About this problem
The infotainment system runs the touchscreen, radio, phone pairing, navigation and often the backup camera. Software bugs and failing hardware can make it freeze, go black, reboot by itself or drain the battery. Beyond being annoying, a dead screen can take out the backup camera and climate controls on cars where those run through it. Software updates fix some cases.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Honda Odyssey since 2012, 100 (2.3%) describe infotainment screen freezing or rebooting, the third most reported problem we track on the Odyssey. The reports cluster on the 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years, and the 2019 drew the most, with 25. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 2,000 and 14,000 miles. No recall covers it, but Honda has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners report the Odyssey's touch screen freezing, going black, rebooting while driving, or not responding. When it happens the backup camera, audio and phone connection can drop out too. The 2018 to 2020 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
A software update from the dealer fixes many cases. When the unit itself fails, the screen or head unit is replaced.
Typical cost: Updates are usually free. A replacement head unit costs $800 to $2,500 depending on the model.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"The infotainment system (is) started malfunctioning around 2000 miles. The screen went black and then came back on. It progressively got worse. There was crackling and static around and above the steering wheel."
2020 Honda Odyssey, 2,000 miles
"Frequent loud crackling noises come from the speakers, followed by a network connection lost error message on the screen, and then the screen will go black and eventually the system will reboot."
2019 Honda Odyssey, 1,700 miles
"The rear camera system has 'camera system failure' error. Anytime the car is put in reverse, instead of the rear camera visibility, the screen goes black with an error message of camera system failure."
2018 Honda Odyssey, 15,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Honda has sent dealers 8 bulletins that mention this problem on the Odyssey. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Tech Line Summary Article - We're currently investigating an issue that when using CabinWatch and the RES is streaming an application or playing a DVD for 10 minutes or more, a Camera System Problem.
The RES screen will freeze or go blank while in use, and a Camera System Problem.
Servicenews article - We're getting reports that after about 10 minutes of continuous CabinWatch use, the Display Audio screen shows an error message and goes black or stops working.
Tech line summary article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) isn't responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there's debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel.
Servicenews article - If the On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) isn't responding to touch or is freezing up, the reason could be there's debris lodged in the gap between the touch screen and the bezel.
BACKGROUND There is a software problem within the audio-navigation unit that may cause the display screen, including any video images, to go blank and the unit to stop working.
Before you buy a Odyssey
- Spend a few minutes using the screen on the test drive: pair a phone, use navigation and the backup camera.
- Ask whether the system software has been updated.
- Make sure the backup camera comes on every time you shift into reverse.
Questions
Which Honda Odyssey years have infotainment screen freezing or rebooting?
Complaints are highest for the 2018, 2019, 2020 model years. The 2019 drew the most, with 25 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 9,000 miles, and half reported it between 2,000 and 14,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Updates are usually free. A replacement head unit costs $800 to $2,500 depending on the model.