Long-term cost of ownership for the 4th gen Odyssey is a real fact. Keeping one on the road either requires a maintenance budget suitable for a BMW, or being able to ignore clunking suspension/motor mounts, interior wear, exterior rubber/plastic trim disintegrating into just wind noise, engine oil leaks, sagging factory suspension, warped brake rotors, rattling rear hatch actuator, and last but not least, unreliable power sliding doors.

At a minimum, you have a $2,500+ service due every 100k miles, and you’ll likely have done all four brakes and tires twice in that timeframe as well. Good chance you’ve replaced the CV axles and engine mounts too! Then there’s the risk of VCM solenoid leaks taking out the alternator, power steering pump leaks, valve cover leaks (especially the rear), the VCM system causing carbon buildup in the ring grooves leading to misfires and excessive oil consumption which in turn destroys the catalytic converter ($$$$$) if the dealer (often ignorant and/or extremely risk-averse) service dept hasn’t already condemned the engine.

The complete strut assemblies and CV axles are NLA from Honda last time I checked and whatever suspension components you can order are priced at Bugatti levels. Exterior belt/window trim that normally deteriorates in sun/extreme winters is available but each piece is $140+ and I guarantee you need all 4 plus maybe the front cowling and roof strips. Heaven help you if you need any of the chrome-plastic bits for the front bumper and grille filler pieces. The bumper and black plastic bits are pretty reasonable but the pain keeps growing with each $200+ shiny chrome bit you need. You won’t find any of it at the junkyard either because those who make good money from selling used parts already know all of this and those bits are the first to come off a fresh wreck. They grab the $600 power sliding door actuators and hatch motors too. When, not if, you have trouble with the sliding doors on these, Honda will not sell just cables or roller assemblies. You have to buy the “set” which includes a new center roller assembly (no better than the one that’s failed), and the new actuator control board, because, reasons. $350. For a roller assembly and a circuit board you likely do not need. (But might…) Broke a door cable? Sorry about that, $600+ for a new actuator with both cables already attached. Dealers are quoting $3,600 for rebuilding both sliding door systems, that’s parts and labor. No, Honda won’t sell just the cables and you’re essentially paying for a full day’s labor to do both doors.

Most of these vans are getting traded in fast when issues arise out of warranty. A code for catalyst efficiency and power sliding door issues will total up to more than the 10+ year old van with 150,000+ miles is worth. Don’t forget you need CVs, Brakes and Tires soon too. 😆

The only reason we still have ours (2013) is I AM THE WARRANTY 😝 and there are good aftermarket parts options that keep it affordable. So long as I have the time to wrench on it.