One of the most consistently well-regarded minivans on the used market — a strong V6 paired with a CVT or conventional automatic depending on trim and year, each with its own small consideration worth checking.
This V6 shares its core architecture with the J35 covered in detail under Acura's TL and MDX — the same genuinely strong reliability reputation applies, provided the timing belt interval is respected.
Transmission choice varies across this generation's production run — mostly a conventional 6-speed automatic, with some later examples using a CVT — worth confirming which a specific car has and reading the relevant transmission page before buying.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This Odyssey's V6 shares its core architecture with the J35 covered under Acura's TL and MDX. Full detail on this engine family's timing belt requirement lives on that shared engine page.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNAcura 3.5L J35 V6 — Reliable or Not →Some examples of this generation use Honda's CVT rather than a conventional automatic, worth checking separately.
Confirm whether the specific van has a conventional automatic or CVT, and consult the relevant transmission page before buying.
Get documented proof of the timing belt replacement interval, per the guidance on the shared engine page.
Test all power-sliding doors and the rear climate controls during a viewing, common wear items on family-used examples.