About this problem
Power sliding doors use a motor, a cable or belt, rollers, latches and sensors to open and close. When any of those parts wear, the door can refuse to open, stop halfway, reopen after closing or fail to latch. Pinched wiring in the hinge area is a common cause, and some failures were recalled because the door could open while driving.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Honda Odyssey since 2012, 274 (6.4%) describe sliding door problems, making it the most reported problem we track on the Odyssey. The reports cluster on the 2018, 2019 and 2020 model years, and the 2018 drew the most, with 83. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 18,000 and 70,000 miles. 2 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 2 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Odyssey owners report the power sliding doors not closing fully, reopening on their own, or opening while the van is moving. Some say the door's latch or cable failed; others say the door stopped working altogether. The 2018 to 2020 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
Honda has recalled some Odyssey years for sliding door latch problems, and dealers can adjust or replace the latch, cable or motor. Check for open recalls by VIN before anything else.
Typical cost: Recall repairs are free. Out of warranty, a door motor or cable assembly typically costs $600 to $1,500.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"When I stop curbside for school carpooling (I have 5 children at 3 different schools) to allow passengers to exit the passenger side sliding door, I then cannot get it to close. The door will slide all the way to within 1 inch of closing and pop back open."
2018 Honda Odyssey, 27,157 miles
"Rear sliding doors open after putting car in drive and releasing the emergency brake. Problem is intermittent. The car has not yet moved. I have foot brake engaged."
2020 Honda Odyssey, 10,100 miles
"Inside panel of sliding door keeps popping off. This obstructs opening and closing of door. Sometimes the panel is so far disengaged that the door cannot be opened from tbe outside due to contact with the body of the van."
2019 Honda Odyssey, 30,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2018 and 2019 Honda Odyssey vehicles.
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Odyssey vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Honda has sent dealers 108 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.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
During hot weather (typically above 90 F), there is either a squeaking or rubbing noise coming from the power sliding door upper roller area (left or right) while driving over bumps or uneven surfaces due to the body flexing, t...
During warm weather and sun exposure, there is either a squeaking or rubbing noise coming from the power sliding door upper roller area (left or right) while driving over bumps or uneven surfaces.
Before you buy a Odyssey
- Open and close both sliding doors several times with the button, the key fob and by hand.
- Check by VIN for open sliding door recalls.
- Listen for grinding from the door track.
Questions
Which Honda Odyssey years have sliding door problems?
Complaints are highest for the 2018, 2019, 2020 model years. The 2018 drew the most, with 83 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 39,000 miles, and half reported it between 18,000 and 70,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Recall repairs are free. Out of warranty, a door motor or cable assembly typically costs $600 to $1,500.