaced). We had 2 engine mounts & the automatic transmission replaced (EVERYTHING under warranty) at approximately 58,000 miles.
Best mini van out there
Bought this van in July 2006. We had some issues with this van, front wheel bearings, power steering pump, twice, all repaired or replaced by Honda. We now have 112,000 on this van and it runs like new. I just replaced the timing belt, and plan on using it another hundred thousand mies. This has been the very best vehicle I have ever owned
Wonderful minivan
I love this van already. It has so much storage space it is ridiculous. We are still finding pockets daily! This is amazing and so is the fuel economy given the fact that it is almost twice as large as my small SUV owned previously. Also drives like a car and prrrrs like a kitten as you would expect from a Honda. My dad has a Honda Accord w/ 250,000 miles on it!
Best Van Ever
We have owned four vans over the years and this 06 Honda Odyssey is the best. Last year we took a road trip from California to Wisconsin and the mileage was great, very comfy ride, kids loved the room for toys, and very reliable. No problems to report, just regular oil changes!! We will stick with Honda for a van because of the safety and reliability.
Mixed review
Vehicle is pleasant to drive, flexible interior layout, with useful space and fair gas mileage for a vehicle of this size. Have had issues with seat panels repeatedly falling off, clunking sound when selection reverse, early brake and tire change (PAX). Second set of tires are wearing very fast. Steering pump was changed, battery replacement after 2.5 years. CD player quit 2 months after warranty expiration. Some small interior parts repeatedly falling off.
Thanks for the crashbox Honda
My wife and I purchased this vehicle new in Feb 06. We are very pleased with the vehicle. We have averaged between 21-26 mpg since its purchase (70%highway) and have had no mechanical issues to date. I never imagined that a minivan could be fun to drive, but this one is. Most importantly, it is a very safe well engineered vehicle. My wife and two kids (20Months/3years) were recently involved in a serious side impact collision with a full size pickup. In the end, the vehicle suffered approx.19K in damage, but all three walked away unharmed. We purchased an 08 model as a replacement. Thanks Honda, From a greatful father and husband
Enjoyable
Have had for almost 1 1/2 years. Excellent on long trips, but very loud road noise in interior on hwy, especially concrete roads. Steers well, rear entertainment system great, picture awesome. Very versatile with 3 kids. Middle row seats can move backfurther for leg room. Power doors annoying at times, need to be in park or they won't work. Needs automatic headlights and auto locks. Rear visibility limited when small vehicle behind when parallel parking. Heat/cool controls awkward, too many buttons to push just to turn heat or A/c on. Gas mileage 15 city, get 25-27 on straight highway when in economy mode. Solid feeling vehicle, good fit and finish. Handles well in rain, and snow.
2005 Quality Issues
Fell in love with the 2005 Odyssey over the Sienna and others but the quality is lacking in many regards. The car has visited the service center multiple times. Wind noise, whistle from passenger side. Transmission sounds like it is going out. Windows already been serviced as they got stuck. Front center console stays in the down position, too noisy when extended. Hood is misaligned and told to take to get fixed. I have offered this vehicle for test drives to new customers, Honda refused because they know this vehicle wouldn't sell. 30,610 overpaid for this vehicle. Watch out!!
We love it
Traded a very loaded Tahoe. It has more room than Tahoe for passengers and is much better on gas. DVD is a must for kids and navigation is a must for dad/mom. It does not seem like a minivan. We love it. It rides excellent.
Good Vehicle
Fun to drive and feels like a car. For a person of 5'.5", the steering wheel seemed to be a little bit of a stretch. Moving the second row seats together seemed to be laborious the first time when we did it. Also, sliding the 2nd row seats for the back row occupants to get in seemed to be a challenge always. Liked the 6 cd chager and dvd player. Like to see the Navigation like console with options would be ideal
Time To Sell
Great family vehicle. Plenty of room for all. 3rd row is a great option to have and its easy to work with laying seats into floor. Front seats could be more comfortable. Fairly thin on padding. Leather appears cheap and hard since day one. Could be better insulated from road noise - DO NOT BUY IF THE MODEL HAS RUN FLAT TIRES. I am irritated at Honda for the decisions on tires but will probably buy another Honda (Pilot) based on value.
Great Mini-Van!
We previously had another minivan, 2001. We gave it to our daughter and son-in-law for their growing family, but found we really liked having a van. After much research we decided to buy the Honda Odyssey, EXL. We took it on a trip with two other adults, about 500 miles. We got 28 MPG and the room and ride were excellent. This vehicle has plenty of power and I especially like the fuel efficiency, even with a 255 HP motor. Like other Hondas we have owned, the workmanship is excellent. Honda is very thoughtful in how they build and design a vehicle. Thanks Honda, another "Home-Run"